Welcome to the WUULF website!
“Enchantments, Secrets, and Sacred Places”
Theme Speakers — Lesley Poling-Kempes, Nancy R. Bartlit, and David Gutierrez
June 22nd – 28th 2015
Dear Friends,
I extend a warm WUULF welcome to all experienced ‘Wuulfies’ and to all who are checking us out for the first time.
This June, UUs and like-minded folks will gather for a week at Ghost Ranch, near Abiquiu, New Mexico to create a community called WUULF. The week offers programming in outdoor, spiritual, intellectual activities and plenty of just plain fun. When you think of Ghost Ranch, think of staying in a Georgia O’Keefe landscape painting, as the environs play a huge role in the experience of WUULF.
This year’s theme is “Enchantments, Secrets and Sacred Places.” We will have three theme speakers – author Lesley Poling-Kempes, speaking on Writing with a Sense of Place; author/historian Nancy R. Bartlit, speaking on How Wildlife, Sacred to the Diné, Shaped a Navajo Code, Shortening WWII; and lecturer/instructor David Gutierrez, speaking on the Sacred Places of northern New Mexico. During the week there will be a wide variety of planned activities – some new like Memoir Writing and TED talks; others by popular request; such as square dancing, game night, rafting and To Tell the Truth and many others!
Our community minister will be Rev. Nathan Mesnikoff, director of spiritual care and volunteer services at Memorial Hospital: University of Colorado Health in Colorado Springs, CO. He will lead our in-gatherings, facilitate our Teen Changing Ceremony, offer talks on stress reduction, and he will be available for pastoral counseling and spiritual direction at various times throughout the week. His overall theme for the week will be “What Really Makes Us Happy?”
Our Young Adult (YA) group is growing and thriving, we are so blessed with their presence. Our co-leaders this year are Logan Shay, Spencer Shay and Kiver Woodruff. We will offer housing in the Young Adult dorms, though last year almost every YA camped, it was quite the scene! Please see the Young Adult section on page 20 for all details.
Registration is now open for WUULF 2015 and will remain open until May 1 or until camp fills. This year we are facing the challenge of Ghost Ranch raising their rates by 20%, so consequently for the first time in several years, we need to raise our rates as well. Due to an anonymous gift and the adroit work of our intrepid treasurer, Clare Pramuk, we are able to keep the room/board rate increase to 11% and the registration fee increase to 15%. We now need to charge a registration fee for Coyotes, but we will continue to waive the fee for Cubs. Indoor accommodations and RV campsites fill fast, so don’t delay if you are interested in one of those options. As always camping with a tent or a pop-up remains an affordable option, and the campground has excellent amenities such as a newly renovated bathhouse, laundry and an ice machine.
To enhance ongoing communication please make sure to provide a legible email address and do keep an eye on your inbox for updates and new information.
Finally, please read your catalog carefully to acquaint yourself with our programs and the grid of daily events. Also, review carefully the pack list (page 6) for information you will need to know to spend a comfortable week in this always beautiful and sometimes challenging desert environment. Bring your catalog to camp for a free raffle tickets at registration. Feel free to contact me personally if you have any questions or concerns. All of us on the board look forward to welcoming you into the WUULF community.
Warmly,
Jane Everham – Director, WUULF 2015