The Stockton Outdoor Adventure Retreat, also known as SOAR is a 3 day, 2-night camping trip that happens a few days prior to regular move-in day. This trip is meant for 500 incoming freshmen to get to know each other better as well as know their T.A.L.O.N.S better as well. The T.A.L.O.N.S, also known as The Activity Leaders Of New Students, are also Stockton students who are put in charge of a group of freshmen. The T.A.L.O.N.S are responsible for getting their groups to connect on a personal level as well as bring them from activity to activity. During move-in day, families and students are greeted with many welcoming and happy faces of Stockton students. After everyone has moved in and all the goodbyes have been said, new students get to meet those on their tribe, their T.A.L.O.N.S, receive bandanas for their color tribe and their bags. The first day/night at S.O.A.R is spent getting to know tribe members as well as getting situated in the cabins. Dinner is then served with some of the campers serving as cruisers, bringing food to the table as well as cleaning it up. After dinner, everyone heads out to the field where different games are set up and the faculty band is playing. It’s at this time that everyone gets to socialize and mingle with each other. The next two days are blurred together as they both are filled with many different activities. They’re days full of ice breakers and mingling with each other. Campers get accustomed to the “hey SOAR!” call and can finally respond in unison, “hey what!” Names and faces are put together and everyone familiar with each other. The last day is the day campers are supposed to “chase their lions” on multiple challenge courses. With high ropes and rock climbing, campers get to face their fears. SOAR is a retreat that really connects you with your fellow classmates and when school starts, you’ll be more than grateful to have went on this camping trip.