Nitz has experienced the event from two perspectives: first, as a participant in November 2018 and then as a retreat leader this past February. Spending time with her classmates in the peaceful environment of Camp Kirkwood in Clinton County taught Nitz a lot about her friends and herself.
“It gives us an opportunity to make connections that we would not have had otherwise throughout high school in a typical classroom setting,” Nitz says. “We get to connect on a more personal level and see a different side of people. It’s almost like meeting them for the first time again.”
Games and prayer lead retreat participants to look at people they see every day in hallways, classrooms and lunch lines at Carroll in a different light, but “Witness Talks” from retreat leaders are always the most memorable moments of the experience.
Nitz spent weeks preparing for her Witness Talk about living with her grandparents for much of her life after her parents separated and watching her father struggled with addiction, financial problems and legal issues. She said she will never forget the feeling when the moment to share her story arrived.
“My nerves were everywhere. These are people that you might not have ever talked to at all, and you’re about to share a really personal aspect of your life,” Nitz recalled. “It’s definitely a formative experience because you’re opening yourself up. Everybody welcomes you and gives you a hug after your speech. It makes you feel loved and know that your story is heard.”
All retreat leaders share Witness Talks about how spirituality has played a role in each of their lives, allowing them to connect with their classmates and inspire them to use new strategies to overcome obstacles in life.
“It’s senior year, and a lot of that is focusing on college and school and academics,” Nitz said. “But it’s really nice to take a break for a minute to stop, think about life, and come together with your peers.”
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