SBP Candidate Ashley Releases Fall Retreat Revision Plan
I I Photo courtesy of Blake Ashley
Blake Ashley, Student Body President candidate, released a copy of his highly-anticipated Fall Retreat revision plan today to complete his platform.
This new plan will cut the cost by an estimated $26,105. The 2019 Fall Retreat cost around $72,000, and with the introduction of Blake’s plan for the 2021-2022 school year, the new cost would be around $45,895.
In the plan, Ashley proposes to change the location of the retreat to Camp Tecumseh, a camp affiliated with the Salvation Army in Hunterdon County, NJ. This would reduce the cost in transportation along with the cost of living on site.
Ashley plans to conserve the tradition of having breakout sessions to continue prioritizing the spiritual formation that Fall Retreat provides. He plans to involve Spiritual Life Associates more and train them specifically for further involvement in Fall Retreat.
“The Administration decided to cancel Fall Retreat on a reasonable basis, but this plan proves that their concerns can be addressed by redeveloping the initiative, rather than canceling it all together,” Ashley said in his comprehensive plan for a new Fall Retreat. “This issue is above any one person, and rather is a crucial experience that for many defines what it means to be a student at The King’s College.”
Ashley also proposed to maintain having a theme for the Day Away for next fall, saying he will continue to work with the Student Development team and the Directors of Spiritual Life.
In regards to the individual House Retreats, Ashley claims that the SBP and the Cabinet will offer assistance to the houses alongside Student Development and Christian Formation.
“The Cabinet should work to create high-quality and digestible materials to support house leadership teams as they plan their own retreats,” Ashley said.
Ashley is positive about releasing his plan and respects feedback.
“I believe that the student body will engage with the ideas presented in my plan and offer their thoughtful feedback,” said Ashley in an email to the EST. “I intentionally wrote the proposal in the third person and left my campaign out of it in order for the plan to appeal to as many students as possible. We are working for the students who will be here long after we're gone, and I look forward to an engaging discussion about the best way forward."
EST will release Ashley’s profile with the two other candidates’ later this week.