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2015 Mountain Program Calendar at a Glance
April 3-5 Easter
April 17-19
April 13-19
SEUUMA
Southern Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association
April 27-May1
May 18-22
June 1-4
May 13-17
WomenSpirit
May 22-25
May 25-29
June 29-July 5
July 5-10
Liberal Religious
Educators Association
July 22-26
July 26-August 2
August 22-29
SUULE Southern Unitarian Universalist
Leadership Experience
October 4-9
SUUFISouthern Unitarian Universalist Fall Institute
October 14-18
WomenSpirit
November 9-12
SEUUMA
Southern Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association
November 24-29
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MountainCamp Schedule
Beginning Camp (6-8)
June 21-June 27
Elementary I (9-11)
June 14-June 20
Elementary II (9-11)
June 14-June 27
Intermediate I (11-13)
June 28-July 4
Intermediate II (11-13)
June 28-July 11
Sr. High I (14-17)
July 12-18
Sr. High II (14-17)
July 12-25
Explorers (12-14)
July 12-25
Outdoor Skills & Adventure (14-17)
June 28-July 11
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A Mountain TwoFer
Want a MountainCamp Donation Opportunity to double your gift to The Mountain? "Is this magic," you may ask?
No, but it sure felt that way when a loyal donor offered to match up to $10,000 to purchase needed equipment for our Explorers, camping gear, craft supplies, exciting new programs, and scholarships...
Many of us know the feeling of wanting to give back - thinking that our small gifts don't count for much. I know I do! Now, you can"Double Your Donation." Let us know you're directing your gift to the MountainCamp Matching Challenge and your donation automatically doubles. Sure feels like magic, doesn't it?
$4,000 has been received already and with your support before May 1st, MountainCamp we'll be READY for our 35th Season! Your donation supports:
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12 Backpacks - $2,500
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8 Backpacking Stoves - $600
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10 Tents, Groundcloths & Tarps - $1,500
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Arts & Crafts Supplies - $1,500
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10 Radios, Repeater, GPS Spots - $1,000
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Camper Scholarships - $10,000
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10 Cameras & Supplies - $800
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Paddling Program - Repairing Canoes, PFDs - $900
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Refurbishing Lakeside - $300
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Counselor Training Materials & Videos - $300
Have you have attended MountainCamp, sent your children or grandchildren, believe every child benefits from a summer camping experience? Give us a shout! Help us to maintain cherished traditions, renew that special program that may have been forgotten over the years. We value your input.
Contact Camp Director, Megan Quattlebaum with your input or questions.
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Tips for Planning
a Congregational Retreat
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Several first time retreat planners have requested information in planning a Congregational retreat at The Mountain. Our thanks to Larry Wheeler and Nancy Heath of the UU Congregation of Asheville for sharing their experiences in a step by step manner.
- Identify a detail-oriented person who will step up and serve as retreat coordinator. That person is responsible for signing our booking agreement and will be the point of contact.
- Determine if you want to handle registration through the church office or if you want to use The Mountain's on-line registration system (our recommendation).
- Carefully plan your promotion via your newsletter, your website, your bulletin board and The Mountain's website. Begin as early as possible with a "save the date" article followed by monthly information as you build the retreat. The Mountain can design and post a flyer, schedule and registration link right on our website's calendar page for you.
- Developing the Program- Our standard weekend format includes 6 meals, starting with dinner Friday evening at 7 PM (preceded by Social Hour from 6 - 7 PM); ending with lunch on Sunday at Noon.
- Saturday typically has Morning Circle, Workshops and a Hike embedded into the schedule. The coordinator will need to recruit the right people to lead these activities.
- If your retreat group includes families with children then you will need to organize children's activities and/or child care.
- Sunday usually features a Worship Service. The Mountain has pianos and hymnals.
After You Return Home
- You will receive a Guest Satisfaction survey that we would like you to encourage participants to take part.
For a more detailed version of Tips for Planning a Congregational Retreat, please call Nancy Plate at 828 526 5838 ext. 250 or email [email protected].
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Dates Still Available for Meetings or Retreats
Weekends
April 10-12
April 17-19
May 1-3
August 7-9
August 28-30
September 11-13
Week Day
April 13-17
April 19-24
April 27-30
May 10-14
May 17-21
August 2-6
August 9-13
August 16-21
September 20-24
Sept. 27-October 2
October 4-9
October 18-22
October 26-31
For More information please call Nancy Plate
at 828 526 5838 ext. 250 or email
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2015 presents a new and exciting calendar of Mountain programs. Below you are sure to find one or more programs that you just can't resist.
Our Mountain Program season officially begins Easter Weekend April 3-5 offering two distinct programs, Easter in the Oaks and our traditional Volunteer Work Weekend.
Easter in the Oaks, a new program offering traditional Easter activities, should specifically appeal to young families.
Volunteer Work Weekend, an annual tradition, is a fun work and play weekend in which participants commit to approximately seven hours of work in exchange for a reduced accommodation rate to include meals only.
We have listened with interest to a great deal of positive sentiment about the Elder Hostel programs offered several years ago. With the able assistance of Phil Sterner and Kathee Williams, we have created new programming that offers similar weekday
experiences to learn, enjoy The Mountain and make new friends. Appalachian Spring and Southern Unitarian Universalist Fall Institute better known as
SUUFI, are both in their third successful year. If you liked Elder Hostel, you will LOVE Appalachian Spring and SUUFI.
For the fit and health minded, volunteer Barry White, will be offering three springtime weekday
Mountain Hiking Retreats. Cathy Woods will be returning this year to offer a mind, body, spirit
Health and Wellness week.
Join family fun at
Mountain Homecoming on Memorial Day Weekend, and
Fun & Adventure Week that will be held over July 4th. Fun and Adventure will again give thrill-seekers a rush climbing Monkey Rock, rafting the Nantahala or ziplining through the Highlands Plateau. Immediately following MountainCamp, our own
Family Camp begins July 26th and ends August 3. Come for a week or select a shorter time period.
Also "Save the Date" for our
37th Traditional Thanksgiving Weekend that is always another "homecoming" for many attendees.
Come on up and let us cook for you, provide activities and entertainment, meet new friends and best of all, have the time of your life.
See you at The Mountain
Megan Quattlebaum
Mountain Programs Director
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Easter Weekend
Work and Play Getaway
Offering
Traditional Volunteer Work Weekend
&
Easter in the Oaks
a Family Oriented Easter Program
April 3-5
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Traditional Volunteer Work Weekend
Bring your labor hearty family members, 14 years of age and older, and/or friends who instead of singing for their supper (in this case lodging) will commit to approximately 7 hours of labor for the cost of their food only.
Projects may include: trail and view maintenance, painting, chopping wood, indoor and outdoor cleaning, sewing, library organization etc. Individuals with carpentry skills please contact Ted for projects that need your talent. Join us for our Easter Service followed by an Easter Feast at noon Sunday.
Easter in the Oaks
An opportunity for families to enjoy traditional Easter fellowship. Activities include: decorating Easter eggs, making Easter cards, Easter basket weaving, treasure hunt and egg hunt, field games, hiking, meet our chickens and gather eggs. Sunday worship will be led by Pastor Jack Ford.
Our fabulous Easter Feast will be at noon. Helping with weekend activities will allow a $20 discount. Call Megan Quattlebaum, 828 526 5838 ext.253 or email [email protected]
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LGBTQ Youth Conference
April 17-19
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oin us at The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center for a weekend of fun and education specifically for high school students who identify themselves as LGBTQ. Share politics, self expression, and issues that are unique through workshops and group discussions. Form bonds that will last a lifetime.
$140 per participant
$25 per adviser. All youth must come with an adult adviser.
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Mountain Hiking Retreat
Savor Spring in the Blue Ridge
Choose your Hiking Retreat Date Now!
April 26-May 1
May 17-May 22
June 1-June 3
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Come enjoy 3-5 Day Hikes on foot trails along ridges and rivers, over mountains, and to waterfalls on the Highlands Plateau-an area renown for outdoor recreation. Enjoy several 2 to 5 mile moderate day hikes, environmental education, fellowship, recreation, fun and good food.
Five night package: $455
Three night package: $285
Package includes: lodging, meals, transportation, and social hour.
Hike Glenn Falls, Chattooga River Trail from Iron Bridge Narrows to Whiteside Secret Falls, Big Scaly Mountain from Hickory Nut Road Trailhead, and Whiteside Mountain Loop.
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Celebrate The Mountain's 36th Anniversary
Mountain Homecoming
May 22-25
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Mountain Homecoming, an annual Mountain program, welcomes Trustees and all "Comers" to celebrate 3 days of fun programs for the entire family: hiking, games, music, bonfire and more. The Mountain Board of Trustees gathers on this special weekend for the Spring Quarterly Board Meeting when the 2014 Annual Report is presented to Trustees and Members on Saturday afternoon. All will appreciate great meals, and Mountain Chef Charity will have a few new surprises to delight you. COME HOME TO THE MOUNTAIN.
Family Friendly Program Prices:
Adult 3 Night Package: $280
Youth: 7-12: $96
Children 11 and younger: Free
Commuters Welcome
No Cost to Attend the Annual Meeting
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If You Liked Elder Hostel You Will Love
Appalachian Spring
May 25-29
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Friends of The Mountain are blessed to know the sacred earth that lies atop Little Scaly Mountain. We walk the trails, meditate on a rock outcropping, and laugh with friends as we overlook the valleys below. But who was here before us? What were their lives like? What are the lives of the people in the mountains like now? What makes the Highland's Plateau a unique ecosystem? That's what Appalachian Spring is all about.
Combine the wonder of budding trees and shrubs, gentle warm breezes, and the warmth of friendships new and old with an immersion into the history and culture of the Appalachian Mountains and their people.
Leadership School participants and others will remember Rev. Dr. Barry Whittemore, retired UU minister and current lecturer at the University of North Georgia. He will guide us through the history of the Appalachian area, imparting his knowledge and sharing his wit and charisma. He will also be providing an evening vespers, focusing on the traditions of Universalism.
Longtime Mountain goers will remember Bill and Lorrain Harouff. They will be joining us and will give a concert on Monday night. Bill will also be giving a workshop on Tuesday.
We will spend one day at the Foxfire Museum, near Dillard, GA, where there is a pioneer village we can walk through. With the help of Dr. Whittemore and the museum's staff, we'll have a hands-on experience of life in the mountains in the 1800s.
Hiking will abound. There will be a Cherokee Trails and Paths hike lead by Cherokee expert Lamar Marshall who'll add stories and commentary. Those interested in plant life on The Mountain, will have a chance to go on a Wild Edibles and Medicinal Herbs hike.
On Thursday evening, we will be honored to have Ann Whitley, fiddler extraordinaire along with her friends, play for an Old Time Dance - called by Doug Singleton. Ann is also going to give a workshop on "Singing Old Time" - like June Carter's mom and 'em...according to Ann. Doug will offer a brush up (introduction) to traditional round and square dances. It will be great fun, and if you don't dance, you'll definitely enjoy watching and listening to some great music. And all of that comes with the delightfully wonderful food in the Dining Hall. One day we will be eating Southern all day!! Some participants will hang out in the kitchen and learn how to make Cathead Biscuits, Gravy and other real tasty Southern food.
The week will definitely put a "spring into our step" and enliven and awaken us to wonder. Join us, please. Bring friends. Hope to see y'all there!!
For more information, please call or e-mail Kathee Williams ([email protected]; 770-654-7878). To register, go to www.mountaincenters.org. Total cost $495
Save $25 by registering by 3/31 with Early Registration Discount.
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Fun & Adventure Week
June 29-July 5th
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Health & Wellness Week
July 21-24
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Many modalities can fall under the topic of Wellness. The Mountain has compiled some of the best presenters in order to experience several popular facets of wellness.
The Retreat is designed by well known Yoga teacher Cathy Woods and includes:
- Silent and Guided Meditations
- All levels Yoga Classes each day
- Workshops to include life skills, nutrition, empowerment and art
- Guided Hike
- Evening Concert
Cost: $455 (3 nights/4 days). Price includes lodging, food, and programming fee.
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Intergenerational Family Camp
July 26-August 2
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A Camp for families and friends of all ages to come together to enjoy MountainCamp activities. Grandparents, parents and children, start planning now for a 2 to 7 day Mountain adventure.
7-Day Per Person: Adult $526; Youth and Teens (7-17) $245
5-Day Per Person: Adult $376; Youth & Teens (7-17) $175
Weekend Package: Adults $150; Youth & Teens (7-17) $70
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Save the Date
Thanksgiving 2015
November 24-29
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There is a stillness on Little Scaly's granite balds deeper than silence. The evergreen rhododendron curl into tight tubes while leafless Dwarf Oaks stand as sentries - The Mountain's guardians. Often, movement is slow in the white insulation of cloud cover, icy roads and paths, and orographic fog sweeping up from the valleys saturating mountain air.
These days, the sun goes down early as the howl of winter wind rises in the night. With sap drawn deep into roots, one can imagine all life in hibernation. However, this is when the 280 species of mosses shine emerald green providing contrast to grey winter skies. A rafter of turkeys gobble feasting on The Mountain's abundance of acorns. Small birds twitter from branch to branch. The Dark-Eyed Juncos, Nuthatches, Mourning Doves, Carolina Chickadees, American Robins and Crows are among the 45 species of winter birds counted by friends of Highlands Plateau Audubon.
And then there are the crystalline flakes known as snow revealing tracks of deer, turkey, mice, rabbits, foxes. What about the bears? Black bears in our area hibernate due to the absence of food, and may come out in warmer weather. Bears, pregnant or with cubs, hibernate and are the only animals to give birth and nurse during hibernation.
Along The Mountain's trails, needle ice forms from hydrostatic pressure inviting close inspection into a blue-white translucent underground world. Formed from seeping ground water on slopes with a grade of about 60 degrees, these fragile ice particles crunch and give-way underfoot - surprising the distracted hiker. Our swimming pond often has a slick of ice while the Many Hand's Peace Farm's garden rests.
In contrast, our chickens are seemingly impervious to the shorter days and colder nights! They are productively laying almost a dozen eggs a day, while staff keep the home fires burning and the pipes from freezing (most of the time!).
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The Lean Winter Months...If I Was A Squirrel
Most animals here on Little Scaly Mountain hibernate or go down mountain for a few months during the harsh winds and chilling temperatures. In preparation, they gather nuts and fatten-up. As the days shorten, there is a tangible sense of urgency and activity in the animal kingdom .
Having lost many of our animal instincts, we trust the supermarket to provide. While critters are preparing for winter here on the mountain, we're still focused on meeting our current calendar and fiscal year's "energy" obligations: have we reached the Annual Campaign Goal? is Thanksgiving registration full? who forgot to fulfill their pledge?
This time of year, our stockpile of nuts gets smaller, we often find ourselves over budget with the realities of a few more months before retreats/programs/registrations and donations fuel our coffers. We have an idea
that can help during The Mountain's lean winter months - Sustaining Donors!
I
want to discuss with each of you the role of our Sus-
taining Donors. Sustaining Donors spread their Annual
Donation over the entire year through a monthly or quarterly credit card or bank account debit. Not only do Sustaining Donors help us meet Operations Expenses (paying bills and staff), but their commitment helps
Administrative planning. We know what to expect.
Will you please consider becoming a Sustaining Donor? If so, call the office and we'll help you get setup and in our system. It is hopeful that when you commit to becoming a Sustaining Donor, you will also benefit by spreading-out your much appreciated gift to The Mountain, and avoiding solicitations later in the y
ear. The needs are great and it is philanthropists like you who are making the difference.
Please help us create a win-win opportunity by becoming a Sustaining Donor at The Mountain. Call (828) 526-5838 and talk to Alex Willocks.
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| We're Growing Grass-roots!
Every donation is not simply money. It's an act of generosity expressing a special relationship with The Mountain: heartfelt memories, like values, a safe haven, the fun of MountainCamp, working together for a common Mission...
So, let's reframe our thinking about donations to honor the people behind their gifts - YOU!
During 2015, we're going to begin our donations reframe by measuring the % of our donors who make a donation - regardless of size. Of course we have our Annual Campaign's monetary goal for 2015 - that's fiscal responsibility. In addition, we're tallying another facet of our donors' giving - a personal dimension. When you see our Tower with the proverbial thermometer measuring how we're doing reaching our Annual Campaign Goal, you'll see on the other side of the Tower another thermometer measuring the % of our donors who have given in 2015.
This reframe is about appreciating YOU, as well as the many ways of giving: volunteering, financial, advocacy, leveraging...ALL will be measured! It is about what occurs at the grassroots, within each of your minds and hearts, and how that is expressed supporting The Mountain throughout 2015.
"Our Grass is Growing Greener, Our Roots Deeper" - Huldah
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Ted's Mountain Dream Wish List
Daydreams Wish List Naps Camping Supplies: lanterns, stoves Arts and Craft Supplies Archery Supplies: Bows, Targets, Arrows Canoe Equipment: PFDs, paddles, repair kits Belt Sander Field Guide Books Nature Study Materials: magnifying glasses, microscope REM Dreams Generator Pressure Washer Dehumidifiers Computer for weather station (Run Vista or Microsoft 7 or better) Paddle Boards Lucid Dreams Gator/ Mule/ Golf Cart AWD Vehicle Chipper Cucumber Dreams (Many Hands Peace Farm) Hand Tools: digging fork, broad fork, spades, hoes (different kinds), hand pruners, rakes, soil blockers, flame weeder, garden hoses, watering cans, rain barrels, deep wash tub, sprayer, long handled sprayer, row covers, trellis clips, soil thermometer, remote sensor thermometer, Ph meter, multi meter, pipe insulation, greenhouse tape, drip irrigation fittings, vermiculture bin, compost bin, grow lights, LARGE potting planters- 5 gal or larger, 2x12 wood planks, seed, fruit trees, sun dial Interns & Teaching: classroom/office materials, laptop Our Critters: wire fabric, electric (solar powered) fencing
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