2026 Retreat Counselor Application

RETREAT COUNSELORS:
Honors Retreat marks the beginning of the new academic year and is the Honors College's way of welcoming our incoming class to UH. As a Retreat Counselor, you will have the opportunity to get to know the incoming class, teach them about the Honors College and UH, and answer any questions they have about their college experience.

This year's retreat will take place at Camp Allen on Thursday, August 20 - Friday, August 21. Counselors will be organized into Retreat Groups with three counselors working with a group of 10-18 incoming students. Transportation, room accommodations, and meals will be provided to all campers and counselors.

Application Deadline: Friday, February 27


Retreat Counselors are required to attend these MANDATORY events:
• Retreat Counselor Meetings: Friday, March 27 (2pm - 4pm) AND Tuesday, May 5 (10am - 12pm)
• Small Group Training Session: Sunday, August 16, 2026, 9am - 2pm
• Retreat Counselors Duty Meeting: Wednesday, August 19, 3pm - 6pm
• Honors Retreat: Thursday, August 20 at 7 a.m. - Friday, August 21 late afternoon

Counselors are provided early move-in to the residence halls on Saturday, August 15, so that everyone is able to attend the Small Group Training on Sunday, August 16.

Retreat Counselor fee options:
Counselors are required to pay a $100 fee (due by July) or assist the Honors College at 4 Summer Orientations. Counselors who would like to assist at orientation must attend an advisor training. Advisor Trainings will be available on Friday, March 27, 10-12 and Friday, April 3, 2-4. Summer Orientation dates are listed below. Students who attend an advisor training will be contacted weekly as orientations approach asking for RSVPs. Times have not been finalized, but typically volunteers are required from 10-4. Lunch is provided.

Orientation Dates:
Friday, April 17 from 12-7 (counts as two orientations)
Friday, May 29
Tuesday, June 2
Friday, June 5
Friday, June 12
Tuesday, June 16
Friday, June 23
Friday, June 26
Tuesday, June 23
Friday, June 26
Tuesday, July 14
Friday, July 17
Tuesday, July 21
Friday, July 24
Tuesday, July 28

Retreat Planning Committee:
The Retreat Planning Committee is responsible for choosing Retreat Group names, organizing the scavenger hunt, and choosing the burn-on bracelets, among other tasks. The Retreat Planning Committee is optional for counselors who would like to participate. Two counselors will co-chair the committee, and those students will be voted into the position at our first mandatory counselor meeting. The two Retreat Planning Committee meetings will be Friday, April 3, 1-2 and Friday, April 10, 1-2.

Counselor Selection:
Applicants will be considered on the basis of application quality, GPA, classification, previous performance as a retreat counselor, and Honors event experience.

Applications will be notified if they were selected on Friday, March 13.

Questions? Please email Megan Booth at mnbooth@uh.edu.