Date
December 27, 2019 – January 1, 2020
Starts 4:00 PM · Ends 10:30 AM
Location
The Y at Watson Woods
Painted Post, NY
ECRS Winter Adventure is a creative and joyous alternative holiday experience. Young and old alike enjoy a diverse array of classes (improv to introspection, crafts to collaborating games, and much more), plus breaks and free time for relaxing or leading your own recreational activities. A dedicated children's program makes sure our youngest members have as much fun as the grown-ups during class times.
This year introduced "pay-what-you-can" pricing for room and board — the listed price is the break-even cost, and attendees were invited to pay more to support others or less if it would strain their budget.
Watson Homestead is a conference center on 600 beautiful acres near Corning, NY, wheelchair accessible and ideally situated for winter sports and local attractions including sledding, hiking, and the nearby Corning Museum of Glass.
Room & Board
Main Lodge
Dorm-style rooms with twin or bunk beds and shared bath; guests must bring sheets and towels.
| Occupancy | Per Person |
|---|---|
| Room | $215 |
| Single | $265 |
West Wing
Attached to Main Lodge. Hotel-style rooms with two double beds, private bath, and carpeting; all linens supplied.
| Occupancy | Per Person |
|---|---|
| Room | $430 |
| Single | $650 |
Hillside
A short walk up a hill from Main Lodge; limited rooms with shared baths. Guests must bring sheets and towels.
| Occupancy | Per Person |
|---|---|
| Single | $340 |
Retreat Center
New this year — eight bedrooms with two bunk beds each, two shared bathrooms, a fireplace and living room. A short walk from the Main Lodge.
| Occupancy | Per Person |
|---|---|
| Room | $160 |
Meals
Meals are $195 per person for the event (less than $40/day).
Schedule
Morning, first period
- Folk Dancing —
Experience the magic of folk dances from all over the world — fun, exercise, connection to other cultures, great music, and a sense of community. All are welcome, from new dancers to experts. (Ages 11+)
- Crank It Up: An Introduction to the Cranky — Teri Wilkinson and
A "cranky" is a folk-art form — a hand-cranked scroll of scenery creating a slow-moving picture story, often narrated or accompanied by music. Create your own using paper tubes, cardboard boxes, and scrolls of thin paper. (Age 12+, class size limited to 16)
- Children's Program — Tim Siftar Ages 5-11
- Conscious Communication — Howard Moody
Learn the basic principles of communicating your feelings and needs in an environment of acceptance and empathy, with an emphasis on supportive deep listening. (Age 16+, class size limited to 20)
- Laughter Wellness — Trevor Smith
A performance-based, structured health and wellness mini using interactive exercises and games to explore laughter for stress management, community-building, and strengthening the immune system.
- Informal Dramatics —
Use your imagination to bring whatever you choose to life through creative dramatic warm-ups, exercises, and games, culminating in small group skits. (Age 11+)
Morning, first and second period
- Joy of Singing —
For anyone who loves to sing — folk and folk/rock standards, rounds, doo-wop/a cappella, blues, Broadway, and more. (Age 9+)
Morning, second period
- Small Scenes — Glenn Lebwohl-Steiner
Read actual scenes from plays and screen, rehearse, perform for the class, and discuss them afterward. No prior experience necessary. (Age 15+, class size limited to 16)
- Children's Cooperative Program
A volunteer effort — parents of young children and other ECRS adults sign up to nurture and play with ECRS members-in-development.
- Active Games — Howard Moody
New games, energizers, tag games, circle games, team-building games, trust activities, and more. (Ages 10+)
- Story Theater — Robin Bady
Learn about story theater and improvisation, then choose or create a fairy or folk tale to develop in small groups and present. (Ages 9+)
- Building Better Groups: Understanding Group Dynamics —
A theory course helping participants develop a working knowledge of group dynamics through experiential exercises and discussions. (Age 15+)
- Artful Affirmations Cards — Teri Wilkinson
Create postcard-size cards from cut letters, words, and pictures expressing supportive, empowering statements. (Age 8+, class size limited to 16)
Afternoon
- Woodcarving: Discover Your Hidden Potential —
Learn the basics of carving small instruments from wood — spoons, wands, drumsticks, totems. (Age 12+, class size limited to 12)
- An Improv Adventure — Debra Robert and
Embrace improv, games, and story building as a team, with a dash of mindfulness for good measure.
- Art and Mindfulness —
Experience creativity in a quiet, introspective environment, exploring new mediums and our own thoughts about the creative process. (Age 12+)
- Food, Glorious Food! — Donna Miller-Small and Frank Miller-Small
Explores the joys and challenges of food through film clips, read-aloud stories, music, art, and creative activities. (Age 15+, class size limited to 15)
- Late Night Dance — David Sherman
Learn dances from late-night dancing and the New Year's Eve after-party — a variety of circle, couple, and line dances. (Age 11+)
- Percussion Circle —
Expands a drum circle beyond just drums — an improvisational conversation where everyone has a voice. Share any instrument, or find something to jam with. (Age 12+)
- Personal Stories — Robin Bady
Craft ordinary life experiences into compelling narratives, leaving with at least two unique stories and a process for telling more. (Ages 9+ and families)
- Children's Program — Tim Siftar Ages 5-11
New to ECRS? Pay-what-you-can pricing: the listed cost is the break-even amount. If you can pay more, you support others who might not otherwise be able to attend; if it would strain your budget, pay what you are able.
Event Staff
- Business Manager: Donna Miller-Small
Patricia Williams
Folk Dance Instructor
Patricia has taught International Folk Dancing (IFD) at ECRS for many years, bringing dances from around the world to our community. Throughout the year she leads IFD and Scottish country dancing at community events, music and dance workshops, leadership development courses, fundraisers, and private celebrations. She is known for a warm and welcoming manner and a deep appreciation for the cultural nuances of dances. From novice to expert dancers, people find her instructions simple and clear, her enthusiasm infectious!
View full profile →Lane Neubauer
Leadership Theory
Lane has been attending ECRS since she was 11 (over 55 years!). She has been on staff many times teaching a variety of classes including Informal Dramatics, Games, Square Dancing, Group Dynamics and Leadership. She has been Staff Coordinator as well Evening Program Coordinator multiple times. Lane served on the ECRS Board and was Chair for two years of her three year term. Professionally, Lane was Associate Dean of Students for 17 years at La Salle University. She initiated and facilitated a Peer Education program and grew this to be over 60 students. Prior to La Salle, she was Director of 'Wellness Services' at Arcadia University for 10 years and was an Adjunct Faculty member teaching Group Dynamics to Masters level teachers; in this course, she incorporated ECRS philosophy in teaching teachers how to build a positive, inclusive climate with their students. Throughout her professional career as well as after she retired, Lane has been called upon by a variety of different populations to facilitate workshops focusing on team building, conflict resolution and leadership.
View full profile →Mark Schwartz
Music and Games
Mark Schwartz has been an ECRS member and leader for over forty years. He started his professional career as a recreation therapist, often using ECRS activities in his day-to-day work. He later moved into healthcare administration and is currently the Executive Director of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Cardiac Center. Mark is also a professional musician playing piano, guitar, banjo, and other instruments. He has led classes at ECRS over the years including various singing courses, playing music for dancing, and games.
View full profile →Stephen Kaye
Wood Carving and Crafting
Having learned Spoon Carving from Reinaldo Cruz at Camp Winni Steve returned to camp each summer to carve, whether there was a class or not. A neighbor, Vivekanand Pandey Vimal, had a tree fall and saved the wood, hoping someone would "honor" his magnificent fallen tree. So Steve began showing Vivek his wood carving. Their friendship grew, and the Sunday Wood Group was born. The group grows and changes, with new people joining alongside old friends. Just about every weekend, a group comes together to chat and carve. Steve continues to develop his teaching skills every weekend and hopes to bring that to ECRS Winter Adventure.
View full profile →Rain Woods
Late Night Dances
Rain Woods is the child of long-time ECRS love-birds Steve & Martha Woods, and a member from childhood. As an adult, they have regularly led crafts and dance classes and are always looking for an opportunity to goof around. Outside of camp, they spend their time working as an urban farmer in Chicago, IL, where they live with their partner Alice.
View full profile →Dan Nicholson
Dan has been an ECRS member for nearly 20 years with his spouse Julie Siftar and their two daughters, Celia and Sonia. At his home in Stow, MA, Dan enjoys making Raku pottery, sailing, and making videos for his local TV station. A retired high school art teacher, Dan has taught Percussion as well as Crafts classes at ECRS Winter Adventure.
View full profile →Julie Siftar
Crafts
Julie Siftar grew up attending ECRS programs. She has a degree in Art Education from Temple University and has been teaching Art in Massachusetts for 20+ years. "ECRS has been an essential influence in my teaching success."
View full profile →Heather Klemanski
Well-Being and Self-Compassion
Heather Klemanski is a well-being expert in stress management, mindfulness, and self-compassion. She empowers individuals and groups through transformations that build resilience, self-worth, and compassion. With qualifications in Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), Safe Space Facilitation, and Somatic Practices, Heather supports individuals navigating overwhelm, burnout, and emotional disconnection through a trauma-sensitive approach, gently guiding them back to balance and well-being.
With a love for creativity and play, whether it's making earrings, collaging, or weaving beauty into the everyday, Heather brings warmth, presence, and meaning into all she does. To learn more: heatherklemanski.com