The Uplands was delighted to welcome 16 students and leaders from International Christian University (ICU) in Japan this August. Their three-day retreat offered a mix of meaningful project work, connection with the land, creative experiences, and perhaps most importantly, space to slow down and be together.
The students, who came with their Social Impact Project already underway, are at a wonderful stage of finding themselves and exploring how they want to contribute to a more peaceful world. The program has a strong emphasis on service-learning, global citizenship, social engagement, and learning through real-world experience, so their time at The Uplands was part of a larger process of connecting their education with the kind of change they hope to create in the world.
Because the students all live in cities, the openness and spaciousness of The Uplands were an important part of their experience. We began their visit with a tour of the center and a walk in nature, helping everyone get oriented to the land. From there, the retreat unfolded with a balance of structured sessions and plenty of free time. Japan ICU students were guided through a “Future News Story” art project, using collage, colored pencils, and markers to imagine a front-page news story celebrating the wild success of their social impact project and the meaningful change it created in their campus and local community. In open time, the group could swim, play lawn games, take walks, use the sauna and hot tub, or simply find a quiet place to rest. Having this choice and spaciousness between their Social Impact Project sessions gave them room to process and connect in their own ways.
There were many opportunities to experience The Uplands through the senses and through hands-on connection with place. The group was led in a garden harvesting activity, giving the students a chance to get their hands in the land and learn about what was growing here. We gathered around the bonfire for an evening fireside chat, watched the sunset from the west patio, and had plans for a nighttime walk and stargazing. When the weather didn’t cooperate, we happily pivoted and turned the evening into a spa night, making use of the pool, sauna, and hot tub instead. It was a lovely reminder that some of the best retreat experiences come from responding to what the moment offers.
The retreat also included Uplands offerings of yoga, meditation, and creative art-making. These experiences complemented the students’ Social Impact Project work, which included workshops and individual freewriting and reflection.
It was a pleasure to see The Uplands once again serve as a place where young people can step away from the pace and stimulation of city life and have room to think, create, play, connect, and imagine what comes next. We are grateful to have been part of their journey and to have shared this beautiful place with them for a few days.
