Circle Pines Center

CABIN FEVER WEEKEND (Just added!): Tired of gray slushy snow in the city and/or feeling trapped inside because of the weather? Then come out to Circle Pines for an intergenerational Cabin Fever weekend and enjoy winter like it was meant to be. But you won't have to stay in a cabin: Swallows Lodge and the Farmhouse will be warm. You'll get to enjoy 5 delicious family-style meals. There will be cross country ski and snowshoeing instruction. The sledding hill will be open (weather permitting, of course). We can fire up the wood-burning sauna down by the lake and/or folk dance in the dining room Saturday evening. The CPC Board will be meeting here Saturday afternoon. It will be a good time to see what is going on at CPC, meet the new staff, and enjoy winter like it was meant to be -- out in the country, playing in the snow or curled up beside a woodstove. Bring your family, some friends, a good book, your skis or snowshoes (or use some of ours, if you like). $125/adult, $100 for members, children 4-17 are half price. Additional cost for single occupancy rooms ($30) or bedding ($15).

COUPLES MASSAGE: Valentine's Day weekend, the dining hall will be transformed into a massage training center. Learn to give and get a massage with your life partner. The weekend package includes five delicious meals, 4 hours of massage workshops with Kalamazoo-area massage therapist Traci Seuss. Time for cross-country skiing, snow shoeing or hiking. Relaxing with your honey. A sauna by the lake. And a few more optional treats may be in store. Stay tuned for details. What a nice Valentine's Treat!

MAPLE SYRUP WEEKEND: This weekend offers an opportunity to help tap the trees, collect sap, stoke the fire, and learn how maple syrup is made. Sunday morning the fruits of these labors are offered at a pancake feast.

SPANISH IMMERSION: Gather for fun and friends and immerse yourself in the Spanish language and culture. Whether you are a native speaker or just a beginner, this weekend is a time to brush up on your skills and share traditional food, songs and stories from Spanish speaking cultures.

WOMEN'S WEEKEND: Join us for a wonderful time in the company of women. We will be spending time nurturing our bodies, minds and spirits through being in nature, yoga and chi kung, art and movement and just sharing with one another. Wholesome delicious meals will be provided. A special time for women to get away and recharge.

MEMORIAL DAY / MEMBERSHIP WEEKEND: One of CPC's twice-yearly Membership Meetings is combined with this holiday weekend. Members and other guests gather at the waterfront for swimming and boating, take nature hikes, folk dance, sauna, make crafts/play games, and engage in discussions. There is an orientation for new members and an opportunity to see and participate in the inner workings of Circle Pines through the Membership Meeting.

CPC FRIENDS WEEKEND: A mini reunion for Circle Pines families, individuals and friends.

FAMILY CAMP: A chance for families to get away before school starts, this is another participation-rich event. Families discuss desires, needs, and interests, then plan the week accordingly. The range of possibilities includes games, crafts, nature activities, swimming, boating, cookouts, horseback riding, blueberry picking, bird watching. ... It is a wonderful place to reunite with extended family. All family configurations are welcomed at Circle Pines. Brochure

ADULT CAMP: The philosophy of this program is "Camp's not just for kids." Adult Campers love to say that they do everything the kids do - but without counselors! Activities have included massage therapy, arts and crafts, yoga, nature walks, swimming, folk dancing, writing workshops and discussions. Ask for a brochure with rates and more information. Brochure

MUSHROOM GROWING WORKSHOP: Join us, along with David Schaffer and Brian Rogers of Mushroom Gardens LLC, for a comprehensive workshop on growing delicious, edible and medicinal mushrooms. The weekend will include hands-on log inoculation, fungi cultivation and trade secrets from two successful mushroom growers. You will gain hands-on experience cutting oak logs and inoculating them with cold stain oyster spores. Whether you are just interested in mushrooms or want to start a small business this workshop is for you. Cost for this event will be $250.

HARVEST WEEKEND: Learn to extend the local food season by dehydrating, canning and cooking with root vegetables. Join Excalibur CEO, Whitney Verkade, in an interactive drying workshop. You’ll go home with canned vegetables, delicious dried fruit and vegetable snacks, as well as new cooking skills. There will be an additional fee for materials and produce. The weekend will also include time to hike, swim, canoe, relax, play music and sing.

APPLE CIDER / MEMBERSHIP WEEKEND: The second membership meeting of the year is combined with picking apples from Circle Pines' orchard and pressing them into cider. There is a new member orientation, folk dancing, a sauna, discussion time, music-making, and of course, a meeting for members to conduct the business of the Center and hear board, staff and committee reports.

MUSHROOM GROWING WEEKEND WORKSHOP: Join us and Frank Michael of Mushroompeople for a comprehensive workshop on growing delicious, edible and medicinal mushrooms. Hands on experience will include cutting oak logs and inoculating them with Shiitake spores. Whether you are just interested in mushrooms or want to start a small business this workshop is for you.

THANKSGIVING DINNER & WEEKEND: Circle Pines spreads a traditional Thanksgiving feast the evening of Thanksgiving Day. There is an organic turkey, a vegetarian dish, and all the "fixings," plus an array of dishes brought by those who gather for dinner. Those who can stay the weekend may enjoy making crafts, singing, storytelling, baking, hiking, sharing, and other activities of interest.

FAMILY NEW YEARS GETAWAY: Lots of great activities for families and plenty of time to relax by the wood stove. We will have a family based party New Year's Eve. Bring in the New Year together with intention.

WORKBEES
- ORCHARD PRUNING
- GARDEN WORK DAY
- FIREWOOD
These are open to both members and non-members, skilled and unskilled. Some are focused on annual works such as cutting firewood, clearing ski trails, or pruning fruit trees. Others are related to a special project like fixing a roof, painting the Farmhouse, hanging drywall, putting up siding, or building a cabin. Workbees are usually held on weekends and cost participants nothing but labor (though donations towards food are accepted from those who can afford it). There is also time for socializing, walking in the woods, relaxing in the sauna and other activities. Not all workbees are publicized in advance; members who are interested in being notified can let the office know and advise the staff of particular skills and interests.

ESPECIALLY FOR YOUTH

SUMMER CAMP: For 4 weeks (two 2 week sessions), children ages 8-17, and the staff, are members of a cooperative community, learning the value of interdependent living. Everyone shares in the cooperative tasks necessary to maintain the community. Nonviolent solutions to problems are sought as well as alternatives to competition in all aspects of the camp's daily life. Work projects, swimming, theater, nature exploration, folk dancing, cooperative games, and arts and crafts activities all contribute to the summer camp program. Each session will end with a special presentation by campers. Family and friends are welcomed for these events. Circle Pines Summer Camp is licensed by the State of Michigan and accredited by the American Camp Association. A scholarship program, made available through donations and member fund-raisers, such as an annual Christmas tree sale in Chicago, ensures that CPC camp is available to families of differing economic backgrounds. For more information, see our web site or contact CPC .

YOUTH INSTITUTE: Youth Institute is a one week program for ages 11-17. It will focus on community organizing. We will explore the rich history of organizing and learn the skills that will help us to implement change in our local communities. Through music, theater, stories from organizers, and discussions, we hope to foster real youth empowerment. Besides program related activities there is time for swimming, hiking, sports and other camp activities.