Retreats are beneficial in so many ways. Here are some examples.
1. Learning more about a culture
Whether this is a religious retreat or a race-based one, you'll surely emerge from it smarter.
2. Guest Speakers
They'll teach you a lot and you'll feel inspired by them.
3. Long Bus Rides
Being on a bus with people for a long period of time will force you to talk to them and get to know each other better.
4. Exploring a New Place
Sometimes your hometown or college town can get a little boring, so it's nice to see what it's like in another place.
5. Embracing parts of yourself
Retreats can bring out a part of yourself that you were afraid to like, and show you that it's okay to like that side.
6. Meeting new people
Organizations from different counties and maybe even different states may attend, and what better way to meet them?
7. Photo ops
There's lots of opportunities: photos around the town where the retreat is held, with new people that you met, with the people you came with...
8. Bonding
Often times retreats bring out what you have in common with the people around you, which perfectly segues into bonding.
9. Leadership opportunities
If you have the chance to run for a leadership position, take it. You never know, you might be really good at it.
10. Memories
You'll form fun memories and grow as a person.