Due to the amount of attention each student receives, spots for this retreat will soon be closing!

Virtual Student Retreat 2021

 Saturday, October 9th 11:00-4:00pm ET & Sunday, October 10th 11:00-1:00pm ET • Online via Zoom 
First-year retreat encourages reflection on values and goals and offers tools for meditation and mindfulness — and a chance to meet people and have fun. Experience a spiritual awakening through high adventure activities, leadership development & more!
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WHAT YOU WILL GET

DISCOVER
A two-day immersion into mindfulness, self-love + deep human connection.
RELAX
Learn how to destress, cope with uncertainty, and explore the God within.
EXPLORE
 Gain focused time with God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit and a true deepening of faith.

What will I experience on retreat?

  • Slow down + quiet your mind
  • Get clear on who you are, what you want + where you’re going
  • Connect with other warm, kind-hearted Christians 
  • Slow down + quiet your mind
  • Get clear on who you are, what you want + where you’re going
  • Connect with other warm, kind-hearted Christians 
  • Learn tools to navigate stress + uncertainty
  • Deepen or begin a Christian mindfulness / meditation practice
  • Have fun + DANCE at our online party
  • Learn tools to navigate stress + uncertainty
  • Deepen or begin a Christian mindfulness / meditation practice
  • Have fun + DANCE at our online party
Hit the reset button this October. Join a two-day immersion into mindfuless, self-love + deep human connection.
Curry October 2021 Weekend Online Retreat

After the whirl of starting Academy,
a time to regroup

DISCOVER HOW OUR STUDENTS ARE BREAKING AWAY FROM A PANDEMIC THAT JUST WON'T QUIT TO ACHIEVING A DEEP SENSE OF WARMTH, COMMUNITY, AND PEACEFULNESS!

WHATS INCLUDED?

Christian Mindfulness Meditation

 Practice designed to connect the spirit to your creator, taking you beyond your perceived potential. Guided meditation and light breathwork, all set to music, designed to cultivate growth. 

Breathwork

Transform your mind through body and breath. An immersive sensory experience that shifts your state with breathwork, music and guided meditation. A transformational reset within minutes.

Prayer

Prayer is a conversation with God, and every conversation begins by addressing the person to whom you are speaking by name. Reflect on how praying intentionally cultivates a fuller life.

Group Work

While there are periods of silence during the retreat there is time to connect and talk with other participants such as during your small group meetings, over breaks, during workshops and free time.

Biblical Affirmations

Affirmations are statements (powerful words put together) that are meant to affect your behavior and the course of your life in a positive way. The goal of affirmations is to change your habits and to improve your life.

Guest Speakers

From guest speakers to breathwork masters at retreat, breakout sessions, mindfulness meditation experts and more, we love to equip and empower our students to live life on purpose.

The Practice of Stillness

Take a break, slow down, and sink into stillness. Practice designed to transport the mind to the here and now, taking you beyond your perceived potential. Wisdom to find your stillness within.

...And much more!

Parts of the day are silent; other parts of the day are interactive where talking is allowed.

You’ll have the chance to turn your video camera off and just listen with headphones for parts of the retreat.

Other times, you’ll have the video on so you can see + connect with classmates and other participants.

See What Our Students Are Saying

Our mission is to be a school that connects people with God and with one another.

Ang. L

"I greatly appreciate this retreat: the simplicity, peacefulness, non-prescriptiveness, and kindness of the warm atmosphere created openness to questions. I learned love, connection, softness. How to look deep inside me, and find the authentic self. I learned to not lose the present by focusing on the future."

John. D

"There was such an overwhelming sense of community on this retreat. I have been on one other retreat in which my practice may have been more intensive; however this time around, the support from Ira and my fellow classmates was absolutely palpable, making the experience undeniably joyful. Also, I love the fact that this was Christian based and brought me closer to God!"

Mo'nique. M

"I now know that I have this built-in ability to cope whenever I need to, of just sitting down and closing my eyes and taking a few breaths. And giving myself permission to do that. I made a lot of close bonds with people, even though I met them online, and I’ve yet to meet them in person."

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What happens on retreat? What's the schedule?
The 2-Day Live intensive retreat schedule includes periods of Christ centered guided meditation, small group activities, workshops and free time for socializing or resting. We move into and out of periods of silence throughout the day. You should be prepared to attend all of the activities each day. We also break for lunch and a late afternoon snack to keep you going. The event takes place on Saturday, October 9th 11:00-4:00pm ET & Sunday, October 10th 11:00-1:00pm ET via Zoom.
How much meditation and prayer will I be doing?
You can plan on about 2 or more hours of silent meditation and prayer spread throughout each day. Don’t worry though, you won’t be expected to meditate for two hours straight! Each meditation session is about 10-20 minutes. The meditation time includes a mix of sitting meditation, breathing meditation, and other mindful movement.
Are cell phones allowed?
This is a common concern for a lot of students. We want to give you the chance to really be present on the retreat. Therefore, cell phones and other electronics such as iPods, tablets, e-readers, and laptops are virtually collected at the beginning of the retreat by Curry staff and returned at the end. Emergency contact information will be provided to your spouse/children in advance of the retreat so that your family can get a hold of you if they need to. A lot of students find that by the end of the retreat they haven’t missed their phone as much as they thought they would and are happy to have had a break from the digital world.
Is the whole retreat silent?
No, definitely not! While there are periods of silence during the retreat there’s a lot of time to connect and talk with other participants such as during your small group meetings, over breaks, during workshops and free time.
How can I prepare?
Eat very little before attending the retreat. Bring headphones if possible. Create a quiet, designated space for yourself where you can be uninterrupted during the retreat. Turn off distractions, close other tabs on your computer + do your best to just focus on the retreat experience while you’re with us. Let your roommates, family and friends know that you’ll be on retreat + won’t be available! This retreat doesn’t require complete isolation, but we encourage you to separate yourself as much as possible from technology + other distractions.
Can I come on retreat with a friend, sibling, or family member?
Yes, provided they meet the age requirements of the retreat, friends, siblings, cousins, etc. are welcome to come on retreat by having them purchase a ticket. There will be lots of time to talk, connect, and hang out with each other – during beaks, free time, workshops, etc. Please be prepared, however, as friends or siblings may be assigned to different workshops and different small groups. We encourage all participants to “stretch outside their comfort zones” by interacting with new people and not just hanging out with a friend or sibling for the whole retreat.
My mind is always racing. I think I have too many thoughts to meditate. Is this for me?
This is a really common concern! A lot of people say, “I think too much. There’s no way I can still my mind. Meditation might work for other people but it’s not for me.” If you think this you are not alone! The objective of meditation is not to “space out” or clear our minds until they are completely of thoughts. With practice, you may find that when you are meditating your thoughts and emotions are still present but you won’t be so consumed by them. Meditation and mindfulness are about connecting with God, practicing awareness and acceptance towards ourselves, our thoughts, and strong emotions – not making them go away!
Why do people come on retreat? Are student retreats fun?
Sometimes people hear “meditation” and “mindfulness” and they think, “It sounds like this retreat is going to be serious and silent. Why would I want to spend time out of my weekend doing that? ”Good news–our previous retreat participants consistently share that the retreat is one of the most powerful, connected—and fun—weekends of the year. While we do meditate and learn the skills of mindfulness and compassion throughout the day, there’s also lots of time to connect with students, new friends, explore new sides of ourselves through creative and interesting workshops, and just hang out together. A big part of our retreats is “Christian mindfulness” with Christ at the center of the experience. During small groups you will get the chance to play goofy games, hear other people’s testimonies, and be part of a community. We will have retreat “alumni” who will continue to come back every year because the people they met on the retreat became their closest friends.
What kind of person comes on retreat?
There is no “typical” Curry participant. Our participants mostly identify as Christian. Some are students, others are previous students and Ira Curry fans, some are mothers, others are fathers. The thing tying all of our participants together is that they are all humans looking to de-stress, connect more with themselves, to God, and create community with like-minded peers.
What is the age range for Curry teen & young adult retreats?
The age range for teen & young adult retreats is 15 & up.
© 2021 Ira Curry Leadership Academy