SHEHAQUA FAMILY NEWS
VOL. 1, No. 4, DECEMBER 2011
In our end-of-the-year issue we take a look back on the Shehaqua Family Camp and Fall Festival, and we are looking ahead with updates on the upcoming Winter Retreat and the Video Contest.
Health Retreat at Winter Retreat
We have sent you information about the Shehaqua Winter Retreat at Camp Innabah earlier (you can find all the details here), but we would like to announce the addition of a new program element, for ages 18 and up: The Health Retreat, which premiered during the first week at Family Camp in summer, is back by popular demand!
The theme is “Personal alignment of mind and body for the greater good,” and we will revitalize our physical bodies as well as our spiritual well being so we can better “Live the Dream” and live life more fully. At this year's retreat we will be offering a series of presentations, small group discussions, movies, activities, and healthy food demonstrations that will assist us into greater alignment with our true original nature. Material on healthy/natural nutrition, exercise and stress reduction as well as mental/spiritual well-being through self-realization, affirmations, releasing blocked energies and recreating new thought patterns that better serve us and our families will be the focus.
All of our programs together with the phenomenal spiritual atmosphere of the Winter Retreat promise to make this a special experience for you and your family. Come and enjoy this grand end of the year celebration at Shehaqua Winter Retreat. January 1 will be a day-long celebration of fellowship, music, sports and great food.
(Please contact program director Gregg Noll if you have questions about the health retreat.)
Shehaqua 2012 Video Contest
We hope that you all are working on your video submissions already. We would like to create a big online buzz to spread the word about Shehaqua Family Camp in February next year, and we need your help with this. You can find the rules for the contest here.
You don’t even need a video camera to participate in this contest. Here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Eii9eHV_j8) is a video that was created at www.xtranormal.com for free. If you like to use video footage of Shehaqua Family Camp, you can get these clips (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQVGM2svouM) from us on DVD.
If you have an idea for a video and need someone with a camera to shoot it, you can request a 30-minute video recording session at Camp Innabah. We will record your act and give you the raw footage for editing and finishing the video. Please let us know BEFORE the start of the Winter Retreat at Camp Innabah if you are interested (by email to Claude Aubert).
Shehaqua Family Camp Summer Report
By Kester Wilkening. This past summer the atmosphere at Shehaqua Family Camp was alive with the sounds of music, dodgeball tournaments, family games and more. The beautiful natural setting of the Pocono Mountains made it easier to connect to God’s creation and heart. The inter-generational tradition of Family Camp grew even more as grandparents, young adults, parents, and children came together for a week to create an embracing community environment. More than 360 people from 13 different states attended part or all of two week-long programs and one weekend program.
Many participants had powerful experiences, as exemplified by one guest, “Not being a member of the church doesn’t matter because either way these people accept you for you… camp is a wonderful, uplifting experience that can’t be topped by anything!!” –Samantha Grinell.
New this year was the Health Retreat empowering people to take ownership of their own health decisions. Additionally the leadership retreat was a great success that provided group leaders an opportunity to bond and prepare for their incoming groups.
This 16th consecutive year of camp saw unprecedented inheritance of leadership from young adults, who assumed full responsibility for all weeks of camp and took up the roles of Camp Director, Education Director, and many more. Muriel Baer, a parent from Maryland, said “I think [camp] flowed beautifully thanks to the 2nd generation and their energy and enthusiasm. I felt it was similar to when we (the 1st generation) ‘met the movement.’” Together with elder advisors, the core staff planned and prayed for 3 months in advance to create a God-centered, loving environment in which participants were able to experience powerful transformation.
Fall Festival Reflection
By Steven Martinez
The 2011 Shehaqua Family Fall Festival took place the weekend of September 23rd in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. A large storm passed through the North East Friday night, challenging folks as they staggered into camp, wet and cold. However, no weather could deter the happy and joyful spirit sparked by being back on familiar stomping grounds with old and new friends alike.
The spirit prevailed and the next morning, the sun was shining and the camp swelled to over 150 people.
The goal of a weekend at Shehaqua is to engage a person's heart, mind, body and soul. Saturday morning the camp divided into age groups focused on reflection and internal education. The youngest children were taken care of by Lena Yasutake and middle school, high school, and college ages were split up into groups under the guidance of Crescentia DeGoede. Adults met for discussion and sharing with Uncle Rob Sayre.
After a bountiful lunch provided by Aunt Elke and Aunt Jeanne, families spent an afternoon participating in a variety of fall festivities. The afternoon was filled with pumpkin carving, pumpkin painting, candle dipping, log toss, archery, and watermelon and pumpkin pie eating contests. Candle dipping attracted a large crowd and in total almost 100 people made their own hand dipped candles! Log toss allowed the men in the camp to showcase their strength, and the eating contests provided exhilarating entertainment.
Dinner and a potluck dessert filled with home baked goodies was followed by the most anticipated event, the Hoe Down! A live band and caller provided the music and the dance instructions while more than 150 people laid their dance moves in their best country attire. Next year we’ll definitely have to expand our dance area to make room for the growing crowd, but that didn’t keep us from having a hoot’n holler’n good time.
Sunday morning the camp gathered for a talk given by Victor Servito on the importance of gratitude in our own lives and how Shehaqua is a simple reminder of the many blessings we have in life.
Each year only gets better and we hope to see you and your family next year!
http://www.live4joy.org/fall-festival/150-fall-festival-reflection
From the Shehaqua Family Community, our best wishes to you and your family during the Christmas season, and we hope to see you at the Winter Retreat!