Date
December 27, 2024 – January 1, 2025
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. There's nothing tedious or tiresome here — 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 |
|---|---|
| Ages 18+ | $100 |
| Ages 0-17 | 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 |
|---|---|
| 2 per room (adult) | $430 |
| 2 per room (child 6-12) | $375 |
| 3 per room (adult) | $380 |
| 3 per room (child 6-12) | $325 |
| 4 per room (adult) | $355 |
| 4 per room (child 6-12) | $305 |
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) | $575 |
West Wing
Attached to Main Lodge. Hotel-style rooms with two double beds, private bath, and carpeting; all linens supplied.
| Occupancy | Per Person |
|---|---|
| Single (adult) | $820 |
| 2 per room (adult) | $560 |
| 2 per room (child 6-12) | $495 |
| 3 per room (adult) | $470 |
| 3 per room (child 6-12) | $410 |
| 4 per room (adult) | $430 |
| 4 per room (child 6-12) | $370 |
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 Dancing — All 4 days
Come connect with cultures from around the world. Learn a variety of dances, fast and slow, in circles and in lines, serene, and joyful. Each dance will get us moving in body, mind, and spirit. No need to do them "right"!
- Scottish Country Dancing — Days 3–4
- Building Better Groups — Days 1–2
ECRS theory based on working with groups to create cohesive, cooperative experiences. Through experiential exercises, structured activities, and discussions, participants develop a working knowledge of group dynamics.
- Sketch Comedy Bootcamp — Days 1–2
Learn the secrets behind crafting hilarious sketches. We'll cover sketch comedy basics, view and deconstruct classic SNL sketches, brainstorm as a group, and craft a scene or two to perform together. No experience required.
- Chair Yoga — Days 1–2
Participants will use a chair to breathe and move. Each pose will be brief and we will experience a variety of poses. We will also do some standing near or with our chair.
- Smorgasbord — Days 3–4
An opportunity for any participant to lead an activity — singing, games, dance, or other creative pursuits. Optional leadership feedback provided.
- The Write Stuff — All 4 days
Through fun original writing exercises we'll stimulate creativity and break through writing blocks. After playful warm-ups, you'll write the stories of your lives in a safe, supportive environment. An optional opportunity to share your work with the larger community.
- Relax with Board and Table Games — Days 1–2
Enjoy relaxing with friends over new or old games. Play an old favorite, or learn a new game. Bring your own game to share!
- Sing and Play Music Together — Days 3–4
- Aging Well at Any Age — Days 1–2
- Musical Improv — and All 4 days
- Artful Hats and Fascinators — Days 1–4 (2×2)
- Explore Your Encore — Days 3–4
Explore your post-career ideas with others to gain knowledge and insights. Think about where you are now and where you want to go. Geared to anyone age 50 and older.
- How to Change the Games We All Play — Days 1–2
- Re-Play: Taking What We Know and Making it Grow — Days 3–4
- Zines! — and Days 1–4 (2×2)
Making zines — small paper books that anyone can make about anything. Colorful supplies, good vibes, and a loose structure to work with.
- ECRS Dance Favorites — Days 1–2
- Small Scenes — Days 1–2
Using scripts (no memorizing required!) we'll rehearse, perform, and discuss a collection of comedic and dramatic scenes. Explore, discover, and create!
- Children's Program — All 4 days
A completely integrated program for children ages 5–11 during two class periods. Games, crafts, songs, and more — mirroring the cooperative play that ECRS is built on.
New to ECRS? Is this your first multi-day ECRS event? Newcomers get free tuition!
Policies
Health
During the week before Winter Adventure, please mask in crowded indoor spaces and monitor your health. If you have any signs of illness, we ask you not to come, and will give you a full refund.
Event Staff
- Tech/AV Support:
- Staff Coordinator: Frank Baskin
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 →Allie Cliffe
Improv and Sketch Comedy
While Allie's education and work background is in astrophysics and biomedical science writing, her true passion lies in writing and performing outside her comfort zone - the comedic arts. A self-proclaimed creative trapped in a scientist's body, Allie is in a local sketch comedy group up in Portland, Maine and has graced the stages of the Portland Fringe Festival, the Portland Maine Comedy Festival, and recently tickled funny bones at a Halloween show at Three of Strong Distillery. Join her for "Sketch Comedy Bootcamp - From Saturday Night Live to YOUR Life" and discover how to unleash your inner comedian, no matter your background!
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 →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 →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 →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.
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 →Za McDonnell
Personal Growth
Za McDonnell has over 30 years of experience as a psychotherapist working with individuals, couples and groups. She is trained in Jungian depth psychology, humanistic and relational psychology, cognitive behavioral techniques, and Eastern mindfulness psychology. When not working she loves spending time hiking, dancing and cross country skiing.
View full profile →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 →Miles Crabtree
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 →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 →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 →Phyllis Lerner
Two highlights of Phyllis Lerner's primary school days were "PE and recess" when she was often selected first for kickball games. She started as a Physical Educator and has always carried movement into teaching and learning. Retired from the Johns Hopkins University Graduate School of Education's National Teach For America program, Phyllis has spent eight winters at Rwanda's Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village, a post-genocide high school for orphaned and vulnerable students.
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 →Tom Helde
Tech/AV Support
Tom provides sound and other A/V support at Winter Adventure. Outside ECRS, Tom volunteers for his church as a video producer on live-streamed services and is their lighting designer/operator for special events. Before raising his kids, Tom volunteered as a sound operator for dances, concerts, and festivals in the DC area folk music community, and worked on lighting in college and community theater.
View full profile →