We offer a variety of immersive leadership retreat experiences designed to engage and motivate students to increase their self-awareness, build collaborative communities of learners, and develop their individual leadership skills. Our leadership retreats provide opportunities for student leaders to learn about and experiment with their individual leadership identities.
Camp UKnight
These pre-orientation sessions are three-day, two-night sessions that take place in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.
It is designed to help incoming first-year and transfer students build an instant and sustainable community of friends to help ease the transition into college life at one of the largest institutions in the country. At the same time, students will learn Rutgers traditions and valuable leadership skills that will allow students to make an immediate impact on the campus community.
A large institution like Rutgers can be intimidating, but Camp UKnight helps students build amazing friendships that will last through their college career and beyond. Also, since Camp UKnight is run by a dedicated group of experienced Leader Corps members, they will build a network to jump start their first year on campus! Camp UKnight will also help incoming students learn more about the campus layout.
Camp UKnight gives students an opportunity to develop essential leadership, teamwork, and communication skills before arriving on campus. They can build these skills through ziplining, hiking, a multitude of trust and adventure-based activities, chats with established leaders and professionals, and much more! Camp UKnight helps build the foundations for success and gives students an opportunity to develop the confidence to make an immediate impact on campus.
Spots are limited to 30 students each weekend so be sure to check back here for information on purchasing your ticket.
The per student cost is $120.00 and includes apparel, giveaways, meals, and transportation while on-site. Housing is NOT provided. If you would like to request housing for an additional cost ($25 per night), please contact us at lead@echo.rutgers.edu.
Visit below for Camp UKnight FAQ.
Testimonials
“It was something that genuinely affected me in the best way possible, allowing me to not only understand myself better, but others as well. It was literally life-changing and is something I’ll never forget.”
“I loved the experience, and I met a lot of great friends who I still see around campus everywhere I go. I recommend this to any incoming student to Rutgers.”
“Overall, I had a wonderful time at Camp UKnight and feel blessed that I was able to experience the first Camp UKnight ever. As someone coming to Rutgers knowing absolutely nobody, it certainly made me feel a lot better.”
Discovery Program
The Discovery Program is designed to help incoming first-year and transfer students make connections with other like-minded Scarlet Knights. Participants will explore tracks that expand globally. Together with various community partners, the Discovery Programs builds new relationships with new Rutgers students while introducing them to the university community in a whole new way.
The Discovery Program is three concurrent two-day programs offered to first-year students as extended orientation immersion experiences. Students will learn about the history, culture, and needs of the New Brunswick and Piscataway communities and explore one of four areas of interest to them: Community Service, Sustainability, Entrepreneurship, or Social Justice.
The Discovery Program encourages incoming students to be active in their own learning and provides opportunities to develop powerful leadership skills that will be instantly useful both in and out of the classrooms at Rutgers. Students will participate in workshops that are centered on leadership, service, and social justice education. Through interactions with student leaders, new students will be able to learn more about resources available to them at Rutgers University and find community with their peers. Students will be challenged to widen their perspectives on economic, social, political, and environmental injustices through reflection.
The cost of Discovery is usually $249, which includes your very own Discovery Starter Kit, early move-in accommodations, lodging, meals, travel, and opportunities to connect with speakers who are experts in their field.
Testimonials
“This encouraged me to become more engaged in my community because I was able to see the impact I made on people while serving. I made new friends that I still have to this day.”
“I started with [this] just because I feel like it’s important to be involved in the community around you. This program stood out to me because it’s an easy way to connect and learn about the community before you even come to Rutgers.”
Visit below for Discovery Program FAQ.
Frequently Asked Questions – Camp UKnight
- Who goes to Camp UKnight?
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Camp UKnight is open to any new incoming students who will be attending Rutgers in the fall (including both first-year and new transfer students) as well as rising sophomores. There are two camps available. There will be a mix of both first-year students and transfers at both sessions.
- When and where is Camp UKnight?
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Details to come!
- How much does Camp UKnight cost?
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The cost of Camp UKnight is $120, which includes all program meals, activities, branded apparel, and transportation around Rutgers University. Housing is available at an additional $25 per night.
- Is financial aid available for Camp UKnight?
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Financial Assistance is available to those who demonstrate need for financial aid. You can apply for scholarships, payment plans, and partial/full fee waivers. To inquire, email us at lead@echo.rutgers.edu.
- How do I register for Camp UKnight?
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Check back for information on how to register.
- To attend Camp UKnight, do I have to register for the accompanying Orientation session?
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No. Although Camp UKnight is a convenient extension to the Orientation sessions that are scheduled before each camp, we encourage students to sign up for whichever Orientation session works best for them. More information regarding New Student Orientation can be found here.
- Do I need to bring extra money?
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All activities and meals are included in the cost of Camp UKnight.
- What do I bring to camp?
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- Clothes, underwear, and socks for three days, two nights (including active wear)
- Sneakers/hiking boots (closed-toe shoes are preferred)
- Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
- Any prescription medication or inhalers
- Insect repellent
- Mini fan (optional)
- For those requesting housing:
- Pillow, twin sheets, blanket, and/or sleeping bag
- Travel-sized toiletries, shower-shoes, and bath towel
- What do I not bring to camp?
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Any items that are extremely important to you or expensive should be left at home. Any alcohol, drugs, or weapons of any kind (including pocketknives) are not allowed on-campus. We take this issue very seriously, and if you are caught with any of these items, you will be sent home without a refund and referred to the Rutgers Office of Student Conduct. More information regarding the University Code of Student Conduct can be found at studentconduct.rutgers.edu.
- What if I have more questions?
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Feel free to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @rutgersuSCA! You can also reach out via email at lead@echo.rutgers.edu or call us at 848-932-4087.
Frequently Asked Questions – Discovery Program
- Who goes to Discovery Program?
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Discovery Program is open to any new students who will be attending Rutgers prior to their first semester. This includes both first-year students and transfer students.
- When and where is Discovery Program?
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The Discovery Program is currently on hiatus until Summer 2023.
- How much does Discovery Program cost?
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The cost of Discovery is usually $249, which includes your very own Discovery Starter Kit, early move-in accommodations, lodging, meals, travel, and opportunities to connect with speakers who are experts in their field.
- Is financial aid available for Discovery Program?
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Financial Assistance is available to those who demonstrate need. Only a limited number of financial aid opportunities are currently available. To inquire, email us at lead@echo.rutgers.edu.
- How do I register for Discovery Program?
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Registration is currently offline but is usually available through getinvolved.tix.com.
- What do I bring to Discovery Program?
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- Laptop is preferred, but any electronic device that will give you access to Discord/Zoom will work
- Notebook, pen
- Wear comfortable clothing
- Snacks and water
- What if I have more questions?
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Feel free to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @rutgersuSCA. You can also reach out via email at lead@echo.rutgers.edu or call us at 848-932-4087.
