Retreat Helps Students Learn Character
Character Development Center at Lincoln College hosts event for fifth graders

 

[June 05, 2018]  LINCOLN - Mixing games and music with serious lessons and discussions, a special retreat sponsored by The Abraham Lincoln Center for Character Development at Lincoln College was held for all fifth graders from Lincoln School District 27 on Monday, May 21. The retreat, titled “Be Excellent To Each Other” focused on building empathy and valuing others.

It was held at the Lincoln Christian Church Fellowship Center, 204 N McLean St, in Lincoln.

The facilitators/presenters were Ron Keller and Todd Henry. Keller is a Lincoln College associate professor and managing director of the Abraham Lincoln Center for Character Development. Henry is a District 27 teacher and experienced developer and facilitator of character in youth programming and retreats. Together, they have more than 30 years of experience in education.

“Teachers and administrators of the district have been asking us to offer a workshop like this for students and we are pleased to be able to meet this need,” Keller said. “We used stories from Lincoln’s life that demonstrate character qualities, conducting large and small group activities and presentations, using role-playing lessons, and challenging students with ‘what-would-you-do’ scenarios.”

The seminar drew on real world experiences with teasing, ridicule, bullying, being ignored and being ostracized. Through exercises, the students were shown the truth that each and every one has equal value and worth. They were challenged to determine how they can courageously live their lives at home and at school differently, with greater compassion and understanding for those around them, especially for those who are different.

Additional funding support for the retreat was generously given by Illinois American Water and the Lincoln D.A.R.E. program.

The Abraham Lincoln Center for Character Development, located at Lincoln College, is dedicated to being a catalyst, resource center, and national leader for character development initiatives so that core ethical values can be effectively taught, promoted, supported and modeled by individuals, families and community organizations. For more information, visit: https://alccd.lincolncollege.edu/.

[Mark Gordon
Public Relations and Media Manager
Lincoln College]