2012 River's Bend Programs
July 11 -14
The Earth and Divine Wisdom -
"The Earth is of God and the Fullness Thereof"
A guided retreat for personal reflection designed to explore the many facets of nature as a medium for spiritual understanding both from a Christian and world religion perspective. Participants will experience the rhythm of group sessions, times for solitude and walks in nature to sharpen their perceptions of the natural world. Opportunities for small group sharing, a campfire, star watch, gardening and a session in the giant redwoods will be woven into our experience of becoming present to nature’s wonder and bounty.
Leader: Dr. Sam Hamilton-Poore. Sam is the director of the Program in Christian Spirituality and assistant professor at the San Francisco Theological Seminary, a Presbyterian minister, spiritual director, father, grandfather, tide-pool enthusiast, and fumbling amateur musician. He is also author of Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation (Upper Room Books, 2009).
Cost: $340 includes 9 meals, three night dbl. occupancy in lodge. $290, rustic cabin. Camping $210, Private room, add $60. Wednesday dinner through Saturday lunch. 10% discount by June 15.
Leader: Dr. Sam Hamilton-Poore. Sam is the director of the Program in Christian Spirituality and assistant professor at the San Francisco Theological Seminary, a Presbyterian minister, spiritual director, father, grandfather, tide-pool enthusiast, and fumbling amateur musician. He is also author of Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation (Upper Room Books, 2009).
Cost: $340 includes 9 meals, three night dbl. occupancy in lodge. $290, rustic cabin. Camping $210, Private room, add $60. Wednesday dinner through Saturday lunch. 10% discount by June 15.
July 27 - 29 Come Home to Nature -
Intergenerational Family Weekend Reconnect, Rest, Discover
Activities for all ages . . . Guided activities to support exploration of the world of redwoods, river and meadows . . . discover and identify the animals and native plants of this place and uses, including opportunities for writing and art, make medicinal tea from our organic garden, play in the river or hike through the redwoods. Evening camp-fires, star-gazing, and night-time discovery.
Leaders: Maggie Owens – Elementary school teacher, Environmental Educator; Laurie Adams – Director, River’s Bend Summer Program, Permaculture and Nature Educator. With guest naturalists, including Cassidy Geppert , of Little Earthlings, Emerald Earth Sanctuary. Cost: includes Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast and 2 nights dbl. occupancy. Stay Thursday night Free!: Adults: Lodge and Vintage Cabins $250/ Rustic Cabin $215/ Tent Cabin $175/ Camping; $155. Youth (4 years to 16) Lodge or Rustic Cabin $170/ Tent camping or Camping $120. Special rates for families of 4 or more. Please inquire. 10% discount for registration by June 15.
Leaders: Maggie Owens – Elementary school teacher, Environmental Educator; Laurie Adams – Director, River’s Bend Summer Program, Permaculture and Nature Educator. With guest naturalists, including Cassidy Geppert , of Little Earthlings, Emerald Earth Sanctuary. Cost: includes Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast and 2 nights dbl. occupancy. Stay Thursday night Free!: Adults: Lodge and Vintage Cabins $250/ Rustic Cabin $215/ Tent Cabin $175/ Camping; $155. Youth (4 years to 16) Lodge or Rustic Cabin $170/ Tent camping or Camping $120. Special rates for families of 4 or more. Please inquire. 10% discount for registration by June 15.
July 30 – August 5 Arts and Music Week
This intergenerational camp, now in its 23rd year, provides the opportunity to explore your creative side through expert leadership in a variety of mediums: pottery, watercolor and mixed media, creative writing, music and drama. Youth (8 years and up will be engaged in creative dramatics. Younger children will be introduced to nature-based crafts and have the opportunity of two afternoon sessions at the pottery studio and/or watercolor. In addition there will be opportunities for adults to receive guidance in the writing of poetry and memoir, make music and/or glaze a pot. Evenings will be given over to campfires, group singing, brown bag dramatics, star-gazing and relaxation.
“Raku Pottery” Joel Bennett, assisted by Michael Hofmann
Joel has been a ceramic artist for over 38 years. He is currently on the faculty at Santa Rosa Junior College and has been active in the community as an artist-in-residence, art educator, and workshop instructor. An award-winning ceramist, Bennett’s work has been exhibited internationally and represented by galleries throughout California, the Southwest and Midwest.
We will begin with clay from the river, blended with other materials to create this year's Raku clay body. The "Vessel", in all its forms will be the focus of the workshop. Methods of handbuilding, such as pinching, coiling, slab construction, as well as wheel-throwing will be introduced. Textured surfaces and Raku glazing will be demonstrated. The workshop will culminate in an exciting evening of Raku firing!
Painting: Plein Aire and Landscape Kathleen Thompson
Kathleen received an MFA at the San Francisco Art Institute and is currently teaching at UCB-Extension in San Francisco. She has exhibited her work widely and is the recipient of numerous awards including the Richard Diebenkorn painting award. She is a working artist and lives in Sebastopol.
Explore watercolor and mixed media in a beautiful, natural setting. Meadows, forested mountains, the Navarro river and old growth redwoods are a few of the landscapes we will be painting this summer at Riverʼs Bend. In these morning sessions, the basics of landscape painting will be discussed and demonstrated. We’ll paint on location or in the shade garden. Students are encouraged to experiment and develop their personal vision in response to the landscape. Open to all skill levels. Materials fee: 45.00
Drama and Theatre Arts for Youth Jaime Love
Jaime is producer of J Love Productions, childrens’ theatre at Nicholson Ranch Winery, and the Executive Director of the Sonoma Theatre Alliance. She will bring her "Who, What, When and Where" of creating a character. Ages 8 and upward. Adults welcome.
With the use of costumes and props Jaime will guide the participants through a week-long creation of their very own character through writing, improvisations and monologues.
Additional Progam Staff: Maggie Owens, 1st grade teacher and environmental educator, Bob Stanley, poet laureate of Sacramento, afternoon classes in poetry and memoir. Todd Evans, writer and docent at Bouverie Nature Preserve, Rick Love, musician. Diane Ferlatte, storyteller.
Cost: $670 includes 18 meals, dbl. occupancy rooms, Adults: Lodge or Improved Cabin $670/Rustics $570/ Tent Cabin $390/ Camping $370. Private room, add $120 (availability limited). Youth 10 – 16 $450 in Lodges or Rustics/ $375 Tent Cabin/ $325 camping. Under 10, discount $150 from Youth rate. Program begins Monday afternoon – ends Sunday lunch. 10% discount for reservations by June 15.
After registration an email will be sent you, requesting more information as to your interests. If you have special talents you would like to share, please note them on the registration form.
“Raku Pottery” Joel Bennett, assisted by Michael Hofmann
Joel has been a ceramic artist for over 38 years. He is currently on the faculty at Santa Rosa Junior College and has been active in the community as an artist-in-residence, art educator, and workshop instructor. An award-winning ceramist, Bennett’s work has been exhibited internationally and represented by galleries throughout California, the Southwest and Midwest.
We will begin with clay from the river, blended with other materials to create this year's Raku clay body. The "Vessel", in all its forms will be the focus of the workshop. Methods of handbuilding, such as pinching, coiling, slab construction, as well as wheel-throwing will be introduced. Textured surfaces and Raku glazing will be demonstrated. The workshop will culminate in an exciting evening of Raku firing!
Painting: Plein Aire and Landscape Kathleen Thompson
Kathleen received an MFA at the San Francisco Art Institute and is currently teaching at UCB-Extension in San Francisco. She has exhibited her work widely and is the recipient of numerous awards including the Richard Diebenkorn painting award. She is a working artist and lives in Sebastopol.
Explore watercolor and mixed media in a beautiful, natural setting. Meadows, forested mountains, the Navarro river and old growth redwoods are a few of the landscapes we will be painting this summer at Riverʼs Bend. In these morning sessions, the basics of landscape painting will be discussed and demonstrated. We’ll paint on location or in the shade garden. Students are encouraged to experiment and develop their personal vision in response to the landscape. Open to all skill levels. Materials fee: 45.00
Drama and Theatre Arts for Youth Jaime Love
Jaime is producer of J Love Productions, childrens’ theatre at Nicholson Ranch Winery, and the Executive Director of the Sonoma Theatre Alliance. She will bring her "Who, What, When and Where" of creating a character. Ages 8 and upward. Adults welcome.
With the use of costumes and props Jaime will guide the participants through a week-long creation of their very own character through writing, improvisations and monologues.
Additional Progam Staff: Maggie Owens, 1st grade teacher and environmental educator, Bob Stanley, poet laureate of Sacramento, afternoon classes in poetry and memoir. Todd Evans, writer and docent at Bouverie Nature Preserve, Rick Love, musician. Diane Ferlatte, storyteller.
Cost: $670 includes 18 meals, dbl. occupancy rooms, Adults: Lodge or Improved Cabin $670/Rustics $570/ Tent Cabin $390/ Camping $370. Private room, add $120 (availability limited). Youth 10 – 16 $450 in Lodges or Rustics/ $375 Tent Cabin/ $325 camping. Under 10, discount $150 from Youth rate. Program begins Monday afternoon – ends Sunday lunch. 10% discount for reservations by June 15.
After registration an email will be sent you, requesting more information as to your interests. If you have special talents you would like to share, please note them on the registration form.
October 5 – 7 River’s Bend Harvest Weekend
Time to soak up the autumn sun, press apple cider, get your hands in the beautiful River’s Bend garden, listen for migrating birds and learn to cook up some of our famous organic Salsa!
Leadership, Rivers Bend Staff
Cost: Friday dinner – Sunday breakfast, 2 Nights double occupancy : $229 Lodge, $201 Rustic Cabin $137 (camping)/ Youth prices available. 10% discount for reservations by August 15.
Leadership, Rivers Bend Staff
Cost: Friday dinner – Sunday breakfast, 2 Nights double occupancy : $229 Lodge, $201 Rustic Cabin $137 (camping)/ Youth prices available. 10% discount for reservations by August 15.
Special Mid-Week Offer
Frequently our cabins and campground are unused during midweek. We are offering a three night for the cost of two discount for anyone who wishes to spend a quiet time in one of our cabins, cook for themselves, swim in the river, hike the trails into Hendy Woods or even help in the garden if so inspired. Midweek cost for a cabin is $60 per night, $25 each additional person (two night minimum) A county bed tax is applicable. The best available days are;
April 23 – 26, May 7 – 10, 22 – 25, 28 - 31 July 16 – 19, August 13 – 16, 20 – 23, 27 – 30, September 4 – 7, 10 – 13, 24 – 27, October 1 – 4, 8 – 11, 15 - 18
Our most popular cabins are Circle of Life and Cloud of the Unknown for 1 to 3 persons. Blackberry and Manitou are the best cabins for a family or small group that wants to cook for itself.
Email us at [email protected] or call (707) 895-3990
Please send us your email address so we can update you occasionally on new developments and programs.
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REGISTRATION
NAME(S) ________________________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS____________________________________________________________________________________
PHONE__________________________________EMAIL_____________________________________________
PROGRAM CHOICE_(each participant)__________________________ _______________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(List ages of children and see program description for early discounts)
LODGING CHOICE Lodge/Improved Cabin _____Rustic/Tent Cabin_____Camping_____
Register early for best choice of lodging and discount. Mail your registration and fee of $100 to River’s Bend, P.O. Box 332, Philo, CA 95466 or call (707) 895-3990 to use a charge card. More detailed information on programs is available on the website: www.riversbendretreat.org
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April 23 – 26, May 7 – 10, 22 – 25, 28 - 31 July 16 – 19, August 13 – 16, 20 – 23, 27 – 30, September 4 – 7, 10 – 13, 24 – 27, October 1 – 4, 8 – 11, 15 - 18
Our most popular cabins are Circle of Life and Cloud of the Unknown for 1 to 3 persons. Blackberry and Manitou are the best cabins for a family or small group that wants to cook for itself.
Email us at [email protected] or call (707) 895-3990
Please send us your email address so we can update you occasionally on new developments and programs.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
REGISTRATION
NAME(S) ________________________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS____________________________________________________________________________________
PHONE__________________________________EMAIL_____________________________________________
PROGRAM CHOICE_(each participant)__________________________ _______________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(List ages of children and see program description for early discounts)
LODGING CHOICE Lodge/Improved Cabin _____Rustic/Tent Cabin_____Camping_____
Register early for best choice of lodging and discount. Mail your registration and fee of $100 to River’s Bend, P.O. Box 332, Philo, CA 95466 or call (707) 895-3990 to use a charge card. More detailed information on programs is available on the website: www.riversbendretreat.org
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