Overfilled suitcases, packed buses, and over eighty first-year students made their way to Betsy-Jeff Penn 4H Camp in Reidsville, NC for the annual SPARK retreat. This retreat, an available opportunity for all women within their first-year at Carolina, holds a special place in fostering community amongst the black female population.
Coming into Carolina for a lot of students is comparable to diving headfirst into their biggest fear: feeling like an imposter. And while this feeling of extreme vulnerability affects each individual in unique ways it is especially apparent for women of color, specifically many of the black women I’ve spoken to on campus. The intersectionality in being both black and a woman playing a key role in elevating this sentiment. However, as you step onto the campgrounds and are warmly greeted by the camp directors, the former feelings of apprehension melt away, into a weekend filled with unrestrained laughter and budding sisterhood.
Immediately once you get settled into your assigned cabins, you are put into flower groups. This year the groups were: Wildflower, Hibiscus, Lily, Violet, Rose, and Dandelion respectively. Each group carries certain dynamic characteristic traits accompanied by their group’s own flower hand signs. Throughout the weekend the flower groups underwent various exercises with the aim to better understand themselves and how they can exist in a space with limited individuals that look like them. Combining with the larger group for an emotional exercise that explores the ways in which identity can be utilized rather than hidden. Tears were shed, hugs were had, and the beginnings of beautiful friendships were born. Amongst the many things the SPARK provided, the most important one being, the capacity to be authentically carefree, authentically vulnerable, and authentically black.
This was a great and insightful read!! Very impactful 🙂