COKF Retreat: Student Evaluations

After our fun-filled, action-packed weekend, each student participant wrote evaluations of the retreat, including their favourite and least favourite activities, what they learned and how they related to us, the facilitators. Reading their comments definitely made us feel that the retreat was a major success with tangible benefits for the students. All remarked that they enjoyed themselves, had a lot of fun and grew in some way from what they learned.

Favourite activities varied, but most students wrote that they enjoyed ones in which they were able to express themselves and learn more about their fellow students in small group discussions. The 'take a stand' activity was also mentioned as an experience that increased students' confidence in their ability to articulate arguments and speak in front of a big group. Beyond the more serious parts of the weekend, many of the participants remarked that they had the most fun playing the ice-breakers and games that were interspersed throughout the retreat, allowing them to let loose and have fun after just finishing school exams last week. As many had not been to a camp or retreat like this before, most of the games were new to them and really livened up the atmosphere.

Many wrote that they didn't have a least favourite activity, but we did learn that the afternoon walk that we took and the soccer game were not as exciting to some because not all of the students were actively participating and they wished all were more involved. Apart from some personal preferences against dancing and drawing, nothing stood out as a down-point during the three days.

There was a universal consensus that students appreciated the discussions about avoiding peer pressure and that they felt more prepared to make good decisions in regards to keeping good friends and staying focused on their goals. Many also said they increased their self-esteem, confidence in themselves and what they know about themselves.

In their comments on the facilitators, many wrote that they appreciated our openness and engagement with them personally. Their attitudes were very joyful and gracious. I think being young adults ourselves, our closeness in age helped us connect with the students more easily and be able to share with them quite candidly. Requests were made for another retreat again in the future and that we can all keep in touch as they progress through high school and on to university either in Kenya or abroad.