The Great Uncertainty
June 10, 2011 Filed in: Current Events
Every parent wants their child to be properly equipped for success in life. But what can be done if a parent realizes that their child is woefully underprepared for college and life after college?
This very topic appeared recently in the syndicated “Dear Abby” newspaper column. We caught it in the May 17 issue of The Orange County Register:
Rivendell Sanctuary is that answer. We teach student necessary life skills, such as critical thinking, clear communication, decision making, and the social graces needed to not just survive, but thrive in a world that may not be forgiving.
Even if you are confident that you have trained up your children in the way they should go, Rivendell can help your child develop into the person he or she was designed to become.
There are still spaces available in the Fall 2011 class. To learn more, email info@rivendellsanctuary.com or call our main office at (952) 996-1451.
This very topic appeared recently in the syndicated “Dear Abby” newspaper column. We caught it in the May 17 issue of The Orange County Register:
Dear Abby’s response: “Like most parents, you should cross your fingers and pray” is disconcerting at best and terrifying at worst. Surely there must be a better answer than “cross your fingers” to the questions of a mother who fears her daughter will be unable to survive in life outside the home.Dear Abby:
My 18-year-old graduating senior, “Renee,” has told me I have taught her nothing about living life. Furthermore, she informed me that her school counselor agrees with her, saying I have failed to teach her the skills needed to be successful in life.
At first I was angry and denied everything my daughter said. Now I am beginning to doubt myself and the way I have raised her. Have I taught her the necessary skills to live her life? Does she lack what it takes to make it through the good and bad parts of life?
How can I know my Renee will be able to “fly out of the nest” because there is no safety net to catch her?
Rivendell Sanctuary is that answer. We teach student necessary life skills, such as critical thinking, clear communication, decision making, and the social graces needed to not just survive, but thrive in a world that may not be forgiving.
Even if you are confident that you have trained up your children in the way they should go, Rivendell can help your child develop into the person he or she was designed to become.
There are still spaces available in the Fall 2011 class. To learn more, email info@rivendellsanctuary.com or call our main office at (952) 996-1451.
Rivendell Sanctuary On the Road!
May 18, 2011 Filed in: Rivendell
Rivendell Sanctuary’s Admissions and Enrollment team has begun their tour of summer camps, churches, and conventions. Below you’ll find a list of scheduled appearances, presentations, etc.
To schedule a Rivendell representative at your event, please email info@rivendellsanctuary.com or call our main office at
(952) 996-1451.
To schedule a Rivendell representative at your event, please email info@rivendellsanctuary.com or call our main office at
(952) 996-1451.
- May 9-13 Youth With A Mission (YWAM), Salem, OR
- May 18-21: Summit Session 1, CO
- May 22: CrossPoint Church, MN
- May 26-28: North Carolinians for Home Education (NCHE), NC
- June 1-4: Summit Session 2, CO
- June 8-10: Worldview Academy, MO
- June 15-17: Worldview Academy, TX
- June 22-26: Summit Session 3, CO
- June 26: Harbor Church, MN
- June 29-July 3: Summit Session 4, CO
- July 6-8: Worldview Academy, NH
- July 13-15: Worldview Academy, NC
- July 20-22: Worldview Academy, WA
- July 20-22: Summit Session 5, CO
- July 21: Camp Forest Springs, WI
- August 3-7: Summit Session 6, CO
- August 10-12: Summit: Wisconsin
- August 24-26: Summit Session 7, CO
- August 31 – Sep 2: Summit Session 8, CO
- September 10-12: Classical Conversations Conference, PA
- October 11-14: Summit Semester, CO
- October 19-21: Worldview Academy: Camp Tejas, TX
- October 26-28: Worldview Academy: Glorieta Conference Center, NM
Students of Rivendell: Abby Koljonen
What is a life of excellence? What is an education? I have always been convinced that both required something more than memorizing key terms for finals. However, it wasn’t until I came to Rivendell that I realized how much was missing from traditional college education. I quickly learned that the first thing one must know about a life of excellence is that it is a life—not merely a college degree. And that is what Rivendell is all about.
In one sense, it almost seems deceiving to call Rivendell Sanctuary a “college.” It is so much more! While I have a class schedule, my education takes place as much out of the classroom as in it. My learning has varied from attending a lecture on University of Minnesota campus to having Socratic discussions at the local coffee shop to discussing topics over lunch with faculty mentors and visiting professors.
While most colleges prepare you for another college or a career, Rivendell is preparing me for life. I am learning how to be successful whether in academics, in business, in community, or in everyday life. One of the most invaluable lessons I’ve learned while being here is that learning is more than head knowledge. True learning is a life of practice. And practice I have! My class has practiced everything from giving business-style presentations to conversing in formal dining settings to serving in the community. In the classroom I have been given the foundation for thinking out answers, but more than that I have been given the opportunity to live out those answers in everyday life.
The close-knit community I have with my class and faculty is priceless. I have found a family among my peers. My faculty has truly taken on mentoring positions in my life; they want me to excel and understand rather than just have the answers for a test. The close relationships that I have developed with my classmates have brought openness and honesty to our discussions. I feel as though I can be real about the questions raised, because we are all on the same page: we are all seeking truth.
To summarize the many life-changing, “ah-ha!” moments I’ve experienced over the past four months would be nearly impossible. That is one of the greatest things about this school: if you give it a chance, it will change your life. I cannot wait to see how God continues to work in the coming semesters—transforming a life of head knowledge into a life of practice. That transformation is true education—and that life of practice is the excellent life.
In one sense, it almost seems deceiving to call Rivendell Sanctuary a “college.” It is so much more! While I have a class schedule, my education takes place as much out of the classroom as in it. My learning has varied from attending a lecture on University of Minnesota campus to having Socratic discussions at the local coffee shop to discussing topics over lunch with faculty mentors and visiting professors.
While most colleges prepare you for another college or a career, Rivendell is preparing me for life. I am learning how to be successful whether in academics, in business, in community, or in everyday life. One of the most invaluable lessons I’ve learned while being here is that learning is more than head knowledge. True learning is a life of practice. And practice I have! My class has practiced everything from giving business-style presentations to conversing in formal dining settings to serving in the community. In the classroom I have been given the foundation for thinking out answers, but more than that I have been given the opportunity to live out those answers in everyday life.
The close-knit community I have with my class and faculty is priceless. I have found a family among my peers. My faculty has truly taken on mentoring positions in my life; they want me to excel and understand rather than just have the answers for a test. The close relationships that I have developed with my classmates have brought openness and honesty to our discussions. I feel as though I can be real about the questions raised, because we are all on the same page: we are all seeking truth.
To summarize the many life-changing, “ah-ha!” moments I’ve experienced over the past four months would be nearly impossible. That is one of the greatest things about this school: if you give it a chance, it will change your life. I cannot wait to see how God continues to work in the coming semesters—transforming a life of head knowledge into a life of practice. That transformation is true education—and that life of practice is the excellent life.
Students of Rivendell: Mason Green
When I first found out about Rivendell Sanctuary, I knew deep down that it was the place for me. The experience of having a group of classmates whom you can trust and who stay your friends throughout the entire program (and, hopefully, long afterward) really appealed to me. Also, the fact that we cover a broad range of subject matter also appealed to me, since I have always been interested in many things and sometimes have had a difficult time deciding which to pursue.
Any doubts I initially had were quickly put to rest after I paid my first visit to the campus in December. The staff were some of the friendliest and most welcoming people I had ever met, and I soon realized that this was the place God wanted me to go.
Those few days in late December and early January were some of the busiest in my life, as I got ready to move to a college dorm for the first time ever. Once I moved in, things were a blur of activity, with me getting used to the new course load and at the same time getting to know my fellow students.
Shortly after I moved in, I saw Joey, Gilbert, and some of the other guys in my dorm sitting around and playing musical instruments. I’ve always liked music, so I decided to sit around and watch. Initially, I felt left out because I didn’t have an instrument to play, but then I decided to use the instrument God gave me: my voice. I started singing along with the chords the guitarists were playing and making up lyrics as I went along. I sang about whatever came to mind such as the Critical Thinking assignments we’d been getting, the 8 ways to say no to drugs from the D.A.R.E. program in elementary school, and even a can of Glade air freshener. It was quite fun, and at that moment I knew that this was a group of friends I could feel comfortable being myself around.
It is a month and a half into the program now, and already I feel like a completely different person—in a good way. Before coming here, I had struggled off and on with social anxiety and other issues, but now that I know I have a support base of friends and mentors whom I can trust and who will support me no matter what, I feel much better about myself and more confident in the future. I’m looking forward to having the best time at Rivendell I possibly can.
Any doubts I initially had were quickly put to rest after I paid my first visit to the campus in December. The staff were some of the friendliest and most welcoming people I had ever met, and I soon realized that this was the place God wanted me to go.
Those few days in late December and early January were some of the busiest in my life, as I got ready to move to a college dorm for the first time ever. Once I moved in, things were a blur of activity, with me getting used to the new course load and at the same time getting to know my fellow students.
Shortly after I moved in, I saw Joey, Gilbert, and some of the other guys in my dorm sitting around and playing musical instruments. I’ve always liked music, so I decided to sit around and watch. Initially, I felt left out because I didn’t have an instrument to play, but then I decided to use the instrument God gave me: my voice. I started singing along with the chords the guitarists were playing and making up lyrics as I went along. I sang about whatever came to mind such as the Critical Thinking assignments we’d been getting, the 8 ways to say no to drugs from the D.A.R.E. program in elementary school, and even a can of Glade air freshener. It was quite fun, and at that moment I knew that this was a group of friends I could feel comfortable being myself around.
It is a month and a half into the program now, and already I feel like a completely different person—in a good way. Before coming here, I had struggled off and on with social anxiety and other issues, but now that I know I have a support base of friends and mentors whom I can trust and who will support me no matter what, I feel much better about myself and more confident in the future. I’m looking forward to having the best time at Rivendell I possibly can.
Students of Rivendell: Jackie Niesen
Jim Elliot once said, “Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you fully believe to be the will of God.” At Rivendell I am doing that. Within the first week I considered everyone family. What I have loved and benefitted from most in this community is the fact that we all have the same heart for God and each other. Because of this similar heart we have been able to bond well, and we have been able to maturely and Biblically work through small issues that have come up along the way.
I am learning things here which are relevant to my life and they are things that I will want to keep with me forever, not just discard as soon as I have finished the quiz, or have received the diploma. We are encouraged to take time to examine ourselves every day. In my times of meditation I have come to realize how different a person I am than I was four weeks ago. I am making decisions here that I wouldn’t have made at home, and I am handling situations so much differently that I would have before. The things God is doing in my life are invaluable and I can’t wait to see the complete transformation.
Academically, this is the hardest I have ever been challenged, but the faculty are so encouraging and they will do anything to make sure we grasp the things we are being taught. Their humility, and the way they radiate Jesus in every situation is such an amazing example of Godliness.
Rivendell’s website looks great, but maybe you are like I was when I first saw it. Maybe you are thinking, “Can this really be true?” The answer is YES! Rivendell is above and beyond all that they have said, and I have never once doubted God’s hand on this school and on the lives of our leaders. I know they are spirit led, and that makes all the difference in the way they handle situations. If you are looking for a place to find your identity, if you are looking for a place to be challenged and to succeed, if you are looking for a place to die to yourself and become part of a community that desires to love and honor God in heart, mind, body, and strength, look no further than Rivendell Sanctuary, and come be a part of our family!
I am learning things here which are relevant to my life and they are things that I will want to keep with me forever, not just discard as soon as I have finished the quiz, or have received the diploma. We are encouraged to take time to examine ourselves every day. In my times of meditation I have come to realize how different a person I am than I was four weeks ago. I am making decisions here that I wouldn’t have made at home, and I am handling situations so much differently that I would have before. The things God is doing in my life are invaluable and I can’t wait to see the complete transformation.
Academically, this is the hardest I have ever been challenged, but the faculty are so encouraging and they will do anything to make sure we grasp the things we are being taught. Their humility, and the way they radiate Jesus in every situation is such an amazing example of Godliness.
Rivendell’s website looks great, but maybe you are like I was when I first saw it. Maybe you are thinking, “Can this really be true?” The answer is YES! Rivendell is above and beyond all that they have said, and I have never once doubted God’s hand on this school and on the lives of our leaders. I know they are spirit led, and that makes all the difference in the way they handle situations. If you are looking for a place to find your identity, if you are looking for a place to be challenged and to succeed, if you are looking for a place to die to yourself and become part of a community that desires to love and honor God in heart, mind, body, and strength, look no further than Rivendell Sanctuary, and come be a part of our family!