Date
December 27, 2022 – January 1, 2023
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 are thoroughly engaged in four days filled with a diverse array of classes, evening programs, and late-night activities.
The Y at Watson Woods (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.
Tuition
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| 18 and up | $100 |
| Under 18 | Free |
| Newcomers (first in-person ECRS event) | Free |
Room & Board
Main Lodge
Dorm-style rooms with twin or bunk beds and shared bath; guests must bring sheets and towels.
| Occupancy | Per Person |
|---|---|
| Single (18+ only) | $530 |
| 2 per room (adult) | $380 |
| 2 per room (child 3-11) | $310 |
| 3 per room (adult) | $325 |
| 3 per room (child 3-11) | $260 |
| 4 per room (adult) | $310 |
| 4 per room (child 3-11) | $245 |
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 (18+ only) | $500 |
| 2 per room (adult) | $430 |
| 2 per room (child 3-11) | $360 |
West Wing
Attached to Main Lodge. Hotel-style rooms with two double beds, private bath, and carpeting; all linens supplied.
| Occupancy | Per Person |
|---|---|
| 2 per room (adult) | $500 |
| 2 per room (child 3-11) | $426 |
| 3 per room (adult) | $420 |
| 3 per room (child 3-11) | $349 |
| 4 per room (adult) | $380 |
| 4 per room (child 3-11) | $315 |
Schedule
- International Dance — All 4 days
An experience of other cultures through a variety of dances from around the world, chosen to move body, mind, and spirit. (Ages 9+)
- Posters with Lungs: Making Our Voices Visible About Contemporary Challenges — Teri Wilkinson All 4 days
Design visual message boards using paper cutting, layering, and collage that speak to change, rooted in cooperative playful community.
- Singing for Every Body and Soul — Roberta Kirn All 4 days
Roberta Kirn is a singer, percussionist, and dancer who shares easy-to-learn songs and chants from around the world, along with improvisational Circlesongs and body percussion, collected during her travels with The Song Exchange Project.
- The Write Stuff — All 4 days
Original writing exercises to stimulate creativity and break through writing blocks, then write from what you know best — the stories of your lives. (Age 15+, class size limited to 12)
- Songful Games — Days 1-2 and Days 3-4
Fast-paced and silly games with elements of improv and teamwork.
- Playing Music for Dance — Days 1-2
Playing a variety of tunes for square, contra, and international folk dancing, waltzes, and polkas. Bring an instrument.
- Informal Dramatics — Days 1-2
Use your imagination to bring whatever you choose to life through dramatic warm-ups, exercises, and games culminating in group skits.
- Transition with Intention — Days 3-4
Addresses any kind of life transition — get clearer about where you are and where you want to go, and leave with an action plan.
- Improv — Days 3-4
Come make it up as you go — no experience needed; newcomers and experienced improvisers equally welcome.
- Small Scenes — All 4 days
Using scripts, rehearse, perform, and discuss a collection of comedic and dramatic scenes.
- Israeli Dance — Days 1-2
A two-day dive into the diversity and origins of Israeli dance, from the classics of the 40s and 50s to modern day. All levels welcome.
- Table Games — Jack Marquess Days 1-2
A rotating selection of games introduced each day, then available in free time and late-night evening program.
- Singing Together Is Fun! — Barb Siftar Days 1-2
A two-day singing mini including singing and clapping games, rounds, harmonies, improvisations, and vocal warm-ups. Open to all ages.
- Games — Days 3-4
Games for all ages and abilities, with leadership strategies for bringing ECRS fun into other groups.
- Joy of Movement — and Marko Schmale Days 3-4
Explore and unleash your potential through joyful movement, dance, and purposeful moving. (Ages 11+)
- Printing Adinkra Symbols — Days 3-4
Create simplified Adinkra stamps for printing on paper, reflecting on the deeper meaning of the symbols, inspired by a trip to Ghana with the Witness Tree Institute.
- Children's Program Ages 5-11 Days 1-2 and Days 3-4
A completely integrated program mirroring the cooperative play ECRS is built on, cooperative-led during the remaining class period.
Policies
Health
Vaccination against COVID-19, including one booster dose, was required to attend (exemptions available by request). Attendees needed to present a negative rapid home test result on arrival and bring an unopened test to retest if symptoms occurred, plus complete a daily symptoms checklist. Anyone with symptoms or a positive test was required to quarantine on-site or return home, with a refund. Masking was optional.
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 →Beverly Pincus
Creative Writing
Dr. Beverly Pincus is a bilingual Licensed Clinical Psychologist with expertise in trauma treatment and Cross-Cultural Psychology, an award winning author of personal essay and poetry, and a teacher of Creative Writing. She has taught her playshop "The Write Stuff" at ECRS events over the last five years. This year, she is excited to be assisting in the Children's Program. Beverly's Bachelors degree is in Human Development and Family Studies and after completing her doctorate she worked for many years as a Child Psychologist, at NY Presbyterian Children's Hospital and later as Director of Psychology Training at NY Foundling. She is a former camp counselor who remembers all the silly songs more than forty years later!
A proud Colombian-American "Jewtina," Beverly loves to write, read, dance, travel, do yoga, go to live theater, take long walks in nature, enjoy good food (which she likes to cook) with good friends, and cuddle with her furry, funny cat Cole. She lives in New York City with her wonderfully wise elder sage of a mother, and the aforementioned cat.
Julie Lipson
Music and Improv
Julie and Miles are music therapists and musicians with more than 3 decades of experience facilitating musical community adventures. The two perform with Ants on a Log, a nationally acclaimed social-justice family music band. As facilitators, Miles and Julie create inclusive spaces for people to express themselves, make genuine connections, and have lots of fun!
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 →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 →Reed Dewey
Transition Coaching
Reed Dewey is a transition coach with What's Next Coaching. He supports clients who want to explore and plan for the life they want, and dream of having, especially in later life. Reed holds numerous coaching certifications and received his coach training from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (accredited through the International Coach Federation). Prior to his encore career, Reed was a senior leader at numerous local and national nonprofits. He ran the Montgomery County Volunteer Center where he supported thousands of volunteers and hundreds of nonprofit agencies. Visit Reed Dewey's website at www.whats-next.org.
View full profile →Isaac Lebwohl-Steiner
Improv and Drama
Isaac has been coming to ECRS his entire life and currently serves as Board Chair. He leads improv, cooperative and theater games, Small Scenes, and other ways to play at ECRS events. He has served on various committees over the years. He invites you to join him at ECRS for the same reason he leads here: to connect with a caring community and play, just because we can.
View full profile →Sharon Underberg
Folk Dancing
Sharon Underberg believes in the power of play and its importance for adults as well as children; her membership in ECRS since the age of 16 is a large foundation of this belief. As a pediatric radiologist, she combines state of the art high tech imaging with being able to sing all the verses of "The Wheels on the Bus," motions included. Her passions include live action role play, singing and acting. Sharon teaches folk dance workshops (ask her about teaching dance in Sweden and Finland) and works as a coordinator at ECRS events.
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 →Judi Powers
Movement
Judi has been a member of the ECRS family for over 10 years. She has her blue belt in NIA and is a certified instructor for Moving to Heal. She loves teaching joy of movement, moving your body's way. Dancing is an experience that can be so uplifting and healing on many levels; in a group it's just infectious! She lives in the Adirondack Mountains where she enjoys her many outdoor passions from skiing to gardening. She is a licensed Adirondack guide in hiking, camping and whitewater. She is part of the local theater group of dancing witches. Hope you come join me and share some smiles!
View full profile →