Yes, SWIM is one of the cheapest ways to enjoy south Florida. But it’s so much more than that. If it’s your first SWIM, you’ll be tempted to sign up for trips and workshops in every timeslot. Resist!

SWIM is full of spontaneous excursions, conversations, and late-night revelry. For your first SWIM, try to limit yourself to 5 or 6 trips and workshops so you can relax. You’re on vacation, after all.

There’s so much to say, we don’t know where to start. New trips and workshops? Theme talks and new programs? We’ll add to this section, so check back before SWIM!

We’re recruiting Cruuise Directors to help SWIMers old and new settle in and enjoy their SWIM. If you’d like to be a Cruuise Director, let the us know at cruuise@swimuu.org!

When I came to SWIM my first time, I was seventeen, seventeen years ago. I loved it. All of it. Every bit of seemingly spontaneous magic opened me up more to what life could be.

And I found love at SWIM – not the death-spiral love of embracing eagles, with talons locked, hurtling toward the ground, but the love of people who wanted to nuture each of us to be more of who we wanted to be and better able to love and nurture others.

I had such a great time at my first SWIM that I promised myself I'd never, ever, work on staff at SWIM. Thirsty like a dry spounge, I wanted to soak in every minute of the experience for myself. Perhaps it's a testament to the transformative powers of SWIM that I've been on staff most years since, wanting to make SWIM possible for others, too. That's part of its magic: SWIM is a community of volunteers, of gift givers and gift receivers. We are all hosts and guests. Giving and receiving transforms, heals, and nurtures us.

In life now, I look for people and places that inspire me to be better than I am. SWIM is one of these places. It’s full of people who lift you up. It is the family that I choose to spend time with over the holidays.

Sitting here on my western Carolina porch, with winter coming on fast, I could also attribute my warm feelings for SWIM to the warm south Florida sunshine, which resets my internal winter-depression clock every year and thaws my entire body out for a few more months.

For whatever reasons – physical, social, intellectual, or spiritual – SWIM gives me hope. It's a place of renewal and new beginnings.

SWIM allows us the space to reinvent ourselves and re-envision our lives. I do believe that there is a world of possibilities inside each of us. By searching our hearts and minds for the possibilities of who and how we can be, we can make choices today that make everything possible.

And that's what this SWIM is all about.

Refresh your mind. Open new doors. Incubate hope. Ignite your spirit. Find Everything Possible.

– Pepi Acebo, Director, S.W.I.M. 2004: “Everything Possible”

We welcome you to our SWIM family. Our community is a work of love by passionate volunteers who come from a wide variety of identities in that other world. Over the years we have done our volunteer community jobs elbow-to-elbow with world class physicists, accountants, engineers, lawyers, doctors and nurses, veterans of wars and of the civil rights movement, college professors, public and private school teachers, home schoolers, windsurfing and snowboarding instructors, table waiters, house painters, electricians, artists, and perennial students. Some have moved to other coasts, other countries (even Antarctica) only to answer a compulsion to return again to SWIM.

Somehow, it must be more than the beauty of our location, the price we work to keep so low, and the best New Year’s Eve party in the southeast. We’ve watched children grow up and each other age. We’ve watched hurricanes come and go, and still SWIM remains. When times were tough, we had auctions and fundraisers to make sure we would still be here. Through our family’s generosity and dedication we are now in sound financial condition – and our prices have remained the same.

If you are new to our community, please bear with us as we are sometimes a little shy. Join us for walks in the everglades, sailing, canoeing, dancing, singing, and worship, and you will find yourself no longer a stranger. Know that you are joining the force that creates our community and that you are needed here. Be gentle but make your needs known, and we will try to help. Help us with driving (please do verify your insurance and license with us), share your digital photos for the mugbook and slide show, share your voice and musical talent around the campfire, share your favorite anecdotes.

As we are all precious, please help us stay alert to health and safety issues. We have on staff a person who can help with first-aid and community health needs, although we are unable to provide health care beyond that level (there are, or course, urgent care centers and hospitals in the vicinity should they become necessary).

Our chaplain is also available from time to time to help you through things emotional and referrals. Please be aware that, as healing as our community may be, we are not a substitute for therapy, and, if you are in therapy, please discuss SWIM with your therapist. Whether for reason of age or experience there will be people around you who are vulnerable and struggling to trust – please support them in that effort and need for safety.

I look forward to sharing SWIM with you, and exploring how a loving community of different individuals can indeed make Everything Possible.

– Vonnie Hicks, President, SWIM Board of Trustees

Vonnie Hicks, President, Previous Director
Diane Neville, Secretary, South Florida Cluster Rep through 2005
Dee Medley, Treasurer
Pepi Acebo, Director
Mary Ann Somervill, Director-Elect
Britt Dunn, At-Large Trustee through 2004
Jerry Elsenrath, At-Large Trustee through 2005
Mark Harris, At-Large Trustee through 2006
Romer Taylor, Youth Rep through 2004
Bill Loomis, Florida District Rep through 2004

Candidates for the Teen Rep are nominated by attendees ages 13–19 and elected by the community at large for a one-year term. At-Large Trustees are elected for terms of three years and as needed to complete unexpired terms. All trustees must attend all January 1st Annual Meetings and all SWIMs during their terms, and should attend called meetings. Each candidate must be an active member of a UUA society and must have been a staff member or workshop leader during the past three years. The Florida District of the UUA and the South Florida Cluster of the Florida District of the UUA may also appoint one trustee each to the SWIM Board every two years. In the absence of an appointment from the Florida District or the South Florida Cluster, the SWIM board is authorized by SWIM's bylaws to make an appointment.

Dec. 27th – Nominations due in writing to Secretary
Dec. 28th – Nominations for teen rep due to Secretary
Dec. 29th – Candidates publish views at SWIM
Dec. 30th – Members of the SWIM community vote
Dec. 31st – Election results are announced
Jan. 1st – Official Annual Meeting of the Board of Trustees

SWIM participates in this group, usually called CU2C2, which was formed to provide support for our efforts in establishing and running programs for UU intentional communities. Each registration fee includes an assessment of $1.50 which is used as SWIM’s membership fee in this organization.

Individual membership in CU2C2 are also available for a donation of $35 or more per member. Beyond our debts of gratitude, individual member benefits include hundreds of dollars in discount offers from UU camps and conferences and an invitation to CU2C2’s annual UU camps and conference leadership meeting, to be held at Rowe Camp and Conference Center in October of 2005.

Dee Medley and Pepi Acebo of SUUSI and SWIM both currently serve on the board of CU2C2, along with Craig Lentz of Ferry Beach (Maine), Jack Ripple of Camp deBenneville Pines (southern California), Kathy Bowman of Pacific Central District Committee on Camps and Conferences (northern California), Mike Schwab of UniStar (Minnisota), and Rita Cusack of SWUUSI (on the Texas/Oklahoma border).

We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote:

The inherent dignity and worth of every person;
Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

The living tradition which we share draws from many sources:

Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;
Wisdom from the world’s religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.
Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. As free congregations we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support.

SWIM’s Mission
Southeast Winter Institute in Miami (SWIM) is a one week Unitarian Universalist intentional community which provides religious, inspirational, educational, growth oriented programming. SWIM was founded and continues to celebrate the spirit, to promote community, and to nurture connections among people of diverse ages, backgrounds, abilities, and interests. In so doing, SWIM strives to promote our Unitarian Universalist principles.

SWIM’s Vision
SWIM is a gathering to form an intergenerational, intentional community based on Unitarian Universalist principles and values. It nurtures open communication, inclusiveness, spirituality, and growth. It is an inspirational and safe place to play, grow, and take risks in a supportive environment; encouraging self awareness and personal responsibility unhindered by limiting societal expectations.
SWIM is an all volunteer organization of participants who are enthusiastic, talented, diverse, and committed to creating a joyous experience.
SWIM celebrates diversity both within and outside our community and expects all participants to demonstrate personal responsibility and respect for self and others as well as our environment.
SWIM offers a myriad of experiences and opportunities which are challenging and nourishing to mind, body, and soul. Some of our activities are workshops, outdoor adventures, worship, art, dance, music, campfire, and athletics.

The volunteers on SWIM’s staff who make this week possible welcome you to South Florida to join our intentional community. Our camp can be fragile, both physically and spiritually, so we have some basic guidelines for our behavior:

Owaissa Bauer is an oasis of calm and beauty in a large metropolitan area – we keep it that way by controlling waste and lessening impact on our surroundings.

In addition to everyone’s volunteer jobs, we also need volunteers to assist with transportation to many of our activities. We ask that only safe, well-rested, and insured drivers volunteer, and that no driver consume alcohol or anything else that may impair driving.

Because we are an intergenerational community we all serve as surrogate parents when necessary, but parents must remember that they are responsible for their children outside of the regular youth programming times.

We are an all-volunteer organization. Every person, ages 13 and up, volunteers at least one job. Besides reducing the cost of SWIM, working together helps to build our treasured sense of community.

Each adult signs up to volunteer for ONE shift serving food and beverages, doing set-up and clean-up, or helping with the New Year’s Eve festivities. Volunteer jobs are a great opportunity to socialize while getting the work done. When you register, you’ll see a place to indicate your volunteer preferences on the registration form. For all three meals on Tuesday, we are in the excellent hands of our teen volunteers.

We will do our best to give you the jobs you ask for on a first-come basis. The Sup VolSup will also work to assign you a variety of tasks, if possible. Of course, you can also volunteer for any job that you see that needs to be done during the week. There’s no restriction to the number of helpful things you can do. Also, there’s no restriction to the number of hugs of thanks we will give.

Although, staff members generally receive a discount equal to SWIM’s registration fee, please keep in mind that they are all volunteers, too!*

* Okay, this year, we will have one paid professional who will be overseeing the kitchen. Board members who are not on staff receive no discount. Staff receive a credit equal to Registration Fees but still pay for trips and workshop (except for ones they lead) and pay all expenses related to attending SWIM. Director, Teen, Youth, and Kitchen Staff usually receive an additional credit equal to Food and Site fees.

For all of SWIM participants ages 3 and up, we have a Registration Fee and a Site Fee (which includes a fee for daytime use of the facility) -- plus a Food Fee for those eating at camp, which is almost everybody. A few Workshops and most Outdoor Adventures also have fees related to the expenses of individual activities. Optionally, there are area motels where you will find slightly more civilized accommodations, including your very own bathroom, but you will miss some of the excitement and joy of our community life.

We’ve worked to keep total costs low. Basic totals (including registration, food, lodging, most programs, most workshops, and some "free" outdoor adventures) are $300 for adults, $270 for full-time students, $190 for teens 13-18, $160 for youth ages 6-12, $140 for youth ages 3-5, kids under three are free, and registration costs go up $20 for everyone after December 1st.

Food Fee (for 18 meals in our dining hall)

By Age, Due at SWIM!
3 – 5, $10
6 – 12, $30
13 – 18, $60
19+, $120

The Food Fee covers three wonderful meals a day, starting with dinner on December 26th and ending with an extra late night snack on New Year’s Eve. A pick-up breakfast of bagels, leftovers, coffee, and juice is available on New Year’s morning. Our delicious meals may be purchased individually by those not sleeping on-site ($5 for breakfast, $10 for lunch, $10 for dinner, half-price for those ages 18 and under). Meat and vegetarian options are always available. And the food is really good. All of our food is prepared at camp by our wonderful staff of cooks with the assistance of participant-volunteers.

Registration Fee (includes non-fee program expenses and overhead)

By Age, Before Dec. 1 (After Dec. 1)
3 – 12, $40 ($60)
13 – 18, $60 ($80)
Student, $80 ($100)
19+, $110 ($130)

Participants are expected to register for and participate in the entire week in order to share our intentional community. SWIM is an intentional community and unregistered persons may not participate in our program. People who are not registered may not be at Owaissa Bauer during SWIM. After December 26th no new registrations will be accepted. This means that if you will arrive late, such as the morning of the 27th, you must send your registration in advance. If you have a question about this you may call Pepi Acebo, SWIM’s Director.

The only regular exception to the full registration fee is that special guests of SWIM participants may attend our New Year’s Eve celebration for a fee of $35. Staff may invite one guest at no charge. (This is not a fee for food and drink, but a pro-rated registration and site fee.) Guests may arrive as early as noon, but MUST meet their SWIM host at the Info Table in order to register and receive a New Year’s Eve name tag. Guests may join their hosts for lunch, dinner, afternoon workshops (but not trips) and worship in addition to New Year’s Eve festivities. Our goal with this special exception is to open SWIM up to friends and family who might have schedule conflicts this year but want to get a taste of SWIM for next year!

Site Fee (includes camp use)

By Age and Usage, Due at SWIM!
Ages 3+ Sleeping On-Site, $70
Ages 3+ Sleeping Off-Site, $40

The Site Fee for those sleeping on-site includes either a tent site or a bed in one of our dormitories, plus the use of our bathhouse and parking in a large lot away from the camping area. Both forms of lodging are assigned on a first come, first served basis. For safety and peace no cars are allowed in the camping area after late afternoon, December 26th.

The dormitories consist of six buildings, each divided into two areas, and each of these with a more private room which is normally reserved for staff. Each of the larger rooms has ten cots. We are an intergenerational community, but we recognize that people tend to form closer friendships with others of similar age, so we do consider this when assigning space in our dormitories. If you have a number of people who would like to stay in one area, please contact Jerry Elsenrath and explain your needs.

Our camping area is limited and fills quickly, so be sure to send your registration early to get the accommodations you prefer. Up to eighty participants may camp in tents or small RVs along drives at the rear of camp. They pay all of the same fees as those who stay in the dorms. No electricity and no hookups are provided. RVs may not leave these sites after the evening of December 26th through New Years Eve, and no cars may be parked in the camping areas.

SWIM 2004 Scholarship Guidelines *** REVISED DRAFT ***

Purpose:
1. Expand access to SWIM to people of all ages and backgrounds
2. Help first-time participants attend SWIM to support SWIM's vision and mission
3. Help prior participants attend SWIM during times of financial hardship
4. Encourage active participants in other UU retreats to become active participant in SWIM
5. Expand access for SWIM participants to attend other programs to support SWIM's vision and mission

Availability:
1. Scholarships are not limited to Unitarian Universalists or members of UU congregations.
2. Scholarship amounts will be based on demonstrated need and/or interviews, and available funds.
3. Scholarships may be granted to cover any portion of registration, meals, and housing.

Administration:
1. The availability of scholarship funds will be publicized.
2. The Scholarship Fund balance will be tracked and recorded from year to year.
3. All donations and collections designated for the Scholarship fund will be used for that purpose.
4. The Scholarship Committee of the Board or the Director may award a scholarship and determine its amount. Any member of the Scholarship Committee or the Director may be contacted about a scholarship.
5. The Scholarship Committee will make decisions on requests received by November 25th. Scholarship responses will be sent out shortly there after. Scholarship requests received after November 25th will be addressed by the Director.

Comments:
Scholarship seekers may be asked to participate in a staff position appropriate to their talents in addition to, or instead of, receiving a scholarship.
Everyone who attends SWIM is expected to help out. All adult and teen members of the SWIM community are expected to work a volunteer shift -- and to help out in general during the week. This is true for scholarship recipients as well.

As of 9/15/04, the total designated Scholarship Funds for SWIM 2004 is $2090.
The Scholarship Committee for 2004 is Diane Neville, Dee Medley, and Pepi Acebo.

International participants are welcome at SWIM. Canadian residents may pay for SWIM "at par" in Canadian funds. On a trial basis, first-timers residing outside the United States are welcome to register with payment by check or money order in non-US funds; please email Pepi Acebo or Dee Medley for simplified exchange rate. Refunds on payments made with foreign checks or money orders will only be issued once foreign funds have been collected by our bank.

The first $25 of the registration fee is non-refundable. Refunds of the remainder are available if notice of cancellation is sent to the registrar before December 1st. Fees for Outdoor Adventures are refundable until the close of registration on December 26th. After that refunds will be given only for trips which were canceled due to lack of attendance or poor weather or trips for which SWIM has incurred no expenses (e.g., sailing trips incur expenses so there are no refund for late cancellations).