Testimonials
"I came to Clemson longing for biblical community and a firm foundation to build my year on. The Hills did just that! Every person I met at the Hills welcomed me with open arms and truly overflowed with the love of Christ. Along with building life-long friendships, I also learned what it looks like to live set apart on a secular campus. Thank you, Jesus! Go Hills! ”
— Kate Barrier, Camper 2022
“I couldn’t be more thankful for my time at The Hills! Not only was it so much fun, but it showed me how life-giving it was to follow Jesus in college. I was surrounded by students my age who pursued and pushed me closer to the Lord and that was just in 4 days! 3 years later and I’m still thanking Jesus for the people I met and the ways he worked through me at the Hills. My relationship with Him was refreshed and my eyes were opened to what I could do for God’s kingdom while at Clemson! Coming back to The Hills gets me pumped! Getting to see the Lord work through incoming freshmen and being able to play a small role in something that changed my life is truly the biggest blessing! Wahooo go Hills!”
— Sofia thomason, Camper 2021
“The Hills Retreat completely changed the outlook of my time at Clemson. When thinking about how my life was going to look in college, I figured I would start going to parties because that’s just what everyone did. I was SO wrong. The Hills showed me that there are so many people at Clemson who want a relationship with Jesus and that you can have so much fun without parties and other worldly things. This set me up for major success in my freshman year of college. Because of The Hills, I knew I didn’t have to change anything about me to have fun. I knew I was surrounded by people who wanted to glorify and worship The Lord. At the Hills Retreat, I met so many people wanting to pursue The Lord and was able to start and develop new relationships that are now some of my best friends and accountability partners here at Clemson! I am so thankful for The Hills!”
— Walker Reed, camper 2022
“ I am so grateful for my time at the Hills. It gave me amazing Christian community that has set the tone for my experience at Clemson so far. I built relationships with people who pursue the Lord, push me closer to Him, and do life with me. My own relationship with the Lord was refreshed as I was so encouraged to be surrounded by other college kids chasing after Him. I am so blown away with how the Lord has worked in my life through the Hills and it is all a testament of his faithfulness.”
— Vilena Hrebar, camper 2020
"The Hills Retreat was the best thing that could have prepared me for coming to Clemson. I was surrounded by such Godly community that then transitioned into fruitful friendships in college. I met some people that have truly become my best friends and that push me to pursue the Lord every single day. I didn't know that I could find these kinds of people so easily, and I left The Hills so encouraged by this truth. Not only did I meet amazing people, but the couple of days were filled with so many fun activities, faith strengthening messages, and quality time with upperclassmen who deeply desired to pour into me. I'm so thankful for The Hills and how much of an impact it made on my experience coming into college!"
— Lindsey Johnson, Camper 2023
“I signed up for The Hills because of a friend who had gone as a freshman and raved about how fun it was. They were certainly not wrong. Not only was it one of the most fun weeks of my life, but it totally changed my college experience for the better. I met a community of believers, both freshman and upper classmen, who have become many of my closest friends at Clemson. Getting to know all of these people also made getting involved with local churches and campus ministries much easier. So thankful for The Hills!!”
— Conlin Ripperda, camper 2020
“The Hills Retreat was an amazing start to my Clemson experience. My older sister convinced me to sign up the day that applications opened, and I am incredibly glad that I did! I was introduced to a vibrant, kind, and inviting community of college students who love the Lord and each other. I am happy to say that some of my closest friends are people I met on the Hills! Already knowing some names and faces gave me an extra boost of confidence during my first few weeks of school. I also loved the exposure to different churches and campus ministries - I found my church on the Hills! Sign up, get ready to learn a million names, and get connected to Christian community at Clemson!”
— Eliza Hoffman, 2023 Camper
“The Hills retreat was an awesome experience. Being able to meet and connect with people who follow Jesus before going to Clemson had a huge impact on my life. The friendships that were formed at The Hills only continued to grow at school. Now, some of my closest community and people that I get to do life with is because of The Hills bringing us together. I’d highly recommend going to The Hills to any incoming freshman. It will change your life!”
— Jack Martin, 2021 Camper
"Walking into The Hills, I had absolutely no idea what would unfold during that week. To this day I still make connections with people that were in my tribe, and it's been so sweet to have friendships carry over to a community at Clemson. Surrounded by a community of believers who are also walking on the same campus as I am was so encouraging. But my favorite part was worshiping with 500 other incoming freshmen and Hills staff and looking around the room knowing that the love for Jesus that these people have would be flooding a large college campus and growing His kingdom. If you're on the fence about doing it, I highly encourage you to pray about it and sign up!"
— Eliza Ellett, 2023 Camper