MESA Student Leadership Retreat
HAPPY VALLEY, SANTA CRUZ
2026 MESA STUDENT LEADERSHIP RETREAT
APRIL 10–APRIL 12, 2026
Join us for the annual MESA Student Leadership Retreat, nestled in the breathtaking redwoods of Santa Cruz, CA! Experience the peaceful surroundings as you connect with fellow MESA students from across the state, fostering new friendships and valuable networking opportunities. Participate in dynamic science and personal development workshops designed to support your growth and empower your leadership skills. Take this chance to escape the hustle and bustle of the semester and unlock your potential in this stunning natural setting!
Directors, students, chaperones and session leaders, please register by March 13, 2026
Attendee Registration
MESA Student Leadership Retreat
COLLEGE Spirit Award
2025 - Shasta College
2024 - College of the Desert
2023 - Woodland College
2020 - 2022 (Retreat Canceled due to COVID - 19)
2019 - NAPA Valley College
New Content
MESA Student Leadership Retreat
STUDENT Spirit Award
2025 - Christopher Robles, College of the Canyons
2024 - Alhassan Alrowhani, West Hills College Lemoore
2023 - Man Ngo, Santa Ana College
2020 - 2022 (retreat Canceled due to COVID - 19)
2019 - Phuc Truong, Mendicino College
More Event Information
Event/Site Information:
Happy Valley Conference Center, Santa Cruz, CA
Web Site: www.happyvalleycc.org/
Map: www.happyvalleycc.org/grounds-map/
What to Bring:
Click on the List of what to bring and share with your students. Most importantly, be sure that all students and chaperons bring a towel, pillow, and either a sleeping bag or sheets/blankets. There is an extra fee if anyone needs to borrow bedding from Happy Valley.
Disclaimer
Directors and chaperons understand that Happy Valley is a nonsmoking, alcohol-free and drug-free facility. Students can smoke (or vape) in designated areas in the parking lot. Violating those rules will result in the student's removal from the property and the program will be charged a cleaning fee.
For Staff
Gisela Spieler-Persad, Ph.D. (Rio Hondo College), Kelli Horner (Cabrillo College) or Amy Foote (College of the Canyons)
2026 Retreat - Details
2026 Cost and Due Dates:
- Cost per person Onsite $400
- Cost per person Offsite $300 (Chaperon only, make your own hotel reservations)
General Timeline:
- October 24 - November 26, 2025: Campus Participation Survey:
- Early December 2025: Billing through CCAMD
- Early March 2026: Registration for students and chaperones
- March 30 2026: Payment Due to CCAMD
Unfortunately, we cannot hold spots without payment as we are locked into a number of participants without refund.
COVID Protocols (if necessary)
Current COVID policy is as follows, effective immediately, Happy Valley will implement the following updated COVID-19 mitigation policies:
- Groups are encouraged to bring only non-symptomatic students to Happy Valley.
- Masks are not required to be worn except for in specific circumstances (i.e. serving food, etc.), through wearing of masks is encouraged while indoors;
- Happy Valley COVID-19 policies are subject to change at any time in response to increasing cases or hospitalization rates, or if required by Federal, State, and/or County health mandates, or Community of Christ COVID-19 policies.
A Healthy Camp Begins and Ends at Home!