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LEAD @ Laurier Summer Retreat
If you're looking to build upon your leadership skills and solidify a plan to become a leader at Laurier, then the LEAD @ Laurier Summer Retreat is for you!
Join us on campus July 29 (Waterloo students) or July 30 (Brantford students) for a full day of engaging leadership activities, meeting fellow incoming students, and connecting with senior students, the Students' Union, faculty members, senior leaders at Laurier, and more!
A high-level event schedule is below, and we will be adding more details and times over the next few weeks. While you sit on the edge of your seat awaiting more details, here's a sneak peek into the events and activities we are planning for you!
Registration now open for LEAD @ Laurier Summer Retreat 2023! Early bird tickets are on sale now for $45 until July 17 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Spots are limited, so buy your ticket today! Regular admission tickets will begin on July 18 at midnight for $60. Ticket price includes access to all events, light refreshments, catered lunch and dinner, exclusive LEAD @ Laurier swag, and so much more!
Stay tuned for more info! The day is expected to go from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Event Schedule
Check- In
The day begins at 9:30 a.m. with registration.
Following registration, we'll get into opportunities to meet new friends and senior students and then right into our keynote speaker!
Leading Yourself and Others
We’ll kick off the day with a session led by one of our award-winning leadership faculty members, Dr. Lisa Kuron! This session will have you exploring what it means to be a leader and will help guide you to discover the true leader inside of you!
Meet and Greet with Faculty Associations & Lunch
Wondering how to apply your leadership skills and get involved as a new Golden Hawk? After our keynote, you’ll get to connect and network with representatives from our various Faculty Associations through the Wilfrid Laurier Students’ Union. Interested in becoming an official leader in the Laurier Community before September? You’ll be able to join a club or association right away, so you’re set up before classes even begin!
The 12 Storey Tower
Ready for a challenge? The afternoon will begin with a team activity that will put your leadership and teamwork skills to the test!
Designing Your First-Year Experience
In teams, you and your fellow Laurier Golden Hawks will take on the ultimate challenge. Working together, and alongside Laurier 101 senior-student Hosts, your challenge will be to design an event for the entire first-year class! The prize if you win? Stay tuned... it's pretty sweet.
Dinner followed by Lawn and Chill
After a jam-packed day of activities, the Students' Union will host an evening event with lawn games and more, so you can chill with your new Golden Hawk besties.
Things to do in the Community for Parents and Supporters
LEAD @ Laurier is a students-only event and guests are not permitted. If your parents or supporters are in the area for the day while you attend LEAD, please encourage them to check out this list of activities to help them keep busy and explore Waterloo or Brantford while you're on campus.
Things to do in Waterloo
Looking to grab a bite to eat? Waterloo has an array of food to eat stemming from many different cultures, including some unique ones special to the city including Bao Sandwich Bar, Ennio’s Pasta House, Smoke’s Poutinerie (founded by a Laurier grad), and Korner Kitchen. When it’s time for dessert we definitely recommend trying Waterloo’s iconic ice cream hot spot Four All Ice Cream.
Looking to do some shopping? Check out Waterloo’s Conestoga Mall or the St. Jacobs Farmer’s Market for fresh produce and food and some neat knick knacks.
Looking for some fun activities? Waterloo has a number of great activities located throughout the city for those looking to pass some time! KW Escape is one of Waterloo’s great escape room adventures! Check it out for a fun filled time. Kingpin at Bingemans is also a great place and connected with a Boston Pizza so you can have fun and grab a bite! If you want to be brave, try your hand at axe throwing at Bad Axe Throwing, an added bonus is that it is close to campus. If you’re looking for something more passive, considering checking out some older and classic movies at Apollo Cinemas located in Downtown Kitchener. This is also a great destination if you want to support more local restaurants and shops!
Looking to take in the scenery? Waterloo has a great trail system that allows folks to take in the scenery and enjoy views of the Grand River. You can find Waterloo’s trail map on the City of Waterloo Trail Webpage.
Things to do in Brantford
Looking to grab a bite to eat? Brantford has a wide variety of places to eat, including some unique ones special to the city including Bell City Brewing, Sociable, Nine North, and Zander’s. When it’s time for dessert we definitely recommend trying Brantford’s iconic ice cream hot spot Dairee Delite.
Looking to do some shopping? Check out Brantford’s Lynden Park Mall.
Looking for some fun activities? Brantford has a number of great activities located throughout the city for those looking to pass some time! Escape Key is one of Brantford’s great escape room adventures! Check it out for a fun filled adventure. Northfield Gold Centre is one of Brantford’s hot spots for mini putting, or for those looking to practice their golf swing on the driving range! If golf isn’t your sport, try your hand at bowling at Echo Bowl, an added bonus is that it is close to campus. If you’re looking for something more passive, considering checking out some of the hit summer flicks at Galaxy Cinemas located in the Brantford Commons plaza. This is also a great destination if you still have more shopping to do!
Looking to take in the scenery? Brantford has a great trail system that allows folks to take in the scenery and enjoy views of the Grand River. You can find Brantford’s trail map on the City of Brantford Trail Webpage. You can also visit the Bell Homestead National Historic Site where Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone!