FALL 2008

Tri-Quarter Gathering

The Tri-Quarter Gathering is a very special weekend for Friends of the Salem, Burlington and Haddonfield Quarters in South Jersey. It is held every year at Camp Ockanickon, Medford, NJ, which is about a 45-minute drive from Philadelphia. Approximately 100 Friends come together for a weekend of fun, relaxation and renewal.

This year's theme for the Gathering, Friday–Sunday, October 3–5, is "Friendly Connections: Strengthening the Ties to Our Communities and Our Environment."

Workshop Selections

Saturday morning:

• The “ I ” of the Storm — Margery Larrabee, Mt. Holly MM [Adults]
  We will explore ways to stay centered and be the “I” of the storm as we deal with the challenging circumstances of our lives.
• Building Bridges During Controversy — Joan Broadfield, Chester MM and Lisa Santer, Friends of Philadelphia / Arch St. [Adults + Teens]
  We’ll choose an issue that’s controversial, then listen to strongly held positions on both sides. Then we’ll “build bridges” by reframing the issue to include each party’s concerns.
• Raising Peaceful Children in a Violent World — Marty Smith, Moorestown MM [Adults]
  Parents will consider the extent to which they embrace and live out the Peace Testimony. Then we will brainstorm ways to help our children respond to violent or non-peaceful situations.
• Returning Soldiers: Meeting their Needs — Scilla Wahrhaftig, AFSC/PA Project, Pittsburgh MM [Adults + Teens]
  Using dramatic readings of quotes from our Military Listening Project, we will share stories from veterans and their family members, followed by discussion on possible Quaker responses to the upcoming crises of thousands of returning veterans.
• Slavery by Another Name — Dominique Stevenson, AFSC/PA Project, [Adults/Teens]
  We will take a look at the growth of the prison industry in this country, as well as the history of prisons in Angola and Parchman Farm. We will look at the impact that prisons are having on communities of color and the poor, and will seek solutions to the criminalization of these populations.
• Teen Connections — Sandy and Zack Ridgway, Mullica Hill MM and Tim and Luke Mammel, Westfield MM. [Teens]
  We will identify and strengthen our links to the communities in which we live as well as expand our connections to the environment.
• Children’s Workshop: Creative Connections — Kandy Lippincott, Moorestown MM, Karen Babnew, Mullica Hill MM and Laurie Mitchell and Cindy Cox Crispin, Woodbury MM
  Creative fun activities will be offered enabling the children to share their loving spirits with their communities and the world. Activities will span the areas of art (including tie-dying), feeding Monarch butterflies, music, games and shelter building.

Saturday afternoon:

• Plenary Session: “Radical Joy: Connecting with Others” — Todd Pressman, PhD will present insights from his book, Radical Joy, based on the latest developments in holistic psychology. We will get past the fears which hide our true selves into the experience of deep connection -- and true fulfillment -- with others. {All Welcome} 1:30 - 3:00 at the Amphitheatre
• Friendly Fun for Kids — Karen Babnew, Mullica Hill MM, Rocky Wilson, Phil. MM, Gail Scuderi, Woodstown MM and Cindy Cox Crispin, Woodbury MM [Children]
  More creative fun activities will be offered enabling the children to strengthen their ties to their communities and the Earth. Specific activities will include constructing puppets and drama.
• Poetry Workshop — Adele Bourne, Moorestown MM [Adults /Teens]
  We will find the interconnectedness of all things through the use of metaphor and simile. Reading and composing poetry will uncover new connections and reveal the “organic unity” of the whole.

Sunday Morning

• Adult First Day School: Advernturing into Sacred Spaces — Rita Varley, PYM [Adults/Teens]
  Kayaking, canoeing, hiking, biking, star-gazing and feeling the healing energies of the earth can touch us with humility and move us into worship. Explore how meditative, reverent encounters with the natural world can ground us in a fuller, more balanced awareness of God’s creation.
• First Day School for Kids and Teens: Friendly Connections — Sandy Ridgway & Karen Babnew, Mullica Hill MM, and Cindy Cox Crispin, Woodbury MM [Children/Teens]
  Teens will assist the adult leaders to guide the children in creating their personal Tri-Quarter Gathering scrapbooks, and make new personal connections with members of our spiritual community based on shared experiences, solidifying our cherished memories of this special Gathering and strengthening our ties to our Quaker community.

The Locale

Camp Ockanickon is a pinelands paradise offering recreation, relaxation and renewal. The Tri-Quarter Gathering is happy to return to this beautiful rustic setting that provides just the right amenities to ensure your comfort.

Accommodations

Camp Ockanickon offers choices for your sleeping accommodations. For those who relish the great outdoors, the camp offers clusters of cabins, with one family to a cabin. Each cabin has a wooden floor, 8 built-in bunks, screened walls, fasten-down tent flaps, and nearby indoor toilets and hot water showers; however, the cabins are not heated and have no electricity. For those who prefer indoor sleeping quarters, there are three lodges available, each with heat, lights, electricity, bathrooms, and showers: (1) Douglas, which has separate sides for men and women, (2) Robins Roost which has clusters of bunks for families [similar to Burlington Center], and (3) Pomona which is reserved for the teens and has two separated sides of bunks [one side for males and the other for females]. The Teen Cabin — supervised by Friendly Adult Presences — will be available only for teens 13 - 19 years old. All the lodges have space for sleeping bags which will allow all campers to sleep indoors if necessary. You will choose your accommodations at the Registration Table when you check in.

What to Bring

Temperatures at the beginning of October can range from mild to very cold. All campers must be prepared to enjoy whatever the weather brings. We especially recommend that those who plan to sleep in the screened-in cabins bring cold-rated sleeping bags and/or extra blankets. Layers of clothing are also recommended. Personal items suggested are: pillows, towels, washcloths, soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, sun block, sunglasses, hat, jacket, rain gear, extra shoes and socks. Other items suggested are: musical instruments, flashlights, extra batteries, umbrella, bug repellant, notebook, pens, art materials, books and binoculars. And for children or adults who wish to participate in the T-shirt dyeing workshop, please bring at least one plain light-colored cotton T-shirt per participant.

Fee Schedule

	Early Bird By August 31st	Regular Sept. 1-30	Late After Sept. 30
Adults	$115	$125	$135
Children
0-2	$0	$0	$0
3-12	$80	$90	$100
13-17	$95	$105	$115
Part-Time Attendees
Friday Only (with meal) (w/o meal: Donation only)	$25
Saturday Only	$90
Sunday Online (with meals) (w/o meal: Donation only)	$35

For Further Information …

Please contact the Salem Quarter Coordinator: (856)769-0066, salemqtr@verizon.net

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