Last year, Bethanee Tabura saw an Adventist University hold a girls’ retreat and was inspired to do the same for PUC. She appreciated and was passionate about the Albion Field Station and the programs PUC hosts there, so she found it the perfect place to hold a girls’ retreat. 

Bethanee shared this idea with Ashley Castro, the SA religious VP at the time, and loved the idea and was committed to making this event happen. Bethanee brought more friends into the team, such as Leila Beltra, the current religious VP for SA, who became the program coordinator, and Jayda Hamilton, SA marketing VP, who managed the marketing and merchandise. PUC Director of Student Involvement and SA Sponsor Sharleen Bouit shared wisdom and advice throughout the planning process. 

From January 31 to February 2, they aimed to create a space for our PUC girls to relax and discuss womanhood. Bethanee also wanted to give girls who might not be able to attend the other yearly retreats an opportunity to go to Albion. “It’s such a gorgeous campus, and to be there onsite is a retreat in itself,” she said. 

Another motivation Bethanee had to put together this retreat was from events her high school teachers hosted. “I deeply admired those women, and to see that they cared so much about us valuing ourselves and our relationships meant a lot,” she expressed. “I was hoping to share that same sentiment with the girls here at PUC.” 

With the goal of having 30 participants, 29 girls signed up, but unfortunately, some had to stay home due to sickness and school projects. They also planned for a weekend without rain, but Mother Nature had other plans. Thankfully, the weekend on the coast could not have turned out any better. 

Bethanee kindly answered some questions so we could learn more about the girls’ retreat. 

Tell us about the girl’s retreat in Albion. 

We had four general sessions, each starting with a little mixer. Following, a beloved PUC staff member, faculty member, or sponsor would share her experiences as a woman, navigating each of the complex relationships women face–workplace relationships, romantic and spiritual relationships, relationships with your past and present self, and female friendships. 

Between these sessions, we had many activities for the girls. On Sabbath, we had a “Hobby Market” where each sponsor shared a niche hobby of their own, and the girls were allowed to “shop” for a new hobby to try out. Following that, a handful of girls braved the weather and set sail, kayaking on the river in the rain. 

We closed our weekend with a spa and movie night Saturday evening and a rose ceremony Sunday morning over delicious local pizza. While there was much relaxation, there was plenty to do all weekend.

What did you enjoy the most from the retreat? 

To be terribly vague, I loved how peaceful, relaxing, and empowering it was. As someone who regularly coordinates events and manages all of the minute details involved in an event here on campus, I am typically quite stressed making sure everything runs as smoothly as possible. However, everyone was clearly happy to be there. I don’t know how else to explain it, but it was a lovely experience. 

While it was the biggest event I’ve ever had to plan (yes, it was even much harder to plan than banquet!), it was also the most enjoyable and peaceful event to run. I believe much of this is attributed to my amazing and supportive team, the incredible sponsors, the girls who attended (all who are angels), and the evident purpose and intention of the event.

But if we’re talking about what I had the most fun doing, I loved watching all of our mixers. Seeing girls from all corners of campus say hello to someone new and enjoy a silly little game together is just flat-out awesome. 

Can you share any positive feedback or comments you received from others about the retreat? 

I won’t quote any particular comment as I want each girl to keep for themselves what unique things they learned and took away from the retreat. 

However, the new connections and friendships made among participants and sponsors, the positive comments from the participants, sponsors, and coordinating staff, the conversations we had, and the raw emotions shared spoke volumes. I am so glad I got to know all of these incredible women the way I did and that they decided to come. 

Will there be another girl’s retreat next school year? 

Let’s hope so! Much of this retreat was carried by SA officers, and many of us will be moving on to new roles around campus next year or graduating! While there are a few departments around campus willing to help support the continuation of the program, it will need a special someone to take up the project and make this incredible experience a yearly tradition!

However, more support for the continuation of the project is needed to make this a reality. Speaking from experience as the person who had to spearhead a project as large as this for the first time this year, your support, your willingness to attend as a sponsor or participant, your financial support, your kind words, or your generosity to another PUC student, that is what makes this project possible beyond this year.