Join us for a weekend changemaking retreat to discover how to create change and build a life you love!
We offer 2 retreat weekends a year, plus on campus workshops.
OCTOBER 24-26, 2025
Registration deadline: September 29, 2025
Ignite Retreat
Join us for a weekend retreat to discover how to create change and build a life you love!
2024-2025 Dates
Spring: March 21-23, 2025
Registration deadline: February 21, 2025
Location: Black Mountain, North Carolina
Reach out to Caroline Burlingame for more information.
In 3 days, gain clarity, confidence and community to spark positive change.
For over 15 years, the Sullivan Foundation’s Ignite Retreat has empowered 1,500+ students through transformative workshops and mentorship.
Held biannually, participants dive deep into community issues, gaining insights and building lasting networks.
Join us to fuel your passion and make a difference!
In 3 days, gain clarity, confidence and community to spark positive change.
For over 15 years, the Sullivan Foundation’s Ignite Retreat has empowered 1,500+ students through transformative workshops and mentorship.
Held biannually, participants dive deep into community issues, gaining insights and building lasting networks.
Join us to fuel your passion and make a difference!
Here’s what you’ll get to experience.
Work on a project, get clarity on potential career paths, or dig deeper into a set of problems you are passionate about solving.
The retreat has three tracks, each with two workshops. You can bounce between any of the workshops that you feel are most relevant to you.
Personal Track
For students who want to uncover their calling, better understand their skills and passions, build their self-confidence, and explore the mindset of a social entrepreneur.
Discover creative ways to combine your skills and cares into a calling.
Problem Track
For students who have a specific problem or issue they want to work on and seek to develop the practical skills to find and lead solutions.
Project Track
For students who want to dive deeply into one concrete solution, campus initiative, project or venture that they’re actively trying to bring to life.
Here’s what you’ll get to experience.
Work on a project, get clarity on potential career paths, or dig deeper into a set of problems you have a heart for.
The retreat has three tracks, each with two workshops. You can bounce between any of the workshops that you feel are most relevant to you.
Personal Track
For students who want to uncover their calling, better understand their skills and passions, build their self-confidence, and explore the mindset of a social entrepreneur.
Discover creative ways to combine your skills and cares into a calling.
Problem Track
For students who have a specific problem or issue they want to work on and seek to develop the practical skills to find and lead solutions.
Project Track
For students who want to dive deeply into one concrete solution, campus initiative, project or venture that they’re actively trying to bring to life.
“I walked away from the retreat realizing that if I want to make a change, I can’t wait until after graduation, after next year, or even tomorrow. I need to begin right now! “
Qadira Muhammad, Ignite Retreat Attendee
Mary Baldwin University
“I walked away from the retreat realizing that if I want to make a change, I can’t wait until after graduation, after next year, or even tomorrow. I need to begin right now!“
Qadira Muhammad, Ignite Retreat Attendee
Mary Baldwin University
Request funding from your school to attend for free!
Many of our university partners cover the ticket price for students to attend the Ignite Retreat.
If you are a student and want to attend an upcoming gathering, reach out to a Sullivan Campus Representative who will help you attend from your school.
Request funding from your school to attend for free!
Many of our university partners cover the ticket price for students to attend the Ignite Retreat.
If you are a student and want to attend an upcoming gathering, reach out to a Sullivan Campus Representative who will help you attend from your school.
Faculty and staff have a Retreat as well during the weekend.
While your students are enjoying the retreat, take time to invest in your professional development and connect with colleagues!
Led by our team of trained facilitators, learn techniques and approaches on how to enhance programs on your campus alongside your colleagues from other colleges and universities.
To learn more about the Sullivan Faculty Retreat, schedule a free discovery call with one of our Faculty Engagement Specialists.
Faculty and staff have a dedicated track during the weekend.
While your students are enjoying the retreat, take time to invest in your professional development and connect with colleagues!
Led by our team of trained facilitators, learn techniques and approaches for how to enhance your programs on campus alongside colleagues around the American southeast. Most schools send at least one faculty or staff member with their students.
To learn more about the faculty track, schedule a free discovery call with one of our Faculty Engagement Specialists.
1-on-1 Mentorship
Connect with coaches who have started non-profits, built social ventures, and are leading change.
Hands-on Workshops
Attend workshops to understand your passions, clarify the problem you want to solve, and launch a project.
Find Your Community
Rub shoulders with 100+ students who will become your closest friends, cheerleaders, and collaborators.
The top 3 reasons you should attend.
1-on-1 Mentorship
Connect with coaches who have started non-profits, built social ventures, and are leading change.
Hands-on Workshops
Attend workshops to understand your passions, clarify the problem you want to solve, and launch a project.
Find Your Community
Rub shoulders with 100+ students who will become your closest friends, cheerleaders, and collaborators.
Register to attend the Ignite Retreat
Register to attend the Ignite Retreat
October 24-26, 2025
Registration deadline: September 27, 2025
Location: Lake Junaluska, North Carolina
91 North Lakeshoure Drive, Lake Junaluska, NC 28745
Tickets
$450 per participant
(student, faculty, or staff)
Students from Sullivan Schools are often eligible to receive a sponsored ticket. Reach out to find out if you qualify.
All tickets include:
- Meals (Fri. dinner – Sun. breakfast)
- Housing (Fri. – Sun.).
- Students share a double room.
- Faculty and staff get a private room.
- Transportation to and from retreat venue is not included.
Registration Details
Refund Policy:
- If you are no longer able to attend, you may transfer your ticket to a new attendee up until 2 weeks from the start of the event. After this point, transfers or refunds will no longer be accepted if you cancel or do not show up to the event.
For those that are bulk registering students: When you “click” on ‘Register to Attend’, you will find all the pre-information you need to gather from each participant in advance of purchasing your tickets.
Can’t make it to the upcoming Retreat?
The Sullivan Retreat is held every spring and fall semester, typically on the third weekend of October and fourth weekend of March, so be sure to mark your calendar. View all of our upcoming dates here.
