PACIFIC WOMEN’S CIRCLE ASSOCIATION
FULL WOMEN’S NEW MOON RETREAT
August 9-14, 2010
INFORMATION AND CHECKLIST
Our New Moon Retreat is for all women. Camp is happening because you’re coming. We hope this fifteenth annual Women’s New Moon Retreat will be as magical an experience for those of you who will be attending for the first time as for those of you who are returning. A huge welcome!
Every day will be woven around our theme “Embody the Goddess Within.”
This acknowledgment package and the brochure you’ve already received should contain all the information you need.
Please fill in the enclosed forms and return them to the address specified on each form.
Reminder: Scholarship applications are due by June 1, 2010.
HOW TO GET TO CAMP
The road directions for reaching Cowichan Lake Education Centre are on a separate page — keep them close to you or give them to your navigator as you wend your way to camp.
ARRIVING AT CAMP
When you arrive at Cowichan Lake Education Centre after 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17 (please NO early birds), follow the signs to the registration area to get checked in and receive Ci rcle Group designation and cabin placement. Set up your personal space and change into comfortable clothes, then find your way down to the Art Table to create your own beautiful name tag. Approx 3 p.m. join in the Opening Ceremony in the meadow in front of the dining hall.
DURING CAMP
You are free to do as much or as little as you want at Camp. You will be able to fill your days with activity or spend time stretched out under a tree or on the beach, just being. Certain structures will be present every day to anchor our experience:
Early Morning Activities – Start your day with an early morning swim or a canoe-paddle. Other activities such as yoga, tai chi, meditation, etc. may be provided if campers are willing to organize them. If you have a skill you’d like to share with other women at the camp, this is an excellent opportunity to do so.
Morning Program – On Tuesday through Friday mornings, a special presentation focusing on our theme for the week, “Invite Serenity Trust Mystery” will be led by the presenters.
Circle Groups – You will have an opportunity to meet each day in your Circle Group. These small groups allow you to get to know some of the women at Camp on a more intimate level than larger gatherings permit.
Workshops – Over the week two visionary women, Jennifer Berezan and Leilani Birely, will be presenting a series of workshops. A few campers may present shorter impromptu workshops called Camper Electives. Program details will be available on the first day of camp.
Evening Programs – Bring your stories to tell, musical instruments to play, and especially bring your talents to the end-of-camp Follies. Ritual ceremonies may include a New Moon Ceremony and a Healing Ceremony. Please bring your ideas and inspiration to help co-create these ceremonies.
Community Service – To foster community and to keep costs down, every woman is asked to pitch in and help during camp. You will be asked to commit to a few tasks during the week and sign up sheets will be posted with those tasks (no kitchen duties). Your help will also be needed at the end of the week to clean up and close up the camp. We thank you for your continued support of this shared process!
Marketplace and Fee for Service – There will be a market day for campers to display and sell their crafts and wares. Throughout the week, campers may offer their services (i.e. body/energy work, tarot card readings, henna tattoos, hair treatments, healing arts, etc.) to other campers on an individually-negotiated basis. You will need to bring proof of insurance for giving bodywork services, including energy healing. A 15% commission of all sales and services goes to PWCA for scholarships.
Silent Auction and Goddess Box – We are committed to providing scholarship money to make Camp available to women who could not otherwise attend. We raise scholarship funds during Camp through our Silent Auction and Goddess Box raffle. Donated items that you bring to camp form the basis of these fund raisers.
End of Camp – Camp concludes after clean-up on Saturday, August 14th (mid-afternoon).
SUGGESTIONS FOR WHAT TO BRING TO CAMP
The Basics:
sleeping bag, bedding, pillow, camping foamy (optional), ear plugs, flashlight, any medication you require, toiletries including sanitary napkins or tampons, towel, comfortable clothing, bathing suit (optional), beach towel, hat, jacket (layering for cool nights and mornings), rainwear (weather in the Northwest is always unpredictable), tennis shoes (for good foot support), sunscreen, sunglasses, chapstick, and mosquito repellent (this is a must if you are susceptible). Please call us in advance if you are travelling by plane; we will be able to provide bedding for you.
For Camp Activities:
mug for coffee/tea, water bottle, day pack/bag, ground cushion/mat/folding chair, writing materials and/or laptop computer (the camp has wifi), drawing & art supplies (optional), flip-flops or socks for the dining hall and indoor activities, camera & film, Swiss army knife if you have one, spending money for the marketplace if desired (some vendors might accept cheques and/or credit card), musical instruments, drums, rattles, etc.
For Ceremonial Activities:
ritual clothing (can be a special scarf or hat, dress or robe … anything that makes you feel special); symbolic objects to place in honour on the altars, fun clothing and props for Follies night.
For Silent Auction: Items that are precious to you – art, crafts, clothing, jewelry, games, books – be creative. Share and recycle.
*NOTE: There is no store within walking distance but we do have a camp canteen. We sell items such as treats, ear plugs, flashlights and a limited supply of other ‘wish I had’ items. Song books and PWCA merchandise will also be sold as fundraisers. Food is not allowed in the cabins because of bears and rodents. There will be a communal cooler or fridge available for snacks and medications requiring refrigeration.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Liz Hodder 707-292-5686 Santa Rosa CA
Karen Wreggitt 250-386-9530 Victoria BC
Fran Skene 604-433-8817 Vancouver BC
Jean Johnson 250-597-1138 Duncan BC
Jeanne Robinson 206 463-6895 Vashon Island WAs
Sue Weinheimer 425-392-4567 Issaquah WA
Goddess Gayle 360-565-1367 Port Angeles WA
Constance Chapman 510-926-9896 Oakland CA
OR EMAIL: info@pwcacamp.org
Emergency contact number while at camp: (250) 749-6213 (Cowichan Lake Education Centre message machine)
Final reminders to us all:
Please refrain from wearing scented products and perfumes in consideration of campers with allergies and product sensitivities.
And for the duration of Camp: pets, alcohol and recreational drugs are not permitted.
Smoking is allowed in a designated area.