Student Association Hosts “Summer Days” for Union Students

Food, kayaks, hammocks and more

On Saturday, September 7th, the Student Association hosted “Summer Days” at Holmes Lake for Union students and guests from Leadership and Preview days also attended. Dean of Students, Stacy Stocks, said, “This will be a great time together connecting with God in nature.” There were a variety of activities to do. This included coloring pages, playing Bible games, and it provided an opportunity to socialize with others. Students could also take part in a friendly game of beach volleyball, soccer, or football.

Students could also enjoy the lake while using canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards.  It was a great chance to get to know new people and reconnect with old ones. Kennamia Higby, a Union student, recalled that “it was very peaceful, and the weather was perfect for being out on the water.”

Another highlight of the afternoon was the food.  Everyone enjoyed an early dinner of veggie hotdogs, chips, drinks, watermelon, and cookies. This allowed students to connect with one another outside of the school environment. 

After sundown, Corbin Schlisner gave a worship talk about living in the present and reacting to situations in positive ways. He ended worship with a rock-paper-scissors tournament which illustrated this point. Many students offered words of encouragement to tournament participants. Abby Cook, a student at Union Adventist University, said regarding the activity, “It was a really good way to show the main points of his talk and [was] a helpful takeaway for students.” After worship, Corbin had everyone gather around in a circle and offered prayer to close out the Sabbath. 

The evening, however, was just beginning. Shortly after sunset, students walked or drove over to the Holmes Lake field to prepare for a flag football tournament. Players were asked to make teams of 8 and were allowed to practice together before the games. Students who did not participate could stay on the sidelines to cheer for their peers. Student Association also provided cotton candy and popcorn at the event. 

This summer day at Holmes Lake was certainly one to remember. Thinking back to Corbin’s speech, we can thank God for giving us many warm memories of our lives. We can also be appreciative that God helps us to focus on the positive things in life instead of the negative ones. Thank you to Residential Life, Student Association, and all those who made this event possible. 

by Jenna Wilson