Freshman Retreat

by Joe Chai, Dean of Student Life
At Maranatha, “being known” isn’t some irrelevant catchphrase: it encompasses an absolutely integral part of who we are. Look no further than our annual Freshman Retreat to see that we take this value quite seriously around here!

From August 5-7, Maranatha’s faculty, staff, and student leaders (spanning the ASB, House Leadership, and Ministry Teams) hosted the incoming Class of 2026 cohort at the Forest Home Christian Camp nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains. Freshmen were treated to three days replete with incredibly memorable experiences, including various team games, flailing around in the Mud Bowl while playing Kajabi Can Can, and going for a cool dip in scenic Lake Mears. They also got to connect and make meaningful friendships and engage in equally meaningful conversations around the topic of what it means to be an “invested citizen” at Maranatha. Each night, the group concluded their activities by participating in a joyful time of worship (led by our student worship band), and listening to inspiring messages from both students and faculty that guided them to see God more vividly in their lives. 
 
Many thanks to all of our faculty, staff, and student leadership for making this incredible weekend possible! Special thanks to the incomparable Coach Shupper for leading this year’s retreat and to everyone that helped our incoming freshmen class “be known” for their very first time at Maranatha! What a great way to begin the new school year. 

Class of 2026, welcome to our MHS family.
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