Retreating to a Change of Scenery: The Value of MBC Student Retreats
The week before classes started at Montana Bible College, six students and MBC Biblical Studies Instructor Carter Knight piled into a burgundy minivan fondly called “Lafonda the Honda” and hit the road.
The destination? A rustic ranch just 30 minutes east of Yellowstone National Park. The reason? Because there’s something about a change of scenery that fosters group bonding and builds a solid foundation for the year ahead.
Student retreats are integral to Student Life at Montana Bible College for these very reasons. Our students come from across the nation – Kansas, Arkansas, New Jersey, Idaho, Tennessee, Oregon, and Montana are all represented this year – and from a wide variety of personal and spiritual backgrounds. Even though they may share a dorm and attend classes with fellow students, a lack of a quick and meaningful bond can lead to feeling isolated and overwhelmed in the college experience.
Over the three-day getaway at Plenty Rocks Ranch, plenty of bonding occurred as students played games, visited Yellowstone National Park, and worshipped and studied the Bible together.
For Carter, the highlight was the deep conversations he had with the students during their explorations of Yellowstone National Park. As they drove down the tree-lined highway and gazed at steaming geysers and deep blue lakes rimmed by craggy peaks, they discussed spiritual counseling, church traditions, and the 10 Commandments.
The 10 Commandments were the subject of their group Bible study time. While it is easy to see the 10 Commandments as harsh or distant, Carter challenged the students to view them as God’s invitation to His people, a way of saying, “This is what I’m like, and I don’t want anything to come between us.”
They especially focused on the commandment of refraining from coveting and how the comparison game wrecks the opportunity to love God and life with Him.
“God wants a consistent, long-term relationship with us,” Carter said. “Nothing comes between us and Him – not even our textbooks!”
When not discussing deeper topics, the time was filled with games, good food, and marveling at the beautiful scenery all around. Former Wyoming residents and friends of MBC, Bob and Ileen Brannon, volunteered their time to cook meals for the students, freeing up staff members to lead and bond with students!
A game of “Psychiatrist” had everyone laughing so hard that when the ranch managers arrived, they requested another round just so they could watch more silliness ensue.
For MBC marketing student Laysa Bergeron, a highlight was fly fishing in Yellowstone Lake. As she cast her line and marveled at the beauty all around, she realized how creative God is.
“I finally made the connection that my creativity is a gift from my Creator, and I get to make it my own.”
Moments like that make all the planning worth it, Carter said. From personal growth to fast friendships to intimate conversations about important topics, time away from the classroom makes it all possible. And these times of connection are what students will keep with them for years to come.
Throughout all the bonding, conversing, and laughing, Carter emphasized there is also something to be said for silence.
“The drive back was silent and peaceful.”
Of course, that may have been because half the students fell asleep on the ride home!
A change of scenery really can change everything. Especially when the scenery is Yellowstone National Park.
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