2022 Retreat Just Around the Corner!

We hope this post finds you and yours well. 

It's been a wild couple of years. Between Yvonne and I we have experienced more than a few major life events -- divorce, death of a parent, job lay off, starting a new business, remote learning with kiddos, moving, and I'm sure a few more things related to our health and well-being -- oh, and the obvious, a global pandemic! We know we are not alone! It's been a minute, to say the least, and I know all of us are readjusting to life after many highs and lows (and everything else in between) during the last couple of years. Yvonne and I look forward to catching up with everyone!

The retreat includes:

• 24-hour crop room access with individual 6 foot table and chair, welcome gift, door prizes, raffles, games/activities, card swaps, and hospitality extras
• Meals include: Friday dinner, Saturday meals (3), and Sunday breakfast -- bring an extra hot and/or cold cup to fill up at meals!
• Dorm style accommodations (double or single) with shared restrooms and showers. Linens and towels provided. This is Fort Worden -- so it is rustic!
• Arrive as early as 9:00 am on Day 1 (Friday) and stay as late as 10:00pm on Day 3 (Sunday)

A few updates about the retreat...

• Fort Worden has/is going through its own readjustment  -- many changes to pricing structure, employees, and event guidelines. It took a while to connect with staff due to turn over -- and hopefully we'll be able to work with the same person through the retreat. :)  

• The retreat will be smaller this year. We have 65 people registered and in past years we have had closer to 110 people.  While a little disappointing to not see some of our "regular" participants, we are welcoming a few newcomers and will have more time to visit with each other. 

• As mentioned, Fort Worden has shifted some of their pricing structure and we have fewer participants. That being said, we are renting the downstairs wings of the dorm for lodging. We would need to rent additional wings to access the second floor (rather than individual rooms, as we have done in the past) and that is cost prohibitive. Therefore, requests for specific rooms may not be possible. We will do our best to accommodate requests and at the same time, we have half the rooms to work with -- and all on the first floor. Thank you for your understanding and grace in this matter.

• Roberta and Esther will coordinate any volunteer needs. We appreciate everyone having a small "job" as it makes the retreat all that more enjoyable when the "work" is shared. More to come about volunteer opportunities.

• We have a coordinator for an All-Occasion Card Swap - please email Shelley at:  wangen2@gmail.com by October 5 if you would like to participate in the Card Swap -- she will send you information about how to proceed. Here are a few details about the card swap that may help you make a decision about participating:

1. Make XX of the same cards and receive XX different cards in return. (Number TBD based on how many people participate)

2. Each card must include an envelope.

3. The cards should be handmade, not from a kit.

4. Paper layering is required.

5. Please be mindful of clean stamping, cutting, gluing, no smudges etc.

6. Consider adding an embellishment (buttons, ribbon, brads, sparkles, bling, etc.) and/or a technique (embossing, pop dots, sanding, etc.)

• There will not be massage services available this year. Sabrina and Andrea will miss everyone this year. Andrea welcomed a baby this year and Sabrina has family commitments. 

• Our theme for the retreat will be Halloween/Fall -- a happy Halloween rather than a spooky or scary Halloween.  Feel free to wear a costume to dinner on Saturday night!

• Esther has volunteered to coordinate a Ribbon Exchange -- please email Esther at:  esthergf85@gmail.com by October 20 if you would like to participate in the Ribbon Exchange -- she will send you information about how to proceed. Here is a brief description of the ribbon exchange that may help you make a decision about participating:

Each participant needs to bring 1 yard (3 feet) of pre-cut ribbon for each participant in their group (this includes you!). Each group will be made up of XX participants (NOTE: Number may change; there may be more, there may be less). That is XX pieces of 1 yard (3 feet) ribbon. All the same kind.  XX feet of ribbon -- total!

• Erin and Angel will coordinate Bumpy Basket raffles again -- more details to come about what to expect this year.

• Check out the packing list, found on main page of blog -- know that all linens and towels are provided in rooms -- though some may want to bring an extra blanket.

• We have not secured a date for a retreat in 2023. We use funds collected at the end of each retreat for the next year to help support the deposit for the following year's retreat. As we have not had a retreat in two years -- we don't have a deposit. More to come when we know more. 

Feel free to message with any questions. More information to come in the next couple of weeks!

Be well.

Yvonne and Sheryl