By Cassie Sorrell, HBU Campus Recreation Coordinator
The Odyssey is HBU Campus Recreation鈥檚鈥痮utdoor adventure trip鈥痗reated鈥痵pecifically for incoming freshmen as an early opportunity for them to begin their journey at Houston Baptist University. For the past three years, Campus Rec. has partnered with Camp Eagle, which is located鈥痠n the heart of the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Those attending participate in鈥痟iking, zip-lining,鈥痗ave exploring鈥痑nd other outdoor activities.鈥疶he鈥痠ncoming freshmen鈥痟ave the鈥痮pportunity to interact with current鈥疕BU student leaders and HBU staff through outdoor activities and various group discussions focused on starting their collegiate journey. Topics cover how to create a well-balanced HBU鈥痗ollege experience and discussions about what kind of legacy they want to leave behind.
Josh Dunn, director of Campus Recreation, tells the students, 鈥淭he Odyssey and college are like any journey. It is what you make it. Minimal investment equals minimal return. Maximum investment means maximum return.鈥濃�疶he open discussions and activities focus鈥痮n the academic, social, spiritual and wellness aspects of college.鈥疺anessa Cuellar, an incoming freshman, stated, 鈥淭he knowledge I received and the connections I made have given me the feelings of readiness and excitement!鈥�
The overall goal of The Odyssey鈥痠s to create a safe environment鈥痜or鈥痩earning鈥痑bout spiritual belief and discipline and the appreciation of wellness. Also, students build community that will transfer directly to the University,鈥痶he Houston鈥痗ommunity,鈥痶heir home life and to the professional environment.
The outdoor adventure experience heightens鈥痑ttendees鈥� awareness鈥痮f God鈥檚 creation, which includes, not only nature, but also individual wellness.鈥疶he鈥疧dyssey physically challenges individuals and groups through hiking, ropes courses, cave exploring and other physical demands, pushing students to their limits and creating life lessons. Ariana Alexander, a TRIO Student Success coach, hopes that 鈥渨hen a class becomes challenging, students will reflect on the perseverance they showed in zip-lining or scaling a mountainside. When students feel isolated, they will recall the teamwork, compassion and listening skills acquired from scrambling through a dark maze. I hope that they remember God鈥檚 provision and brightness is enough to blot out any darkness. Resiliency, grit and grace 鈥� these are the lessons of The Odyssey.鈥�
Participation in these physical activities also promotes a positive mental and emotional鈥痑wareness鈥痮f, not only wellness, but also the need for community support.鈥疧dyssey student leader, Joreim Perales, who also attended as a freshman, said, 鈥淚 was anxious to try the zip line, but with the encouragement of those around me and by placing my trust in the Lord, I was able to take that step off the platform. I was able to reflect on life and how sometimes we might be afraid of what is to come, but we have to place our trust in Him and He will take care of our fears and anxieties.鈥� The outdoor adventure changes our perspectives through expanding our comfort zones, developing leaders, creating lasting bonds and providing鈥痑鈥痷nique wellness experience.鈥疘ncoming freshman, Brianna Romero, said, 鈥淭he Odyssey pushed me beyond my comfort zone in so many ways. I feel extremely blessed to have had this opportunity to learn from these amazing student mentors, staff and other freshmen.鈥�
The outdoor experience also poses a unique way to learn and develop one鈥檚 relationship with God and others, focusing on stewardship, service鈥痑nd leadership, as well as spiritual discipline. 鈥疘n Colossians, we are reminded that鈥疛esus is the One who made all of Creation, so it should be of no surprise that His handiwork creates an environment that elicits awe for God. With The Odyssey retreat being in the Texas Hill Country, it allows us to examine鈥痮ur relationship with Christ in鈥痶he silence and solitude of the outdoors.鈥疶he鈥痵erene environment鈥痗reates the opportunity to鈥痳eflect on our personal relationship with Him and clearly hear God鈥檚 voice and guidance on our journey.
Cassie Sorrell, Campus Recreation coordinator reflects, 鈥淭his year, as we were up at the windmill, the highest point at the camp, looking up at the beautiful stars and worshiping Christ together, I was overcome with emotion. All you could hear were the crickets chirping, frogs croaking and the students鈥� voices praising God and crying out to Him. In that moment, I was filled with peace, pure joy and absolute gratitude that He has blessed me with the opportunity to work with these amazing people and create events like The Odyssey. It was a moment on my personal journey I will never forget.鈥�
The incoming freshmen are provided with an opportunity to build community and relationships with current HBU student leaders鈥痑nd HBU staff.鈥� They, 鈥痶hrough discussions鈥痮f various topics, are able to鈥痩ay the foundations to develop鈥痬entoring and鈥痙iscipling relationships.鈥疶he Odyssey is also a wonderful opportunity for student leaders to flourish and use their passion for serving others. Diana Cardenas, who has now attended The Odyssey three times, said that she came in as a 鈥渟cared and lonely freshman,鈥� but now, she states, 鈥淚 can proudly say that after all the love and support I received from my fellow peers and the HBU staff members, there is nothing but absolute joy in my heart and a passion to serve others as I have been served. I finally learned to let go and let God.鈥�
Each leader goes through an application and interview process; once selected, they receive specific leadership training just for The Odyssey. The outdoor adventure activities naturally create open communication, trust, encouragement and genuine connections between all those who attend. Freshman Sebastian Calderon said, 鈥淭he experience I had at The Odyssey was life-changing. I had so much fear regarding college and my relationship with the Lord. Over these several days, the encouragement from the leaders and the beauty of God鈥檚 creation erased any trace of those negative thoughts. This experience replaced those fears with happiness and confidence that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I will always remember those four days at The Odyssey as one of the best experiences of my life.鈥�
The HBU staff collectively agree that their prayer for those who attend is that the overall experience, relationships and community built through The Odyssey will allow the students to grow in their relationships with Christ, and that they gain a connection and sense of belonging to the University that will last a lifetime.