All in the Sisterhood: Alpha Chi Omega sisterhood retreat

October 2023

In a small campsite in Bell Buckle Tennessee, on a cold October night, 15 sisters sit around a campfire, eating s'mores and sharing stories, laughing until they can't breathe. 

In groups of three or four, these young women work to pitch tents and build a fire around 5 pm as the sun is just over a nearby hill. They are spending this night camping as a sorority sisterhood retreat. Spending time to grow closer as sisters and learn more about one another. 

This group of ladies spent one night together, sleeping in tents, working together through team building exercises, and growing closer as sisters. 

One sister in particular, Annalee Casto, said that she loved the experiences she gained going on this retreat. Stating her favorite part of the event, “Getting a chance to connect in a different environment than what we were used to and on a much more personal level.”

As the sun sets over the hill, the girls are tending to a fire and beginning to cook their dinner, hot dogs. One young lady, Shaun Benson, brought cupcakes for the bunch to share as this was how she spent her 19th birthday. 

“It was so amazing to spend my birthday with girls i care about and girls who care about me,” said benson. She also said she loved spending this time in nature with her sisters. 

This is an event that is much more personal than others, because rather than being super

busy where there's a lot going on, it's a small event that allows people to make those genuine connections. 

Freshman Carly Coleman said that what makes sisterhood retreat so special to her is the immediate bond that she found between herself and others. 

With many of the girls on this trip being new members, they found new friendships that seem to last years when they have only known each other for a month, Said Coleman.

“My favorite part is firesides,” said Casto, getting to know people on a much deeper level through those conversations.”

Firesides is exactly as it sounds, the young women sitting around a fire and talking. The women of Alpha Chi Omega have “firesides” as a tradition that they use to get to know one another more personally, and form those close connections that will last them a lifetime. 

Coleman's favorite part was also firesides, she made genuine connections and found friendships that she feels will last a lifetime. 

“Being able to tell other people about yourself on a deeper level, and hearing other girls' thoughts and opinions on similar things was very eye opening.” she said. 

 “I learned a lot more about myself than I knew before going on a sisterhood retreat!” said Coleman. 

This is a special event for all of these young women, being an opportunity for many of the new members to meet upperclassmen, as well as coming out of their shell as they spend the weekend together.

Coleman said that this was such a wonderful event for her to have participated in. “Its so important to share those more intimate times with your sisters as well as have time to just have fun and be carefree with each other,” she said. 

For many of these ladies, this short trip was an opportunity for rest relaxation, and reflection, said Coleman.

Casto said, “It allows you to get to know everyone, not just people you're already close with. It reminds me why I'm in a sorority and allows me to fall more in love with Alpha Chi Omega.”