Dreams to come true at Brock sleepover

The scent of roasted marshmallows and the whisper of ghost stories will be floating down the hill from Brock House tomorrow evening as 100 Pepperdine Waves enjoy the perks of a campout with President Andrew K. Benton.

From 9 p.m. Friday until 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, Benton will be hosting the first-ever student campout at the Brock House. Students had to stop in at the HAWC Tuesday morning to sign up for tickets. Only the first 100 students to sign up were granted access to this one-of-a-kind opportunity.

Because Benton strives to build personal relationships with his students, he began working together with the Student Programming Board at the beginning of the fall semester to plan this event. The official planning for this late night began just after the Board finished Blue and Orange Madness 2009. The group wanted to present an activity that would bring together students in community.

Due to the campout’s notoriously creepy date (Friday the 13th), festivities will include ghost stories around a bonfire and a showing of the classic thriller “Friday the 13th.” Student musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments to play around the fire. Students can also take a dip in the pool or relax in the Jacuzzi at Brock House.

When it comes time to hit the hay, students can sleep in Benton’s backyard in Board-provided tents or on tarps under the stars. Mats will also be provided, but attendees should bring their own sleeping bags.

Putting Matthew 20:28, which emphasizes the idea of serving others, into action, Saturday morning Benton will bring the merriment to a close by making breakfast for the entire crowd beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Students are looking forward to the opportunity to sit around a campfire and make s’mores with Benton.

“I think it’s going to be a blast,” said junior Chloe Smith. “I’m excited to be a part of the first group that’s going to have a sleepover at the president’s house.”

Events like this are one of many reasons Pepperdine stands out as an intimate university that encourages such close relationships between members.

“I think it’s a really unique opportunity to get to know our president and other students,” said junior Kristin Farries.