From Friday to Saturday, July 24 to 26th, our Kollaboration Staff went on a retreat to Lake Arrowhead. Read about our Kollaboration Summer Interns experience at the retreat!
Joyce Chun – Summer 2009 Intern
Kollaboration Retreat: One word that I would use to describe the Kollaboration retreat is: welcoming. When I first decided to intern for Kollaboration this summer, I had no idea what to expect and what kind of experience I’ll take from my time here. Little did I know that this summer I would be embarking on a life-changing journey with an amazing group of people. As dramatic as that sounds, Kollaboration really has opened my eyes to be true to myself, strive to accomplish my goals, and look at the bigger picture.
The retreat site itself was awesome, thanks to Waffle Willy, with its lake view balcony and cabin-esque decorations that provided a very homey intimate atmosphere. I just KNEW great things would happen that weekend. Within the first couple hours, inside jokes and friendships were created that are still used across various online exchanges to this day. The theme for the retreat was branching out and getting to know someone you didn’t know and it really hit home for me. Though I was new to Kollaboration this year and did not know the majority of the people present, the Kollaboration family was very welcoming and I felt like I developed new and lasting friendships through the experiences I had that weekend. I genuinely feel like Kollaboration has grown to become my second family. =]
One of the most inspiring things about the retreat was when we all shared our life stories or dreams in our indoor campfire circle. Everyone’s story was deeply moving and it helped me realize the importance of having a community to share your inner feelings with in order to bond and grow together, because no one can do it alone.
My favorite part of the retreat was by far staying up all night playing nonstop Mafia and shamelessly accusing each other of being the culprit. Mafia can actually be quite a stressful game…if you aren’t good of course ;) but it definitely brought a lot of laughter from defenses like “If I’m the mafia…then it’s one of us, both of us, or none of us“ and “WHOOORE!!.”
I love the Kollaboration family and I’m grateful I was given the opportunity to partake in the movement this summer. I’m so glad everyone had their camera and took a million pictures, because every time I look at the retreat pictures I can’t help but smile. I know I will treasure the memories and I can’t wait to come back next year!
Tiffany Le – Summer 2009 Intern
In the midst of the hot summer, I got to get away to the cool breezes of Lake Arrowhead last weekend. There was never a dull moment, from the car ride there to the last moments playing Mafia until we parted ways. I met some of the most genuine people I’ve ever known and became part of a second family. I’ve known about the Kollaboration movement since 2007 and have always admired everyone’s efforts in putting on such a ground-breaking show. I finally got a chance to join this summer as an intern and I have to say that it is one of the best decisions I have made.
In the short span of two days, new friendships were made and existing ones grew stronger. We ate, played games, ate, played more games, and did I mention, ate? The food was amazing to say the least. Meals were prepared by our very own chef Seong with the help of the Kollaboration staff. Each meal was made with love and care which made it taste even better.
Playing games till dawn was the best part of the retreat. No one took themselves too seriously so it was friendly competition. Teams bonded during activities and skits. We learned more about ourselves and each other and our role in the world. It got emotional at times but we all supported each other and gained a deeper understanding of one another.
Overall, it was an unforgettable experience filled with laughter and good company. We walk away from it with plenty of memories and some embarrassing pictures. I feel like I’ve gained friendships that I will keep for a very long time. Hopefully our family will grow and next year it will be even better!
Lisa Phan – Summer 2009 Intern
Good friends, good food, and good memories were the results of second Kollboration staff retreat. Even though I’ve been on staff for two years, I wasn’t close to any of the other staff members. Maybe it was because I was on the youth staff or maybe it was because I just didn’t have the experience to be a big contribution to the Kollaboration cause, but after retreat, my view on things changed.
This staff retreat is the first retreat I’ve been to where we have our own personal chef. At first I was skeptical of how good he was because we were told that we had to help him cook; however, Chef Seong surpassed my expectations and I learned something from the group cooking. Most of us didn’t seem to have a lot of cooking experience but with Seong’s help, we achieved making the best food I have ever tasted. That just reminded me how much teamwork can accomplish. Plus we had super yummy food to reward us for our success.
All the games were extremely entertaining. Only in Telephone Charades can a unicorn become a rhinoceros and tennis becomes volleyball. However, my favorite game was Mafia. When I was “mafia,” I was able to fool and everyone and win against the “citizens.” And I love John’s reasoning of “If it’s not me, and it’s not you, it has to be them, or it’s the both of us…” We played 5AM and still woke up to make breakfast, except for me… on the last day… Punishment was the best part. You have to have been at retreat to know what I’m talking about ;)
This whole weekend was a really great experience for me. I feel that we really are a family, ie: Andrew mooing super loud to save Tiffany. Even though I didn’t get to bond with everyone in that short period of time, I think just talking to them again was all we needed to take another step in our friendship. I’m so glad we all have a million pictures to remind us of the fun we had. We will definitely have to do this again next year. RAW RAW POTATO!!
Jen Ju – Summer 2009 Intern
The Kollaboration staff retreat this past weekend was really an event I’m glad I experienced. Being new to Kollaboration, I didn’t really know many of the staff members and volunteers who seemed to all have been friends with each other for a really long time. Spending a few days with them in a cabin in Lake Arrowhead really let me all bond with them and truly feel a part of the Kollaboration movement.
I have been on different get-to-know-you retreats before, but they have always been extremely structured. The Kollaboration retreat had enough organization so it didn’t feel like we were just all up there in the same cabin together, but it also gave us enough freedom to do what we wanted to do. The leadership and team-building games we played were extremely entertaining. The silliness was a good way to get to know each other.
One of the most memorable activities was when we were asked to express our views on certain issues by standing on one side of the room or the other depending on what we believed. Because I didn’t really know every one that well, it was nice to learn of their perspectives and understand where they were coming from. This also happened during our sharing activity, where people shared their life stories (condensed). It really made us know each other a lot more.
The food – and making it, of course - however, was probably by far the highlight of many on the trip. Not only did Chef Seong make amazing dishes, he taught others how to cook various things as well. Every one at the retreat was so full after every meal. I think a lot of the bonding also happened in the kitchen as we all watched and helped out with the cooking.
The Kollaboration made me realize even more how wonderful every one who is a part of it really is. Each individual truly believes in what Kollaboration does and tries very hard to help the movement along. Each person who is a part of Kollaboration loves it and is friendly and fun and welcoming.
After Facebook-friending each other, and spamming each other’s walls after we all returned from Lake Arrowhead, I think every one is thinking, “Let’s do it again!”
