First Year Retreat 2026
Your first engineering adventure starts here.
Starting engineering can be exciting, overwhelming, and a little intimidating. You’re walking into a huge new environment, meeting hundreds of people, and figuring out a completely new way of learning.
Why do it alone?
Join the Engineering Students’ Society for a weekend away at Camp Warwa where you can meet your future engineering classmates, make friends before classes really get going, take on challenges, enjoy a few unforgettable nights around the campfire, and get advice from students who have already been through first year.
Whether you come knowing absolutely no one or arrive with a whole group of friends, First Year Retreat is your chance to start engineering with a community around you.
Retreat Details
September 4–6, 2026
📍Camp Warwa, Darwell, Alberta (Approximately one hour outside Edmonton)
Departure: Meet at the University of Alberta Engineering Quad by 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4
Return: Students will be dropped back off at campus at approximately 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6
Participants are responsible for getting themselves to the Engineering Quad before departure. Transportation from campus to Camp Warwa and back is included in the ticket.
Registration
$150 per student
Your registration includes:
🏆 Team challenges and prizes
🎲 Games and group activities
🎓 Advice and mentorship from upper-year engineering students
🔥 Bonfires and evening activities
🏕️ Heated indoor cabin accommodation
🍽️ Food throughout the weekend
🚌 Transportation to and from campus
🤝 A chance to meet your future engineering classmates
Limited spots are available and historically tickets have sold out quickly.
Registration closes Aug. 31 at 11:59 p.m.
For any questions, contact essfyr@ualberta.ca.
What can you expect?
🤝 Meet your engineering classmates
One of the hardest parts of starting university can be walking into your first class and realizing you don't know anyone.
Retreat gives you the chance to meet people before you're sitting beside them in lectures and labs. You'll spend the weekend in teams, competing in activities, sharing meals, hanging out around the campfire, and making connections that can last far beyond the weekend.
You never know, you might meet the people who become your closest friends throughout your engineering degree.
🎓 Learn from people who have been there
Our retreat is supported by upper-year engineering students who know exactly what it's like to start first year.
Ask questions. Hear what they wish they knew sooner. Get advice about classes, studying, getting involved, surviving busy weeks, and finding your place in engineering.
You don't have to figure everything out on your own.
🏆 Compete, play & win
Get ready for team challenges, games and competitions throughout the weekend.
Work with your team, get competitive, and put your skills to the test, with prizes up for grabs!
And yes, there will be plenty of opportunities to show off your engineering spirit.
🔥 Evenings at camp
After a day of activities, wind down with your new friends around the campfire, take part in evening games and enjoy a weekend away from the usual rush of campus.
It's a chance to relax, laugh, and actually get to know the people around you.
🏕️ A weekend away
Your $150 registration covers your heated indoor cabin accommodation, food and transportation, so once you arrive at the Engineering Quad, we've got the weekend covered.
All you need to do is show up, bring your stuff, and be ready for a weekend you'll remember.
