About College Retreat
College Retreat (formerly "Freshman Retreat") is a weekend-long residential program designed to create a strong sense of community among Ismaili college freshmen and sophomores.
Managed by the Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board in the United States, the program brings students together to build relationships with peers attending schools in their same city or region, helping to ensure long-term community connection and retention.
During the retreat, participants engage in outdoor recreation (such as ziplining or kayaking), attend sessions for their growth focused on critical topics like mental health, faith, and professional development.
Additionally, the program connects underclassmen with upperclassmen and young professionals who serve as mentors to provide ongoing support and guidance throughout their college journeys.
College Retreat since inception.
From Freshman Retreat to College Retreat.
A short history of how the program grew — from a single pilot in Texas to a multi-site national cycle.
- 2020 – 2021The idea
Conceptualized as Freshman Retreat to address the engagement drop-off Ismaili students experience after starting college. Modeled after multicultural orientation programs at top U.S. universities.
- 2022Pilot in Texas and Expansion to Georgia
First Freshman Retreat runs in February in Texas, post-COVID. Two more programs follow in the Fall — including the first Georgia Retreat. Early learnings emerge on structure, parameters, and local needs.
- 2023Expansion to the Midwest & Northeast
Freshman Retreat scales beyond Texas. The first institutional town hall debuts at the Texas Retreat. Mentor selection, risk management, and cohort balancing all take a step forward.
- 2024Two Georgia Retreats
Retreat returns to Georgia twice — 103 participants in the spring, 76 in the fall. LPT and NPT selection, training, and onboarding mature. Connections debut as a signature program element.
- 2025Rebrand and the first Pre-Treat
Freshman Retreat becomes College Retreat — the first residential program implemented post-transition. NPT and LPT are onboarded through an application process for the first time, and a national Pre-Treat brings the whole cycle's team together.
- 2026Largest cycle to date
Two Fall Retreats at Lutherhill (TX) and North Georgia Christian Camp (GA), staffed by two Senior Staff teams and the largest mentor cohort yet.
What makes College Retreat successful.
Modeled after proven programs at top U.S. universities and other communities — well-researched, well-designed.
Only three content sessions. Students truly balance fun and learning, with real say over big blocks of unstructured time.
Not just what we think students need — a balance of what they're asking for and what sets them up for the long term.
From cost to registration support to transportation assistance — everything is built to remove barriers.
An iterative program that adjusts curriculum, marketing, operations, training, and tools after every cycle.
Three years of solid programs have built a reputation that now organically drives student interest.
Unique activities and experiences in an environment engineered for organic, deeper relationship-building.
Why we do this.
College is a period where student engagement drops off. Retreat exists to connect Ismaili students to their peers early in their academic journey, with the idea that earlier engagement with local peers means longer-term retention in the community throughout college.
Meet Ismaili students from your campus and across the country.
Build relationships with upperclassmen and young professionals you can rely on long after the weekend.
Connect with faith and the Jamat in a setting designed for college students.