Stars and Space

February 21-23, 2020

9-12th Grade

The theme of this weekend was Stars & Space, which included all things extraterrestrial, astronomical, and celestial. The aim was to bring people together once more for a fun-filled weekend full of stars, while simultaneously giving people space to get away from the stresses of life and relax.

Some of the best parts of this weekend were first and foremost, being able to see the endless expanse of stars on a thankfully clear couple of days. This also included the night walk led by Johanna, which ended up in a wonderfully peaceful view at Lynn’s field. Additionally the guided meditations were a highlight for many. Lastly the improv-music-comedy-poetry filled cabaret was the perfect end to Saturday night.

Some things that we did to explore our theme this conference were the various orbit activities we did both indoors and outdoors, space-themed session games, including the “Evolution of the Universe,” which included everyone’s favorite, Snakes in Space and Amoeba Sardines. Additionally, we had the pleasure of hearing some excellent space themed segues, some celestial-themed small group questions and finally, we saw the stars!

We learned how to let go, how to not let ourselves be an obstacle to our own goals, and how to be more affectionate to those we love. We’ll remember the love, cuddles and excellent food in our bellies (compliments of Chef Tony) that filled the space this weekend.

In a New Place

January 17-19, 2020

11th & 12th Grade and Young Adults

This weekend was about new places and new realities. We spent sessions and small groups exploring our own resilient qualities and the parts of ourselves that we bring to new places. We had a two-hour cabaret where we were graced by music, poetry, and cuil theory where one cuil is one level of abstraction away from reality. We spent a session talking about spiritual disciplines, which reframed everyday practices and spiritual contexts for us.

1 cuil. In which we met Friday but didn’t meet until Saturday. When we did meet, we fell in love. The snow rose up to meet the sky and Tony’s food noshed on our delicious bodies. The fire invented massage and Chris and Mike’s muscles instantly relaxed. Your spirit wakes.

2 cuils. Friday met us, bringing past experience and resilience. We were a strange place, but the skills and traits previously learned and developed by the ACC prepared them to take on the challenges we presented. Sunday knew full well that it was an enigma, but welcomed predictions of a strong, echoing bellow reverberating in its bones. Saturday noted the flickering couch, deciding four to be optimal. The three days held hands, feeling the spirit move through their connection.

3 cuils. Will and I are wearing a pillow hat while Alice stands on a ladder. The reader’s eyes bore into us, sending ripples out to each mountaintop, turning every peak into Dorson’s rock. Another dimension called the Pata Pata opens. Why is everyone wearing a wedding dress? Why is everyone wearing Grace’s face?

4 cuils. You are the tattoes permanently etched into Ben Drillings skin. Look up. He has a shark head. But damn, Kermit is here and he believes in himself. His resilience sends ripples through the universe. I spit of love onto you. It is illegal not to publish this. A scallion twitches nervously inside a potato. I run away. New author. Please no more snow. It’s so cold. Please. Chris and Mike revert to 4th graders playing a game of Snakes in the Grass with all the young adults they raised. They must make it through the youth program without letting on that they know. We are all 4th graders singing Circle Game, jumping, laughing, crying. The joy explodes as a beaver comes to terms with its status as a fish. A small library in Phoenix reopens as joy weaves its way through its doors.

5 cuils. Beans! Beans! Beans!

Disclaimer: Epistles are written to capture the experience of the group and transmit it to those not present. In this particular instance, however, two things are necessary to fully grasp this epistle. First you must be fluent in cuil theory. Here is a link to assist you with that cuiltheory.wikidot.com/what-is-cuil-theory. Second you would actually have had to be present at this particular retreat. Since time is forever moving forward we cannot help with that BUT here is a link to ensure that you don’t miss future opportunities to experience a Powell House Youth or Young Adult retreat www.powellhouse.org/.

Falling Up

6th to 8th Grade

November 15-17, 2019

PoHo was great this weekend. We fell into a huge amount of fun. Friday night we were welcomed by old friends, new friends, and the warmth of the community. The trust and falling began during Friday night’s chair relay, followed by trust falls and themes of supporting one another. We wrapped up the evening with listening to poems from Shel Silverstein’s Falling Up. The game, Islands, led by Kwame on Saturday morning helped us gain insight on gravity and balance. We all took turns learning different falls during small groups and discussed the variety of emotions that come with falling. Laughs, music and creative skits were shared during cabaret and all were excited to play Body Body. The night finished with a peaceful moonlight walk and huggles before bed. Singing and worship ended a wonderful weekend where we learned to roll with the falls in life. This weekend has now fallen into out collection of PoHo memories.

Tag Not Tag

4th - 5th grade
October 4-6, 2019

Games! Games! And more games!  Was the topic theme of this weekend, Tag Not Tag.  Therefore we were all really excited to get together on Friday night for a dinner of delicious macs and cheese. But before, while waiting for more friends to arrive, we played a fun game of Fruit Bowl.  After supper we all gathered in session for a few games such as Snake In the Grass and Snake Tag. Also we discussed what we like and did not like about games.  And we talked about what makes games fun for us individually. Next was snack with some free time before we jumped into our pajamas, heard a story and went to bed.  All knowing we had many more fun games to play.

Saturday morning we awoke with cheerful smiles, plenty of energy for the day to come and a wonderful breakfast of yummy pancakes.  Our name zip for the first session was something we enjoy in a group game.  After a funny game of Honey If You Love Me, we split up into small groups to discuss what isn’t fun about games.

Each group created a game of their own.  So once we got back into the larger group we had some some new games to play We played the three new games made by our small groups: Pick Pocket, Broken Economy, and Trolls and Treasure, which we went outside to play. We discussed what we liked about each game and how the rules got everyone included.  We shared and discussed our advice from small groups for having the most fun playing games.

We let out more energy during free time and then we got hungry. So lunch was served which consisted of quesadillas.  Our work project brought us together to rake the trails of the PoHo grounds.  Since we were already outside in the woods, and the adult presences and junior counselor got lost, we had to play a fun game of Wild People Eating Sardines In the Forest to save them.  With more free time we got even more of our energy out.  So we gathered back together for check-in and for massages.

After a relaxing self space, we were hungry again.  So Tony fed us all yummy chicken tenders and Tony fries.  Cabaret started with Animal Fashion and ending with Why Are You Late.  It was really getting late, so we all had some free time.  But by then we really ran out of energy for the day, so it was story time and then to bed.

Sunday morning we awoke, made our beds and had an oatmeal and bagel breakfast.  Everyone worked really hard on cleaning the building up before a fun game of Primate Bellows.  After a quick game of Fox and Squirrel (a tag version of passing balls around the circle), our affirmations of each other were done by passing a ball of yarn.  We made a web to connect us while also lifting up one in another. We had a little bit more free time with some individual games we came up with.  For our regathering session game we searched for Mel Mumbley ( note from youth director: a non-gendered, no age or married status implied adaptation of Mrs Mumbley), sang songs and settled in for worship.  We ate lunch and then parted ways. Upsetting to say good-bye and leave, but we had great time, made friends, and we were looking forward to the next conference.

Advices

from 4th - 5th graders
On playing games, but not just for games

    • Play fair.
    • Don’t cheat.
    • Make sure everyone is inlcuded.
    • Make it interesting.
    • Keep it simple.
    • Don’t make too many rules.
    • Communicate clearly
    • Listen to others.
    • Don’t change the rules to your advantage.

Future Scape

9th - 12th Grade

September 27-19, 2019

On Friday night we all arrived, some of us adjusting to new schools and social situations. We were met with joy and laughter and bright smiles from dear friends. We enjoyed a spaghetti dinner and conversation. We then circled up for session where we practiced the playful tradition of dancing the Salty Dog Rag. After a great deal of stumbling and mirth, we sat and listened to a beautiful song “Everything Possible.” The song was soothing and allowed us to release some built up tension about the future. We discussed what parts of the song were most meaningful to us and when we feel most comfortable being ourselves. We then settled into silence to share news in our lives. People carried different burdens and we were able to connect more deeply by sharing with each other. After some free time, we formed a big huggle and went off to bed.

We rose the next morning, ate, and circled up for session once again. This time, we exercised our imaginations in an improv game called “Will You Buy My Anything.” After a lot of laughter we formed small groups where we discussed the Quaker practice of discerning what is important in life. We realized many of the things that seemed important were not deeply important in our lives. We discussed other’s expectations for our futures and the resulting pressure we felt.

We then moved outdoors where we grounded ourselves through listening and connected to the group’s energy.

We walked up to Lynn’s field where we shared meaningful songs with ourselves and the wind. We then paired up and led each other around blindfolded, allowing us to connect and trust one another. We enjoyed indoor and outdoor work projects, then relaxed with a 3-way massage. After a relaxing self space we enjoyed dinner and some free time. We then moved into a light meditation where we processed hardships and important questions internally. We talked things through with trusted friends, then broke into more freetime with couch piles, games, and laughter.

After a Cabaret filled with creativity, beautiful music, and hilarity, we went off to bed, dreaming fondly of the future. We ended the conference with Molly’s game, singing, and worship.

Overall, we felt sessions were fun and light-hearted, yet carried the spiritual undertone had by all at Powell House gatherings. We felt that Powell House truly is a place where it’s okay to relax and be ourselves, and where personal growth is encouraged. During light meditation, we were able to make peace with ourselves and our lives just a little bit more. The tone of the conference was one of peace and contentment. We saw our friends again after a very long time apart, and were able to give them lots of hugs. One adult-ish presence said he re-met a lot of heckin’ dope people. We shared stories and experiences and all became wiser for it.

We left carrying new found wisdom, wonderful memories and contentment in our hearts.

The Stars Above, The Earth Below

6th -8th grade (rising)
July 12-14, 2019

We came seeking to make new friendships and to renew old ones. We spent the weekend in the campground and slept in tents. It was chance to appreciate the natural world. We have happy memories of the fire, the smell of baking apples on the coals and of burning wood.

The feeling of warmth from all the group, of playing and participating together, was as nurturing as the warmth of the long fire that we kept going. We hiked to Dorson’s Rock for the sunset. We explored and mapped the maze trails, played a soccer-like game with a watermelon in the pond, basked on the floating dock, exchanged massages in the shady campground and walked around the pond at night to see the fireflies and the stars above.

On Sunday we shared times during the weekend that we had felt connected to something outside of ourselves. The group gave affirmations to each person as we sat around the campfire. We sang songs by the pond and then each person took a float to form a silent circle in the deep water. Silence settled briefly until shivering started. We had open swimming to warm up again and feel the joy of being in this natural setting.

Coming here is a break from the stress of daily life. Here we experience being loved and cared for, everyone is contributing to that and receiving it at the same time. We felt the closeness of everyone even though we spent the weekend in wide open spaces.

We fell re-energized going back home. It was perfect being outside continuously in great weather. We loved the physical and emotional fresh air.

Unwinding 2019

Senior High
July 4th – 7th, 2019

We came to be with a bunch of awesome friends, to re-forge old friendships and create new ones. We came to be nurtured spiritually and emotionally. We came to have time for introspection: getting in touch with who we are and what we want to be in the world.

We experienced everyone opening up and connecting to one another resulting in a relaxing, playful, spiritually deep weekend. Lots of time outside contributed to that feeling with refreshing swimming early in the day and mid-afternoon; the Thursday night walk around the pond amidst the fireflies and stars; the worship at Lynn’s field Friday evening with the query “what I know is…”; the work projects making walls, washing walls, moving rocks, and clearing trails; and the Saturday afternoon moving worship at different stations outside and in. Large group activities, free time conversations, a long intricate D & D game and cuddle piles were important too. And of course, Tony’s meals kept us full and happy.

Saturday night we sang and worshipped once more, than settled in for the all-night film festival. We watched Spirited Away, Loving, Arrival and Up, heading to bed as the sky grew light outside.

We unwound and re-centered this extra long weekend: individually and together.

Wild Edibles I

June 14-16, 2019
3rd to 5th grade

Why We Came Together
We came together this weekend in June 2019 to spend time in this shared space as children and parents, to learn about the wild edibles in our own backyards and to experience a service animal relationship firsthand. We came to listen to one another, make and strengthen friendships, to laugh and to move and to be.
Some of us came to Powell House expecting to learn, others to have fun, and some just to be here – a place that is not our routine, busy life but a special separate place where magical connections happen.

What Came Out of Our Time Together
We learned about at least 8 common edible plants and how to harvest and cook them with yummy oil and salt. We learned how kind and loving everyone is to each other. We noticed things we don’t ordinarily notice, like the tiniest things we’ve ever seen, grasshoppers in the grass, the wind swaying at the top of the trees.
We loved the comfortable fun of playing and listening in the pillows and in the grass. We experienced that things don’t always go the way you want and it doesn’t always turn out the way you expect it to. At the same time, as parents we delighted in watching our children as they made friends in an instant, took responsibility for themselves and romped in the joyful summer weekend.

What We Did
The first night we started to get to know each other. We talked about what we would need to do for each other so that everyone would be healthy and safe, including Ace, Jo Clayson’s service dog. Because this is Powell House we did a lot of activities that built community and allowed us to get to know ourselves and each other better. These activities included Elbow Tag, The Blanket game, Prui, etc…
We also explored the theme of the weekend: Wild Edibles! We started by learning about how to safely gather things we can eat that grow in the fields and forests. Then in small groups we ventured out to observe, identify and most importantly TASTE. We found garlic mustard, wood sorrel, plantains (not the ones that look like bananas), red clover, dock and grape leaves and tendrils. Most people liked the lemony tang of the sorrel best.
When we worked together we gathered more things to eat and we turned the things we’d foraged into snacks. We also went swimming and hiking! How did we do so many things in one day?!
Then we entered the delicious time of self-space. We remembered that we all have the capacity to slow down, look closely & notice things we don’t normally see. Some of us observed sounds like the wind in the trees or watched bugs walking over the leaves. At night we laughed and laughed at Cabaret. We remembered how improvising means listening to your partners on stage and helping them to tell the story.
Throughout the weekend we ate delicious meals and snacks and are grateful to Tony and all the meal crews for keeping our bellies happy.

Youth program Reunion 2014-2018

June 7-9, 2019

A beautiful reunion weekend was jump started Friday night with an exciting juxtaposition of curry and snapplenot, together at last!   Session followed in short order.  A name whip was followed by reunion themed activities and elbow tag as re-imagined by the Ministry of Silly Walks.   AS the evening progressed we helped each other remember how to youth conference and caught up on what we’ve been up to through News of Me.  Free time arrived with a splash and much of the group spent a nostalgic hour bumbling through dark hallways in search of  a large terrestrial fish. We ended the evening with story time and huggle and (mostly) dropped off to sleep looking forward to the next day’s shenanigans.

    Saturday morning dinged us into consciousness and set us up for a fun-filled day with croissants, eggs and a whole cast of supporting characters.  Session started off with an exercise of poking sleeping bears before we split into small groups to further explore and reconnect with each other’s recent pasts and future hopes and fears.   Carrying these thoughtful questions along with our towels, we took a silent walk around the pond ending in a session of outdoor worship where we marveled over the beautiful surroundings and delved deeper into ourselves, our lives and how Powell House has shaped us.    After lunch work projects arrived on the heels of a refreshing swim, allowing us to replenish the sweat removed by the pond.   We gardened, cooked tree-cut and brain-stormed about fundraising or –in one case – waxed poetical over earthworm reproductivity.

    The afternoon wore on with check-in leading into a small but cozy 3-way massage and self-space.  Dinner fortified us in body and soul for a quick hike up to Lynn’s field.  We admired a stunning view through misty eyes and were reminded of the unconditional support network we all comprise.  Holding hands in a circle we each spoke the phrase “I will hold you up; I will not let you fall.”  Then we held that idea through a silent, ant-riddled worship.

    Coffeehouse was a rousing success that bore an uncanny resemblance to the phenomenon commonly known as “Cabaret”.  It featured interviews with some very interesting hopefuls for the youth director posts, along with a nostalgic throwback to the Doughnut Act, or whatever that thing was (Cookie Skit).   A truncated but energetic dance party was followed by a truly excellent fire, around which many stories were shared, memories relived and adults reminded just how far we’ve really come in the last decade or two.   Time being as ever, our fickle friend, we ended the day twenty minutes into tomorrow and traipsed off to bed with firelight and unexpected golden underwater vessels swimming behind our drooping eyelids.

    Sunday morning we emerged bleary-eyed to face our last few hours together with bagels and joy.   Many hands made light work of Sunday morning cleanup before swinging into Primate Bellows and a terrifying towel game.  Next came an opportunity for larger reflection as we shared our hopes and expectations for future youth directors.  We then filled each other’s cards as we recognized all we adored of those around us.  AS the circle keeps going round and round our voices joined together in song before settling into silence where this group reconnected and re-grounded.

Journey to the Center

May 10-12, 2019
5th-7th grade

We journeyed to Powell House from points east, west, south and north to be together in the Powell House community. We found our center through movement and activities and also through quiet and reflection. We found the center both as a group and as individuals. For first timers, it was cool to be here and the community was welcoming.

We loved seeing the creative interpretations and varied portrayals our small groups made of an imagined journey to the center of the earth. Designing challenges for each other, journeying to each other’s challenges and hiding from one another was tons of fun. We fed our centers and our creative urges making our own personal pizzas and s’mores around the campfire.

Laying on the mountain in the sun with a guided meditation was the perfect center to the weekend. Later that night we tried to find the center in a candlelit labyrinth. In many ways, with all the twists and turns, it was a lot like life. You thought you were close to the center and then found yourself on the edge again. Sharing afterwards we became aware of the different ways people find and experience the center.

The group came together as one center as the weekend went on. We felt it in simple things like Sunday morning breakfast which was quiet, collected and peaceful and in thoughtful things like the affirmation web circle we made. We felt it while crafting this epistle and later when we sang and worshipped to close our time together.

Love Those Trees

4th & 5th Grade
April 26 - 28, 2019

Some of us who had not been before to Powell House came because we wanted to see why friends and family liked it so much. We found it is like a second family. We played games for fun and to make new friends. We learned new trees and what makes a tree a tree. We connected with the trees around us and everything they bring us. We explored outside in the woods. And we each spent time with an individual tree that we picked.

Things that brought us together were three-way massage, amoeba sardines, and making our own individual pizzas as a group. We are bringing home pizza, friends, peace, and lots of stuff about trees.

Escape Into Now

9th - 12th grade
March 8-10, 2019

This weekend we gathered away from our chaotic lives to be together, here and now.  We explored themes such as
    • what it means to be grounded,
    • what helps us connect to the present moment, and
    • how mind fullness can strengthen our relationships.
We savored every precious minute of our time together and practiced various forms of re-centering ourselves.  

On Friday night, we arrived to new friends and old and enjoyed a delicious meal together.  Next, we broke off into session and used art to visually express what happens when we are not centered.  After we had finished our chaotic masterpieces, we settled into silence and focused on grounding ourselves. Then, we created a new piece of artwork representing how we felt in that moment.  After discussing this experience, we scattered into free time and took time to catch up with our friends.  We once again settled into silence for News Of Me, where we heard from one another about we as individuals were coming from.  Through joys and hardships we supported one another, and, after some additional free time and story time, we went off to bed.

Saturday morning, we groggily roused ourselves for breakfast and then circled up for session. We played Leader of the Orchestra, then set off as a group for a walk in meditative silence.  The cool air and snow beneath our boots brought us serenity and connectedness.  

After our moving meditation, we once again enjoyed some free time featuring wink’em, a game where we expressed our Quakerly love for one another through wrestling.

Once we had eaten a fabulous lunch, we broke into silent work projects. We practiced non-verbal communication, being mindful of including everyone as we made sushi, baked cookies, gathered firewood, planted flowers, sorted the library and pruned vines.  After feasting on the spoils of our labor, we had a group check in and massage.  We participated in a guided meditation, rested and then enjoyed some self space.  Many people showered did homework or went on walks. All of us cared for ourselves.

After a supper and a fantastic apple crisp dessert, we had another wonderful and centering session.  This featured contact improv, where we practiced non-verbal communication through partner movement. We did yoga and then a peer lead us in the mantra meditation “I am loved, I deserve love.”  We had a hilarious cabaret filled with improv and cuil theory and fantastic MCs.  Once we had laughed ourselves silly, we broke into more free time.  Many of us ventured out to a bonfire. While it was initially difficult to light, we were able to set it ablaze by using extra scrap paper and chanting “OM”.  We enjoyed snack and a dance party.  After our wonderfully hectic evening, we gathered as group of lovely, sleepy people for story time and bed.

Sunday morning came all too quickly as we rose and made our beds.  We cleaned up our space, then enjoyed a final group session.  We played Primate Bellows and Molly’s game to affirm a member of our group.  We had singing and worship in silence, and once again brought ourselves back to the present moment in that silence.  

We had lunch and then said our good byes.  Each of us left feeling more centered and ready to return to our busy lives.  This weekend we truly escaped into now and enjoyed every second of our time together.

Comfortably Uncomfortable

6th -8th grade
March 1-3, 2019

This weekend was wholesome fun and different. Griffin would say it was an exciting, energetic and tiring weekend. While participating in uncomfortable activities, we explored, pushed and strengthened our boundaries. We played games such as Elbow Tag, Bear of Poitier and Will You Buy My Donkey, that assisted in building our PoHo family. As always we created new friendships and memories that will stay with us for years to come.

Over the weekend we hit PoHo traditions; Cabaret, three-way massage, great meals, tasty and fun to make food projects with a side of trail clearing, singing and worship to close the weekend. Cabaret was a success, thanks to the MCs, the JC skit (and of course the many performers.)

We’d like to thank our JCs (Eddy, Eamonn and Rebecca), our AP (Carson) and especially Samy and Chris for a wonderful weekend.

Things You Might Have Noticed if You Were At It’s All Around Us

February 1-3, 2019
young adults including 11th & 12th graders

Lucian’s guitaring on Sunday morning and his sincere, royal demeanor
Rebecca approaching new friends and old
Amelia’s Charleston lessons on ice
Arthur’s piano playing was gold
Gemma’s smile and stripey pants
Carson’s awol “old man” eyebrow hair that he protects from getting plucked
Hannah’s thoughtful insights in small group conversations
Malcolm’s laughter
Will and Keyra spending all of free time cuddling and talking developmental psych
Aeryn’s powerful poetry at Cabaret
Samy’s friendly warmth and scrunchy
Margaret’s kind eyes and how she’s calm and collected
Drew’s color bursts
Alex’s fearless and friendly introduction and skills at paddle-less ping-pong
Dove’s massage and watercolor skills, Kwame’s dance moves and styleee
Sarah’s poetry moving Maeve to tears
The soultry sound of Soren’s voice –
The umption in Andy’s gumption – his love of the place
Milo’s commitment to 4 on a Couch, and facila expressions
Bryant’s skillful direction that lead the bandana team to glory
James’s intensity and Tupac sweathsirt
The “click” of Allison’s camera
Lucy’s loving hugs
Matt’s building the bonfire and Adam’s feeding it with the xmas tree and his cool sweater on Saturday
Iain’s doesn’t know what he doesn’t know and forgets what he forgot, how cool he looked coming in from the snow
Jen’s funny stories about genetics and linguistic skills
Jackson noticed the tiny paper hat – a focal point
Sofia was missed when she left to host a chowder fest, but she returned
Evan’s decorative shirt-pockets
Grace noticed a black splotch in the tie-dye and we noticed her whale joke no one had heard before
Matilda’s poise and grace and skills with a pen
Laurel’s all blue snow gear
Leila and Nina’s Middle English knowledge in cabaret
Peter’s chill poses
Mike’s segues and Chris’s wisdom
Tony’s paper tube trumpet and tasty good food.

Meet Death

Jan 19-21, 2019
4th - 5th grade

During this conference, we discussed a lot of thought-provoking questions about death, grieving, how to recognize grief and how to cope with it. Despite the sad subject, it was a laughter-filled and loving conference. We all enjoyed the delicious food, new games and, most especially, the hilarious cabaret.

Due to snow, we started Saturday at noon and ended on Monday mid-day. Saturday started with games like “Elbow Tag”, sharing our expectations and a round of “What Is This” with a scythe. The evening had a snowy, full-moon walk in the forest and a bonfire.

On Sunday, we woke up at 8 and had a filling breakfast. Shortly after, we played “What Are You Doing” and discussed the safety guidelines for sledding and boot skating on the pond session. We all went outside in the snow and chose whether to sled or shovel so we could boot skate. Sledding was super fun but exhausting and boot skating was fun but it was kind of hard to shovel. Otherwise, we all had loads of fun skating around.

Lunch soon came around and afterwards we played a quick game of “Rattler and Miner.” In small groups, we discussed topics like grieving, dealing with loss, and supporting others who are grieving. Something that we did to explore the theme of the weekend was to read a memorial minute for a woman named Ellen Flanders and discussed ways Quakers have memorial services. We talked about stages of grief. During this entire conference we learned a better understanding of death and how to acknowledge it.

We then had free time with a fun and loving couch pile. We finally had check-in and then a much-anticipated three-way massage. After a relaxing massage or a nice book with soothing music, we had self-space which many enjoyed. Soon after we had supper and another session to play “Wax Museum” and “Molly’s Game” - an exercise in affirmations.

Then we had cabaret!!! It had great improv skits, music and a fun talk about a lizard conspiracy. We had more free time afterwards and a Native American story to think about before bed.

All in all, it was a fun yet serious educational experience. We learned how to comfortably talk about the idea of death and grieving. We all get to take home a new perspective on death.

Art Inside and Out

Jan 12-14, 2018
6th - 8th grade

Friday we came to Powell House to do art.  When we arrived, we went straight to the art of eating the results of a culinary art – supper.  The evening session’s name whip was something you enjoyed creating.   We played several rambunctious rounds of Snake in the Grass before dividing into small groups to discuss which home-made desserts we enjoy, what is art and what is beauty.  News of Me closed the session with the deep and hard things going on in people’s lives.  Free time, sardines and story time rounded out the night. We went to bed, but not many people slept soon as we talked for hours and drifted into sleep.

Saturday we woke up at 8 and went down to breakfast of eggs, fresh fruit and home-made breads. We had our first session of the day, in which small group discussions around tables morphed into playing and creating art with shaving cream and colors.  A buffet of art options spread out on tables invited us to create individually.  We had a music-filled free time with ping-pong, couch piles, singing, reading and talking.  Lunch was hot soup and more fresh bread.

At 2:30 pm we went back to the options for creating art – drawing, sculptures and paintings writing were just some of them.  And cookies as an art project became our snack.  We had the three-way massage where you give two massages and get one (from 2 people).  We had a quiet self space time where you could be alone and relax.  Dinner was tofu or pork, a pear sauce and salad.

The evening session started with a relay of crossing the common room on pillows.  We role played as extra-terrestrial beings who had to explain the possible uses of an object common on Earth.  It stretched our creativity to use new eyes and humor.  In cabaret we performed skits, did improv, and shared our talents.  A nice free time was followed by a story in quiet time and bed.

Sunday was a time for cleaning up the major mess from the art projects, and enjoying our time together.  We closed with singing and silence. And of course – lunch.

Throughout the weekend, we felt satisfied, were aesthetically pleased, had fun and made mess.  We created and connected – through our relationships with each pother and with K’nex.  We did a lot of art between other things and it was very relaxing.

Epistle in Haikus Art and You. Gotta Love It

January 11-13, 2019

It was a Friday
We re-kindled our friendships
Food was super sublime

Artsy Saturday
We drew and others drew too
Cabaret was cool

Haikus are quite hard
Sunday morning is so sleepy
I don’t want to leave


Highlights of the conference: Learning to crochet, ART! Especially collaborative art projects & little canvasses & yarn crafts, Nature walk to get inspired, the numbers of games especially 4 on a couch, Tony Shiri & Art’s food! Good amount of free time, Great cabaret.

Wintersong 2018

December 14-16, 2018
7th to 12th grade

This weekend we came together from various corners of the northeast to celebrate winter’s arrival and all the joyous holidays that come along with it. We explored themes of family tradition, belonging, and what brings us hope. Amidst the cold, our life’s challenges, and a tumultuous political climate, we hunkered down together and kept each other warm, safe, and loved.

Starting the weekend we settled in and caught up with our friends. After dinner we had free time. In session we broke up into small groups and talked about our favorite winter memory. We created ornaments out of ourselves and then broke into News of Me. We shared moments of happiness and some sadness. Then free time again. We went off to bed.

On Saturday we had session then workshops where we made cookies, decorated the tree, cut vines, conversed about the universe, spirituality and alternate perceptions of the world, made music, played games or participated in a blind-folded walk to Dorson’s Rock. We had free time again, then lunch. Right after lunch we did our workshops once more, this time with dining room decorating, a book discussion group and improv added into the mix. Then later that day we had 3-way massage and the main attraction of the night, the dress up dinner. An impromptu dance party ensued afterwards. Then we had Cabaret with many great acts. There were jokes, performances, and poetry. We watched the Grinch and spoke about how he is actually very scary. Then, still cozily piled into the corners of the common room and spilling out towards the center, we sang “Here Comes The Sun” and settled into a moving silence with the query “What has given you hope in the last week?” We broke the silence by lighting the hope tree and hearing a beautiful Hebrew song of peace sung by two of our friends.

On Sunday we cleaned our rooms and beautified the building. We gathered for one more large group game and an affirmation activity then sang ourselves into worship to close our time together.

Over the course of this weekend we recharged our batteries, celebrated our differences and lit up our hope tree with love, joy and a continuing commitment to changing our world. We will all bring home a piece of that light and the memories of loving, good people who perpetually lift us up.

That’s The Spirit

4th & 5th Grade
Dec 7 - 9, 2018

Powell House is really fun. We came to JC* or be JCed*, to hang out with friends and to make new friends. It’s a place where people don’t tease you. And when we have conflicts we try to work them out.

We connected by talking to each other and playing games and by having new roommates. Three-way massage connected us to the whole group. Painting to music connected us to our creative spirit.

We’re going home with our friends phone numbers, a better understanding of what spirit is, hopefully with a smile on our faces, good memories and happy feelings. And carrying our new friends in our hearts.
*JC is a junior counselor – the high school youth who help facilitate the conferences for the younger kids.

Connectivity

Young Adults (including 11th & 12th grade)
Nov 16-18, 2018

Despite an early November snow, on Friday evening we all established a physical connection to Powell House. Over the weekend we explored themes of connectivity of all kinds through intimate small group discussions and guided meditation (both back-to-back and individually on the floor). We strengthened our connections with trust falls and games, such as wink’em muddy ultimate Frisbee, Honduran hat game, will you buy my donkey, and many card games. Our weekend was punctuated with cuddly free times and several cozy fires in the fire place. We took a meditative, snowy walk to the Cornfield this time. Cabaret was delightful, if brief, followed by an “epic 2000s dance party.” We learned about Mike’s fish eating habits, as applied to romance as well. Our food this weekend, brought to us by Tony, was excellent as always.  Overall, our weekend was defined by our wonderful small group discussions, and our feeling of unity and closeness.