“This is gonna be so lit.” – was my first thought.
The Jesuit Ursuline Ranger Bande (JURB) 2016 Spring Retreat took place Friday, April 1 through Saturday, April 2nd.
The band spent Friday night at the Lakeview Camp and Retreat Center in Waxahachie.
After an hour of practice to wake us up on Friday morning, we had our service project with NETWORK Community Ministries in Richardson. Once we arrived, the volunteer coordinator split us up into three groups, each with a different, but equally meaningful role. The first group’s assignment was to unpack and sort donated books into groups for toddlers, children, young adults, and adults. 
While group one was sorting books, group two had the job of arranging donated clothing by size, condition, and age group. 
Group three had the opportunity to work in the food pantry and warehouse, checking expiration dates and restocking shelves with non-perishable food items dropped off at the back of the building.
By providing the equivalent of 260 man hours, the band supplied NETWORK with more volunteers in one morning than the organization would see for an entire year. Concluding their hard work, the band received lunch, pizza and cookies, from the grateful employees, who were happy to see young faces helping out.
At 12:30, with full hearts and even fuller bellies, JURB departed for the Eisemann Center to perform in the Director’s Choice Competition. After a brief warm-up, the band took the stage at 1:40. Their line up included “First Suite In Eb” (E flat) movements I and III, by Gustav Holst and arranged by Colon Mathews, “Incantation And Dance”, by John Barnes Chance, and “Salvation Is Created”, by Pavel Grigorievich Tschesnokoff and arranged by Bruce H. Houseknecht.
“The band’s performance at the Eisemann Center was spectacular and was well attended by so many parents. Their applause made the performance 
even more special,” concluded Band Directors Donovan Putnam and Zane Crownover.
After the competition, we took a bus ride out to Lakeview for dinner and evening activities. We stayed in their hotel-like lodge (two students per room, so everyone got his/her own bed this year) and all meals were provided by Lakeview, which were quite delicious.
On Saturday, the entire band was involved in a ropes course type team-building event. The course was staffed by professional facilitators and it was a great opportunity for us to build camaraderie and engage in some fun and challenging activities.
In addition to the ropes course, we were able to enjoy Lakeview’s indoor and outdoor facilities. Depending on interest, there was also the opportunity for paintball and archery tag (which sounds painful but it was pretty fun).
Reflection by John Galindo ’16
“I think some of the highlights would have to have been playing paintball with some of my classmates, having late night chats with friends, and just feeling the band grow closer as the trip went on. a highlight from the performance would definitely be the venue. playing in a state of the art facility like the Eisemann will be something I will carry with me going forward after high school.
I think one thing that surprised me would have to be the fellowship you experience. you go from such a busy schedule of a repetitive structured day at school to a relaxed weekend of bonding and recreation.
speaking with some volunteers at the network services was a highlight because i got to talk about Jesuit, and just get to know some people I would have never even met. also the long hours of recreation either playing volleyball or paintball.
I think it went very well. I had a unique experience of weighing food as it was brought into the service site. I had a first hand look. also, weighing over a thousand pounds of food, and seeing everyone in action was pretty awesome to see. it’s not too often you can put a number on an act of service, but after speaking with some recipients of food, I could really see a change we helped bring about.
The trip aspect can really broaden our horizons. we went to Richardson, and then Waxahachie, two areas I don’t visit too often. it’s rewarding to experience new places, people and some new ideas. the retreat aspect I think has more to do with unity, and fellowship than anything else. having been a couple weeks since the actual retreat, you can definitely see a difference in the way band members act towards each other, it brings about a closeness and community that is such a blessing to be a part of.
One thing Mr Crownover recently said to a group of guys and me was the term “music for others.” I think this vision can be embodied by the band on this trip especially. it’s a perfect combination of service to others, celebration of our music, and fellowship with our band mates.
One thing I’ve found is you always connect a little deeper with someone on a band trip. for me my freshman year I bonded with some upperclassmen by going to talk to a very attractive celebrity, and sophomore year hot tubbing and rock climbing at the lake. it’s different, unique and random acts like that in which we truly grow as a community.”
