Community College Association of MESA Directors - CCAMD

MESA Student Leadership Retreat



HAPPY VALLEY, SANTA CRUZ

2027 MESA STUDENT LEADERSHIP RETREAT
APRIL 2–APRIL 4, 2027


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 community college 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, register by March 8, 2027

Register as a 2027 Attendee

MESA Student Leadership Retreat

College Spirit Award


  • 2026 - Laney College
  • 2025 - Shasta College
  • 2024 - College of the Desert
  • 2023 - Woodland College
  • 2019 - Napa Valley College


MESA Student Leadership Retreat

Student Spirit Award

  • 2026 - Omar Lazaro Herrera, Alan Hancock College
  • 2025 - Christopher Robles, College of the Canyons
  • 2024 - Alhassan Alrowhani, West Hills College
  • 2023 - Man Ngo, Santa Ana College
  • 2019 - Phuc Truong,  Mendocino College


General Timeline:

  • Attendance Polling Opening: Thursday, 10/01/2026
  • Attendance Polling Deadline: Saturday, 10/31/2026
  • Spots Allotted: Friday, 11/6/2026
  • Colleges Billed by: Monday, 11/16/2026
  • Mandatory Chaperone Zoom: Friday, February TBD, 2027 11am
  • Payment Due: Friday, 3/15/2027
  • Participant Registration: Monday, 03/08/2027
  • Leadership Retreat: April 2-4, 2027


2027 Cost 

  • Cost per person Onsite $415
  • Cost per person Offsite $310 (Chaperone only, make your own hotel reservations)

Event/Site Information:

What to Bring:

Review our 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. Each director is also required to bring enough snacks for 75 people to share at the Retreat.


Chaperone Information:

It is important that your students have someone from your campus at Happy Valley to support them if there is an emergency. Therefore, all chaperones need to remain at Happy Valley. If, you do need to leave Happy Valley, you will have to have another chaperone from another campus to be your "sub" while you are gone. A sign-out sheet will be provided during the retreat.
  • 2025 Orientation Meeting Zoom Recording 

Code of Conduct:

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.


Questions: 
For more information, please contact: info[at]ccamdirectors[dot]org