Unicamp will host two workshops for writers this year — one is a weekend writing workshop on Writing Children’s Stories (held June 1-3) and the other is a weeklong writing workshop called Write Your Life (August 20-24).

WRITING CHILDREN’S STORIES (June 1-3)

Anne Bokma

Have you always dreamed of writing a children’s story? This workshop will inspire you to get those stories down on paper. Bring your ideas and we’ll explore together the elements that make for great children’s literature. We’ll read published stories (bring a copy of a favourite children’s story to share) and engage in exercises to get our creative juices flowing. Opportunities for solo writing time will be built into the schedule.

Facilitator Anne Bokma is an award-winning freelance journalist who contributes to many well known Canadian magazines including Canadian Living, More, Today’s Parent, MoneySense and the United Church Observer (you can check out her writing at www.annebokma.ca) . She enjoys writing children’s stories and dreams of getting one published some day. Cost: $40. Info: annebokma@cogeco.ca

WRITE YOUR LIFE (August 20-24)

Valerie Nielsen

Have you always had an interest in writing, but didn’t know where to start? Or have you been writing for a while and would like some feedback on the merits of your work? You may be happy keeping a journal for your own spiritual practice. Or you may dream of writing the “great Canadian novel.” Whatever your skill or interest, you are most welcome to join a group of like-minded folk at Unicamp.

Facilitator Valerie Nielsen  will lead this third annual Writers’ Retreat at Unicamp. This year the retreat will concentrate on Memoirs. Bring old photos, letters, memorabilia, an open heart and mind, and of course, writing materials. The workshop will offer plenty of opportunities to write personal stories which can be developed into a memoir. Learn how you can create a legacy of love for your family and friends. No writing experience necessary. We will share some ritual, movement and music, and create a balance of solitude and sharing. Participants who wish can arrange one to one appointments with Valerie to discuss their work. Come and be inspired by the beauty of Unicamp and the support of kindred spirits.

Valerie has been facilitating The Writers’ Circle at The First Unitarian Church of Hamilton for eight years. One of her favourite activities is leading  retreats and workshops on creativity and spirituality which she has done all her adult life. Valerie has a B.A. in Religious Studies and English Literature from The University of Toronto and an M.R.E. (Masters in Religious Education) from Emmanuel College, Toronto School of Theology. Her professional background includes teaching, counseling and ministry. She is also  President of The Tower Poetry Society, one of the oldest poetry collectives in North America. Her own book of poetry is called Green Light.

For more information contact Valerie at valerie01@sympatico.ca   (905) 643-5425.

Write Your Life takes place from Monday August 20th at 7.30 p.m. until Friday August 24th at noon. The Program fee: $150

Join Artist-in-Residence Lauren Renzetti for a weekend of fun for all ages (4-104) art projects. Materials provided. Program fee: $50 for the full weekend $30 for Saturday. laurenanddave@rogers.com.

August 26 to 31: PLEIN AIR RETREAT

with Artist-in-Residence Lauren Renzetti. Using Unicamp and environs as our inspiration with its picturesque vistas, mossy craggy caves, dappled ponds, rolling hills, fantastic forests and expansive skies. We will explore the perfect location and capture the light of morning, afternoon, dusk and sunset. In three sessions a day create a series of works in your media of choice with on location drawing and painting. Be introduced to a variety of techniques and strategies to create interesting composition. Use colour theory to create depth. End the day with a constructive critique. Discussion of Tom Thompson, Emily Carr, The Group of Seven and David Milne will also help round out this weekend immersion into the Canadian Landscape. For adults and teens (ages 12 and up). Bring your own materials. For enquiries, materials list: laurenanddave@rogers.com Don’t worry you will get a chance to swim too!

A landscape can be a close-up of plants or mushrooms.

Emily Carr's Landscape, which is similar to Unicamp.

Program fee: $150 per participant (for a 5 day program) or $30 per day.

Accommodation and Food extra.

Registration: 519-925-6432 or http://unicampofontario.ca/register

Unicamp is a sacred and magical place where groups of like- minded individuals come together in community. They work, play, swim, hike, explore, sing, drum, dance, eat and congregate together. It is a relaxed, safe place full of nature. I have been going for 30 years.

Unitarian Chalice, back lit on plexiglass installed in the Program Centre in 2005 by Lauren

I use art as the vehicle or a metaphor to start many dialogues. In art there is always many solutions, all equally good. We sometimes forget life is like this as well. I have art making workshops daily, with up to 25 people of all ages. I get many repeat students- who want to develop a technique or like myself, just find joy in making. This time is organic. I put out supplies and make some suggestions about what we are making. The work they make does not always go home with them; it gets installed in dorms, cottages, outhouses and the dining hall.

Community art making is taken a step further when a single work is given to many to solve or be involved in. The Monks of Tibet work together in groups of 4 to make sand mandalas. These are pain staking temporary works that take several days to make and one strong wind to obliterate. I took this example and made groups of four people to create more permanent mandala drawings. With projects that have many hands working on it like mandalas, people need to interact with each other negotiating what will be done next. They need to make allowance for ability, someone’s personality or preference and sometimes bargain or relinquish depending on those wants, needs or abilities.

With art there does not always need to be too much conscious thought, the decision making process happens fluidly once the initial marks are made. Children fall into making with no hang-ups and immediately know what colour they like and what will be drawn. Adults have emotional baggage about how “good or bad” they are at art. I will often encourage children to encourage adults. If a child can do it why can’t they? The unease softens as the work develops.

Examples of Mandalas made by 4 or more people in marker.

In the case of the frog painting I wanted the very young (2-3 yrs old) to participate but they needed to understand they could only paint one square and to be mindful of other’s work. They were given squares on the outer edge because they could not reach the middle. At one point some participants painted many squares unknowing about the one square rule. They allowed others to paint over most of their squares. I had older more seasoned participants who had not had a turn, paint over these squares, to help unify the piece, mostly with glazes overtop of the more enthusiastic but less technically accurate squares. This was done with many on lookers and much discussion of “is this ok” “lets be mindful of the intent of the artist”.

Frog painting 2009 with over 244 participants created to celebrate Unicamps 40th Anniversary

Last summer during the turtle painting many staff were too busy to participate, but I thought it important that they did. I gave them the opportunity to finish off the piece with a simple black line to even out the border. The metaphor for keeping this painting on track was not lost on them. I was the facilitator of both pieces. My job was to encourage all to participate and create cohesion. Cohesion, lasting memories and especially Community were all achieved. If you would like to be part of this summer’s project we plan to paint a family of dragonflies. All will be welcomed to Unicamp and to the painting.

Turtle Painting in 2011 with over 100 participants painted during the month of August

Lauren McKinley Renzetti
also instructor at Art Works Art School & the AGO in Toronto.

The Red Cross course will cost $60.00, which includes a manual and a certificate (these courses usually cost $120 – $150 in the City) and the Food Handler’s Course will cost $25.00, which includes a manual and a certificate.

If you’d like to join us, please contact Wanda Gordon at admin@unicampofontario.ca

The new Seasonal Campers representative on the Unicamp board of directors is Kendrew Pape. Kendrew has been a seasonal camper on site #2 for several years with his family and is a member of the Neighbourhood Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Toronto. If you have questions or concerns about seasonal camping, please contact Kendrew by email. During the summer months you can often find him on his site or hiking the trails around camp. Kendrew and his family usually spend most of August at Unicamp.

Seasonal sites available

Unicamp has three seasonal sites available next summer. To rent a seasonal site, you need to be a member of a UU congregation or a private member of the CUC or the Church of the Larger Fellowship and you need to have attended Unicamp for at least one year. Seasonal campers are allowed on site from when the water is turned on at the end of April until it’s turned off, sometime around Thanksgiving. They can also be on the property during children’s camps when Unicamp is closed to non-seasonal campers. Cost for a site in 2010 was $935 plus $220 for each adult seasonal camper. Hydro cost was $110. 2011 rates have not yet been set. For more information contact Administrative Manager, Wanda Gordon at admin@unicampofontario.ca

Both of the new stoves are Drolet – Escape 1800 wood stoves, manufactured by Stove Builder International Inc, out of Quebec City, Quebec. They produce excellent heat – max of 68000 BTU/hr. EPA test (63% default efficiency), max of 75000 BTU/hr with seasoned cord wood.

Even with some bumps and hiccups, the summer was a great success. We had record numbers of campers and exciting new activities (archery, tuck shop, horseback riding, Cow Pye Theatre). Our hardworking staff cleared out a lot of the wood debris from the old pine forest and new life is sprouting up there. August was relatively quiet but there were a number of new families who discovered Unicamp for the first time and are excited to return again!

Summer 2011 is already in our minds and hearts, with planning underway. We’ve been gathering feedback and reflecting on ways to continue growing and nurturing campers, staff and everyone involved with Unicamp. Thank you again to all of you for your unique contributions to this healing place we share. However large or small, every effort is appreciated.

Many blessings for your winter!

Rebekah Jamieson, Unicamp Director 2010