REGISTER

Spring Break Retreat for International Students and Scholars

REGISTER

What is The Great Escape

The Great Escape is both a spiritual and fun retreat for international students and scholars from all religious backgrounds. It is an opportunity to escape the pressures of academic life for a brief period and retreat to a quiet place for some spiritual refreshment and to discover together what the Bible has to say about who we are and how we can live a meaningful and purposeful life. There will be music, teaching from the Bible, and spiritual discussions. There will also be lots of time for fun activities like zip-lining, hiking, outlet shopping, talent show, games and friendship building. This is a college and young adult-focused retreat.

Activities

Outdoor Activities

Free time and group recreation time have been built into the schedule to allow for sightseeing, hiking, outlet mall shopping, zip lining, and other tourist attractions at the Great Smoky Mountains. There are also opportunities for indoor games, board games, and team competitions.

Outdoor Activities

Free time and group recreation time have been built into the schedule to allow for sightseeing, hiking, outlet mall shopping, zip lining, and other tourist attractions at the Great Smoky Mountains. There are also opportunities for indoor games, board games, and team competitions.

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Buzz groups

These groups, consisting of 4 or 5 people based on gender, will provide an excellent opportunity to be honest and open with yourself and each other as we reflect upon what you are learning each day. There will be various group competitions buzzgroups can participate in

Buzz groups

These groups, consisting of 4 or 5 people based on gender, will provide an excellent opportunity to be honest and open with yourself and each other as we reflect upon what you are learning each day. There will be various group competitions buzzgroups can participate in

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Talent Night

There will be a talent night that will take place on Tuesday evening. Everyone is welcome to participate. Song, dance, music, poetry, drama, karaoke, or any other forms of talent can be performed individually or as a group. Make sure to prepare and bring instruments or props!

Talent Night

There will be a talent night that will take place on Tuesday evening. Everyone is welcome to participate. Song, dance, music, poetry, drama, karaoke, or any other forms of talent can be performed individually or as a group. Make sure to prepare and bring instruments or props!

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White Water Rafting

We will be going White Water Rafting where on the Pigeon River, certified guides will navigate your raft the entire trip, sharing their love of splashing through big waves, maneuvering around rocks, and enjoying the beauty of being in the great outdoors.

White Water Rafting

We will be going White Water Rafting where on the Pigeon River, certified guides will navigate your raft the entire trip, sharing their love of splashing through big waves, maneuvering around rocks, and enjoying the beauty of being in the great outdoors.

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Hiking

We will be hiking some beautiful scenic trails at the Great Smoky Mountians

Hiking

We will be hiking some beautiful scenic trails at the Great Smoky Mountians

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Gatlinburg & PigeonForge Tour

We will be stopping at Galintburg which has plenty of sightseeing options and activities such as Ripley’s Believe it or not Aquarium of the Smokies,Gatlinburg skylift ,Gatlinburg Space Needle,Horseback Riding,WonderWorks ,Hollywood Wax Museum

Gatlinburg & PigeonForge Tour

We will be stopping at Galintburg which has plenty of sightseeing options and activities such as Ripley’s Believe it or not Aquarium of the Smokies,Gatlinburg skylift ,Gatlinburg Space Needle,Horseback Riding,WonderWorks ,Hollywood Wax Museum

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Cost

Early Bird Price (Offer valid till February 28, 2022 )$275
Regular Price $325

Cost includes most meals, lodging and transportation to & from retreat center.

FAQ’s

Commonly asked questions about our event.

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  • What does the registration cost include?

    The Registration cost include transportation to and from the retreat center, most meals from Sunday evening through Wednesday breakfast are included. Vegetarian food is available. But you will need to buy food while we are traveling or if we plan to eat out. So, bring enough money for the meals. Registration Fee does not include any paid sightseeing events you may want to participate in

  • How will we be traveling?

    We will be leaving from Eigenamnn Hall on March 13th 9am and traveling in vans

  • Where will we be staying?

    We will be staying in a few of the cabins that belong to Oak Tree Lodge. The address for it is 2138 Mossy Stone Way, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
    . We will stay in a nice lodge with rooms that have queen beds/bunk beds and private bathrooms. Each room will be shared by 3-4 people. Married couples and families will be housed together unless you have older children. All rooms have beds, blankets, sheets and pillows. You do not need to bring any beddings, etc.

  • What are Buzz Group?

    Buzz groups consist of 4 to 6 people of the same gender. It will provide an excellent opportunity to be honest and open with yourself and each other as you reflect upon what you are learning each day.

  • Covid-19 Questions

    COVID-related requirements:
    1. To attend The Great Escape 2022, all participants must be fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved COVID-19 vaccine. Having a booster shot is not mandatory but highly encouraged for the safety of all participants. Proof of vaccination (PDF/Image of your vaccination card) needs to be uploaded at the time of registration.
    2. With the ongoing Omicron wave of COVID-19 infections, regardless of vaccination status, negative RT-PCR tests dated 11th or 12th March, 2022 is required. You will be sent a link few days prior to leaving to upload your negative Covid test results.
     IU provides free asymptomatic testing (saliva testing) to all students, faculty, and staff.
     Please visit https://www.iu.edu/covid/testing/index.html#voluntary to reserve a walk-in appointment for 11th March 2022. Appointments are usually open on Friday evening for reservations for the following week. Typically, results are available within a few hours post-sample collection.
     Additionally, COVID-19 RT-PCR tests performed at retail drug stores like CVS, Walmart, Walgreens etc. are covered by most health insurance providers.

    3. We will be complying with masking guidelines wherever possible.

  • More questions?

    If you have any more questions, you can contact us at elan@ifmusa.org

  • Refund Policy

    Due to the nature of the trip, the following is the refund policy for cancellation:

    Cancellations done on or before Feb 28 - 75% of the registration fee refunded

    Cancellations done between Feb 28 to Mar 7 - 50% of the registration fee refunded

    Cancellations done after Mar 7 - 0% of the registration fee refunded