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Pre-School Conference

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57th Annual Campus Ministry Pre-School Conference
Sponsored by the Office of the University Chaplain and Campus Ministry

Pre-School, an informal orientation to Wake Forest, is held at nearby YMCA Camp Cheerio, atop the Blue Ridge Mountains. Students, faculty, administrators and campus ministers lead a variety of programs and activities which introduce students to one another and to campus life. For the past 56 years a significant number of new students have chosen to attend; we hope that you will join us this year.

Dates: August 21-24
Location: Camp Cheerio
Cost: $225
Application deadline: July 31
Registration Form

Welcome to Wake Forest

Life at Wake Forest is a series of opportunities, crises and adventures. New people, places and ideas. As you begin this new adventure, in many ways you will be starting over again. Choosing a major. Facing your first college mid-term exam. Exploring relationships and changing the way you feel about yourself. Living in a residence hall. Growing up in totally new, amazing and frightening ways!

Your relationship with God will probably change, too. The God your parents and youth group counselor taught you about is alive and well and traveling to Wake Forest with you. In fact, God is already on campus anxiously awaiting your arrival. Maybe in some unexpected places … maybe in some unexpected ways, and amid some unexpected situations. As you begin to make decisions about your life’s path, remember that God is ever present and walking beside you.

Welcome to Wake Forest! God is here, too!

This Year’s Theme: “Stirred, Never Shaken”

“Whoever does these things will never be shaken”
Psalm 15:5c (New International Version)

Coming to college brings many changes, which can be both exciting and a little scary!  There are so many new experiences, new people, new opportunities, and new challenges.  College can stir up a lot of questions.  “What do I want to do with my life?  What do I really believe?  Why do I believe that?  How do I relate to people whose faith is different from mine?  How can I incorporate my faith in my everyday life?”

Start your years at Wake Forest by joining  your new classmates and explore some of those very challenges with some returning student leaders.  They will help you see that although a lot of things may get “stirred up” within you during your college years, that is not necessarily a bad thing.  Being “stirred” can strengthen your faith foundation.  At  Pre-School you will find numerous campus ministries, professors, staff, and fellow students who care about you and will help you along the way.  By using Psalm 15 as our guide, you will return to campus realizing that you may be “Stirred, Never Shaken.”

Program Highlights

Discussion Groups
New students are assigned to small discussion groups under the leadership of two upperclass students. Several discussion group sessions are designed to help you voice your hopes and fears about the coming semester. In particular, you will be encouraged to talk about your faith and examine resources that might strengthen you for the days ahead.

Mini-Courses
Wake Forest faculty and staff will offer two sessions of informal presentations on a variety of topics. This provides an excellent way to meet some amazing professors and staff and learn more about academic life at Wake Forest.

Panel Discussion: Life at Wake Forest
Get a behind-the-scenes look at what life is really like at Wake Forest from students. You’ll hear about the interplay of academics, religion, athletics, the arts, Greek life, study-abroad opportunities, traditions, etc.

Talent Show
If you can sing, dance, play an instrument, read poetry, do standup comedy, tell stories, do magic tricks, etc., come prepared to participate in the talent show. Otherwise, join us in the audience.

Our Musician
Our special musician for Pre-School is Ben Alston. A 2002 graduate of Wake Forest, Ben was active in campus ministries during his undergraduate days. A member of the men’s Christian a cappella group, Chi Rho, Ben also served as a Pre-School discussion group leader. From 2003-2005, he was a member of a Christian band called Watershed. He currently serves as worship leader at his church in Maryland and spends as much time as possible with his wife, Jess, and their two children.

Square Dance
It sounds corny, but it is one of the most fun things ever!

Some of Our Student Leaders

Brad Keegan: “Pre-School is a great opportunity to meet your new classmates as well as Campus Ministers and upperclassmen who represent many different aspects of the university.  It’s a chill atmosphere and everyone involved is more than happy to help make your transition to college a little easier.  Come to Pre-School!”


Halston Kirkpatrick: “I am a sophomore at Wake Forest University.  Going to Pre-School was one of the best decisions I have made.  It provided me a great opportunity to build strong Christian relationships right from the start.  It is also a ton of fun and a great way to get the college career started here at Wake.”


Nick Ashburn: “When first arriving at Wake Forest University I was both anxious and nervous about the college experience.  The Pre-School Orientation program and its leaders instantly reassured me about Wake Forest and about God’s calling for my life.  Spending time with fellow Christians game me a sense of peace and . . .of being at home.  Pre-School provided me with many strong, lasting friendships; connections with campus ministries; and most importantly, it strengthened and developed by faith.  I look forward to seeing you at Pre-School this year!”


Maeghan Livingston:  ”As a Christian student in a new collegiate environment, I sought opportunities which would allow me to, not only express my faith, but also strengthen it.  Soon I developed relationships with individuals who shared my passion for Christ …I did not attend Pre-School prior to my freshman year, these past few months at Wake have taught me the importance of fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ and how valuable those relationships are.  Pre-School is a wonderful opportunity for you to really firmly grab your faith and run with it! Freshman year is a pivotal point in your life that will be full of triumphs and failures.  However, with strong faith and a network of believers cheering you on, you will be sure to find God blessing you in new and exciting ways!


Lindsey Rogers: “Pre-School is a wonderful experience which allows incoming students to get a jump start on campus ministry at Wake Forest.  Starting off your time at Wake Forest on a positive note is vital, and Pre-School really helps ease the transition into student life.  In addition to meeting other new students who share the same faith, students establish relationships with upperclassmen who will be there to support them every step of the way and act as an invaluable resource during their first semester of college.  I honestly believe that every incoming student who is even half way thinking about attending Pre-School should come as it is an amazing opportunity.”

Stephen Turner:  ”Preschool is a fantastic way to meet some solid people and to start the year off right.  Learn about Wake’s culture, become involved, and enjoy yourself!”

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Mandy Emery:  ”I am a rising senior and this will be my 4th year at Pre-School and my 3rd time around as a discussion leader. I’m a History major/Pre-Med and am known for two things: my Loud laugh and my constant smile. I’ve never met a “stranger” and am a Strong believer that although Our plans may not always go the way We want, We must trust that the Lord’s desire for Our Lives will allow things to go the way they should. I’m so excited about senior year, another year at Pre-School and another year of witnessing the Blessings that the Lord has to give.”

Schedule

Plan to arrive on Tuesday, August 21, between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Report to the breezeway of the Scales Fine Arts Center to check-in and receive information on residence hall move-in and transportation to Camp Cheerio, located about an hour and fifteen minutes  from campus. After you place your “college stuff” in your room, return with your “camp stuff” to the breezeway in time to depart on the charter buses at 2:00 p.m.  After several fun-filled days, we will return to campus on Friday, August 24, at approximately 11:30 a.m.

What to Bring

Students are housed in comfortable cabins with attached bathrooms. Bring a sleeping bag or sheets and pillow, towel, toiletries, informal clothing, flashlight, water bottle, rain gear, swimsuit, light jacket or sweater, money for snacks and your Bible.

Registration and Cost

The total cost for the program is $225. A minimum deposit of $100 is due with registration. To register, complete the online application form, print it and return it to the address on the form, along with the deposit of $100 (made payable to Wake Forest University/Pre-School). Deadline to apply is July 31. Registration is limited to the first 200 students who respond; we are typically fully subscribed. Limited scholarships are available. For more information, please call the Chaplain’s Office, 336.758.5210.

Religious Life at Wake Forest

As part of fulfilling its mission and achieving its goals, Wake Forest seeks to encourage students, faculty, administrators and staff to “explore the spiritual dimensions of self and perceptions of the world.” The religious and spiritual components of the University’s programming are intended to encourage the pursuit of meaning through spiritual reflection and free inquiry, enabling a wide circle of inclusion and identifications, advancing mutual understanding and respect among differing traditions, while at the same time fostering Wake Forest’s Baptist history and traditions in real and tangible ways.

Thirteen Christian student groups representing Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox denominations, as well as non-denominational groups, make Wake Forest a rich and more diverse environment to the extent that our learning deepens mutual understanding of one another’s beliefs. The Campus Ministry staff represents: