After a busy day of leadership building activities, first-year students got a chance to slow down on the morning of day three and listen to guest speakers. Different faculty and staff from CWU made the early morning drive to Camp Ghormley to share their knowledge with the first-years. By bringing in guests to ELP, the first-years students are able to familiarize themselves with people they might run into on campus. Especially for the first-year freshmen, it can be overwhelming trying to acclimate to a large campus with countless departments, centers, buildings, and staff.
"I’ve been really fortunate to have a network of some remarkable people on campus who put students first. When I connect with them and ask them to come join us at ELP to hang out with the students and talk to them about Central, Ellensburg or just college life in general, they don’t hesitate to say yes! ELP students come back to campus feeling like veterans of Central after just a few days together," said Perez.
Presentations about Communication, Diversity and Inclusivity, and Time and Stress Management gave students the chance to learn more about traits of a great leader and hear about resources directly available to them on campus.
David Douglas, motivational speaker and professor in the ITAM department, came to Camp Ghormley to give a presentation on Communication.
“Above all else I want them to hear that I and other staff and faculty are here for them both inside and outside of the classroom. Of course I want them to also gain from the communication workshop and learn great skills about how to be effective communicators in a time where technology can hurt our listening skills,” said Douglas.
Jessica Murillo-Rosales and Caitlin Bassett from the Exploratory Advising Office came to discuss why Time and Stress Management are crucial for a successful college experience. Often times they see first-year students becoming overwhelmed with having to decide how to spend their time. Between classes, extracurricular activities, clubs, friends, and no parents watching your every move, college presents plenty of opportunity for distraction.
“I want them to understand that they should recognize that unforeseen things are going to happen, and that’s okay. It’s just really important about how you set your priorities,” said Murillo-Rosales.
Griff Tester, professor in the Sociology Department, came to discuss Diversity and Inclusivity with the first-year students to help them gain a better perspective. Part of being a great leader is practicing inclusivity and acceptance.
“It was so cool hearing him talk, I loved listening to his perspective on how each of our life stories shapes our values. I think the first-years gained a lot from learning more about how being accepting of everyone can elevate their leadership to another level,” team leader Ramsey Fruean.
After a morning filled with learning, it was time to put all these new-found skills to the test with the help of CWU Outdoor Pursuits and Rentals! Each camper got to choose between hiking, rock climbing, white water rafting, or completing a challenge course for their afternoon adventure. Could they communicate effectively while tearing down the rapids in a raft? Would they work together while scaling the side of a mountain?
Nickolas Crownover, an incoming freshman, chose to go rafting, the adventure that proved to be the most taxing.
“We had to communicate with each other and listen to our raft guide who was giving us commands. We all had each other’s backs, that’s for sure! When one person was falling out we made sure to get them quick and pull them back in. We all relied on one another, it really was a great time!” said Crownover.
The students who chose to complete the challenge course realized just how much encouragement and teamwork helps when going through hard times.
“Everyone was so encouraging. I knew that even if I did fall, someone was going to catch me and I was going to be okay. It furthered my understanding that as we go through life we gain resources, like new friends and support systems,” freshman Hailey Jo Burghart said.
Time and time again ELP proved to be a melting pot for new friendships. Each activity first-years participated in was thoughtfully planned by ELP leaders to enhance the camper’s experience. The practical skills learned throughout activities and workshops were tested during the adventures to simulate environments where they might undergo stress or pressure. The first year of college can definitely feel like you’re traveling down a winding river, or like you’re balancing on a tight rope 30ft above ground. That’s why the goal of ELP is to equip first-year students with skills and relationships they’ll need to not only survive, but thrive during their first year on campus!