Connections
Connections 2024* will be held on-campus the weekend of June 21-23, 2024. Registration for Connections 2024 is now open on a rolling basis until the retreat fills.
*If you were interested but unable to attend Connections in June, please consider attending the First-Year Escape Retreat, during Fall Semester 2024. Registration for First-Year Escape will open in fall semester, and can be found on the Mission & Ministry Retreats webpage.
This event will offer you the chance to:
- Make friends in the Class of 2028
- Meet current VU students who can mentor you during the summer
- Connect with a variety of Mission & Ministry staff and programs
- Reflect and talk with others about your transition to college
- Set personal goals for your first year in college
- Stay on campus in a residence hall
There will be opportunities for personal reflection, discussions of participants' personal values and spirituality and exposure to Villanova's Augustinian heritage. Participants of any or no faith background are anticipated and welcome!
Important Information
Check-in time for the retreat will be 3–4 PM, Friday, June 21. Our team will be unable to receive you before 2PM unless you make specific arrangements with us in advance. When you arrive on campus, there will be signs posted around campus to direct you for CONNECTIONS.
The weekend will conclude Sunday, June 23, with a celebration of the Mass starting at 2 PM. Family and friends are welcome to join us in the St. Thomas of Villanova Church (#3 on the campus map). Students will be ready to leave campus by 3PM, so please make your travel arrangements accordingly.
Traveling by Air
If you need transportation to/from the Philadelphia International Airport, please email your flight itineraries and the student’s mobile number to Connections with “Flight Information – [Student’s Name]” in the subject line.
Note: We will not be able to provide rides from the airport for flights that are scheduled to land before 11AM or after 4PM on Friday and after 4PM on Sunday unless arrangements are confirmed with us before booking your flight.
Traveling by Car
Parents are welcome to drop off students on Friday afternoon, 3-4PM, and pick them up between 3-4PM on Sunday afternoon. Parking will be available for students who plan to drive themselves to and from the retreat.
However, students are not permitted to leave campus during the retreat without permission from the Mission & Ministry staff since it presents a safety and liability issue. We will hold participants' car keys for the weekend if they request a parking permit.
Public Transit
There are public transit stops on Villanova's campus for the following:
You will be staying in a residence hall. The rooms are air-conditioned, so it might be cooler at night. You will need to bring the following:
- Toiletries, a towel, a pillowcase and sheets or sleeping bag
- Flip-flops for the shower and bathrobe if you have one
- Casual clothes and close-toed shoes that you would feel comfortable in for light physical activity outside, with layers for air-conditioned activities indoors
- A business casual outfit (slacks, khakis or sundresses are fine) for Sunday's liturgy
- Rain jacket/umbrella if precipitation is in the forecast
- Reusable water bottle and travel thermos
Cost for the weekend is $150. The registration fee covers accommodations, meals and scheduled activities (travel to and from campus is on your own).
Financial support is available for anyone that needs it for the registration fee. Please contact Kiva Nice-Webb, Campus Minister for Retreats, for scholarship information.
We will be eating in the dining halls and participating in the Villanova Challenge Course (low ropes) as part of the weekend, and much of the weekend involves walking around outside.
Please contact Connections Weekend if you have dietary or accessibility questions or concerns regarding the weekend as well as general questions.