SWIM NUUS
Confirmation Edition
December 2003
Director's Message
Welcome to SWIM!. NUUS editor Sharon Beecher has prepared this handy tome to 'grease the skids' for your slide into South Florida for the end of the year. We have some updates about SWIM and about Owaissa Bauer for you old-timers, and some general news for those of you new to the family.Two notes will be particularly welcome for those who have been before. Registrar, Jerry Elsenrath, drawing on years of past experience and upgrading the software he originally wrote as registrar in the 80's, has taken almost all of the waiting out of the registration process. If there are no changes to be made to your workshop schedule on site, your registration should consist of picking up your packet, checking your volunteer assignment, writing your check, and having your mugshot taken. Jerry and the software will have already made the volunteer assignment, and it will be valid! Should there be changes to your schedule, Jerry's software and the offsite, workshop, and volunteer folks are geared up to make that happen quickly.
A second note deals with volunteer jobs. That word itself causes some confusion, for it is 'volunteer' in the sense that there is no specific compensation, but it is essential to the functioning of our community. A natural consequence of a smaller group has been fewer people available for essentially the same number of jobs. So . . .we took a hard look at the number of jobs and found a way to reduce them with a goal of only one 3-hour shift for each person. This has involved budgeting for more kitchen "minion" positions (know anyone wanting to work their way through SWIM?) and willingness of staff to cover a number of the former volunteer positions. We are very hopeful that no one will have to work longer than the fun of it lasts. Of course, if you really WANT to volunteer for other jobs, we welcome that help!
What has made this change possible, beyond the creativity of Pepi Acebo, Director Elect, and Laura Hadden, Sup Vol Sup aka Volunteer Coordinator, is the financial help you provided with the auction last year. The wonderful things you brought with you to sell, the services you offered, and your feeding frenzy to purchase these at the auction turned that event into one of our most popular evenings! Mark Evans will again chair the auction event, so please check your closets and attics once again to find things for sale. (more below on the auction, Ed.)
A bit of news from Owaissa Bauer: Pam Rose, Camp Director, answered her fax line today (Nov 17) because the fax machine could not…the power was off. Owaissa Bauer is being rewired in order to provide capacity for heaters and air conditioners in the cabins! I had not dared hope that this would be in place by this SWIM, but it looks very likely that it will! We do not yet know the consequences to camping power, dishwashers, etc, but the signs at this point are promising!
Finally, as you prepare for your journey, please don't forget that you have the opportunity to offer carpool space (or find some-contact Jerry Elsenrath) for the trip here. And, if you have friends on the fence about deciding to come to SWIM, please let me know and I will send you the SWIM video. Call me at 919-834-9049 or email VMHicks@aol.com. I will see you soon. Imagine!
Vonnie Hicks, Director, SWIM 2003
Fun-raising Auction!
Don't just plan to attend SWIM, bring lots of extra money to buy some of the really good things your fellow SWIM-ers are donating for this fund and fun-raiser.Is there something you'd like to donate? Past donations have included home hospitality at several popular vacation destinations such as Cambridge MA, Savannah GA for St. Patrick's Day, and the Master's in Augusta. You could also donate or buy a ride in a tandem sea kayak, babysitting, massages, duct tape crafted fashion accessories, jewelry or almost anything else. Come prepared to participate!
Mark will once again be our auctioneer. He will need several assistants to be auction spotters and handle money collections after the event. Please contact Mark (mevans@esper.com) before or during SWIM to volunteer.
NEW Chaplain
New to SWIM, Ann Marie Alderman will join us as our chaplain for the week. Here is how Anne Marie introduced herself to SWIM Staff via email:Hi everyone,
I am pleased to be coming to SWIM to serve as your chaplain this year. I have been studying the program and am excited about all the activities to participate in. Mostly, though, I am looking forward to meeting everyone!
Just to let you know a little about me...I am in my second year as the Associate Minister for the Jacksonville (FL) UU Church. We have over 340 members now. I was the DRE for two years before being called as Associate. We have over 80 kids and teens in our RE program, which I continue to be responsible for. Added to RE I also am involved in all the things any UU church minister does. I lead worship, preach, offer pastoral care, get involved in social action, and spend plenty of time in committee work and church administration. I was ordained in 2001 by both of the churches in Jacksonville in a wonderful ceremony and received preliminary fellowship at General Assembly in Cleveland, also in 2001.
My partner, Karen, a UU too, will be coming with me. We are both vegetarians and earth lovers, embarrassed sometimes to be driving a gas guzzling old RV, but enjoying the adventure all the way!
See you soon!
Ann Marie
Please make Ann Marie feel welcome.
Worship Services
Worship happens each evening at 7:30 after Community Gathering. At this printing these are services planned: Friday/Registration Day~Vonnie: Orientation/Worship, Sunday/Day2-Teens, Monday/Day 3~Coffee House, Tuesday/Day 4~YA and Youth, Wednesday/Day 5~New Year's Eve~Wiccan RitualRegistration Day FUN
When you have completed your streamlined registration, completed your "chin" card, and have been mugged, moved into your living space, and safely parked your vehicle in the designated area go look for some fun on the lawn. Cay Cahalin will be in area of the Dining Hall looking for cheery volunteers to greet, welcome and assist other arrivals. SWIM is about community and helping each other settle in for the week is a great way to start. You could also takeout those lawn toys and instruments you remembered to bring. Start or join a lawn game or get a jamming session going during registration.SWIM T-SHIRTS
For those of you who pre ordered t-shirts when you sent in your registration, they will be available for you during the registration process. (We hope you like them as much as we do!) If you did not pre order a shirt, we'll have some available in the SWIM Store.Workshop Leaders
Thank you for sharing your time and talents with us. You will be richly rewarded with hugs and a free SWIM t-shirt! Please help us order exactly what you want by contacting Jerry Elsenrath asap with your size and sleeve length preference. Applebulb@aol.com or 813-931-7957.ARTISANS, CRAFTERS, MUSICIANS, WRITERS
The SWIM Store exists as a venue for you to display and sell your works. It benefits us all in that 20% of your sales go to SWIM. If you are interested in participating, please contact Mary Ann Somervill at above contacts. We have a limited amount of space that will be assigned first to those who have reserved early.THE SWIM Store will provide arts and crafts, wonderful gifts for yourself and others. Stop by our section of the Dining Hall for your shopping enjoyment. In addition there will be a supply of sundries that you may find you need. And our ever-popular Thrift Shop Boutique will delight you with treasures. Remember that your purchases will result in 20% going to SWIM. What a fun way to contribute!
Calling ALL Artists, NEW this Year, YAs Sponsor Art Expo
For the first time SWIM Young Adults will host an art exposition of original art works by SWIM participants of all ages. Individuals are encouraged to exhibit works made at SWIM as well as works made prior to the conference. When deciding what to showcase please be aware that SWIM will not be responsible for lost or damaged materials. The event will involve a walking to tour of the various galleries in each dorm. Like good UUs we want to make this a party so lets treat it like a gallery opening - black tie optional, hors d'oeuvres a must. The place to see and be seen right before the auction.Health & Safety
Owaissa Bauer has two plants which when touched can cause a rash. One of these: POISON IVY should be familiar to everyone as it grows all over the Eastern U.S. Fortunately it is very rare at Owaissa Bauer and found only far back in the hammock where most people don't go. The other, POISONWOOD, is extremely common at Owaissa Bauer and occurs nowhere else in the U.S. except South Florida.The following are the characteristics that can be used to recognize POISONWOOD in the field:
LEAVES: Compound leaves dark green in color with characteristic black spots in leaves and a light green border on the edge of leaflets. There are an odd number of leaflets usually 9 or 11. There is one odd leaflet always at head of leaf. BARK: Light brown when younger, darker in older trees with characteristic black splotches.
A pressed leaf will be placed on bulletin board at SWIM.
This message (Thanks, Ernie Wilson) will be repeated in Nuus issues published at camp. A sketch of Poisonwood will run in the Arrival Nuus and be posted near the Information Desk.
Other health and safety tips include frequent hand washing, using sunscreen, bug repellant, bringing enough of your prescription meds to last the week, wearing comfortable sturdy shoes all the time, having a variety of clothing for all weather possibilities, and parking your car and leaving it in the proper place all week. Mostly, have fun, give and receive many hugs.
Fire!
Fires are only allowed at the fire circle and are lighted by our own Fire Goddess, Diane Neville, only. If you have need of a fire see Diane.BEACH DAY
7th Annual Community Picnic
SWIM Day 3
Monday, Dec 29th
All Day Long
Bring: Bathing suits, Towels, Sunscreen, Radios, Books, Playing Cards, Cameras, Frisbees, Footballs, Sunglasses, Beach Toys, Beach Balls, Volleyballs, Boogie Boards, Sandcastle Ideas, Sunshine, Playfulness
"The beach be one of the best things we got." - Jonathon Richman
Monday, December 29th, All Day
It's Beach Day!
We at SWIM have come to realize that coming together as a community for a day is one of the very best things we can do with our time. We all bring our own perspectives, biases, talents, gifts, likes and dislikes to camp, and on Monday, December 29th, you are invited to bring all of those elements with you to the beach for our 7th annual community picnic and celebration. You may also wish to bring your bathing suit, towel, sunscreen, portable music makers, a good book, a deck of cards, your camera, frisbee, and, most importantly, your sense of play. As we did last year, we'll rent a large shelter by the beach available for shade. Monday morning, our wonderful kitchen staff will provide us with beach picnic fixin's to brown bag. (Anyone staying on-site should also pack a lunch.) Please volunteer to drive a carload if you can. We only have enough van space for the children and teens. There will be a sign-up for volunteers at the registration table. There is a small toll charge for taking the Rickenbacker Causeway to Key Biscayne and a small parking fee for Crandon Park. In the event of inclement weather, a suitable and amazing substitute community activity will be arranged! Can't handle beaches? No problem. We'll have information on alternative Self-Guided trips at the Info Desk. Or, perhaps, a day of rest and relaxation onsite at Owaissa Bauer instead of going with the SWIM gang to the surf and sand. Of course, Crandon is one of the world's most beautiful beaches...
Free. All Ages, Monday, time varies by carpool. We'll gather near the dining hall and leave camp at about 10:00am. We'll leave the beach at about 3:00pm to return to camp.
Other Community Activities planned for SWIM
Fonkey Time to gather with the community everyday at 4 to 5:30 pm.Day 1, Saturday YAs Super Disco Funk at Serendipity.
Day 2, Sunday Teen Volunteer Day…Thank a teen or a bunch of 'em.
Day 3, Monday CoffeeHouse in the evening.
Day 5, Wednesday, Decorate with Nancy McDermott for New Year's Eve theme Blue Hawaii Luau.
Blue Hawaii Luau on New Year's Eve
Bring your Muu Muus, grass skirts, and Hawaiian shirts to welcome in the New Year…We'll hula!!!LATE REGISTRATION
will take place at meals. Find Jerry Elsenrath.Look for late breaking updates in the ARRIVAL NUUS at Dinner Registration Day.
Registrar's Message
W e l c o m e t o S W I M
The following information should help to explain the information in your confirmation check-in packet and answer some questions about SWIM.
WORKSHOP & LOCAL ADVENTURE CONFIRMATION PAGES
There will be a page for each person registered for SWIM.Name, address, birthday (month & day), and phone numbers: This information will be used to print the MUG BOOK. If any of it is incorrect, PLEASE provide the correct information on the "chin" card that will be used when you get your mug book picture taken.
Activities: Each Workshop, Local Adventure, and your Volunteer job is listed with the code number, title, days, times and the fee. WAIT LIST-#: (# is position on wait list). T-shirt order are also listed here.
SWIM Week Calendar: The first line shows the time of day from 6am to midnight. Each dot represents 15 minutes. Below it each day is listed on the left and the code number starting at the time it meets with an arrow and letters continuing till the time it ends. The meaning of the letters is as follows: W=Workshop, L=Local Adventure, V=Volunteer job. If times overlap, a message is printed under the calendar & those days have an extra line with ditto marks under them showing the overlapping activity.
INDIVIDUAL TOTAL SUMMARY: This lists all fees for the individual, including Meals (vegetarian or not), Lodging assignment, and any message. You will find a map with the location of your cabin posted on the buletin board.
TOTAL PAGE
There will be one page summarizing everyone in the registration packet (yours to keep). Another total page will be kept by the treasurer when you pay your fees.
In addition to totals from the individuals pages it includes monies for Mug Books, Xmas dinner, Home hospitality, and Airport pickup. Near the bottom is Airport pickup information and messages. If a message saying that a release form must be completed you will need to see the registrar (Jerry Elsenrath) to do this. If a form needs to be notarized (Parents release for children attending with someone other than a parent) a notary is available at checkin.
The following information will answer some questions about your SWIM week:
BEDS: All beds will be used and should be in the proper cabins. Don't move them from one cabin to another (remember-some people will arrive later) . Our staff will take care of this if the need arises. Don't pile extra mattresses on your bed. You will be taking someone else's bed. A list will be posted at the door of each cabin showing who should be in that cabin. The small room in the corner of each cabin will be used by SWIM staff.
BATHROOMS: The entire camp uses these facilities. Please do not leave your belongings as space is limited. Articles removed during cleanup may be reclaimed at lost and found.
LOCAL ADVENTURE TRIPS: Please be at the gathering area in front of dining hall 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time (with all your "stuff"). If you are driving, have your car gassed up and ready to go at the circle.
WORKSHOPS: Locations will be posted on the bulletin board outside the dining hall. Please arrive promptly.
VOLUNTEER JOBS: Your volunteer work is important to SWIM so please report to your assigned job on time and check in with the VolSup (Volunteer Supervisor).
OTHER QUESTIONS: Still have questions? Ask, SWIM STAFF is always ready to help.
