Family & Friends
Saturday, July 27 - Saturday, August 3, 2024
Saturday, July 27 - Saturday, August 3, 2024
Description
Workshops
Conference Leadership
Pricing
Description
Family and Friends has provided a safe and nurturing community for people of all ages, from all walks of life, since 1979 at Ferry Beach! We come together in community to grow, explore, learn, and build strong and lasting relationships! Family and Friends is the perfect vacation whether you come as a couple, an individual, a young adult, with your extended family, grandparents, or any combination of these. There will be something for everyone, with morning workshops and activities for adults, young adults and children. Multigenerational activities are plentiful in the afternoons and evenings.
No one has to cook or clean up on this vacation! Come off the beach in the late afternoon, join friends for social hour, then join everyone in the DeWolfe Dining Hall, where we have a variety of choices for all kinds of palates. So this summer, bring your spirit to the sea, stand upon the shore, and know you are home! Join us at Family & Friends, and discover or rediscover the magic that happens in the Ferry Beach community! Morning Adult Workshops Each morning there are a variety of workshops for adults to participate In while youth and children are in their own programs. The adult workshop selection is located in the "Workshops" tab above. Family and Friends Youth Groups During the week while the parents are in their morning workshops the children get to have their own workshop with their peers. The groups are broken down by age: 3-5 year olds (need to be potty trained), 6-7 year olds, 8-9 year olds, 10-12 year olds and Jr/Sr teens. The group age cutoffs can shift based on enrollment. The groups are led by at least 2 adults attending Family and Friends who have completed a background check. During the week you can expect to build a Covenant for the week, play games, create art and music, and learn about local ecology. The Jr/Sr teens typically will do a day trip. |
Now Offering a Summer Work/Play Program!Ferry Beach is offering the opportunity for young adults (ages 18-25) to experience work and play during their Family & Friends stay! Participants are expected to work 3 hours a day (areas of work vary-kitchen, maintenance, housekeeping, programming and will be assigned by Ferry Beach). In exchange for work, this individual's lodging & conference fee will be waived. The only cost individuals will occur is for food during their stay. Participants of this program will lodge in a campsite (possibly with another young adult).
*Note this program is limited to 4 individuals.* If you're interested in being a participant in this program please fill out the form below. |
Family and Friends Intergen Activities
Each evening and some afternoons there are scheduled intergen activities the whole family can take part in. Examples of some of our favorite activities during the week include:
Each evening and some afternoons there are scheduled intergen activities the whole family can take part in. Examples of some of our favorite activities during the week include:
- Trivia
- Sing down
- Ice cream social
- Masked ball
- Sandcastle contest
- UUlympics
- Talent No Talent Night
- Parade, closing circle & s'mores
Workshops
Acting with Catherine Bloom and Emma Howard
Come try the Family and Friends Acting Workshop! During this week, we will explore acting in various forms including improv, clown, scene study, and original monologues. The end of the week will culminate in a staged reading of a play.
Come try the Family and Friends Acting Workshop! During this week, we will explore acting in various forms including improv, clown, scene study, and original monologues. The end of the week will culminate in a staged reading of a play.
Outdoor Adventures with Donald Whisenhunt
Come explore the areas around Ferry Beach! This morning drop-in workshop will explore outdoor activities in and around the Ferry Beach campus and Saco Bay area. At least two activities will involve cycling so bring your bike! Some possible examples include a cycling/hiking trip to Peak’s Island, a jetty walk, and mini-golf. The full and final list of activities will be presented at the orientation. Some activities may have extra costs. Also, many of the activities will require driving to a starting point – carpooling will be encouraged! This year (2024) we are lucky that there is low tide at 2:35pm on Wednesday the 30th which allows for a walk/swim to the lighthouse (Stage Island Monument) that we can all see from the Beach. We will leave after lunch, drive over the U of New England - Biddeford and then walk/swim out the island (Stage Island) with the “lighthouse”. We will be back before dinner. The island is only accessible for an hour and a half so we will need to be punctual. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the beach!
Donald Whisenhunt has been coming to Ferry Beach for 24 years and spent 12 years as coordinator of FUUTURES, while also leading the outdoor adventure track.
Come explore the areas around Ferry Beach! This morning drop-in workshop will explore outdoor activities in and around the Ferry Beach campus and Saco Bay area. At least two activities will involve cycling so bring your bike! Some possible examples include a cycling/hiking trip to Peak’s Island, a jetty walk, and mini-golf. The full and final list of activities will be presented at the orientation. Some activities may have extra costs. Also, many of the activities will require driving to a starting point – carpooling will be encouraged! This year (2024) we are lucky that there is low tide at 2:35pm on Wednesday the 30th which allows for a walk/swim to the lighthouse (Stage Island Monument) that we can all see from the Beach. We will leave after lunch, drive over the U of New England - Biddeford and then walk/swim out the island (Stage Island) with the “lighthouse”. We will be back before dinner. The island is only accessible for an hour and a half so we will need to be punctual. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the beach!
Donald Whisenhunt has been coming to Ferry Beach for 24 years and spent 12 years as coordinator of FUUTURES, while also leading the outdoor adventure track.
Painting and Drawing with David Lewis
This drawing workshop will invite you to bring your curiosity! Every day, David will set up a pose or image for the group to work on and the group can share ideas about how to develop as an artist. It will be less a “teaching” class than an opportunity to try out (or develop) drawing skills within a context of creativity and conversation. Participants are also welcome to bring images they would like to draw, perhaps photos of their pets or landscapes.
David Lewis is a graduate of Pratt Institute Art School with a major in Illustration. His career spanned 50 years as a freelance illustrator focusing on advertising, television and packaging art. He worked for many of the major agencies and designers in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. His late wife Carolyn Burr and he always loved Ferry each and came together for many years before her death in 2020.
This drawing workshop will invite you to bring your curiosity! Every day, David will set up a pose or image for the group to work on and the group can share ideas about how to develop as an artist. It will be less a “teaching” class than an opportunity to try out (or develop) drawing skills within a context of creativity and conversation. Participants are also welcome to bring images they would like to draw, perhaps photos of their pets or landscapes.
David Lewis is a graduate of Pratt Institute Art School with a major in Illustration. His career spanned 50 years as a freelance illustrator focusing on advertising, television and packaging art. He worked for many of the major agencies and designers in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. His late wife Carolyn Burr and he always loved Ferry each and came together for many years before her death in 2020.
Finding and Sharing our Spirit with Thea Shapiro
We will delve into how we feed our spirit through writing, art, meditation, movement and sharing.
We will delve into how we feed our spirit through writing, art, meditation, movement and sharing.
- Here are a few of the questions we will be asking
- What is spirit?
- How does feeding our spirits help us offer more to the world.?
- What are some of the ways we can bring our love into action for the things that are important to our community and the world?
Working Around the Beach with Carol McIntyre Peale
Thirty years ago our family arrived at Family and Friends knowing very few people. My husband and I signed up for a service project, building the play structure outside Rowland Hall. During our time working on the play structure, we got to know the other work crew participants, enjoyed deep conversations and forged long lasting friendships. If you would like to give back to The Beach and enjoy doing odd jobs, gardening, repairs, painting, cleaning, this is a workshop for you.
Carol McIntyre-Peale, after thirty-eight years of teaching Elementary Special Education, Carol retired in 2015.
She has a long connection with Ferry Beach. She first came to Ferry Beach in 1989 when her daughter, Caitlin, was five and her son, Drew, was two. They all fell in love with The Beach. She taught during REWeek for five years. After their first summer, they added a second week exploring different conferences. They enjoyed CBD week, Exploring the Maine Coast, Basket Making, and Ecology Camp for Adults. With her husband, Jim, they coordinate our Keene UU Church Ferry Beach weekend every May. In 1994, they discovered the Family and Friends Conference and ever since have been regular participants. Now their son-in-law, Alex and grandson, Henry, join Caitlin and Uncle Drew at Family and Friends.
Thirty years ago our family arrived at Family and Friends knowing very few people. My husband and I signed up for a service project, building the play structure outside Rowland Hall. During our time working on the play structure, we got to know the other work crew participants, enjoyed deep conversations and forged long lasting friendships. If you would like to give back to The Beach and enjoy doing odd jobs, gardening, repairs, painting, cleaning, this is a workshop for you.
Carol McIntyre-Peale, after thirty-eight years of teaching Elementary Special Education, Carol retired in 2015.
She has a long connection with Ferry Beach. She first came to Ferry Beach in 1989 when her daughter, Caitlin, was five and her son, Drew, was two. They all fell in love with The Beach. She taught during REWeek for five years. After their first summer, they added a second week exploring different conferences. They enjoyed CBD week, Exploring the Maine Coast, Basket Making, and Ecology Camp for Adults. With her husband, Jim, they coordinate our Keene UU Church Ferry Beach weekend every May. In 1994, they discovered the Family and Friends Conference and ever since have been regular participants. Now their son-in-law, Alex and grandson, Henry, join Caitlin and Uncle Drew at Family and Friends.
Writing with Sharon O'Brien
Yoga with Maggie Stonecash
Come spend the week mindfully moving, breathing, feeling, learning, and being present in new ways in your body. We will dive into establishing safety and trust in your body and developing an intelligent movement practice that supports functional strength, builds mobility, and allows you to experience more joy, ease, and connection with yourself. In addition to typical yoga practices, you will gain a foundational understanding of breathing, alignment, and core engagement strategies that support core and pelvic floor health. You will explore movement tools for your shoulders, upper back, hips, and feet. We will also explore a variety of practices to reset the nervous system. Come home to your body with confidence, love, and compassion.
All levels are welcome. No experience necessary.
Maggie Stonecash (MEd, RYT, RYC teacher) is a yoga & mindfulness instructor, educator and professional development coach in schools, and Restore Your Core ® teacher who specializes in core and pelvic floor rehab, back pain, hip pain, and shoulder mobility. Maggie’s classes weave together intelligent functional strength, mobility, and somatic releasing movements for an empowering and relaxing experience. She has been a teacher since 2012 and loves helping people soothe their nervous systems, and live with less pain and more kindness. Maggie lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania with her husband and two young children.
Come spend the week mindfully moving, breathing, feeling, learning, and being present in new ways in your body. We will dive into establishing safety and trust in your body and developing an intelligent movement practice that supports functional strength, builds mobility, and allows you to experience more joy, ease, and connection with yourself. In addition to typical yoga practices, you will gain a foundational understanding of breathing, alignment, and core engagement strategies that support core and pelvic floor health. You will explore movement tools for your shoulders, upper back, hips, and feet. We will also explore a variety of practices to reset the nervous system. Come home to your body with confidence, love, and compassion.
All levels are welcome. No experience necessary.
Maggie Stonecash (MEd, RYT, RYC teacher) is a yoga & mindfulness instructor, educator and professional development coach in schools, and Restore Your Core ® teacher who specializes in core and pelvic floor rehab, back pain, hip pain, and shoulder mobility. Maggie’s classes weave together intelligent functional strength, mobility, and somatic releasing movements for an empowering and relaxing experience. She has been a teacher since 2012 and loves helping people soothe their nervous systems, and live with less pain and more kindness. Maggie lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania with her husband and two young children.
Conference Leadership
Adult Coordinator:
Amy Farrell Amy is the Adult Coordinator for Family and Friends this year, organizing the workshops and helping all the other coordinators with their work. She absolutely loves Ferry Beach and the magical creativity and love that happens in the midst of so much beautiful nature and so many amazing people. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband John and cat Noodles and teaches at a small liberal arts college, Dickinson. They visit their adult kids Nick and Catherine as much as they can. (Well, Noodles stays at home.) |
Intergenerational Coordinator:
Mindy Whisenhunt Mindy is the lead Intergenerational Coordinator for Family and Friends this year. Mindy, her husband Donald, and her three adult children have enjoyed the radical hospitality and beloved community of Ferry Beach for 24 years. Mindy first came to the beach when she was a DRE (for professional development) and then as a coordinator for RE Week and the youth camp weeks, especially FUUTURES. She is a long-time public school teacher in Upstate New York, teaching middle school Spanish and traveling to Spanish-speaking countries as often as she can, sometimes taking students with her. She is thrilled to be coordinating intergenerational activities this summer! |
Intergenerational Coordinator:
Alice Corvo Alice is one of the Intergenerational Coordinators for Family and Friends this year. She has been coming to Family and Friends since she was born, and it’s absolutely her favorite place in the world. She led the 3-5 year olds for ten years, and is excited to now take on the challenge of helping to coordinate the conference. When not at Ferry Beach , Alice enjoys making theatre and music and reading voraciously. |
Children's Workshop Coordinator:
Diane D’Amour Diane is the Children’s Programming Coordinator for Family and Friends this year. She is a life long Unitarian-Universalist, an artist, teacher, mother, and dog lover, who meditates, writes poetry and loves helping people find joy and their own voice as well as laughter and perspective! |
Minister of the Week:
Rev. Michael Hall For those of you who weren’t able to attend last year’s Friends & Family gathering, here’s a few words about our minister-of-the-week, the Rev. Michael F. Hall---who returns to us for a second year. “I had such a wonderful time getting to know you all last year, I was hoping to join you again in 2023. To engage with and serve such an interesting, kind and inclusive group of people, and enjoy it with my beloved Jill and our youngest child Sylvie, at beautiful Ferry Beach was just a fantastic experience!” Rev. Michael is looking forward to working with Tim Horne and the coordinators once again, to leading Sunday worship and daily chapel in the Grove again--- a bucket list item he was able to check off last year, but it will never grow old---and to being there for you as needed. |
Musician of the Week:
Timothy Horne Tim Horne is thrilled to be back for his 2nd summer as Musician of the Week. Although new to Family and Friends, he is no stranger to Ferry Beach, having served as accompanist for ChoralFest for about 10 years. Tim has been the music director at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Oneonta, NY for more than 30 years. He also accompanies numerous choral ensembles at the high school, college, and community level. |
Pricing
Pricing per Person |
Adult: $602 (Includes Conference Fees + Meals) Youth: $469 (Includes Conference Fees + Meals) Adult (Commuter): $420 (Includes Conference Fees + Lunch Only) Youth (Commuter): $315 (Includes Conference Fees + Lunch Only) Adult: $266 (Conference Only) Youth: $196 (Conference Only) |
Lodging |
Lodging Prices Vary Base on Selection. See our Lodging Page for pricing information. |
Membership |
Membership must be paid to attend any Ferry Beach program and is due annually. Individual Membership: $35 Family Membership: $60 See our Membership Page to learn more and to purchase or renew a membership or add on to your reservation. |
Register |
To register online click here, by phone, call the office at 207-282-4489 You can also email registration@ferrybeach.org. |