Oaks Collaborative | Helping College Freshmen Find Their People, Place & Purpose

7 out of 10 students fall away from Christ in college...

we want to change that.

Find a Retreat | Start a Retreat | Support the Mission

That they may be called oaks of righteousness...
Isaiah 61:3

What We Do

The Oaks Collaborative is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that partners with local churches and campus ministries to host Christ-centered 3-day, 2-night retreats for incoming college students across the United States.

These retreats are led by upperclassmen and focused on living for Christ in college.

How We Do It

We exist to help incoming college students...

Be rooted in Christ
Strengthened through Christ-centered community
Bear fruit for Christ's name on their campus

Our Retreats

The Oaks Collaborative serves undergraduate students at universities across the country. Each retreat is specific to a local campus but unified under one nonprofit structure and mission.

Since 2012, we have welcomed 14,981 freshmen and equipped & trained 6,934 student leaders.

We have 23 retreats located across the US

The Oaks Retreat

Auburn University

The Chimes Retreat

University of Alabama

Living Stones Retreat

Troy University

The Grove Retreat

Ole Miss

The Arch Retreat

University of Georgia

The Forge Retreat

Birmingham Area Colleges

The Junction Retreat

Mississippi State

The River Retreat

University of North Alabama

The Heritage Retreat

Florida State University

The Spur Retreat

The University of South Carolina

The Torch Retreat

U of Tennessee - Knoxville

The Rock Retreat

Appalachian State University

The Mountain Retreat

Jacksonville State University

The Scarlet to White Retreat

Rutgers University

The Pastures Retreat

University of Kentucky

The Stone Retreat

Virginia Tech

The Tower Retreat

Louisiana State University

The Retreat

Ohio State University

The Sower Retreat

University of Oklahoma

The Bay Retreat

University of South Alabama

The Hills Retreat

Clemson University

The Hub Retreat

University of Southern Mississippi

The Rooted Retreat

Sam Houston State University

We believe every student has a place in the body of Christ at their campus & in their city...

we exist to help them find it.

How You Can Help

Testimonials

Who We Are

The Oaks Collaborative is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to helping college students transition into college with a strong foundation of faith and Christian community.

We collaborate with churches, ministries, and student leaders to set the table for incoming freshmen to transition to college life and cultivate meaningful relationships with others and Christ.

MEET THE TEAM

Who We Are

🙏 Today is Collegiate Day of Prayer 🙏

Prayer is a foundational part of our ministry.

From praying that each incoming freshman class would be the most prayed-over class in that university’s history…
to praying that every leadership team member would grow deeper in their personal prayer life as they serve…
to praying daily as an Oaks Collaborative team that we would be led by the Lord in all we do.

We stand fully behind the call to pray for college campuses today.
Will you stand with us?

Pray for this generation of college students...that they would be rooted in Christ, strengthened through Christ-centered community, and bear fruit for His name on every campus they represent.

#CDOP26
#CollegiateDayofPrayer

It's hard to believe our first retreat registration of 2026 opens TODAY!! We are kicking off with The Heritage Retreat serving Florida State. This retreat will be held July 31–August 2, 2026!

And this is just the beginning… more retreat registrations are opening soon! Check them out below and tag your people to let them know. 🎉 They will fill fast so don't delay!

The Pastures Retreat | University of Kentucky - Opens February 20
The Stone Retreat | Virginia Tech - Opens February 20
The Junction Retreat | Mississippi State - Opens February 22
The Grove Retreat | Ole Miss - Opens February 22
The Oaks Retreat | Auburn University - Opens February 22
The Chimes Retreat | University of Alabama - Opens February 23

For a full list of retreats and links to their website and registration visit the retreat Info link in our bio or comment on this post!

Even if you don't know a student headed to college...will you join us in praying over every student and leader involved this retreat season? Our prayer is that they would be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord, that He may be praised (Isaiah 61:3)!

Our Executive Director, Trace Hamiter, recently joined Susannah Hodges on The Good Neighbor Podcast to share how the vision for The Oaks Retreat began—and how the Lord grew what he once thought was meant only for Auburn into 23 retreats serving students across the country.

Drop a comment and we’ll send you the link!

As the year comes to a close, we’re encouraged and humbled by the generosity we’ve already seen at the close of this year.

But we’re not done yet—and there are only a few hours left for your year end donation to be counted toward your 2025 charitable giving, and we'd be honored if you'd direct your giving to help students who are about to step into one of the most defining seasons of their lives.

Will you help us reach our year end goal? Link in bio to give!

Will you plant a seed in the life of college students by giving a year end gift today? No matter the amount you donation will impact the lives of college students across the country.

Link in bio.

We're excited to announce (and tag) two new retreats starting in 2026!

@thebayretreat_
Serving the University of South Alabama and Mobile, AL area

@thehubretreat
Serving The University of Southern Mississippi and Hattiesburg, MS area

We’ve received interest from people at 28 more campuses across the nation who would love for us to start a retreat for their school– your gift today helps us say “yes” sooner and reach students who need help finding their people, place, and purpose.

Will you give? Link in Bio!

What a joy to celebrate our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace...Emmanuel, God with us.

Merry Christmas to you and yours from The Oaks Collaborative Team.

Behind every retreat is a local Specialist investing in the student leaders who serve our campuses.

From our Specialists to our donors and prayer warriors - thank you for joining us in this work. Your faithful support is the heartbeat of these retreats, empowering leaders and impacting students for the kingdom and for years to come.

Will you join us? Give a year end gift today at the link in our bio

As we close out the year, we’re continually reflecting with deep gratitude on what God has done in 2025.

Because of the commitment of so many to serve, pray and give faithfully students across the country stepped into college already rooted in Christ and surrounded by Christ-centered community across 21 Oaks Collaborative retreats that were held this year.

We, like these student leaders from a few of our retreats, are so thankful to those of you that have walked alongside us this year. And we are praying for more of you to come alongside us in this mission. Will you pray with us and, if lead, give. It truly makes an eternal impact.

Link in bio.

During our Summit Retreat in November we interviewed students from our retreats and the last question we asked each time was “what would you say to the donors that help make these retreats possible?” What a beautiful message shared by Romi from The Sower Retreat.

“Your generosity will continue to make an impact not just across college campuses but for generations. I know so many people who the trajectory of their lives has changed after hearing the Gospel and learning what it looks like to walk with Jesus in college. And I know that’s something they will carry on for generations to come. So it means more than you know…so thank you!”

Would you consider making a donation that will impact this generation and generations to come?

Link in bio ❤️

Upperclassmen leaders across our retreats are already praying over the freshmen and transfer students arriving in fall 2026. 
Your support helps turn those prayers into real spaces where Christ-centered community is found and lives are changed.

Join us in prayer—and know that any financial gift you give will have a lasting impact on a student’s college experience.

Link in bio to give!

Since 2012, we have connected over 15,000 freshmen through these retreats and watched them change the trajectories of students’ college careers and subsequently their lives.

We would love for you to come alongside us in changing the statistic that states that 70% of church-attending high school seniors fall away from their faith in college! Help us raise $70,000 to change the 70% by the end of year.

Go to the link in our bio to help us change the statistic!

When we see God move in so many different places we sometimes ask God, “What is my part to play? How can I be a part of what God is doing?”

As we look to 2026, we’re praying and preparing to reach even more incoming students before they ever step foot on campus this fall. To make that possible, our End-of-Year goal is to raise $70,000. These funds will directly support new retreats, strengthen current ones, and help students find their people, place, and purpose in Christ during one of the most vulnerable and formative seasons of their lives.

Would you prayerfully consider playing a role in students hearing the gospel and finding community by making a year-end gift to help us reach this goal?

Link in bio

Wow — you did it! 🎉
Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, we met our Giving Tuesday matching gift goal!

Every dollar donated so far has been doubled to help even more incoming college students find their people, place, and purpose in Christ!

We are so grateful. Truly.

But the momentum isn’t slowing down — and neither is the need.

If you haven’t had a chance to give yet, there’s still time to make a meaningful difference today. Every gift — match or not — helps us reach even more incoming students. Link in bio!

Today is Giving Tuesday, and our minds are on the thousands of high school seniors across the country who are getting closer and closer to stepping into one of the most vulnerable and critical transitions of their lives—new campus, new pressures, and deep questions about identity and belonging. Too many begin college feeling harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

But today, you have the opportunity to change that story.

Right now, a generous partner is doubling every gift up to $25,000, but only until midnight tonight. That means anything you give today will go twice as far to help students step into college confidently knowing their people, place, and purpose in Christ.

Give today! Link in bio!

#GivingTuesday

The transition into college is one of the most defining seasons in a young person’s life. New environment. New pressures. New questions about identity, belonging, and purpose. Many students walk onto campus feeling anxious and alone.

Our retreats were created to change that!
We do that by launching and leading three-day, two-night retreats before classes even start to help incoming freshmen find community and step into college already knowing their people, place, and purpose in Christ. Listen to how these retreats impacted Mason, Mary Claire and Kaitlyn.

Giving Tuesday is a chance to double your impact so that more students can step confidently into college surrounded by Christ-centered community.

Give today! Link in bio!

"Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek the fruit which increases to your account." Philippians 4:17

With Giving Tuesday this coming week we'd love for you to have the opportunity to know that your gifts are impacting college students across the country and bearing "much fruit" on college campuses. Your gift today will go twice as far thanks to a $25,000 matching gift, doubling every donation made through midnight this Giving Tuesday.

Would you prayerfully consider giving to help us meet our match and have your gift doubled?

Comment or click the Giving Tuesday link in out bio!

#givingtuesday

Happy Thanksgiving!

…and THANK YOU! Through your monetary gifts, sharing about the retreats and supporting us through prayer, we were able to reach 4,244 freshmen, transfers and upperclassmen through the 2025 retreat season! These are just a handful of the students that you impacted, but know there are thousands more that could say the same.

#HappyThanksgiving #grateful

Giving Tuesday is right around the corner, and as we look toward 2026, our hearts are full of gratitude for the ways God moved through the 21 retreats that took place across the country in 2025. Thousands of students started college rooted in Christ and Christ-centered community through these experiences.

Next year, we’re praying and preparing for even more students to find their people, place, and purpose before they ever set foot on campus.

To help make that possible, a generous partner is doubling the impact of all gifts up to $25,000 until midnight on Tuesday, December 2. That means your gift will go twice as far in reaching incoming students with the hope of the Gospel.

Would you prayerfully consider giving to help us meet our match and have your gift doubled?

Comment and we'll send you the link or Click Giving Tuesday in our bio to give!

…that they would be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord that His name would be praised.

We say regularly that we are so grateful to say “come and see what the Lord has done” and this weekend was just one more representation of His goodness. We were in awe of the Lord moving through this group of student leaders that will be hosting the 2026 retreats and look forward to sharing their hearts and prayers for the incoming freshmen and transfer students with you in the coming weeks.

So much gratitude to the Lord for day one of the 2025 Summit Retreat. Leaders from 18 of our retreats gathered this evening to kick off a weekend filled with prayer, remembrance and sweet preparation of our hearts for what the Lord has in store for the 2026 retreat season. #tocsummit2025 #collegeministry

Retreat Highlight: The Retreat

@theretreatohiostate kicked off this year for incoming freshman at The Ohio State University. We think one upperclassman leader said it best, "Being on staff helped me to realize that God can work in big ways with a small group of people. The number of the students doesn't matter and the level of professionalism delivered by the staff won't be the factor the students remember, it is the way God works in them throughout the retreat."

The Lord definitely worked in big ways through this small group of students and we're so excited to be going into year 2 of this retreat! To find out more about this retreat and others visit www.theoakscollaborative.com.

#OaksColab #CollegeMinistry #RetreatHighlight #theohiostateuniversity

Retreat Hightlight: The Rooted Retreat

@therootedretreatatshsu got it's start in 2020 at Sam Houston State in Huntsville, TX.

One student shared, "I went to Rooted as a student and it had such a huge impact on my life. Then I was able to be on staff for the last 3 years. Getting to see students find community and making connections makes my heart happy. This year the students made an immediate connection and I had a blast at retreat. Every time I am on staff the students make me want to deepen my faith. Rooted is something that will forever be close to my heart."

Stories like this are why we do what we do. We love the connections that happen for the freshman, but also to hear the continued desire from these students to disciple and pour into the next class of freshman on their campus. The Lord has done great things through The Rooted Retreat!

Your support and prayers fuel these stories. Thank you for helping us connect these students to Christ-centered community across so many college campuses! 🙏
Learn more at www.theoakscollaborative.com!

#OaksColab #CollegeMinistry #RetreatHighlight #samhoustonstateuniversity

🎉 The Grove Retreat Recap 🎉
📍 Ole Miss - Oxford, MS
🙌 138 Freshmen
😊 72 Upperclassmen
🥳 2 Decisions to give their life to Christ

What a joy it has been to watch this retreat grow since 2021!

One CREW member shared, "I absolutely loved being on CREW and behind the scenes during The Grove Retreat. During prep I grew in my faith, began to pray more and created meaningful Christ-centered friendships. Being in an atmosphere where there is so much joy for the Lord while also a determination to further God’s plan is so encouraging. This retreat builds a sense of community that fosters vulnerability, authenticity, and deep connection with both God and others. I’m so thankful for the way that this experience challenged me to step out in faith, lean on others, and trust God’s plan and timing for everything."

#retreathighlight #olemiss

Retreat Highlight: The Stone Retreat

The first year of @thestoneretreat was such a blessing! We’re so proud of the team that made it happen at Virginia Tech. With 4 freshmen and 14 upperclassmen leaders, the group was small, but the Lord was so present, freshmen found Christ-centered community, and the body of Christ was strengthened on campus. It laid an amazing foundation for years to come!

Learn more about all of our retreats at www.theoakscollaborative.com!

Retreat Highlight: The Horizon Retreat

69 students gathered for The Horizon Retreat before the semester started for the University of South Carolina.

One upperclassman leader shared, "I went to The Horizon Retreat as a freshman, I was very introverted and didn’t know much about what it meant to actually live for Christ...not just believe. I remember looking up to the counselors and leadership as if they were so much older than me. I realize now it was simply the work God did in them to mature them; and now in me as I just experienced year 4 with the retreat.

With the freshmen - I can’t help but see myself 3 years ago knowing that God’s getting ready to move in their lives at college. I believe freshman me would be proud of who I’ve become and it all started at The Horizon Retreat. The reflection I had this year was incredible, to look back and recognize actual growth in myself in a full circle moment. I owe it all to God who stuck with me the entire time; when I fell and when I rejoiced. I pray that these freshmen grow even more in their faith and have the opportunity in 3 or 4 years to look back the same way I can now. "

WOW - what a testament of what the Lord has done through The Horizon Retreat and we look forward to what He has in store for years to come.

Your support and prayers fuel these stories. Thank you for helping us connect these students to Christ-centered community across so many college campuses! 🙏

Learn more at www.theoakscollaborative.com!
#OaksColab #CollegeMinistry #RetreatHighlight #universityofsouthcarolina

What a joy it was for our team to switch things up a bit and attend a @winshaperetreat the past few days. So much of their wisdom and practice on how to build and strengthen great, Christ-centered teams has impacted our organization through the years and we were so grateful to experience it firsthand.

We left refreshed, encouraged and strengthened from our time there and look forward to seeing how the Lord uses what we learned to strengthen not only our home office team but the teams of student leaders across all of our retreats.

Retreat Highlight: The Forge Retreat serving UAB, Samford and Birmingham area schools

Freshmen agreed that it encouraged them in their faith, they met new friends, they feel more confident and comfortable about starting college and they now have a list of churches and ministries to check out.

Thank you for being part of this story through your prayers and support.
#oakscolab #RetreatHighlight #UAB #samforduniversity

Retreat Highlight: The Heritage Retreat

This Summer, students gathered at Florida State University for The Heritage Retreat. One student shared:

“The retreat helped me connect with new people and make friends! I’m now familiar with local churches and campus ministries, which has been so helpful. I feel encouraged and motivated to share my faith on campus and see FSU as a mission field.”

Stories like this bring us back to basics of why we do what we do...to help students be rooted in Christ, strengthened through Christ-centered community and bearing fruit for His name on campuses like FSU.

#floridastateseminoles #CollegeMinistry #RetreatHighlight #oakscolab

Retreat Highlight: The Junction Retreat

At The Junction Retreat, 203 students gathered at Lake Tiak-O' Khata before the semester started for Mississippi State.

One counselor shared, "It was really cool to see the students grow closer to the Lord and each other and become more open to talk as the retreat went on. You could really tell true community was being built."

Moments like these happened across all 21 retreats — helping students find Christ-centered community before they even stepped foot on campus!

Your support and prayers fuel these stories. Thank you for helping us reach the next generation! 🙏 Learn more at the links in our bio!

#OaksColab #CollegeMinistry #RetreatHighlight #mississippistateuniversity

📍 The Tower Retreat Recap at Louisiana State University
🥳 48 students attended
🙌 Freshmen agreed that it encouraged them in their faith, they met new friends, they feel more confident and comfortable about starting college and they now have a list of churches and ministries to check out.

We love seeing these students step into community and faith before classes even begin! Thank you for being part of the story through your prayers and support.
#oakscolab #RetreatHighlight #LSU

Retreat Highlight: The Sower Retreat

This Summer, students gathered at the University of Oklahoma for @thesowerretreat. One student shared:

“When I signed up for the retreat I did not know a single person going, but I wanted to take the risk to meet new people! As soon as I drove through the gates, I immediately felt so welcomed by the other freshman and the leaders! As someone who was nervous about finding a Christian community in college, I feel equipped with friendships that will continually point me back to Christ!.”

Stories like this remind us why these retreats matter. God is moving on campuses across the country, and we’re so thankful for your prayers and support that make it possible. 💙
#universityofoklahoma #CollegeMinistry #RetreatHighlight #oakscolab

🔗 Learn more at the links in our bio!

Retreat Highlight: @thechimesretreat

Churches, campus ministries and 72 upperclassmen welcomed 124 incoming students to Tuscaloosa in July and now these students are plugged in as they experience their first semester of college. And this is happening across all 21 retreats this fall — connecting students to Christ-centered community on their campuses.

Your support fuels these stories. Thank you for helping us reach the next generation and joining us in prayer for these students. 🙏

#universityofalabama #CollegeMinistry #RetreatHighlight #tuscaloosa

📍 The Oaks Retreat Recap 📍
🙌 1086 incoming students attended
😊 176 upperclassmen staff
🥳 76 decisions to give their life to Christ

We're in awe of what He has done since 2012 with this retreat. Thank you for being part of the story through your prayers and support.

#oaksretreat #RetreatHighlight #auburnuniversity

Another campus, another step of faith! We’re headed to South Alabama in Mobile on Tuesday to host a student interest meeting about starting a retreat there!

Come hear the mission behind our retreats and see how you can be part of helping incoming students be rooted in Christ, strengthened through Christ-centered community and bearing fruit for His name on campus!

📍September 23 | 3:30 pm in the cafeteria

Check out the interest form in our bio!

🌟 Big news! We’re headed to Hattiesburg, MS this Monday to visit The University of Southern Mississippi and explore the possibility of launching a retreat. If you’re a student - we’d love to meet you! Check out the interest link in our bio or come join us Monday on campus!

We believe God is already moving on campus, and we’re excited to see how He might use a retreat to help freshmen and transfers find their people, place and purpose before classes even start!

Please join us in praying for Southern Miss!

This Summer, we hosted 21 retreats across the country — welcoming freshmen and transfers into Christ-centered community at their campus. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing stories from each retreat to celebrate and invite you to come and see what the Lord has done and is continuing to do. 🙌

We’re starting with @thelivingstonesretreat. This retreat started in 2019 and this year welcomed 160 incoming students to Troy University and was led by a team of 116 upperclassmen.

Abby shared her experience, "Serving Living Stones has been one of the greatest joys of my college career. Being able to welcome in groups of freshman and see them flourish throughout their time at the retreat and then throughout their time at Troy is why I keep applying for staff! Getting a front row seat at what the Lord is doing through Living Stones and through our students is a great privilege and honor. How undeserving I am to see how God moves in Troy and be a piece of His work here!”

We can’t wait to share more stories like this with you from each of the retreats!

Thank you for praying with us for these students and please continue to as leadership teams are being formed right now for the 2026 retreat season. 💙

#TheOaksCollaborative #CollegeMinistry #RetreatHighlight #TroyUniversity

We're so excited to celebrate what the Lord has done through the 2025 retreat season! 🥳

2,931 freshmen and transfer students were impacted by 1,313 upperclassmen volunteers, connected to over 350 ministry partners across 21 retreats and 14 states. We are in awe of these stats and just continually grateful for each and every life the Lord impacted over the past several weeks.

Thank YOU!
We know that this would not be possible without you. Your prayers, giving and sharing have made all of the difference and are leaving a lasting impact in the kingdom of God.

Three more retreats kicked off today! Please join us in praying for students @thechimesretreat serving the University of Alabama, @thetowerretreat_lsu serving Louisiana State University, and @thesowerretreat serving the University of Oklahoma! Our hope is these incoming students would be rooted in Christ, strengthened through Christ-centered community and bear fruit for His name on their campus and for the rest of their lives!

The Oaks Retreat that started it all for our ministry in 2012 kicks off this evening in Auburn with 1,190 incoming students across 4 sessions.

We would be so honored if you would join us in praying over everyone involved. From the freshmen to upperclassmen leaders to ministry partners to the workers at the retreat to our staff working behind the scenes. It takes so many members in the body of Christ working together to make this retreat and the 20 others going on this year happen.

We ask that you join us in praying for the hearts of each student arriving that they would be prepared for all that God wants to do in them and for our student leaders to be surrendered to all that God wants to do in and through them.

We're honored to be a part of what the Lord is doing and can't wait to share with you all that He does during the retreat!

We just received this image from Trace of the first session of @thelivingstonesretreat and we’re unbelievably excited to say that the 2025 retreats have officially started! We’re praying for the Lord to do great things in and through these students at Troy and would love for you to join us!

If you have a freshman or transfer student headed to one of these schools it’s not too late to register but the time is ticking away quick! We would love to help them find their people, find their place and find their purpose before they step foot on campus.

Auburn University | @theoaksretreat
University of Alabama | @thechimesretreat
Ole Miss | @thegroveretreat
University of Georgia | @thearchretreat
Mississippi State University | @junctionretreat_msu
UAB & Samford | @forgeretreat
Florida State University | @theheritageretreat.fsu
University of North Alabama | @theriverretreat.una
University of Tennessee | @thetorchretreat
Jacksonville State University | @themountainretreat_jsu
University of Kentucky | @thepasturesretreat
Louisiana State University | @thetowerretreat_lsu
University of Oklahoma | @thesowerretreat
Clemson University | @thehillsretreat
Sam Houston State University | @shsurootedretreat
University of South Carolina | @thehorizonretreat
Appalachian State University | @therockretreat3333
College of Charleston | @the.bridge.retreat
Rutgers | @scarlettowhiteretreat
Virginia Tech | @thestoneretreat
Ohio State | @theretreatohiostate

Retreat season kicks off in just a few weeks and we’re so excited to see what the Lord has in store! If you know a freshman or transfer student headed to one of these universities send them our way!

For a full list of information click the All Retreats link in our bio or follow the retreats tagged below!

Auburn University | @theoaksretreat
Troy University | @thelivingstonesretreat
University of Alabama | @thechimesretreat
Ole Miss | @thegroveretreat
University of Georgia | @thearchretreat
Mississippi State University | @junctionretreat_msu
UAB & Samford | @forgeretreat
Florida State University | @theheritageretreat.fsu
University of North Alabama | @theriverretreat.una
University of Tennessee | @thetorchretreat
Jacksonville State University | @themountainretreat_jsu
University of Kentucky | @thepasturesretreat
Louisiana State University | @thetowerretreat_lsu
University of Oklahoma | @thesowerretreat
Clemson University | @thehillsretreat
Sam Houston State University | @shsurootedretreat
University of South Carolina | @thehorizonretreat
Appalachian State University | @therockretreat3333
College of Charleston | @the.bridge.retreat
Rutgers | @scarlettowhiteretreat
Virginia Tech | @thestoneretreat
Ohio State | @theretreatohiostate

Please join us in prayer for these students and upperclassmen leaders and if you feel led to come alongside us and help support these retreats and the retreats to come go to https://www.theoakscollaborative.com/donate or the donate link in our bio.

What a night of celebrating what the Lord has done! More pictures and so many more thanks to come, but we wanted to share a glimpse of our City Celebration in Auburn last night! We’re so grateful for what the Lord is doing in and through our ministry and for those that choose to partner with us through it all!

We honestly cannot do what we do or celebrate like we will next week without amazing support from friends in our community like J. Roarke Plumbing Co.!

We’re thankful for them coming alongside us for another year and celebrating with us as our Bowling Sponsor!

We’re so excited to celebrate next week with our friends and community and truly be able to say "Come and see what God has done!"

From a seed planted in the soil at Auburn 13 years ago with The Oaks Retreat to now reaching 23 campuses across the nation, it’s only fitting that we take a night to celebrate—right here at home—what God has done and continues to do.

A special thank you to our dinner sponsor, @v3mediagroup , for making this night of celebration possible!

We're so excited to welcome 3 new retreats to The Oaks Collaborative! Upperclassmen students and ministry leaders at these campuses have been diligently working with our staff to offer a retreat for incoming students for Fall 2025 on their campus! Everything is in place and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

@thestoneretreat for Virginia Tech
@scarlettowhiteretreat for Rutgers
@theretreatohiostate for The Ohio State

For a list of all 22 retreat locations visit the Retreat Info link in our bio!

On the second night of the retreat, we love to host these students' first college party! Most retreats have a theme that is sent out ahead of time, so the freshmen can get excited and prepare.

To find a retreat location visit www.theoakscollaborative.com/retreat-info or the Retreat Info link in our bio!

Another key aspect of our retreats is The Ministry Fair, which is a unique opportunity for students to connect with local churches and ministries in their college area. They’ll have the chance to meet ministry leaders, ask questions, and explore different ways they can plug into the local Christian community during their time at college.

Most of our retreats are now open for registration for 2025! Check them out at the Retreat Info link in our bio!

Prior to coming to The Oaks Retreat, Jenna shares that she was a really lost freshman. Her counselor at the retreat opened up and shared some of her struggles as a college student which led Jenna to decide that she was going to walk with the Lord in college and allow Him to use her throughout her college career. That life changing decision prompted her to give back to other freshmen headed to Auburn as the counselor trainer for this year’s retreat.

If you know a student headed to college this fall check out the list of retreats available at the link in our bio or https://www.theoakscollaborative.com/retreat-info

Sarah didn’t really grow up in church, her faith in Christ began at The Arch Retreat and it has just continued to grow since through the power of prayer! That growth has lead her to be involved and give back at the same retreat where her faith began! Stories like Sarah’s bring so much joy and meaning to what we do! 🥹❤️🙌

If you know a student headed to college this fall, check out the list of campuses that we serve at https://www.theoakscollaborative.com/retreat-info or at the link in our bio!

#uga #universityofgeorgia #freshmanretreats

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The Oaks Collaborative and any program of The Oaks Collaborative is not endorsed by, directly affiliated with, or in any way officially connected with any institution of higher education, including universities or colleges, or with any other company or non-profit organization. Contributions are solicited with the understanding that The Oaks Collaborative has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds.

The Oaks Collaborative is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization | EIN: 46-5021845 | PO Box 285, Auburn, AL 36831

The Oaks Collaborative has been awarded these badges because of the financial transparency provided through our organization.

7 out of 10 students fall away from Christ in college... we want to change that.

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That they may be called oaks of righteousness... Isaiah 61:3

What We Do

How We Do It

We exist to help incoming college students...

Our Retreats

We have 23 retreats located across the US

We believe every student has a place in the body of Christ at their campus & in their city... we exist to help them find it.

Testimonials

Who We Are

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Follow us on Instagram

Contact us at info@oakscolab.com

Contact us at info@oakscolab.com

7 out of 10 students fall away from Christ in college...

we want to change that.

That they may be called oaks of righteousness...
Isaiah 61:3

We believe every student has a place in the body of Christ at their campus & in their city...

we exist to help them find it.