For incoming first-year students BUILD 2008 DATES:  BUILD 1 will take place Sunday, July 27 – Thursday, July 31, 2008 BUILD 2 will take place Sunday, August 10 – Thursday, August 14, 2008 BUILD  begins at 12pm on Sunday BUILD will end by 4pm on Thursday.  $130 fee includes all equipment, food, transportation, lodging, and leaders. Download your BUILD application here! WILD 2008 DATES: WILD will take place July 20-24, 2008 $130 fee includes all equipment, food, transportation, lodging, and leaders. Download your WILD application here!

As a member of the freshman class, you are about to begin an exciting journey both in and out of the classroom at Georgia Southern University. Your SOAR experiences will begin to facilitate your transition into the college experience.

In addition to your orientation experience, we offer students an opportunity to build their leadership skills and begin to form relationships with members of the University community. Take advantage of BUILD or WILD, one of our Pre-semester Leadership Programs, and take the first step in charting your course at Georgia Southern University.

BUILD

BUILD stands for “Building Undergraduate Involvement and Leadership Development.” Our goal is to help students understand that leadership begins with service, by volunteering with the local Habitat for Humanity Chapter and Kingdom Builders. We will “build” both literally and figuratively as we make lasting connections with the Statesboro and Georgia Southern communities. We will also participate in social events that build a sense of community with your new home and your new neighbors. By week’s end, BUILDers will have logged over 1000 service hours and you will have a stronger sense of yourself, your new friends, and your new community.

John Florio said, “Who hath not served, cannot command. ” We will embody Florio’s statement during our BUILD experience by serving the Statesboro community while building two playhouses for the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. BUILD will be led by current students who will serve as team facilitators throughout the week to assist in BUILDing your leadership skills, your self-awareness, your sense of civic engagement, your knowledge of campus and the community, and the playhouse. In addition to participating in this meaningful volunteer work, BUILDers will also be treated to some thought-provoking activities, engaging speakers, fun social activities, and individual exploration into who you are and how that impacts your personal leadership development. Together, we will delve into the nature of leadership, respect differing opinions and ideas, and examine how we can assume leadership responsibly at Georgia Southern and throughout our local and global communities. Make lasting relationships with your fellow BUILDers, and get ready to BUILD some lasting memories!

WILD

WILD stands for “Wilderness Introduction and Leadership Development.” In the mountains of North Georgia, we will learn the basic wilderness skills needed for self-sufficiency by backpacking some of the Appalachian Trail. During our weeklong experience, we will address how our backcountry skills benefit and transfer to our frontcountry lives. Topics to be explored are self-awareness, self-directed learning, compassion and service, and environmental stewardship. The week will end with a “solo” experience where students will find much needed reflection time and solitude in an over-scheduled world.

Good food, good conversations, and good companionship will make this week both a productive and fun experience. We will learn from each other wilderness skills, leadership qualities and ideals, as well as respecting other opinions and ideas.  Join us for a great week of backpacking, conversation and camaraderie!