We live in a culture where people are often disconnected from each other and as a result feel disempowered. At the Winter Retreat at Camp Innabah, we'll have the opportunity to participate in a series of presentations, break-out sessions and documentaries that will help us better understand the meaning and value of living in community. We'll cover topics that enhance a sense of community such as creating "community glue", business collaboration, sacred spaces and architecture, appreciating people's strengths, dynamic governance (sociocracy), volunteerism & service and we'll look at a various case studies of communities around the world.

This will be a wonderful networking opportunity and a chance to build on the community spirit that has made Shehaqua what it is today.

Tentative Schedule

Registration is now open for the 2014-2015 Shehaqua Winter Retreat! Register before Nov. 30th by clicking here and receive the early bird prices. Information about prices can be found here. The program starts on Monday, December 29, at 10:00am, and ends on Thursday, January 1, by 3:00pm.

There will be interactive education for all age groups (toddlers! elementary, middle school, high school, young adults and adults, see our last Newsletter) including:

Gregg Noll has offered so much to the Shehaqua Family as a participant, a director, executive director and finally council facilitator. Many of us have been lucky to know and work with him, and we are so grateful for his continued commitment and passion to this community and its programs. As he moves on now to new opportunities, we wanted to take a moment to thank him and to reflect on the many great things he helped create during his years of service.

When the Shehaqua Family decided to adopt the Sociocracy model of governance at the Shehaqua Summit in October 2013, the intention was to break up the work; to get things done earlier to improve the quality of our programs; to let more volunteers contribute in areas where their passions and expertise are; and to be inclusive and involve as many stakeholders as possible in the decision-making processes. Program planning and some decision making was now to take place in eight circles; one for each of the four Shehaqua programs—Spring Gathering, Family Camp, Harvest Festival, and Winter Retreat—and four more covering the year-round operations: Education, Finances, Logistics, and Media & Communications.

The participants of the 2014 Shehaqua Summit (click to expand)

This year's Winter Retreat will be held at Camp Innnabah from Monday, Dec. 29 - Thurday, Jan. 1.

Join us at the Shehaqua Fall Fest at Camp Shehaqua, September 19–21! Enjoy square dancing to live music from a professional band! Bring a homemade treat for our potluck dessert table. Get your name enshrined in one of our new trophies for the log toss, Harvest Fest run, and watermelon eating contest! Participate in fall crafts both old and new! Eat delicious food! Win the costume contest (dress up in your "country finest")! Enjoy copious free time and a later "lights out" for adults!

We are looking for volunteers to help with camp set up and/or camp shut down. If you are willing and able to give back to the Shehaqua Community by volunteering, please contact Mike Diamond.

The event starts Friday evening and lasts until Sunday morning. Please arrive around 7 pm (no dinner will be served, please eat before you arrive). Register here. Early bird prices are $40 per person, and 50% off for children 8 and younger. Children 2 and under come for free. The early bird discount ends September 12! Click here for the full fees table.

—Mike Diamond, camp director of 2014 Shehaqua Harvest Festival