This coming year will be my 3rd time participating in Launch and my 2nd time as a Launch leader (I am going into my 4th year at Redeemer now). The reason that I love coming back to the crew is because it truly brightens my spirit to see how much enjoyment the first-year students can have during such a scary, transitional stage in their lives. When you’re entering the university lifestyle for the first time, nervousness or fear has its potential of creeping upon you. Not with the Launch crew, however. After all, that’s our job: making you feel welcome.
The Launch week has so many awesome things to offer: a community food drive, learning about the school and the different departments, games, team bonding, and of course, the grand finale we love to call the Launch Olympics! This is where all the different teams get together and compete against each other in order to win points for their teams by playing loads of different games. The games are amazing for doing team bonding as well as learning to break out of your shells and have a chance to socialize with everyone.
However, let’s not forget that Launch week is not merely about having fun and goofing around. The fact that we are at a Christian University College allows us to give praise and glory to God in all that we do. As well, we are to lead and be led through the name of Christ through every day of Redeemer and our years ahead. This is where meeting with folks such as your RA’s come in. They are there to guide you through every step in transitioning to the Redeemer life. This includes holding devotions with your dorm, getting to know each person in your dorm on a deep level and guiding you through Christ-like attitudes. Personally, I found this one of the greatest thing about Launch week, and I know that it will have just as great of an effect on you as it did me.
So, that’s all folks! I obviously don’t want to spoil everything for you (because a lot of the fun comes in experiencing it yourself), but this is just a taste of what you are going to experience during Launch week. I pray that every one of you has a blessed summer and that, when Launch week comes, you will experience and live it to the fullest. I hope to meet all of you and I can’t wait to see you all in the coming year!
Blessings,
Dan Vanden Boogaard
Orientation Coordinator's NOTE: Doesn't Dan look so happy as he's taking 20 pounds of mud out of the pit last year?