Winter Adventure 2025 ===================== WHEN ---- December 27, 2025 – January 1, 2026 Starts 4:00 PM · Ends 10:30 AM WHERE ----- The Y at Watson Woods Painted Post, NY EARLY-BIRD DEADLINE ------------------- Wed Dec 03 2025 Register by this date to avoid a late fee ($50 per adult, $25 per child). REGISTER BY ----------- Sat Dec 20 2025 ABOUT ----- ECRS Winter Adventure is a creative and joyous alternative holiday experience — four days of classes, games, dancing, singing, and community at Watson Homestead. TUITION ------- Ages 18 and up: $110 Ages 0–17: Free Tuition is waived for children and teens. ROOM & BOARD ------------ Main Lodge Dorm-style rooms with twin or bunk beds, and shared bath; guests must bring sheets and towels. Ages 0–5 are free, ages 6–12 are "Child," and ages 13+ are "Adult." 2 per room — Adult: $430 2 per room — Child: $375 3 per room — Adult: $380 3 per room — Child: $325 4 per room — Adult: $355 4 per room — Child: $305 Hillside A short walk up a hill from Main Lodge. A limited number of rooms with shared baths in this two-story house; guests must bring sheets and towels. Single occupancy is restricted to age 18 and above. Single — Adult: $575 West Wing Attached to Main Lodge. Hotel-style rooms with two double beds, private bath, and carpeting; all linens (blankets, sheets, towels, and pillows) are supplied. Single — Adult: $820 2 per room — Adult: $560 2 per room — Child: $495 3 per room — Adult: $470 3 per room — Child: $410 4 per room — Adult: $430 4 per room — Child: $370 MEALS ----- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, from dinner on December 27 through breakfast on January 1. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available (specify when you register). Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are available all day, with a snack served after Evening Program. SCHEDULE -------- MORNING, FIRST PERIOD International Folk Dance — Patricia Williams (Ages 12+) All 4 days Come connect with cultures from around the world through dance. Whether fast or slow, in circles or in lines, serene, joyful, or anything in between, every dance can move us in body, mind, and spirit. Great music, great exercise, great fun, great community! No partner necessary, and absolutely no need to do them "right"! Leadership Playground — Kim Neubauer (Ages 15+) All 4 days [Limited capacity] Welcome experienced and aspiring leaders! We'll unpack ECRS's magic and emerge with insights, ideas, sharpened skills, and greater self-awareness. You are encouraged to propose — in advance — an activity (game, dance, song, craft, or discussion) you'd like to lead. Come to play, lead, reflect, learn, and to become an integral part of ECRS's future. Chair Yoga — Judi Powers (Ages 12+) Days 1–2 Stretch your body, relax and feel renewed with Chair Yoga. Yoga poses and exercises done in a chair or standing next to a chair. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a water bottle. Breathe and Be — Heather Klemanski (Ages 12+) Days 3–4 A gentle introduction to mindfulness through breath, easy movement, and self-compassion. You'll explore simple practices to slow down, reconnect, and manage stress. The final session closes with a calming sound bath. No experience is needed — come as you are. Children's Program/Preschool — Lisa Natale, Susannah Duncan, Camden Elliott-Williams All 4 days Why should the grown-ups have all the fun? ECRS offers a completely integrated program for children ages 2–11 during two class periods. Children may learn new games, create new crafts, sing silly songs, or even get the chance to share activities they have fun doing at home. Depending on age and interest, they may take a field trip to experience the more kid-friendly adult classes! Children's Program is first and third periods only; a cooperatively-led Children's Program staffed by parents and volunteers runs second period. MORNING, SECOND PERIOD Sketch 101: From Blank Page to Big Laughs — Allie Cliffe (Ages 12+) All 4 days Turn your everyday observations into laugh-out-loud sketches! Learn the fundamentals of sketch comedy writing through a proven step-by-step process. We'll work in small groups to craft original three-minute scenes from the funny moments hiding in your daily life. No experience required — just bring your sense of humor and willingness to play. Sacred Circle Dances — Sharon Underberg (Ages 12+) Days 1–2 Circle Dancing is a folk art danced together around a central focus point. These tend to be simpler dances held for a longer period of time, encouraging each of us to sink into the rhythmic movement. Open to all levels of experience and fitness. Games! — Lane Neubauer, Heather Klemanski (Ages 12+) Days 1–2 Lots of games! Some new, some old, some active, some quiet, lots of laughter, ALL FUN! For all ages and abilities, with leadership strategies to bring the ECRS spirit into your everyday groups. Crafts: Deck the Halls — Kay Gering (Ages 12+) Days 1–2 [Limited capacity] Join the merriment as we create décor for our New Year's Eve celebration. Follow preplanned designs or bring your festive imagination to make a winter wonderland for a peace- and wonder-full New Year. Empathy Games — Rob Eames (Ages 12+) Days 3–4 In this interactive workshop, we'll use empathy games to explore interpersonal connection and support. Each activity builds toward deeper connection and a shared understanding of the meaning of interdependence. Come curious, leave connected. Joy of Movement: Moving to Heal — Judi Powers Days 3–4 Let's dance and stretch your body's way. Music and dance will be fun, playful, and healing. All levels invited — you'll be encouraged to modify to your body's needs. All ages welcome. Cooperative Children's Program/Preschool All 4 days Group activities organized and staffed by parents and volunteers. We will create a sign-up sheet and there will be a room designated with some materials to share. AFTERNOON Relax with Board and Word Games — Bonnie Ostrofsky (Ages 12+) Days 1–2 Enjoy relaxing with friends over new or old games. Play an old favorite, or learn a new game. Bring your own to share! Small Scenes — Isaac Lebwohl-Steiner (Ages 12+) Days 1–2 [Limited capacity] Using scripts (no memorizing required!) we'll rehearse, perform, and discuss a collection of scenes. Comedy, drama, we have it all. Explore, discover, and create! Hat Game — Josh Silverbauer, Rachael Silverbauer (Ages 12+) Days 1–2 [Limited capacity] Equal parts ice-breaker, improv lab, and rapid-fire creativity workshop. Every participant writes a brief activity prompt and drops it into a hat — then we bring them to life. Improv Games — Isaac Lebwohl-Steiner (Ages 12+) Days 3–4 Are you ready? No? Perfect! Come make it up as you go. We'll learn a little, play a lot, and laugh too much. No experience needed. Explore Your Encore — Reed Dewey (Ages 50+) Days 3–4 Explore your post-career ideas for life with others. Geared to anyone age 50 and older. Leave with new ideas, insights, and an action plan. Rock Opera Build — Josh Silverbauer, Rachael Silverbauer (Ages 12+) Days 3–4 [Limited capacity] A mini-lab guiding participants through the creative arc of producing an original rock opera — from seed idea to song building. No prior music theory required. Children's Program — Lisa Natale, Susannah Duncan, Camden Elliott-Williams All 4 days Why should the grown-ups have all the fun? ECRS offers a completely integrated program for children ages 2–11 during two class periods. Children may learn new games, create new crafts, sing silly songs, and more. CANCELLATION POLICY ------------------- Cancellations before the refund cutoff receive a refund of Room & Board fees; tuition is non-refundable. Cancellations after the cutoff are not eligible for a refund, since ECRS has already committed to Watson Homestead based on final attendance numbers — except for a communicable illness (such as COVID-19, flu, or other contagious conditions), which qualifies for a 50% refund of the total registration. Please contact us as soon as possible if this situation arises. HEALTH POLICY ------------- During the week before Winter Adventure, please mask when in crowded indoor spaces and monitor your health. If you are sick, we ask that you not come. EVENT STAFF ----------- Staff Coordinator: Karen Wisnia Business Manager: Gabriella Frisone Assistant Business Manager: Zsuzsi Nagy Programs for All Co-Coordinator: Hugh Abrams-Helde Tech/AV Support: Tom Helde TAGS ---- multi-day, new-year