Young Friends Summer Gathering at Camp Onas

at Camp Onas, Ottsville, PA
for Young Friends 9th grade (or age 14 by September 1) through college age.

Lifeguards! We need You! Yes, we discriminate in favor of Lifeguards! No late fee and we give you a credit $100 credit towards the gathering. You must have a current Red Cross Lifeguard Certificate and a current CPR Certificate or the equivalent. . We will need a photocopy of your cards. Remember your CPR certificate is only good for one year!!
What do I have to do???

Yes you can still come! Don't mail the forms! Bring the forms with you Friday. E-mail cookiec@pym.org to say you are coming. Your e-mail should including your name, address, phone, Are you a vegetarian? Vegan? Do you have Food Allergies? Do you like green eggs and ham? Registration will close Thursday Aug 26th at 4 pm.

Please complete a new Medical Permission Form. If you did not send in a new form for Yearly Meeting Summer Sessions at DeSales University in July then this is the start of the new year for YFs. Your old form has expired.

Download YF Registration & Medical Permission formss.	.FFriendly Adult Presences (chaperones) are needed!!!
Click here to see a Map with details and alternate routes.

We often talk about how important and valuable our friends are, but what does it mean to love your friends? What does it mean to be a friend? What do we do when it all seems to go wrong and it is painful? And what do you do when your friends are doing something you know is wrong but you want them to think that you are "cool"? Friendship and love are not always easy. This weekend we will talk about friendship, love , peer pressure, and "peer lure". Seeking answers together. Come prepared to share about yourself and about your friendships. Look at your friendships - how do you deal with tough issues when you disagree with your friends? Why do you stop being friends? What do you give to your friends? What do you receive from your friends? Maybe we can all do some growing together.

Monday John Scardina will be with us "Cliques and Stones Can Break My Bones: Holding the Young Friends Community in the Light". Join in a series of community-building "mix-it-up" activities that create new relationships and place principles over personalities in our effort to create a new world. Think, Laugh, Learn

BIGGERING OUR CUPS, Continuing revelation with watercolor - Artist Zan Lombardo

To quote Picasso, “Art is a lie that enables us to realize the (T)ruth.”

A creative experience for Young Friends of all levels of artistic talent, from zero to plenty. Because there are few rules about how to make your nesting cups, the range of what is possible is delightful and full of freedom. Not only will the materials be supplied, but all drawing and painting skills are guaranteed teachable. Satisfaction assured.

World Peace Through Laughter: A Laughter Yoga Workshop led by Certified Laughter Yoga Leader
Lee Alden from Laughter Yoga Vermont (is that enough laughter in one sentence for you?)! So, what the heck is Laughter Yoga? Laughter Yoga is a unique exercise routine that combines unconditional laughter with yogic breathing and movement. You don’t need to be funny to laugh, you just have to be willing to play and have fun! And if you don’t feel like laughing, you can fake it ‘til you make it! There is a war outside in the world because there is a war inside us. If we can find peace inside us, there will be peace outside. Laughter is an excellent path to peace. Join us and laugh and see for yourself!
(Lee is the one on the right, not the hairy one on the left.)

An interactive/experiential workshop based on the question “What would you say is the core, unshakable truth of Quakerism going back to its very beginnings and exists to today?”

Brad Ogilvie, Program Coordinator, William Penn House, Washington DC

Artist, Meed Barnett will be leading a workshop on Jewelry Making.

Aikido is a Japanese martial art based around many of the same principles that Quakerism is: its core is nonviolent redirection of violent force. We will be learning about centering and the philosophy behind aikido, as well as some fundamental moves and the basics of falling without getting hurt. Wear something you can move in -- sweat pants if possible. –Amelia Perkins

George Price will be there to lead Quaker Sweat Lodges on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. (Would it be the Onas Gathering with out George?) George Price

But wait, that's not all. We are also looking for workshops on self expression and art. We have also love having Young Friends lead workshops. But it is really hard planning if you wait until mid-August before you say you want to lead one. Sooner is always better than later. E-mail me and let me know what you want to lead. -Cookie

Friendly Adult Presences are needed. Can You volunteer???

More workshops are needed and being recruited. If you know of someone who could lead a workshop please talk to them and have them send me an e-mail. cookiec@pym.org@pym.org)

There will be discussions, role playing, small groups and large groups, dancing, nurturing, playing games, worship, a campfire, skits, swimming, crafts, singing, sweat lodges, hanging out, and working together.

Building the sweat lodge

Tuesday and Thursday evenings, George Price will be there to lead sweat lodges

"This little light of mine."

Wednesday evening there will be a Talent Show with skits, singing and jokes (non-sexist, non-racist, etc.; you are allowed to make fun of Quakers). You can launch your new career as an actor, singer, or stand-up comic. You could be discovered!!! Unlikely, but possible!

Escargo anyone?

Friday night will be a closing farewell celebration and a Young Friends crazy Thrift Shop chic dance!

Remember to bring your dancing duds - there ain't no thrift shops in Ottsville!

We will be learning Crafts, inkle belt weaving & tie-dyeing

Bring: white 100% cotton shirts to work on.

In coming to this gathering you should be prepared to be a full participant in the community and all of the challenges of living together. Housing will be in platform tents with bunks. Meals will be prepared and cleaned up cooperatively. A spirit of cooperation and concern for one another will be of extreme importance to make this a successful gathering. The way we relate to one another and share the work is as important to the gathering as the program or the workshops. The community you create will be the gift that you carry home.

The Salad Bar Queen

Walking the Labrynth

Dishwashing can be fun!

Better-Than-Perfect Quaker Clothing-Swap!
Do you have a bunch of clothes that don't fit, or are gifts from ancient family members, or you're just tired of? Have you been craving some crazy Quaker fashion?

Well here's a way to get something new, and get rid of your old. As they say, one Quaker's junkola is another Quakers treasure.

BRING UNWANTED CLOTHES TO ONAS TO SWAP!! I have some cool new stuff, and you do, too!

Now, how to say delicately--please, no rags. Launder before bringing. If possible, bring things on hangers. I will furnish a rack.) Left over clothes will go to: Women's Ministry, Northfield, NJ (they help fire victims and recovering alcoholics). Work-suitable women's clothing will go to the Women's Shelter in Northfield, NJ. Or, you can take home what you brought.
- Meed Barnett meedATwestjersey.org (for questions)

Lifeguards! We need You!

What do I have to do if I sign up as a life guard?

We want four to six certified lifeguards to guard the pool. There are 5 open swim sessions for 2 hours each afternoon from 3-5 pm. We need to have 2 lifeguards on duty when ever the pool is open. You would work one hour each afternoon.

On Tuesday and Thursday evening after the Sweat lodges the lifeguards have usually opened the pool for about an hour between 10-11 pm. The lifeguards will decide if they are willing to do this. We need to have 2 lifeguards on duty.

On Friday afternoon during the program there will be a pool float exercise in the shallow end of the pool with most of the group. We need to have 2 lifeguards on duty.

The total for the week is about 7 hours for each lifeguard.

We are offering an $100 credit towards the gathering. You must have a current Red Cross Lifeguard Certificate and a current CPR Certificate. We will need a photocopy of your cards. Remember your CPR certificate is only valid for one year from the date you last took the test!!

We are collecting afghan squares to make graduation afghans for the graduated YFs leaving Onas for College.

We need lots of 6 inch squares , any combination of colors.

ACCOMMODATIONS at Camp Onas are bunk beds in single-sex platform tents and pavilions. Bring pajamas in which you will be comfortable being seen in on your way to the shower house by the opposite sex and that they will be comfortable seeing you. A Friendly Adult Presence (chaperone) will be present in each tent and pavilion.

The boys digging out on Saturday Morning

It was no better in the girls tents.

REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL DETAILS.

REGISTRATION Cost postmarked by August 6th: $315

DO NOT STAY AWAY FOR LACK OF MONEY! Scholarship aid is available from the Sergei Thomas and Haley Yarmark Memorial Fund. Please pay what you can and indicate on the registration form how much aid you need.
Scholarship aid requests must be postmarked by August 6th.

LATE REGISTRATION: $345.00 for registrations postmarked after August 6th. ..........

This gathering is limited to 80 people. It could be further limited by a shortage of Friendly Adult Presences. Don't wait until the last minute to register or you could be closed out. How to volunteer as a Friendly Adult Presences

Hannah Mayer
New YF Program Assistant

Cookie Caldwell,
YF Program Coordinator

Cancellations: Registrants who cancel will receive a voucher good toward a future gathering or any other Philadelphia Yearly Meeting event. The credit voucher will be valid for one year from the date of issue and is transferable. No credit vouchers will be issued for cancellations after August 20th. After one year, unredeemed vouchers will become a tax-deductible donation to the Sergei Thomas and Haley Yarmark Scholarship Fund.

WHERE IS IT? Camp Onas, 609 Geigel Hill Road, Ottsville, PA 18942, in case your friends want to send you mail during the gathering. Ottsville is located in Southeastern Pennsylvania, about 11 miles north of Doylestown, PA. Note:The Bridge is out on Geigel Hill Road, west of Camp Onas. This necessitates a about a 6 mile winding detour getting to the camp. Click here to see a Map with details and alternate routes.

CAR POOLING LISTS, program updates, a map, and detailed directions will be e-mailed about 10 days before the gathering.

ARRIVAL Plan to arrive Sunday, August 23rd at 3:00 PM.

DEPARTURE: Please plan your transportation home to leave at 12:00 Noon Saturday, August 29th.
Parents are asked not to take their Young Friends home before the cleanup is completed Saturday morning.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? Cookie Caldwell at (215) 241-7222 or 1-800-220-0796 extension 7222 toll free or by E-mail at cookiec@pym.org

We are looking for a few good Friendly Adult Presences

Help!
Friendly Adult Presences/ Chaperones are needed for the Young Friends gathering at Camp Onas (and the rest of our gatherings too!)

Current Friendly Adult Presences: If you have already been cleared, then all you need to do is call, write or e-mail to say that you are coming. Please do not assume that I can read you mind and know that you are coming. Sometimes I can barely read my own mind. - Cookie Caldwell

Friendly Adult Presence materials and the FAP forms can be downloaded from the Young Friends Adult Volunteers page.

We need Friendly Adult Presences for the Young Friends Summer Gathering at Camp Onas, August 23-29, 2009. We need both men and women. I know that taking a week off to go to the Young Friends Summer Gathering is a big deal, but in recent years we have had to close registration twice because we did not have enough adult volunteers. I don't want that to happen at Onas this year. If you are able to volunteer please let me know as soon as possible. If you could help recruit appropriate adults from your meeting that would be a great help.

Who can be a Friendly Adult Presence? You must be over age 21. You must be known in your Monthly Meeting community, or Yearly Meeting, or Quarterly Meeting, or a Friends School for a minimum of six months. We and the Insurance Carrier are leery of adults who drop in out of nowhere and want to work with our kids.

Criminal Back Ground Checks: Our Insurance Carrier is requiring that we do criminal back ground checks on all staff and Volunteer Friendly Adult Presences involved in over night programs. They have found a way of doing this through a private company that is able to do the back ground checks on line in minutes. We do the on line criminal back ground check. Once you are cleared you are ready to be a Friendly Adult Presence at any Young Friends or Middle School Friends or PYM gathering. This Criminal Back Ground Check needs to be redone every five years.

Here is how it is done. Fill out and sign the "Friendly Adult Presence Form" with references and the "Background Investigation Consent for Volunteer Chaperones." Mail both forms to me, yes, it must be snail mailed, we need an original signature on the consent form. We will then go on line to get the clearance. This information will be kept confidential. Only those who need to see the results will have access.

If we do not recruit enough Friendly Adult Presences then we will have to limit the size of the Summer Gathering. We also need Friendly Adult Presences who are can teach arts and crafts. Please call Cookie Caldwell at 215-241-7222 or 1-800-220-0796 extension 7222 toll free or E-mail: Cookie Caldwell. Friendly Adult Presence materials and the FAP forms can be downloaded from the Young Friends Adult Volunteers page.

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