Please note: This Web site will be updated with information for students enrolling for Fall 2010 in June 2010.

This year's Pre-School team members ...


Meet the team members »

If you have questions related to any of the information on this page, please contact:

Chaplain's Office
Wingate Hall, Room 109

336-758-5210

For more information visit:
www.wfu.edu/chaplain

Pre-School Conference

Pre-School Conference

54th Annual Campus Ministry Pre-School Conference
Sponsored by the Office of the University Chaplain and Campus Ministry

Monday, August 17 — Thursday, August 20, YMCA Camp Hanes
Registration deadline: Extended to August 4
Cost of program: $190

Applications for this program are no longer being accepted.

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!

What is Pre-School?

Pre-School, an informal orientation to Wake Forest, is held at nearby YMCA Camp Hanes, which rests at the foot of 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 53 years a significant number of new students have chosen to attend; we hope that you will choose to join us this year.

Our Theme:

"Finding Our Ways Through the Forest"

"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths" Psalm 25:4

Coming to college brings many changes, which can be both exciting and a little scary! Start your years at Wake Forest by joining with others who are seeking God's ways. In "the Forest" you will find numerous campus ministries, professors, staff, and fellow students who care about you and will help you along the way. They will help shine the light so that you might find your path vocationally, relationally, and spiritually.

Program Highlights

Music — The musician for this year's Pre-School is Ben Alston. A resident of Maryland, Ben graduated from Wake Forest in 2002. He pursued his musical interest after graduation by playing with the Christian band, Watershed, from 2003 - 2005. At Wake Forest, he was a member of Chi Rho (men's Christian a cappella group), and he assisted with worship in campus ministry settings. He also attended Pre-School, both as a freshman and later as a leader! Ben is a great guitarist and an excellent composer and vocalist. He will be joining us for this year's Pre-School, and he is looking forward to leading us in worship, both in our large group sessions and at the campfires. He will also be giving a concert on Tuesday night. Ben is a great musician and a terrific guy! He and his wife, Jess, are also new parents to a beautiful little girl! You'll enjoy getting to know him.

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.

Schedule

Monday, August 17

Plan to arrive for registration 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 Hanes, located about 40 minutes from campus. After you place your "college stuff" in your room, return with your "camp stuff" to the breezeway at the time assigned for your departure.

1:30 - 3:00 p.m. Travel to YMCA Camp Hanes by bus
5 p.m. Conference overview
6 p.m. Supper
7 - 8 p.m. Discussion groups
8:15 - 8:45 p.m. Campfire
9 - 10 p.m. Square dance
10 - 11 p.m. Canteen

Tuesday, August 18

8 - 8:45 a.m. Breakfast
9 - 9:45 a.m. Music
10 - 11 a.m. Discussion groups
11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Mini-Course I
12:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Mini-Course II
3 - 3:30 p.m. Talent Show auditions
3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Free time (swimming, volleyball, basketball, ultimate Frisbee, etc.)
4:45 - 5:15 p.m. Student panel discussion
5:30 p.m. Supper
6:30 - 8 p.m. Concert
8:15 - 9 p.m. Discussion groups
9:15 - 9:45 p.m. Campfire
9:45 - 11 p.m. Canteen

Wednesday, August 19

8 - 8:45 a.m. Breakfast
9 - 9:30 a.m. Speaker — President Nathan O. Hatch
9:30 - 10 a.m. "Meet the Banjo Man" — Dr. Billy Hamilton
10:15 - 11 a.m. Speaker — Vice President Ken Zick
11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Discussion groups
12:30 p.m. Lunch
1:15 - 1:45 p.m. Campus Ministry interest fair
1:45 - 2:15 p.m. Orientation to Winston-Salem (optional)
2:15 - 2:45 p.m. Canteen
2:15 - 4:30 p.m. Free time (swimming, volleyball, basketball, ultimate Frisbee, etc.)
4:45 - 5:45 p.m. Discussion groups
6 p.m. Cook-Out
7 - 8 p.m. Special entertainment
8:15 - 8:45 p.m. Campfire
8:45 - 9:15 p.m. Canteen
9:30 p.m. Talent show

Thursday, August 20

8 - 8:45 a.m. Breakfast
9 a.m. Closing worship
10 - 10:30 a.m. Pack, clean-up, depart for Wake Forest

Registration and Cost

The total cost for the program is $190. A minimum deposit of $95 is due with registration. Deadline to apply is August 4. 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.

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.

Religious Life at Wake Forest

As part of fulfilling its mission and achieving its goals, Wake Forest University 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.

Christian Campus Ministry

Thirteen Christian student groups representing Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox denominations, as well as non-denominational groups, make Wake Forest University 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: