Date
December 27, 2023 – January 1, 2024
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. Four days filled with a diverse array of classes (improv to introspection, crafts to collaborative games, and much more), plus evening programs of games, dancing, music-making, informal dramatics, and sing-alongs. Not a fan of typical New Year's Eve parties? Celebrate the uniquely ECRS way.
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 |
|---|---|
| Adults (18+), early rate | $110 |
| Adults (18+), late rate | $160 |
| Children (13-17), early rate | $55 |
| Children (13-17), late rate | $80 |
| Children (0-12) | Free |
| Newcomers (first multi-day 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 (adult) | $539 |
| 2 per room (adult) | $395 |
| 2 per room (child 6-12) | $352 |
| 3 per room (adult) | $347 |
| 3 per room (child 6-12) | $304 |
| 4 per room (adult) | $323 |
| 4 per room (child 6-12) | $281 |
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 (adult) | $520 |
| 2 per room (adult) | $386 |
| 2 per room (child 6-12) | $342 |
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) | $521 |
| 2 per room (child 6-12) | $472 |
| 3 per room (adult) | $434 |
| 3 per room (child 6-12) | $388 |
| 4 per room (adult) | $390 |
| 4 per room (child 6-12) | $345 |
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, from dinner on December 27 through breakfast on January 1.
Served family-style; vegetarian and gluten-free options available.
Schedule
- International Folk Dance — All 4 days
- Scottish Country Dancing — Days 3–4
- Wood Carving — All 4 days
- Informal Dramatics — Days 3–4
- Storytelling — Days 1–2
- Sing and Play Instruments — Days 1–2
- A Cappella Songs from the Sea and the City — Days 3–4
- Late Night Dance — , , and Days 1–2
- Breakthrough Decluttering — Bari Prince Days 1–2
- A Journey to Self-Kindness — Days 3–4
- The Write Stuff — All 4 days
Through fun original writing exercises we'll stimulate creativity and break through writing blocks. You'll write the stories of your lives in a safe, supportive environment.
- Party Games for All Ages — Trevor the Games Man Days 3–4
- Improv Theater — Howard Moody Days 1–2
- Small Scenes — Glenn Lebwohl-Steiner All 4 days
Using scripts, we rehearse, perform, and discuss a collection of comedic and dramatic scenes. Explore, discover, and create!
- Posters with Wings — Teri Wilkinson All 4 days
- Dynamic Group Leadership — Days 1–2
- Collaborative Board Games — Days 3–4
- Active Games for Teens and Adults — Trevor the Games Man Days 1–2
- The Children's March — Carolyn Peters Michener Days 3–4
- Joy of Movement — Days 3–4
New to ECRS? An anonymous donor provided funds to support new(ish) attendees or those with financial need.
Policies
Health
Vaccination against COVID-19 was strongly encouraged but not required. Attendees needed to present a negative rapid test result on arrival and again on day 3 (tests provided by ECRS), and to complete a symptoms checklist. Anyone with symptoms, a positive test, or recent COVID exposure was asked to stay home (with a refund). Masking was optional except when required after quarantining.
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 →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 →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 →Frank Baskin
At ECRS Frank hopes that people will see how having fun requires leaders with the appropriate skills to lead. Outside of ECRS Frank has been a social worker who works on behalf of both individuals and all older adults. He also teaches several college courses.
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 →Max Kaye
Max is a long-time Winter Adventure participant who loves music, games, and the ECRS family! He is originally from Massachusetts and currently lives in Montreal, Canada. He has co-led Winter Adventure's children's program.
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 →Bonnie Ostrofsky
Music and Ukulele
ECRS history: member for 30 years, past Board member, and current chairperson of the Programming and Staffing committee. Enjoys the opportunity to play games, dance, sing, and play music together. Leads a monthly ukulele "jam" (play and singalong) in eastern PA.
View full profile →Celia Nicholson
Celia is from Stow, MA, and studied at Haverford College. Things Celia loves include spending time with friends and family, making art of all kinds, farming, learning, dancing, singing, swimming, and laughing. ECRS has been part of Celia's life since before she was even born, and it's really shaped who she is today. Celia has enjoyed co-teaching a class to the people who taught her!
View full profile →Carmen Siftar
Carmen has been raised in ECRS, attending with her family her entire life! She has previously taken on ECRS leadership roles collaborating with her cousins in the realms of dancing, crafting, and snacking. At ECRS she loves to make art, folk dance, sing, play, learn, and connect with community. Outside of ECRS, Carmen lives in Philadelphia and has been a toddler teacher, a farmer, a camp counselor, and a student.
View full profile →Sonia Nicholson
Sonia attended Haverford College (Class of 2026) and has been going to ECRS her whole life. At Haverford, she captained the Sneetch ultimate frisbee team and ran the folk dance club. Sonia loves working with kids and has served as a Children's Program coordinator at Winter Adventure.
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
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.