we are excited toannouncetwo thenext20years. for forward And, us carry plan that will a strategic evolving, opportunities new and we have alottobehopefulabout, andcelebration.change At Camp of hope,full for opportunities Year decade 2020opensanew Presented byTheBoard ofDirectors Celebrating 25and60Years! Diamond Anniversary: Camp’s Silverand Connection

Camp de Beneville Pines Non-profit Organization 41750 Jenks Lake Road West U.S. Postage Angelus Oaks, CA 92305 PAID San Bernadino, CA Change Service Requested Permit No. 2051 Your Universalist MountainRetreat Unitarian specialreasons tocelebrate! very This year marks the25 on the job, ( July 7 July on thejob, ( it around. OnJanet’s day seventh andsoulneededintoturning heart would have takenthison andputthe someone withfierce determination Janet’s firstday on thejob!Only upon swimming poolheaterblew repairs weekly,temporary andthe plant, required thewatersystem had condemned thesewer State faster thanitcouldberepaired. The wascrumbling old infrastructure Literally, thecamp’s then34-year- infrastructure.a deteriorating financialproblems and serious a hostofchallenges. Camphad though she theredid so even were Janet signedon tolead the charge 25years. for location The year would live andwork inaremote moreeven rare thatamanager 60years, for sustain itscamp and is rare can whenanorganization oftime. along period such for It of determination towear bothhats and we meanfearless. Ittakesalot manager andExecutive Director— as camp’s operations fearless ofJanetJamesserving anniversary history thatshewould notliketo history thiswasatime incamp’sClearly andpropane food for deliveries. put up her own credit card to pay nomoney inreserves,With Janet malfunctions andvendor strikes. situations, andequipment facility now—those constant emergency bypass. seemssosurreal Itall aquadruple was stableenoughfor Linda intensive before care he help, and then a month in Loma It took over three hourstoget incamp, attack heart atmidnight. husband, Bob, suffered amassive th , 1995), her Camp deBennevillePines th

Celebrating 59 years serving UU Campers of all ages UUCampersofall 59yearsCelebrating serving special experiences, andembrace to remember some ofyour own you smile, laughoutloud, pause make read piecesthatwill short is profound. Inthisissueyou’ll families, andourworld friendships camp has on that lifelong effect joy andspecialness ofCamp. The the feel tohelpus all of history letters, remembrances andsnippets love with isfilled This newsletter Diamond Jubilee. and our Silver celebration—and off ofour25/60 marks thekick- ThisConnection ayear.of campers thousands serving of andcapable safer Pines Benneville toward makingde arechanges geared tank. of these All water a new anderectingsystem entire waterline road, replacing the paving thecamp Pavilion,Ed Law Lodge, buildingthe remodeling Homet Craig’s Cabin, asbuilding such Improvements a reality.the camp steady changes to towards makingthe have contributed old andnew. Many and friends, both share thissacred space withfamily have traveled upHighway 38to years, tensofthousandscampers a busy schedule. the last 60 Over could justjumpinandmanage such base,camper sheisnotsure how she the todeveloping been integral business of camp, and had she not had shenotgrown along withthe admittedJanet hasrecently that surviving,not only itisthriving! great reason to celebrate. Camp is year,Anniversary andthistooisa mark2021 will Camp’s 60 revisit. Spring/Summer/Fall 2020 Daisy andJanetatSummerCamp th

happen as part ofher25 happen aspart to Campwould shelove tosee askedwhatimprovementsrecently work seemlimitless. was She andpassion for Janet’s energy membership andcampers. andlove ofthedistrict the support many generationsfor tocome with thrive inthePSWDwill of camp youth and families. The institution inthelives ofour part integral asan Pines value deBenneville remind you justhow much you this issuewill And hopefully atCamp.the UUvaluesnurtured de Benneville’s legacy. page 18andconsider donating to Read more about these projects on oftheseprojectsone orall areality? thentohelpmake years ofservice honor and acknowledge Janet’s 25 funding.lack betterway to What we which currently for need atcamp each project addresses a specific celebration. Asyou mightimagine, th year Page 2 - Connection 2020

Camp de Benneville Pines Calendar of Events 2020 January July (continued) 12/27 - 1/1 Senior High Winter Youth Camp 12 - 18 UU Junior High Summer Youth Camp 2 - 5 Camp available for lease: (909) 794-2928 See ad on Page 9 10 - 12 Camp available for lease: (909) 794-2928 19 - 25 UU Senior High Summer Youth Camp 16 - 20 SCA See ad on Page 9 24 - 26 Cub Scouts Pack 5 7/26 - 8/1 UU Family Summer Camp 1/31 - 2/2 Camp available for lease: (909) 794-2928 See ad on Page 11 February August 2 - 6 Turning the Tide, Social Justice Camp 7 - 9 Riverside Pioneer Princesses (Craig’s Cabin) See ad on Page 17 Remainder of Camp available for lease: (909) 794-2928 8 - 12 Summer Break Camp for Adults 15 -17 UU Elementary/Family Winter Camp See ad on Page 13 17 -19 LREDA (Craig’s Cabin) 8 - 12 Choir Camp: Singing in the Pines 21 - 23 Long House of the Orange Skies/OCLC See ad on Page 13 2/28 - 3/1 Neighborhood / Long Beach UU Family Retreat 14 - 19 Summer Arts Program for Adults: Art Groove! March See ad on Page 15 6 - 8 Folk Music Retreat (Craig’s and Cabin 6) 21 - 23 Camp TransSpectrum for Adults Remainder of Camp available for lease: (909) 794-2928 See ad on Page 17 13 - 15 Girl Scouts of Marina Service Unit 28 - 30 Neighborhood UU Family Retreat 19 -22 High Altitude Gaming Retreat September 20 - 22 Chalice UU Women’s Retreat 4 - 7 Young Adult Camp 27 - 29 Rainbow Family Camp #1 See ad on Page 17 See ad on Page 7 11- 13 Yoga Retreat April See ad on Page 19 3 - 5 San Dieguito UU Family Retreat 14 - 17 El Rancho Camp Bravo 9 - 12 Private Party (Craig’s Cabin and Cabin 7) 18 - 20 Santa Monica UU Family Retreat Remainder of Camp available for lease: (909) 794-2928 25 - 27 ACA 12-Step Retreat 17 - 19 UU Men’s Fellowship Spring Renewal See ad on Page 21 See ad on Page 5 October 20 - 22 Spring Volunteer Work Camp (Mon-Wed) 2 - 4 Channel Island Cluster/ Monte Vista UU See ad on Page 14 Family Retreat 24 - 26 Camp Recovery 12-Step Retreat 5 - 8 Homeschool Autumn Rendezvous See ad on Page 21 30 Pathways Academy See ad on Page 22 9 - 11 Orange Coast/ Tapestry/ Laguna UU May Family Retreat 1 - 3 UU Women’s Spring Retreat 16 - 18 LA Valley Cluster UU Family Retreat See ad on Page 5 23 - 25 PineCon Retreat 8 - 10 Camp Transcend Family Retreat See ad on Page 19 See ad on Page 11 15 - 17 Rainbow Family Camp #2 29 -11/1 Daughters of Diana Family Retreat See ad on Page 7 November 18 - 21 Wildroot Homeschool Group 6 - 8 Music in the Mountains Folk Music Retreat 22 - 25 Bravo Camper Reunion See ad on Page 15 29 - 31 San Diego/ Chalice UU Family Retreat 9 -11 Fall Volunteer Work Camp (Mon -Wed) Tentative June See ad on Page 14 5 - 7 Pacific Unitarian Church Family Retreat 13 - 15 Fullerton UU/Alianza Family Retreat 10 - 14 Camp available for lease: (909) 794-2928 20 - 22 Camp available for lease: (909) 794-2928 14 - 20 Camp Bravo Theatre Arts Camp Week 1 26 - 29 Thanksgiving Family Celebration 21 - 27 Camp Bravo Theatre Arts Camp Week 2 See ad on Page 22 28 - 7/4 Camp Bravo Theatre Arts Camp Week 3 December See ad on Page 19 4 - 6 Winter Art Retreat for Adults July (Craig’s and Cabin 6) 5 - 11 UU Elementary School Summer Youth Camp Remainder of Camp available for lease: (909) 794-2928 See ad on Page 8 11 - 13 Camp available for lease: (909) 794-2928 5 - 11 UU Counselor-in-Training Program 18 - 20 Camp available for lease: (909) 794-2928 See ad on Page 8 27 - 1/1 UU Senior High Winter Youth Camp

Camp is available for lease mid-week during the school year. For information about leasing camp, contact Janet James, Executive Director, at [email protected] or (909) 794-2928 Connection 2020 - Page 3 Life with a Great Purpose By Revs. Carolyn and Tom Owen-Towle, camp supporters

Fifty-one years is a long time to and wooed her. and continues to be. Every camper sorely needed, and by assuring have visited de Benneville Pines, This year, 2020, we celebrate Janet knows that tall, beautiful, smiling that we want her to continue as de our UU camp in Angelus Oaks. James during her 25th anniversary, Janet will appear to greet, welcome, Benneville’s Executive Director for It gives one a ‘long’ perspective. as the truly outstanding Executive warmly direct and bring us together as long as possible. We came here in late ’68 with our Director of this camp that she is. with anticipation. At the same time For all you have done for our infant son, now 52, so we shall not Janet is the person who, with her no one realizes the incredibly long Camp, Janet, we thank you. And forget that time. The camp was sequential boards, both created hours she works behind the scenes for all the future holds, we bless ruggedly wonderful. There was a vision and did the necessary, making sure that every detail runs you. no paved road, or hot tub. There difficult work to make it evolve into smoothly. Using her were no frills of any kind; yet this the star among continent-wide life to great purpose, was a friendly, wholesome, sturdy Unitarian Universalist camps. Janet ministers, place with unbelievable possibility. Janet’s ego has never dwarfed organizes, raises Possibility, that someone would the mission of our Camp. She has funds, hires, guides, have to be far sighted, hard- been a consummate leader-servant, serves, manages working and determined, to working collaboratively with staff, and creates a place manage it all, much less, to move board members, as well as camp people want to be a the camp forward. attendees, and yes, camp animals. part of. There has not been a Director If Janet James were to receive an We shall honor comparable to what and whom we honorary doctorate for her years Janet, by our have in Janet James. She came to of service as Director, it might well thoughtful witness the mountain, up the road from her be titled, “Doctorate of Durability,” to her history with childhood home in Redlands, with for she has exhibited true staying de Benneville Pines, the thought of a new, probably not power and resilience throughout by our support, overly long adventure. However, personal and organizational both personal and the towering, tree-filled, beautiful challenges. financial for the Revs. Carolyn and Tom Owen-Towle at place, and the people challenged Heroic is what she has been improvements 2019 Summer Break Camp for Adults SAVE THE DATE: CAMP’S SILVER AND DIAMOND JUBILEE, SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 2021 Open Arms and a Loving Heart By Ben Troccoli, lifelong camper and counselor

often been the highlight campers in my very own cabin at own. I’ve met people at camp and of my year. Most of the Elementary Camp. made my own “chosen family”. I fondest memories of my While life down the mountain am so incredibly lucky that she is childhood take place at is hectic and crazy all too often, a member of that chosen family. de Benneville Pines. watching people who come to camp Janet, congratulations on 25 One of the highlights for the first time realize that up in wonderful years, and thank you so of the long, winding the forest amongst like-minded much for the time, effort, and love trip up Highway 38 individuals they can just unload you put into this incredible place! was getting to see their worries and stresses and be I hope you feel all that love being Janet James. As a child their true selves, is an incredible given back to you with each and I looked up to her as moment. Janet is a huge part of that every camp you make possible. one of my greatest role experience, models, and now that I as she am a camp counselor for welcomes youth camps, I always everyone make sure my campers with open know not only who she arms and a Ben Troccoli is and how important loving heart. her job is, I tell them that Without I was excited when I was if there’s anything at all that they Janet camp asked to write a piece for the need, they can turn to her. would not be Connection—I’ve written for this Camp has been home for me in the magical paper a couple of times over the many ways for more than a decade place that years, but not for something as now, as I’ve grown up through it is, where special as Janet’s 25th anniversary! the stages of being a camper, and everyone can Over the 11 years I’ve been then taking on counselor and staff feel like they attending camps at de Benneville positions. I’m old enough now have found Pines, starting with congregational where kids I remember as toddlers a place to retreats and then moving on to at my home congregation in Santa call their Janet and Ben at Thanksgiving Camp family and youth camps, they have Monica are old enough to be Page 4 - Connection 2020 Janet and the Redecoration Project By Betsy Gilpin, board member, dean and artist

Janet has always been one to Laura haunted all the thrift shops looked in on any art workshops and and Lucy Elahi to paint murals see the possibilities in anything in the area for dressers, nightstands, found a few potential helpers: John for the outsides of the buildings. I that might come up. When Laura etc., and Laura began to decorate Matsch, Joy Boatman, Jennifer was assigned the one to go on the Janes, an accomplished artist and them in the winter when it was too White, Marcia Harris, and Ellé outside of the PSWIRL building, decorator, came up to camp in cold to paint walls. Janet sewed all Long. My recruitment to the group where Clouds was the theme. So, August 2002 to clear her head, the curtains, by moving her sewing took place when I was up at camp I got out some white and black Janet made her a proposition. How machine deck to deck. volunteering to paint walls. After paint, mixed them and painted about we redecorate the cabins? It wasn’t too long before Laura a full day’s work, Laura invited me some clouds. When Laura came by Laura went for it and they put their realized she had probably bitten to go along with her to a figure to inspect my work she exclaimed, heads together on color schemes, off more than she could chew, so drawing class she was teaching. “These look like dog - - - -!” After themes and the scope of work she began to look around at some I had never done anything like a lesson on painting clouds, I required to take the cabins from of the campers as potential “Art that before but was game to try. I reworked them, fuzzing the edges drab to inviting. Then Laura was Slaves.” At the adult camps Laura think I was so tired from the wall a bit and trying to make them off and running. Both Janet and painting that my brain got out of less defined. (Unfortunately, they the way of my eyes and I did some still bear some resemblance to the nice drawings. I was hooked. In original.) fact, I took up watercolors when I A few of us still make it up to retired rather than photography as Camp about once a year to repair I had planned. any of the decorations and keep The art assitants came up to things looking fresh in the cabins. camp several times a year when Certainly, the lovely decorations the camp was not rented out and are well respected by the campers got to work painting the wall and very little damage has taken decorations, installing them and, place. Janet’s vision made Camp in general, spiffing up the place. ever so inviting. It is still rewarding One week I particularly remember. to hear how much campers enjoy Laura had invited her usual helpers the artwork. with the addition of Gwen Small SAVE THE DATE: CAMP’S SILVER AND DIAMOND JUBILEE, SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 2021 as did bottles of wine and about 70 late afternoon singing and wine, assorted UU adults. We sang, drank games and talks with like-minded A Place for Me wine, snacked on tidbits provided people, yoga every morning, daily A DRE Finds the Joy of Camp by the kitchen staff, chatted and just workshops, and a magnificent choir By Steven LeRoy Lovelace, DRE, Live Oaks UU Church hung out on the patio in the beauty concert in Sanctuary space—this of the Mother until dinner was served. It had already been a lingering to find out what all the fuss was about. The good food summer for me as I headed into I pulled onto the grounds of this was varied to the San Bernardino Mountains UU mountain paradise and parked accommodate that Saturday in August. It was a my car. Even though I come across many, as well long drive from Phoenix where my as extroverted, new surroundings as beautiful and grandkids live. I had been on the and people sometimes make me tasty from the road for six hours, the drive was hot a little nervous. How would this thought and and long even with the AC, and I weekend go, and what would I find? love put into was a little apprehensive as I took Here’s what I found: lovely folks the preparation. the Live Oak exit just past Yucaipa. looking to accommodate me in Camp Deans Ironically, Live Oak is the name of comfort and belonging. At check- Barbara and my UU congregation in Goleta. in, I was warmly welcomed, and for Cyndy were As I traveled for the first time up over an hour I sat and conversed amazingly this side of the mountain toward while making a name tag using sweet, helpful, Big Bear, I found fewer people, less colorful artists’ pens generously and every other traffic, more trees, and cooler air. I loaned from a stranger’s personal lovely adjective was grateful when I passed Angelus collection. I met another DRE I can come up Fellow Summer Break participants Oaks and found Jenks Lake Road. over coffee. I took a little hike to with. They made Camp a home for is a life I could lead every day. It This was my first trip to de get a sense of the place and ah, the everyone. was such a remarkable time I will Benneville since becoming a DRE mountains. The next five days were expansive undoubtedly make this a regular two and a half years ago, and I unpacked my car, got situated as I found out just what the fuss is event each August. I love traditions UU Adult Summer Camp (and in my assigned room, and made about. The morning reflections in in my life, and de Benneville Pines its companion Choir Camp) fit my way back to the lodge. At 5:00 the outdoor sanctuary, the merging Adult Summer Camp is my new perfectly into my annual trip to see p.m. something magical happened. of the Adult and Choir camps, the summer tradition! the grandkids. I figured it was time Guitars and songbooks came out food, Mother Nature, the daily Connection 2020 - Page 5

UU Women’s Retreat Sacred Friendship Friday, May 1 – Sunday, May 3, 2020 This year’s UU Women’s Retreat is hosted by the Women’s Fellowship of the Santa Monica Unitarian Universalist Church. The theme will be “Sacred Friendship.” We are delighted to of- fer Dr. Marie Cartier as our keynote speaker, who will address the sacred role that friend- ship plays in women’s lives. Dr. Marie Cartier is a scholar, visual / performance artist, queer activist, poet and theologian who has been active in many movements for social change. She teaches at UC Irvine in Film and Media Studies and at CSU Northridge in Gender and Women’s Studies. Dr. Cartier is the author of “Baby, You Are My Religion”. Come and connect! We will have workshops on music, making art, writing, yoga, massage and more. You can be as relaxed (massage, hot tub, meditation, reading on the deck) or as active (dancing, hiking, yoga, crafting, attending inspiring workshops) as you want to be while ponder- ing the sacred friendships in your life. For more information, visit www.uucamp.org This retreat sells out fast! Register before 4/15/20 to take advantage of the and click on “Camps & Retreats”. early bird discount.

UU Men’s Fellowship Spring Renewals Friday, April 17 – Sunday, April 19, 2020

Carpe Diem—Meaning/Purpose/Joy What is most important for you today? Finding Meaning, acting on Pur- pose, experiencing Joy? In open discussions and activities and in small supportive kinship group setting, we can be open to the issues that challenge us to the core and help us to discover who we are as men, sons and brothers. We welcome our sometimes-raw emotions and self- aware laughter at our foibles. In addition, there will be time for music and singing, hot tub and hiking, drumming and ritual, conversation and renewing friendships, and meditation and quiet time. An optional early start on Thursday evening is available For more questions or information, please view http://www. for those who desire firstuusandiego.org/mens-fellowship or contact Mike Dorfi to help set up. (619) 466-5952 or email [email protected]. Camp tuition is $200; no brother will be denied for financial reasons. Schol- arships are available. Page 6 - Connection 2020 What’s Your Camp Story? by Janet James, Executive Director

Someone recently asked me, coupled with the beauty of the donors to the board members, it I’m instantly carried back to my “Hey Janet, what is your camp mountains, makes the job of camp is one fantastical operation—one days of singing, storytelling and story?” I stopped in my tracks and manager less about work and more where the vision for the camp marshmallow roasting around a about living converges with the realities of crackling campfire; my heart feels my passion. camp. Each retreat is an amazing happy knowing that others are And the production with many moving enjoying one of my favorite camp experiences I parts. And these days, the camp activities. I know their hearts are have had out calendar is very busy year ‘round. full of love for one another and for in nature— All that aside, I wish with campers, to point out a not-so- staff andobvious truth, and that is volunteers— that none of my time at have been camp would be possible remarkable. if not for my husband I get a lot Bob. For Bob’s the one of “thanks” who has given up the for my long most in his life, and in history at our marriage, in order for camp. Parents me to be entirely present thank me for and at camp for 25 years. Janet having fun in the kitchen taking care Without his support “to smiled and said, “I have so many, of their children, board members go off into the woods what type of story are you wanting thank me for being a good steward to work”, I would never to hear?” We both laughed at the and caretaker of their sacred place, have come to camp in fact that after 25 years of living and and campers thank me for the the first place. I’ve been breathing camp life, I have more years of memories they have made married to Bob 33 years, than enough “stories” to write a at Camp; but in truth, I don’t work and for 25 of those years, book! alone, and it takes a team of people he knows he can find me Twenty-five years is a long time to to take care of and nurture the at de Benneville! live and work in a remote location, growth of camp. From the camp I was young and full but my enjoyment of people staff to the volunteers, from the of energetic ideas when Janet and Dakota I first landed on “planet their time at camp when they sing de Benneville”, and I the traditional closing song, Circle had a lot to learn about Game. the UU’s, their history There is no argument in my mind with the camp, and their that the best gift we can give our devotion to maintaining children is the gift of a week at camp. a retreat center for the I have been witness to thousands of youth and families in young people discovering their true the district. The word potential while spending a week at “community” was central de Benneville Pines. Camp is a safe to every conversation place for them. A place where they back then. “Together we can be heard—their secrets, hopes build community on the and dreams shared with a group of mountain”. “Our youth friends who hold one another in find their community up trust. The camp experience helps at de Benneville.” “Our our youth to develop resilience and camp is a collective effort, strength of character. They come and building community together only twice a year up on is core to our mission.” our mountain top, but the journey From the time I was can be profound—and most often, little, I opted for outdoor life changing. experiences which When I think of it, the magic involved others: camping of de Benneville Pines is not just across the country with reserved for our young people. my family, backpacking Folks of all ages find peace and with my dad and brother calm within these woods. “Home” in the Sierras, hiking and is often a word that is used to river rafting with my Girl describe how many feel about Scout troop. I spent my Camp de Benneville Pines— summers off at camp as campers and camp staff alike. a child, and to this day, And I would be remiss if I did when I hear the singing What’s Your Camp Story Husband Bob, Janet and Daisy Doodle on Lodge deck summer 2019 around the campfire, Continued on page 12 Connection 2020 - Page 7

Camp—and Our Whole Lives classes at his congregation— The Power of Youth Leadership learning to explore his beliefs, question assumptions, and build community; to breathe in peace, Development and breathe out love. By Liz Bear, Tapestry UU church member and camper parent Camp is a place of laughter, fun, and both The call came the week before Through conversation and happy and sad Thanksgiving that studentsaction regarding curriculum tears. Camp is protesting Reed College’s financial reform, student staff positions, and a place we can ties to the private prison industry economic justice, Grayson was explore our UU were being unfairly threatened better able to understand the power values, better with suspension and/or dismissal. of the covenant and live out his UU ourselves as Our son Grayson explained values. individuals, that he’d needed to explicitly align We were so proud—but and support himself with the movement and its understood that this was about the broader consequences in order to materially more than him alone. community. support the efforts of black and As an introvert, Grayson does It is an indigenous student organizers not fit the “typical” profile of an amazing, who had much more to lose from activist. But he attended Camp de resources including chaplain sacred place of spiritual growth and retaliation at the hands of this Benneville Pines for congregational services and Anti-Racism/Anti- relationship building. predominantly white institution. and youth camps, later serving Oppression workshops, as well as Camp provides an opportunity He understood the importance on youth staff at camps and as a making space for the exploration to learn how to be an ally for people of standing up to those who silence counselor. of gender, sexuality, and other on the margins of society. people of color, and despite the The leadership training, heidentities. Our future, as people and UUs, fear of reprisal felt by everyone received through the Counselor- With the help of the camp’s is brighter because of the youth involved he needed to do what was In-Training program, helped him compassionate adult advisors, that get to spend time at camp. right for the community at stake. to develop communication skills, Grayson’s many years of learning My shy son has grown into a Importantly, this was an ongoing, work with children of all ages, learn to step a little outside his comfort compassionate, caring, social justice decentralized protest movement how to actively listen, and how to zone led to the cultivation of advocate with a passion to make that allowed for a plurality of voices, navigate conflict. interpersonal skills and long- our world a better place. Now that opportunities for listening and Camp is an ever-evolving lasting friendships, a curiosity for college is over, he’s just trying to growth, and for shifts in tactics in program, considering the needs of a knowledge, and an appreciation for figure out exactly how to describe response to the wider community’s growing community and providing people who are not like him. all that on a résumé. needs. youth with incredibly important He is the person he is today because of the years he spent at Rainbow Family Camps Twice the Fun! Two weekends designed with LGBTQ families and their friends in mind Friday, March 27 – Sunday, March 29, 2020 Friday, May 15 – Sunday, May 17, 2020 Join us for ONE or BOTH exciting, fun-filled weekends where families with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender parents/guardians come to- gether to build a better community with other LGBTQ families. Get to know other families just like yours and build lasting connections and friendships! Take the opportunity to enjoy dozens of family-centered activities in a beautiful outdoor environment. Delight in your child’s excitement over meeting other children from families “just like ours!” The weekends offer an atmosphere of mutual respect, kindness and support. Shelly and Lynn Siegel are deans for Rainbow Family Camp #1 in March. Join Crystal Czberant and Kristin Lummus, deans for Rainbow Family Camp #2, in May. Rainbow Family Camp is sponsored by Camp de Benneville Pines and is Activities include: crafts, hiking, movies, talent show, dance, parent so- coordinated and staffed by volunteers and camp supporters. Discounts will cials, outdoor activities, indoor games, community meals, and for those be given to those who share their talents or lead an activity. attending the March camp, some snow activities -- if we have some snow lingering in the woods! For more information, visit www.uucamp.org and click on “Camps & Retreats”. Page 8 - Connection 2020

UU Summer Youth Camps

Counselor-in-Training Elementary School Camp Program Camp Sacred Ground Sunday, July 5 – Saturday, July 11, 2020 Sunday, July 5 – Saturday, July 11, 2020 Dean: Kathleen Moscato Counselor Trainers: Mary Carter-Vail and Melinda Merkel Iyer Sacred Ground: a special place set aside for a particular purpose we hold dear and cherish that which we spend time with, and which Do you want to give an amazing experience to the next generation of nourishes us. campers? Ready for a summer of hard work and serious responsibility, We cannot love what we do not know. mixed with outrageous fun and friendship? Train to be a cabin counselor with the CIT program! Delve into a week of intensive learning as you dis- Camp de Benneville Pines is such a place. It is sacred to UU’s for its fresh cover the behind-the-scenes side of camp! air, clear skies, towering trees, sweet soil, wildlife, and quiet spaces to think We’ll explore leadership styles and conflict management, build skills for and dream. Young UU’s discover new friends and reconnect with old in a working with children, practice handling emergency situations, learn how place where they sing joyfully, explore ambitiously, and try new things en- to lead age-appropriate workshops and games and so much more. thusiastically. At camp, kids connect with nature and community in ways In addition to learning how to be top-notch counselors, CIT’s build con- their busy lives don’t allow for down the mountain. nections with each other and become an integral part of the UU Elementary Children who spend time at Camp de Benneville Pines experience the School Summer Camp community. Training takes place in the first half of sacred in fun and kid-friendly ways. They swim, sing, create, run, play, hike, the day; in the afternoon, CIT’s will assist camp counselors and program listen to a story, build a fort, roast marshmallows on the campfire, or just staff to gain practical experience. take the time to be a friend. There is so much to unite them at camp, so Space is limited. Given de Benneville’s ongoing need for counseling staff, many ways to find that which is special. applicants should be willing to commit to serve the counseling program for All campers are well cared for by trained counselors who are guided by several years after successful completion of the program. Unitarian Universalist principles and work to build a loving and inclusive All applicants must be between 14 and 18 years of age. A formal CIT camp community. The new and rich experiences that children encounter at application will be sent upon registration and receipt of deposit. All appli- Elementary School Summer Camp can be genuinely life changing. All of cations, including letters of recommendation, must be in by April 5, 2020. this, plus lovingly prepared home cooked meals and the famous camp talent Final acceptance notification will be made by May 1, 2020. show. Don’t let your child miss this opportunity to connect with the sacred- Cost: $475 (no discounts are available for this program) ness of the mountain and the experience of summer camp. This camp is designed for campers completing 2nd through 5th grade. “The Mountains are Calling-And I Must Go!” - John Muir Connection 2020 - Page 9

Junior High Camp Senior High Camp Camp CommUUnity 2020! Camp UUnite Sunday, July 12 – Saturday, July 18, 2020 Sunday, July 19 – Saturday, July 25, 2020 Dean: Kathleen Moscato Youth Deans: Unitarian Universalists are people of all ages, many backgrounds and beliefs. Alex Bates Lamparella & Charlotte Ulrich We are brave, curious and compassionate thinkers and doers. We create spirituality and community beyond boundaries, working for more justice and more love in Adult Dean: Rev. Matthew Funke Crary our own lives and in the wider community while living our values. Come to UUnite this summer under the sun and pines to discover what truly What brings us together? What keeps us together? Community! Communities brings UU youth together. The week will be spent diving deeper each day into what provide relationships and connections with others, support, a sense of belonging, UU principles mean, and more specifically, why they matter, and how they are a place for gathering together, hope, motivation to keep pushing forward, and op- acted upon. UU teens have learned that principles aren’t simple proclamations a portunities to give back to others in need. minister can make, as often the experience is the tail end of congregations falling short on commitments to these principles. Camp UUnite will offer more spiritual Camp CommUUnity will focus on why we come to our beloved Camp de Ben- expression than ever with singing, laughing, and UUniting for the greatest good neville Pines...to be in a place we can commune with nature, find solitude, and with the best group of folks imaginable. be welcomed into a community where we can make new friends and reconnect with old ones. We foster a community of hope and resilience and cultivating those Through these seven days, Camp will look completely different than in the past! Your deans have experienced life as campers, staff, counselors, and just about characteristics in ourselves! We strive to help campers make connections at our everything in between. In those positions, they’ve seen and experienced the hurt Junior High Summer Camp! It is our goal to create a safe, fun, creative, and in- that is held when tradition is prioritized over the greatest good of the community. clusive space for all campers to unwind from their daily lives and to remember the This means shaking up the schedule and staffing positions. The favorite activi- connections that surround them. ties of Jenks Lake canoeing, powerful worship, and life-changing workshops and Campers have the opportunity to participate in swimming, canoeing, hiking, trainings will continue with a shift of their foundation. Programming will be jus- archery, team building activities, playing games, music, arts and crafts, a variety tice and social activism heavy, with the goal of shifting the all too common white- show, dancing, a service project and making friends for a lifetime! Campers are supremacist and white savior mindsets that accompany UU history. With these invited to share their talents, hobbies, favorite board games and activities at camp. difficult conversations, the support system will consist of the UU seven principles If you have completed grades 6th – 8th, get away this summer with us and and learning how to extend the kindness within these principles to one another, to continue your UU journey at Junior High Summer Camp CommUUnity 2020! cope, and to grow. There is work to be done. Will you answer the call? This camp is designed for campers completing 9th – 12th grades.

Summer Youth Camps 2020 Registration opens: March 1, 2020 at 7 am Cost: $675 per camper For general information: Janet James, Executive Director, Early Bird Discount: $75 off if registered by [email protected] or call (909) 435-6298 May 31, 2020 For program information: Marianne Swift-Gifford, Camping Ministries •฀ Elementary฀Camp:฀Campers฀completing฀grades฀2฀–฀5 Director, [email protected] or (909) 287-1270 and Geoff Anderla, Camping •฀ Junior฀High฀School฀Camp:฀Campers฀completing฀grades฀6฀–฀8 Ministries Director, [email protected] or (623) 252-5619 •฀ Senior฀High฀Camp:฀Campers฀completing฀grades฀9฀–฀12 For registration information: Laura Chamberlin, Registrar, A $75 per camper non-refundable deposit is [email protected] or (909) 794-2928 required at registration. Full balance due one For more information, visit www.uucamp.org week before the start of camp. and click on “Camps & Retreats”. Page 10 - Connection 2020 Powered by Love Introducing By Barbara Leigh Shields, dean of Summer Break Camp for Adults Camp TransSpectrum For many years, Janet James and I have been friends in our August 21 - 23, 2020 hometown, Redlands. Her parents, Jim and Ardith, were very active in our town. They passed this spirit Hello, my name is Rudy Gordon Significant Others, and allies will of community service onto Janet, and I look forward to serving as be available for those who wish who was a highly successful realtor your Dean along with my spouse, to exchange ideas and concerns. and a prominent leader in the Girl Pat Gordon, at our newest adult Come make meaningful peace Scouts. camp, Camp TransSpectrum. connections and find your center. I In the late 1990s, Janet invited This amazing camp came about hope to welcome you to camp. me to de Benneville to teach songs because there is a need at various Girl Scout camps and for adults who identify occasionally provide entertainment along the transgender for UU church camps. For about inspiring, and together we came spectrum, and for a decade, I also led songs for up with a long list of ideas. She those who love us, to PSWIRL (Pacific South West invited us to be deans and we connect, share time, Institute of Religious Liberals) and enthusiastically said “yes.” To enjoy one another and taught some writing workshops. For ensure that we could build the rejoice together. Camp over half of a century, these faithful momentum to keep the new UUs annually migrated to the will be a relaxing and Summer Break Camp for Adults supportive weekend. mountains to reunite with kith and rolling for another 50 years, we th We will have fun kin. In 2015, on its 50 anniversary, committed to serving as deans for PSWIRL celebrated its final camp. five years. Janet has been delightful activities, such as art, Since that camp had completed to work with. She exemplifies the photography, archery, its life cycle, Janet needed to replace spirit of a life committed to service swimming, hiking, and it with something different, and that is powered by love. Along with hot tubbing. Breakout she asked my partner, Cyndy, and thousands of others, I assuredly say groups for non-binary, me if we had ideas. that Janet James has changed my TransMasculine, Collaborating with Janet is life for the better. TransFeminine,

SAVE THE DATE: CAMP’S SILVER AND DIAMOND JUBILEE, SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 2021 The Circle of Life By Laura Fahr, lifelong camper

I’ve been It was with Michelle, her sister other camps my children and I have camp. De Benneville Pines has going to de and a couple of other camp friends attended over the years have offered been a second home to me and my Benneville sitting in a jacuzzi in 2003 when us so many things: freedom with family. I know it has helped shape Pines since we decided to plan a de Benneville responsibility, learning and playing me into the person I am, and I’m 1969 when Pines reunion. With the use of the in nature, being with a liberal like- certain it has shaped my kids into I attended internet, we were able to find and minded community, worshipping the compassionate, kind and loving my firstreconnect with hundreds of people amongst the trees, learning people they are. It’s been one of the Family who attended youth camps in the communication and leadership greatest joys in my life to see my Camp. I 70s and 80s, and two years later we skills, falling in love, being with children fall in love with camp and remember reunited at camp with 130 people, family and most important, making to experience my sacred place with the feeling some coming back for the first time lifelong friendships. them. of freedom and independence, in 20-25 years. It was during the Last summer’s camp running free with the other kids at reunion that some of us decided theme, The Circle of camp. to start attending Family Camps Life, touched me deeply After that first Family Camp, with our children who were then having been a part I didn’t attend camp again until elementary school aged. of a four generation Elementary Camp 1975 where I The summer after the reunion camp family, yes my met my best friend Michelle. We was the first summer Family Camp grandmother even attended many camps together I attended since my first camp attended camps with us throughout our middle and high in 1969. I came back with my in the 70s! I can feel my school years, became Junior children, Sarah and Stefan, and 16 children moving into Counselors, Counselors, attended friends I’d met at youth camps with another phase of their Thanksgiving Camps yearly and their families. Thirteen summers lives, my father getting most influentially, attended Senior later my camp friends and I have older and less likely to High Camps where we bonded had the opportunity to get to know join me at camp in the with other liberal teens in a way each other’s kids and watch them future and, hopefully, we couldn’t in our high schools in grow into young adults. my children’s children Orange County. Family Camp and all of the participating in this Laura and Stefan Fahr at Jenks Lake Connection 2020 - Page 11

Family Summer Camp Journeys Sunday, July 26 – Saturday, August 1, 2020 Dean: Kathryn Deal

This summer pack up the family and journey on up to the land of towering pines, fresh air, clean water, outdoor activities, and a camp dog waiting to greet you. Venture to de Benneville Pines for Summer Family Camp and expand your horizons through personal and shared adventures, soul searching, and the quest of learning something new. First-time families and those who have made Camp their home for many years travel together through fun, fellowship, and family in the wondrous setting on the mountain top. The workshops at Family Summer Camp come from the heart as campers build a safe and welcoming space for each person to contribute to the community. The varied and creative workshops offered each summer make Camp a unique and distinctive experience summer is Family Summer Camp 2020. Registration fills quickly for – truly a new journey. Voyage to a place of beauty, exploration, this much-anticipated camp. Don’t miss the boat; register early! community, and joy while participating in art workshops, games, improvisation, talent night, archery, swimming, campfire activities, For more information, visit www.uucamp.org and a wonderful banquet dinner. Be sure your destination this and click on “Camps & Retreats”.

Camp Transcend

A camp for families with gender diverse children Friday, May 8 – Sunday, May 10, 2020 Dean: MG Hennessey

Camp Transcend is a fun-filled weekend of community building for the families of transgender and gender expansive kids, tweens, and teens. Our retreat provides a unique opportunity for parents and children to share their stories with peers while developing a support network. Moderated discussion groups take place in between traditional camp activities such as archery, arrival is available for an additional $20 per person. There is no food service hiking, and s’mores by the campfire. We also offer a sibling discussion group until camp starts, so if you do come early, please bring picnic foods to hold to help strengthen their understanding of changing family dynamics. On you over. If you need to stay over on Sunday night, please let the camp know Saturday night, we host a celebration of the wide range of talent among our so that they may accommodate you. campers, from stand-up comedy to singing to acrobatics, and conclude with an all-ages dance party. As a self-organizing camp, we ask each family to help with games, activi- ties, or panels. Please email the program coordinator to discuss how you’d Since this year’s camp occurs over Mother’s Day weekend, there will be a like to contribute: [email protected]. special Sunday brunch celebrating moms! Our amazing volunteer counsel- ors are primarily transgender and nonbinary adults who serve as resources For scholarship information or to apply, email [email protected] and role models for our campers. For general camp questions: email [email protected] Come join us as we forge new connections and deepen old ones in a gorgeous mountain setting. Each family will be assigned their own room For more information, visit www.uucamp.org in a cabin with bunk beds. Some double beds are available. Thursday early and click on “Camps & Retreats”. Page 12 - Connection 2020 Born to Camp -- Despite the Monsters By Jody James, Janet’s older sister

This article was originallyof thunderous footsteps! Big, loud Janet is one of those people published in the 1995 issue of footsteps with heavy breathing. What who likes camp better than Connection. We thought it was enormous monster was about to eat almost anything. She was appropriate to reprise it in this her entire Brownie troop alive in one a child who, ten out of ten, issue. Enjoy! big gulp? would choose going to camp The night is black and melodic with Janet peers out into the darkness to over going to the beach, or the chirping of crickets in the sparse, see the humped silhouette of a giant Disneyland, or you name it. dry grass. Occasional whistles arise coming towards her. Steam puffed She even passed up summer from the oak branches nearby, while from its nostrils as it bellowed a fun with other teenagers to a cool breeze sweeps through the open- ghastly snort. lead backpacking trips into walled wooden platform “tent” whose She withdraws into her sleeping the local mountains. She floor supports 12 cots a step up off the bag, only her long, thick braid credits her parents with this dusty ground; its roof will keep off the betraying humanly presence. She enthusiasm, for they made morning dew. trembles, imagining her fate will family camping a regular The giggly gossip-hour among follow that of the girl whose bones she activity throughout her life. tentmates has come and gone, now hears grinding in the monster’s It’s no surprise then, that and young Janet lies snuggled in jaws! we find her happily playing her sleeping bag on the brink of Her tentmates scream and spring the role of camp operations unconsciousness. Does she care that off their cots to huddle in panic with manager at de Benneville her pillow might get a bit damp with their leader on the far side of the Pines. To commune with the her cot on the edge of the platform? platform. pines, explore dusty mountain No, looking up at the stars is more Now Janet is alone, the hot breath trails, kibitz until the wee Janet James and sister Jody ready for camping! important. Anyway, the heat of the of the beast is upon her. hours of the morning, and space beneath a cabin, and waking day will dry it out. The heat of the incite near-strangers into frolics at dawn each morning to the day…yawn…thank goodness for that Being stalked by a marauding of fun and adventure: these are the incessant tapping of a woodpecker wonderful big pool…yawn…and the heifer at midnight might make moments that make the other parts on the cabin wall. ice-cold Eskimo Pies… some nine-year-old’s think twice of her job tolerable. You know, Oh no, what’s that thudding sound about ever camping again. But not the parts like snaking out toilets, BORN TO CAMP approaching the tent? The sound Janet James. fixing leaky plumbing in the crawl Continued on page 18

What’s Your Camp Story of the campers--chasing bears, family at Tapestry, has been by my more camping seasons together, Continued from page 6 coyotes, and bad guys from camp. side for over six years now. She and plenty of time to enjoy one not acknowledge that the magic I think of him as the last-great- has spoiled me. Part Poodle and another’s friendship. of camp would not be possible if camp-dog. He never wanted to be part Retriever, she doesn’t shed, From my heart to yours, I thank it were not for a team of people inside because he had a job to do she doesn’t chew on my shoes and you for the love you bestow upon cooking, cleaning, maintaining, outside! she doesn’t stray far from my side. this special place; and I thank you planning, administering and Bravo, the most beautiful dog What a delight to have her as my for the trust you have shown in my facilitating programs. Both paid you ever did see. Part Rott and part camp companion. I love following leadership. Camper, volunteer and and volunteer staff members come Chow, he was rescued wandering her down the trail to the office and staff family, you are the reason I am together each and every week to in the desert while a pup. He once watching that big feather duster here. support the magical experience of followed a group of Boy Scouts tail wagging happily! camp. Nothing would be possible to the top of San Gorgonio peak. From its without their devotion to their He was gone three days and was beautiful location, jobs, to their volunteer positions, fed only Tang and oatmeal. When to its sacred space; and to the campers. These people he returned to camp five pounds from the team make up my camp family, and I lighter, he vowed never to go of hard-working take my job of being head of the backpacking again without the employees to the camp-household very seriously. proper provisions and his mom! team of dedicated And yes, I often feel like everyone’s Dakota was nicknamed volunteers and mom, pulled in so many directions “baby”, and I don’t think he ever board members; with no time for myself. understood that he was supposed from a busy and And of almost equal importance to be guarding the camp. He lived chaotic lodge to to my enjoyment as a camp manager for belly rubs, head pats and for a peaceful walk has been my relationship with the his favorite cookies. He was a silly, across camp, de camp dogs over the years. Oh how wiggly Boxer dog who spent his Benneville Pines I’ve loved doting on them, referring days chasing lizards and sticking his has been my home to them as “my babies”. They have head in gopher holes. He became for 25 years. It is each given me the opportunity to an instant hit with campers when hard to imagine be a dog-mom, fussing over them we produced the WaterWorks my life in any other to excess. My heart is full just fundraising video. He was never circumstance. thinking of each dog with whom I short on attention after he attained And with any have fallen in love over my tenure super stardom on U-Tube! good measure, we here: Mica, a fearless protector Daisy Doodle, a gift from a UU shall have a few Janet and Mica Connection 2020 - Page 13

Summer Break Camp for Adults That Lovin’ Feeling Saturday, August 8 — Wednesday, August 12, 2020 Deans: Barbara Leigh Shields and Cyndy Leigh Ministers in Residence: Revs. Tom and Carolyn Owen-Towle Come feel the love. Attend Summer Break—a summer camp for adults — where UUs and like-minded friends commune with nature and each other. Two keynote speakers, Fran Grace, Ph.D. and Chris Epting, will strengthen your connections to the power of love and the inspiration of nature. Fran Grace, in her quest to find spiritual healing and enlightenment, trav- eled the world to learn from renowned spiritual teachers, scientists, activists, and artists. She will share insights from her pilgrimage, which are included in her latest book The Power of Love: A Transformed Heart Changes the World. She serves as Professor of Religious Studies and founding Steward of the Medi- tation Program at the University of Redlands in California Chris Epting, a five-year Summer Break veteran, is a prolific author of 30 travel/history books. Years ago, he decided to write books only about things he loves, and book lovers feel that passion in every word they read. Among the best of storytellers, Chris will lift our heart each evening with tales about nature UU Reverends Tom and Carolyn Owen-Towle, once again, bring the spiri- that promise to excite the naturalist in you. tual ministry to camp leading workshops, worship, and singing. For more information, visit www.uucamp.org Early bird registration ends June 30, 2020. Note that for the past three years, and click on “Camps & Retreats”. this camp has sold out by May.

Choir Camp Singing in the Pines Love out Loud Saturday, August 8 – Wednesday, August 12, 2020 Music Director and Dean: Scott Roewe Choir Director: Donald Milton III Along with towering trees and refreshing breezes, love will be in the air at Choir Camp this year. Sharing the weekend with Camp Summer Break it will abound with beauty, new and long-standing friends, workshops, and dynamic and insightful manner of swimming, hot-tubbing, great food, and songs about love in many forms. musical arrangement and directing. Don is the full- Choir Camp Dean, Scott Rowe, is a multifaceted musician, performing time Director of Music at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta and recording artist, composer, choir director, and teacher. Scott is (UUCA), the largest UU congregation in the Southeast. At UUCA Don runs one currently the Jazz Band Director at New Roads High School in Santa of the most eclectic and exceptional music programs in the city and in the Monica California and taught during the Crossroads High School 2008, denomination. Don is active in the Atlanta music scene, and in January 2018, 2009 and 2010 Summer Jazz Camps. Since 2004 Scott has served as the he was appointed Artistic Director of the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus. Don’s music director at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Santa Clarita. His energy and inspiration are infectious, and he can encourage a confident voice musical virtuosity has been known to bring both smiles and tears to those from the most reluctant of singers. who experience his music. Join Scott, Don, and other lovers of song at Singing in the Pines Joining Scott as featured Choir Director is Donald Milton III. Last year 2020: Love Out Loud, for a not-to-be-missed week of joyful singing, love, Don wowed choir participants and audience members alike with his energy laughter, and fellowship. Registration is limited to 20 people. Be sure you are a part of it.

For more information, visit www.uucamp.org For additional information on music theme or selections for this camp, and click on “Camps & Retreats”. contact Scott Roewe at [email protected]. Page 14 - Connection 2020

first 12 hours on the mountain), I found her to be a compassionate Creating a “Beloved Community” host whose love of the mountain By Rebecca Swenson, NP and Youth Camp nurse and the campers wandering its paths was truly creating what we as UUs call the “Beloved summer with hours later I received an invitation Community”. Janet has a unique band, I started from Janet to investigate camp capacity for welcoming all, and in searching for nurse opportunities at Camp dBP. doing so has created a place for something to I opted for the UU summer youth transformation. Children of all fill my own soul camps. They needed a nurse for three faiths and backgrounds, those who and occupy my weeks (perfect), and I was eager to struggle with abuse, mental illness, summer hours. connect with west coast UUs for or who are marginalized due to I was a school a sort of regional UU experience. gender or sexual identity, ability, nurse, with Janet and I corresponded via email race or ethnicity have experienced summers off,for the next five months. I’m sure acceptance and have celebrated and wanted to we never even spoke on the phone, transformational growth at be of service in but a connection was forged, and I Camp dBP, all because that is the some capacity. sensed that a friendship was in the community Janet has created there. In February making! As we celebrate Janet’s 25th year Rebecca and Janet 2005, I was I had been told that Janet was a at Camp, I remain inspired by perusing a copy former realtor. Really? She looked from where Camp dBP has come When I was asked to write of the UU WORLD magazine more like a Minister – CEO – and by where it is headed in this about my friendship with our and came across an advertisement Financial Advisor – Fundraiser new decade. Janet has created so camp Executive Director Janet with a map showing all the UU – Therapist – Handywoman – many opportunities for folks to James, I sat down and began by camps across the United States. It Gluten-Free – Gourmet Cook to be involved with. Please volunteer, looking back at the original emails occurred to me that working as a me. The first week at camp was a attend a camp, bring your child that led me to Janet and Camp de camp nurse at a UU camp might whirlwind. Beyond Janet’s abilities to camp, or support our beloved Benneville Pines for the first time just be the summer experience I to multi-task, do any job that community with a financial on July 5, 2005. was looking for. needed doing, work past midnight donation. This beautiful mountain The year prior had been a bad On February 21, 2005 at 2:54 with a smile, and fix just about village can sustain us and future one for me. Knowing my 13-year in the afternoon I sent an email anything (I literally observed her generations, while bearing witness old son would be busy the following to four UU camps. Less than five doing all of those things within my to our UU values and principles.

A Home for Camp Volunteer Work Camps (tentative dates) Transcend Spring Volunteer Work Camp: By M.G. Hennessey, dean Mon., April 20 – Wed., April 22, 2020 When we first discovered that Largely thanks to her, the camp has Fall Volunteer Work Camp: Camp AranuTiq was no longer been tremendously successful for Mon., Nov. 9 – Wed., Nov. 11, 2020 going to be holding a California the past two years and is gaining family camp, we were devastated. such popularity that now we sell out! Watch for confirmed dates on camp website Janet came to our rescue—she held I can’t thank Janet enough for all Twice a year, every year, volunteers come up the mountain to help spiff the weekend for us and helped her hard work and support for our up camp. And every year, everyone has a great time working together to keep with everything from registration, community, it has meant so much to Camp de Benneville Pines in good repair. We need all kinds of help: painting, promotion, and all the myriad us all to have a safe space to gather. raking, organizing the library or repairing pool furniture. There are tasks for details involved in organizing a If it weren’t for de Benneville, that everyone, from easy jobs to heavy lifting, both indoors and out. retreat for over a hundred people. wouldn’t be possible. We have room for 50 energetic and generous individuals, age 11 and older, who are willing to spend a little “sweat equity” at camp. We promise you delicious food, comfortable accommodations and great camaraderie. You’ll leave knowing your efforts are ap- preciated by the staff and will en- sure that future campers have a safe and wonderful experience at camp.

For more information, visit www.uucamp.org and click on “Camps & Retreats”. Connection 2020 - Page 15

Art Camp Summer Arts Program for Adults Art Groove Fri., August 14 – Wed., August 19, 2020 For 13 years artists have been coming up the mountain to spend six days deepening existing skills and exploring new areas of expression. The days offer a unique combination of creativity, learning, sharing and fun. Every day is divided into three sections. Five morning disciplines are offered by skilled instructors. The afternoon format includes mini-workshops where one can sample the other disciplines or attend fun, quick workshops. Evening activities include our always fascinating “My Life as an Artist” presentations where instructors speak on their life journey, highlighting the evolution of their work and career. Attendees are encouraged to combine art instruction with traditional Camp de Benneville Pines summer pleasures such as hiking, swimming, relaxing under the trees or soaking in the hot tub. The registration fee is $850, which includes room and board, instruction and participation in all the activities. A specific materials list for each discipline will be provided prior to arrival at camp. Non-art participating partners and friends can register for $750. Addi- tional savings if registered by June 30, 2020. Registration is open! Register early to ensure your space in your favorite dis- cipline. Class size is limited in order to allow instructors time to give individual attention to each camper. For more information, visit www.uucamp.org Visit www.artcamp4grownups.com for complete information. and click on “Camps & Retreats”.

Music in the Mountains

Friday, November 6 – Sunday, November 8, 2020 Dean: Janice Gelencser Headliner: Larry Wilder

Music in the Mountains, held annually during the first weekend of November, is filled with acoustic music of folk, blues, country, gospel, and classic rock. All types of acoustic musical instruments, singing and levels of proficiency are welcome. Also included in the weekend are a variety of workshops for instrument players as well as singers. For folks who do not play an instrument, there are plenty of opportunities to sing along or just listen to the many talented people who are playing. There is also ample time for relaxing in the lodge by the warm fireplace, meeting other people from all over southern California, and spending time outside in the crisp autumn air. Our headliner this year is Larry Wilder, champion of Americana music. Larry is a well-known yodeler and musicologist and has opened for Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Lily Tomlin and Pete Seeger, to name a few. The planning committee is busy at work to bring a weekend filled with interesting workshops and activities. Some tentative workshops for the 2020 weekend are harmony singing, songwriting, guitar basics, and sing along sessions. There will be an evening concert on Friday night performed by the committee members and workshop leaders and one on Saturday evening performed by attendees who wish to share a song or two. Six delicious meals, lodging and workshops are included in the weekend. Early arrival day is available on Thursday for an extra fee with no activities scheduled. For more information, visit www.uucamp.org and click on “Camps & Retreats”. Page 16 - Connection 2020 The Legendary Pioneer of Forsee Creek: Peter Atticus Forsee By Shannon Wray, local mountain historian and writer

went with his Creek Canyon. It was a paradise of his brothers in the San Bernardino parents and five grasslands in old sycamore groves Society of California Pioneers siblings to the with willow trees along the banks of remembered his great love for his gold fields ofrushing Mill and Mountain Home mountain home and imagined California in Creeks. Forsee and Petty built a that he might have exclaimed, 1849. homestead cabin and barns for “Here stands magnitude, giving The loss of his their animals then set out orchards the instant impression of a power great love made with 300 trees and 30 varieties of above man: grandeur that belies Peter a wandering apples. The two mountain men decay; antiquity that tells of ages soul. He worked also acted as guides, taking visitors unnumbered; beauty that the age the gold fieldsup along old Indian trails into the old tune makes more beautiful; in Northern higher ranges and to Mount San strength impervious as the globe; California then Bernardino. Peter claimed fishing the monument of eternity; the became a famed rights in a favorite place on a creek truest emblem of that ever-living, market hunter for San Francisco. Later, he became a printer in Carson City during the years when Mark Twain was a newspaperman there. Finally, he took to law enforcement becoming a Man believed to be Forsee, courtesy San Bernardino sheriff in Trinity Historical and Pioneer Society and Mendocino Over the years, people have often Counties. Throughout those interpreted the name of Forsee rambling years, Peter found his Creek as “foresee,” the ability to solace in wild places, particularly predict. But its true origin is Peter the mountains. Old Mill Creek Road, courtesy archives, A.K. Smiley Public Library Atticus Forsee, the extraordinary By 1867, the Forsee’s came to and gave it his name and he took unchangeable, irresistible Being, pioneer for whom it was named. settle in San Bernardino. Soon fishermen there to catch their fill by whom and for whom all things Those who spend a pleasurable day after arriving, Forsee and Nicholas of trout. were made and created.” hiking the Forsee Creek Trail, are Earp, the father of the famous Peter Forsee lived to the age of walking the path of a man whose Tombstone Earps, held off an angry 74, passing away on November adventurous spirit was robust and mob intent on lynching a prisoner 24, 1888. He left the legacy of his The Pioneers of Mill whose love for the mountains was at the Colton jail. But Peter wearied name on the land and travelers on pure and spiritual. of crime and cities at the age of 53. Highway 38, on their way to camp, Creek Canyon Born in Powhatan County By Shannon Wray The mountains called to him and he drive right through Peter Forsee’s Published by The History Press Virginia in 1814, Peter Forsee went and friend William Petty became homestead in Mountain Home June 29, 2020 west as a boy with his parents settling the first homesteaders in Mill Village, California. Upon his death, Available at Amazon.com, Barnes & in the wild territory of Indiana Noble and other fine retailers. where his father, James, practiced frontier law. There, young Peter also Bio obtained his law degree. However, Shannon Wray’s story in Mill Creek Canyon began when her great-great- the practicalities of earning a living grandfather came there in 1847 with a taught him the printer’s trade and U.S. Army detachment to cut trees for a he worked for the Indianapolis flagpole at Fort Moore in Los Angeles. Journal in his early years. In 1839, Hailing from a Hollywood family, her at the age of 25, he married Ann aunt was classic film star Fay Wray Burk a beautiful and accomplished of King Kong fame. As a young child, young lady. By all reports, it was a she spent every summer in Mill Creek happy love match and over the next Canyon then moved there year-round several years Ann gave birth to four in 1968 and attended school at the old two-room stone Fallsvale Schoolhouse. children, two girls and two boys. Shannon enjoyed a career as a Sadly, however, their happiness was television producer traveling the world stolen when Ann died followed by for national networks over 30 years. She their second daughter and youngest lives in a historic home in Mill Creek son in 1848. Heartbroken, Peter Levering Wagon, courtesy Janice Gillmore, private collection Canyon with her family. Connection 2020 - Page 17

Young Adult Summer Camp Camp TransSpectrum

Friday, August 21 – Sunday, August 23, 2020 Camp Re-centering Deans: Rudy & Pat Gordon For Young Adults ages 18-35 Trans men and trans women come together in a weekend of fun and out- Friday, September 4 – Monday, September 7, 2020 reach as they retreat in a mountain hideaway to explore, exchange, relax and recharge. In a safe setting, transcampers will enjoy family and friends Deans: Athena Brown & Matt Mazzero as well as get to know one another. Workshops, activities and all-camp events will make this weekend an adventure to remem- Come spend Labor Day weekend as a time of self-care and self-reflection ber. at the Unitarian Universalist Young Adult Camp at de Benneville Pines! Re-center your life and build community through camp activities such as Enjoy hot tubbing, archery, swim- swimming, archery, hiking, and tie dying. Connect on a more spiritual level ming, hiking, photography and through a multi-faith framework. art. Join friends at the campfire Camp Re-centering is offered for smore’s and more! Break- for campers ages 18 – 35, UU and out sessions for significant friends, who wish to spend time to- others, friends and allies, and gether at a mountain retreat explor- trans men and trans women ing ways to make better the world. will be offered during the weekend. There is much to be done, and together changes can happen. Camp TransSpectrum is sponsored by Camp de Benneville Pines, a Unitarian Universalist Camp, where all campers are treated with respect and dignity. Join us for the weekend with SOFFA (Significant Others, Family, Friends, Allies). For adults 18+.

For more information, visit www.uucamp.org For more information, visit www.uucamp.org and click on “Camps & Retreats”. and click on “Camps & Retreats”.

Intergenerational Justice Summit Turning the Tides 2020 Intergenerational Justice Camp Sunday, August 2 – Thursday, August 6, 2020 Justice-seeking UUs of all ages are invited to register for this multi-day justice leadership summit at Camp de Benneville Pines this summer. Hosted by the UU Justice Ministry of California and the UU Justice Arizona Network, this spirit-filled gathering offers space for restoration, imagination, and cre- ation among your fellow Unitarian Universalist justice makers – including justice-making families! Programming at Turning the Tides (formerly known as Walking the Walk) includes collaboratively-led worship, relationship building opportu- nities, powerful workshops with guest facilitators on economic, immigrant, and climate justice; and this year, a featured #UUtheVote programming track to harness the power of our UU love on the ballot this November 2020! Come create and find community as we share in activities and program- ming crafted to build our resilience and remind all of us of the values at the root of our work for justice. Programing details and registration will be available in March – go to uujmca.org/TurningTheTides to sign up for a notification when updates are posted!

Contact [email protected] or send us a message at uujmca.org/ turning-the-tides with any questions or requests. Page 18 - Connection 2020

th project will take installing water, a septic tank, and leech field; and Janet’s 25 Anniversary Year: while we are at it, we will build Three Anniversary Projects a deck on the south side of the Coffee House so that campers can By Pat Gordon, board member access the bathrooms from outside of the building as well as from the personal credit card for several Anniversary Projects: meeting room. Seed money for years while she was out fundraising • Create an ADA accessible this project has been sitting in an to save the camp! A brave step to trail from Craig’s Cabin to Cabin account since Janet arrived 25 years take, indeed; for you see, Janet did 7, so the hot tub and swimming ago. not grow up at Camp de Benneville pool can be accessed by people with So, let’s get started! If you Pines, and she did not grow up UU, mobility challenges. Install safety would like to honor the love, so she really didn’t have the kind steps with handrail in the pool for dedication and devotion that Janet of stake in de Benneville Pines use by those who can no longer use has showered on our sacred place; that many of us have. Janet just the pool ladders to enter and exit and if you would like to help Janet happened to be the gal with the the water. realize any of her dreams for her “let’s get it done” attitude when • Replace the aging ovens and 25th year, then please donate to we needed a Molly Brown to save stoves in the camp’s kitchen. With the anniversary project fund listed camp in 1995! a hundred-plus hungry mouths to above. Your donation will help us To know Janet James is to know We asked what projects Janet feed at each camp meal, the risk create a giant gift of love to Janet. that she is much like the unsinkable would like to accomplish during of these aging appliances failing If you are having trouble picking a Molly Brown. She is goal driven, her 25th season at camp, and she was completely increases daily. To favorite project, then don’t, let Janet hard working, enthusiastic, and just quick with her list. All three projects have reliable, modern and energy- decide! never seems to slow down. When will improve camp’s functionality, efficient appliances in our kitchen Enclosed in this publication is a down for the count, she rallies safety and camper enjoyment. To would be a dream come true for the donor envelope that you can use to with renewed energies and charges cooking staff. send your contribution to the 25th forward with gusto. For 25 years quote Janet, “De Benneville Pines is a collaboration of love. It has • Build gender neutral Anniversary Project Fund. You can she has worked with her staff on bathrooms at the Coffee House. been my pleasure to take care of also make an online donation by making our camp just a little better Who hasn’t wished for bathrooms the camp for 25 years, and it would visiting our website, uucamp.org each day. When folks told her the while attending a workshop in the and clicking on the “Contribute” camp was going under, and would be an honor to see people invest in Coffee House? And think about their camp on my 25th anniversary button. go bankrupt within months, she Janet and our administrative staff. And by the way, we are planning year! We are a mighty force when buckled down and got to work to The camp office, located on the east a Party! Mark your calendar for we work together, and we can get help save our camp 25 years ago. end of the Coffee House, does not Saturday, April 24, 2021, and come She even carried the camp on her so much done!” have restroom access either. This help us celebrate and a Girl were any positions in the kitchen so he can enjoy his hobbies--bik- Steve Johnston Scout lead- for which her “little brother” could ing, hiking, pod casting, reading er in Red- apply. Janet didn’t even know Deb- and studying music to name a few Celebrates 25 lands. Janet bie had a little brother 16 years her of the things that keep him busy. remem- junior! Thank you, Steve, for your 25 years Years at Camp bers the Steve joined the kitchen team in of service to Camp! And thanks for day Debra fall 1995 and has worked all posi- all the years of snow shoveling. Janet Steve Johnston arrived to Camp Johnston tions in the kitchen, including lead says you have been her life saver, and in November of 1995. Steve’s sister called her to had been a good friend of Janet’s cook and kitchen manager. These you are her family! ask if there days he prefers less responsibility BORN TO CAMP nation’s top volunteers; and the Girl Pomona’s Commercial Recreation With its great location, summer Continued from page 12 Scout Council named her “Leader and Marketing programs, Janet and winter activities, pool and But Janet is no stranger to of the Year” on two occasions. worked as the guest services excellent food, she has no doubt challenge. Together with her An intrinsic part of her Girl manager for a four-star hotel, that de Benneville Pines can husband of nine years (Bob Scouting experience has been and eventually coordinated the become one of the busiest retreat Gampp), she has molded one of traveling to places like Expo- sales and marketing efforts for centers in Southern California. the Inland Empire’s most sought- Vancouver, New England, Lake the Inland Empire Hilton. More And Janet looks forward to using after Girl Scout troops. Ten years Tahoe and the Grand Canyon. recently she has had a successful her talents and vision to make it so. ago, when the couple volunteered Canoeing and whitewater trips career as a Realtor for Coldwell As long as the “monsters” stay away. to take on the flailing, non- have taken the troop as far north Banker Realty Center in Redlands. member troop of high school girls, as the Columbia River. These trips She is a member of the Redlands they had no idea how successful weren’t freebies at their parent’s Chamber of Commerce and their experiment in positive role- expense: participants had to earn recently completed its community modeling and esteem development their own way. That’s a lot of Girl leadership program. She sits on the would be. Within a short time, the Scout cookies! board of directors for the Redlands troop had expanded to 30 members, Janet expects the extra ordinary YWCA and serves as an older with some girls coming from as of people, and they rarely girl program consultant for the far away as 40 miles. Eventually disappoint. In fact, so dedicated is Redlands Girl Scouts. both the troop and Janet became her troop, that two of its members Her volunteer work with recurrent recipients of regional and volunteered to work all summer as teenagers has been the most community awards. Janet’s Scout her full-time assistants in camp (a satisfying. Being able to work with work received the recognition of sacrifice for which she is deeply young people was one of the factors the JC Penny Corporation in 1990 grateful). that drew her to de Benneville Janet and her nephew, Kyle, after a when she was honored as one of the After graduating from Cal Poly Pines. sleepover in the Director’s Cabin in 1995 Connection 2020 - Page 19

Theatre with an altitude! PineCon Tabletop Gaming in the Mountains A Family-Friendly Event Fri., October 23 – Sun., October 25, 2020 Bring your family and friends and enjoy a weekend with others who share your passion for games. PineCon is a tabletop gaming event designed to Set in the mountains about keep you as busy with games as you want to be. Tabletop RPGs, board games two hours outside L.A. and taught by industry and card games are the focus. And, if playing games 100% of the time is professionals, Camp Bravo a bit too much, take a hike, shoot some arrows or just sit offers an intensive course back and relax. of study in theatre arts Pricing includes food, lodging, designed to provide insight, and all the games you can pack education and fun. into one weekend! MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM Follow our Facebook page Entering Entering for updates and notifications: 7th through 9th grade 9th grade through College https://www.facebook.com/ Ages 11-14 Ages 14-18 Pineconconvention JUNE 14 – JUNE 20, 2020 JUNE 14 – JUNE 20, 2020 Web: https://pineconsite.wordpress.com JUNE 28 – JULY 4, 2020 JUNE 21– JUNE 27, 2020 JUNE 28 – JULY 4, 2020

For general info email [email protected] For more information call 1-888-44-BRAVO or visit on line at www.campbravo.org Yoga Camp Soaring Beyond Your Limits Fri., September 11 – Sun., September 13, 2020 Deans: Lisa Harris and Kathy Bolte with keynote teacher Pam Hale Trachta Pam Hale Trachta asks us: “When have you felt as if you were soaring? And what would it look like for you to take off now in your life? Maybe it would mean writing that book or taking that trip or starting that business. Or maybe it would mean finding a safe place inside to which you could always journey, no matter what was going on. It might mean finding a way to refuel, to put your- self first in the best sense, thus liberating you from struggling with your bur- dens. Maybe it would mean knowing, remembering your own magnificence, so that you could pilot your way through life with grace and ease.” Come to Yoga Camp 2020 where we will practice piloting our own jour- ney with the inspiration of yoga, mindfulness meditation, essential oils, sound meditation, art, self-massage, music, and being in nature. We are so excited to have as our keynote teacher, Pam Hale Trachta, author of Flying Lessons, and creator of the Sand Spirit Insight Cards. Educated at Stanford and Columbia Universities, Pam has created a unique To take advantage of the Early Bird Discount, register before July 31, 2020. body of work woven from her varied experiences as a teacher, life coach, spiri- Additional fees apply for massage, acupuncture and individual instruction. tual counselor, photographer, and shamanic practitioner. She is dedicated to helping people thrive physically, professionally, and spiritually so they can con- For more information, visit www.uucamp.org tribute to higher consciousness on the planet. and click on “Camps & Retreats”. Page 20 - Connection 2020

clear and the tiredness was from being so thrilled at the results Loving Camp from Many Angles that I barely slept, spending hours By Marianne Shuster, “Best Friends” retreat coordinator on end with people I love, eating their amazing food-enough, as it turned out, for two retreats, meal, and what, really sharing creativity, taking walks does each person want together in the winter forest, out of this retreat? laughing until our eyes flowed Then again, maybewith tears, and loving until our it was the complete hearts became one. exhaustion at the end This is what happens at de of it that erased all of Benneville Pines whether you are that. a facilitator or participant. Come No, all of the to Camp. You won’t regret it, nor beautiful memories are will you forget it.

Planning a camp or retreat “ambiance”, not to mention, what entails advanced preparation, probably seemed like thousands organization, and attention to of emails to the retreat-goers detail, even for a small personal in the preceding weeks. Maybe event. Maybe especially for a it was hundreds. Oh, but the small personal event, where a rewards-how they erased the facilitator is also responsible for memory of answering the same room/ bed assignments, food questions multiple times, coaxing prep assignments, being sure answers out of friends as to who there is a fire in the fireplace, and was making which dish, for what

SAVE THE DATE: CAMP’S SILVER AND DIAMOND JUBILEE, SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 2021 Everything expected… and More By Jan Harvey, retreat guest

On a retreat where I had didn’t predict that we would play with those of us he expected to eat a little (with wine Thanksgiving Family Feud, while didn’t really know of course), take a walk or two, read laughing hysterically, pose for yet, experience an my new Toni Morrison book, shadow pictures while walking official wine tasting maybe sneak in a nap and have through the forest, eat one using professional a few meaningful conversations continuous delicious meal all day anatomical terms - there was all that cubed. I long, get Buddy to make friends like legs and body, discover our Salon Sister’s creative artistic sides in Pictionary with more ‘falling on the floor’ laughter, produce a cable TV quality cooking show called “How to Use The Instant Pot Which You’ve Owned for your workwomanship. a Year and Been Afraid to Try All that washed down with for Fear of Blowing Up Your wine and the quickest many- Kitchen”, learned to make a house hands-thorough-house-cleaning- blessing by weaving South Dakota on-our-way-out-the-door I’ve wheat stalks and “Put a Bow On ever seen. It” if you weren’t impressed with Connection 2020 - Page 21 Just for Kids - Daisy’s Help Celebrate Camp’s Doodles Diamond Anniversary

Camp de Benneville Pines has Camp de Benneville Pines has must have returned to you. a big, fuzzy, happy greeter. Her been serving the UU community When sending photos please name is Daisy Doodle and she is and others for almost 60 years. And include when it was taken (circa the Camp Dog. She loves living at you were there! okay) and identify the camp i.e. Camp and sharing it with everyone In 2021 Camp de Benneville Summer Family Camp, Women’s who visits, especially kids. If you Pines will be celebrating its 60th Retreat, etc. and people where have not come to see her at Camp anniversary, and we want to shout applicable. Anything previously (or even if you have) she has a it from the treetops. We need published should include the date, special treat for you. Daisy loves your help, though. Start looking name of publication, and author. treats. through boxes, files, photo albums, Most of all, we would like to Daisy has her own newsletter your cell phone, and the recesses have short accountings (prose or that you can get at your UU of your brain for stories, pictures, poetry) of everyone’s experience congregation. It’s called, Daisy’s articles, poems, and all manners at Camp. Share with us funny or Doodles, and it is full of Camp of memories to share with us so touching moments, friends made information, nature facts, we can share with others. Talk and memories of those lost, when cute pictures, fun to families and friends who have and what was your first camp, activities, and lots attended Camp and encourage how long have you attended, what of love from Daisy. them to get in on the fun. keeps/ kept you coming back, and You can see a little You may send digital and everything else you want to share picture of it here, but scanned items to history@uucamp. about how Camp de Benneville you need to get the org or mail ephemera to Camp Pines is a part of your life. real one to enjoy all the de Benneville Pines, 41750 Jenks Please include your name, fun. Remember to help Lake Road West, Angelus Oaks, address/ email, and phone number Daisy find the campfire CA 92305 Attention Marianne/ in all correspondence. in the first issue, look for Outreach Coordinator. If you have If you have any questions, send the next issue of Daisy’s a large number of photos to share, them to [email protected] and Doodles this summer, please combine them on a disk or include the word “question” in the and be sure to visit Daisy memory stick and mail it to camp. subject line. Doodle at Camp de Also, PLEASE NOTE: Do not Benneville Pines soon! send anything that you absolutely 32nd Annual Camp Recovery 12-Step Mountain Retreat “All You Need is Love” Orange County ACA presents the Annual Camp Recovery 12-Step Retreat Fall Mountain Retreat With CoDA & Other 12-Step Programs Invited! Friday, April 24 – Sunday, April 26, 2020 Friday, September 25 – Camp Recovery is a weekend of Sunday, September 27, 2020 self-care where you and your “inner” child have the oppor- Featuring ACA and 12-Step Program tunity to grow, heal, play, discover, Workshops and Activities reflect and work on yourselves. We venture deeper into our Activities include: 12-Step Meetings at various recovery and explore the times thru-out the weekend; Arts and Crafts; possibilities of living life on “Warm-Fuzzies”; Hiking; Pool & Jacuzzi; Sat- life’s terms through workshops, urday evening “Talent/No Talent Show,” then a 12-step meetings, crafts, Dance afterwards! Enjoy a massage for a separate music, drumming, hiking, fee. body movement, dancing and fellowship in the beautiful FMR Info Line: 562-367-4325 San Bernardino Mountains. Email: [email protected]

For information and pricing, visit www.socalaca.org, For general info email [email protected] email [email protected] For registration info email [email protected] or call (562)367-4325. Page 22 - Connection 2020

Camp Bravo Celebrates 25 Years! Share The Vision By David and Artur, Camp Bravo co-founders and co-directors Funds at Work $2800 to hire a tree service to climb a tree, limb it and take it down section by section.

It was 26 years ago, on a road down Hwy 1 along the California Benneville Pines and to Janet and trip returning from a youth theatre coast. The unforgettable amounts her staff for always welcoming us conference in Northern California, of laughter, love, honesty, tears, back “up the mountain”. when the idea of Camp Bravo was pure joy, creativity, collaboration We celebrate this milestone with born. Based around the simple and humanity that have been every camper who took a risk, with concept of establishing trust, given and received by so many every counselor who brought the collaboration and creativity, there is immeasurable. The thousands magic they had experienced back to would be no auditions, no show, of lives that have been touched is their campers and with every staff only great training and creating vast and the true friendships and member who brought their passion an artistic community. One year community that have been built has for theatre “up the mountain” and later, 35 students and two dogs surpassed our greatest expectations. shared it with tomorrow’s young took a leap of faith. A leap that has Someone once said that artists. CAMP BRAVO continues brought us to today. everyone needs at least one blade of to inspire us all every summer. We can’t possibly begin to grass to hold on to. Well, we have Here’s to another 25 years! quantify how many lives have an entire meadow waiting up the For more information, visit been influenced by that one mountain. Thank you once again to www.campbravo.org. conversation on that long drive our wonderful home at Camp de Family Camp Thanksgiving Celebration

Autumn Rendezvous for A Family Tradition Homeschool Families Thur., November 26 – Sun., November 29, 2020 Monday, October 5 – Thursday, October 8, 2020 Imagine sitting around a blazing fire- Dean: Jorie Denny place in Homet Lodge, sur- rounded by family and close Come join other like-minded families for an exciting time exploring friends—some new and some nature, relaxing and having fun! Frolic in the woods, whittle a old. The aromas of roasting walking stick, or hike to the peak! turkey, fresh-baked apple pie, Each fall, homeschooling homemade bread and hot apple families with kids (and grand- cider fill the air, mingled with parents!) of all ages come to- the faint aromatic fragrance of gether at Camp de Benneville cedar smoke. This describes the Pines to share experiences and Thanksgiving Celebration at Camp enjoy a hassle-free outing. de Benneville Pines. Every family is encour- Bring the whole family to camp aged to lead an activity and experience a hassle-free Thanks- based on their interest: hik- giving that will be the best you’ve ever ing and scavenger hunting, games and sports, enjoyed. This is a special weekend for educational and environmental programs, and arts and crafts! families, singles, couples and young Enjoy “family time” while the camp staff handles kitchen duty! Autumn is a adults. It is truly an intergenerational great time to come to camp. Enjoy the smell and taste of homemade pie, hot event! apple cider, and fresh baked bread.

For more information, visit www.uucamp.org For more information, visit www.uucamp.org and click on “Camps & Retreats”. and click on “Camps & Retreats”. Connection 2020 - Page 23 From the Desk of Board President Dale Botts

Moving Forward fundraising skills. We now have a money is in hand, and the project robust monthly donation program can launch as soon as the USFS and the framework for a capital gives us their blessing. We will Camp de Benneville Pines is events, publication of materials project donation program. Our submit plans to enhance and expand perched on the precipice of its 60th like the Connection newspaper, as deepest gratitude goes out to those Craig’s Cabin soon, and the Capital anniversary year, the 2021 calendar well as registration. Our Camping UU families who personally funded Projects committee is planning year, as it enters its new fiscal year Ministries Director, Geoff Anderla the three-year consultancy contract for staff housing improvements. in April, 2020. Just as the astronauts handles the all-encompassing so that we could become experts Fund raising continues behind the in the 1960s viewed the earth as programing and staffing for the in implementing and funding our scenes as we search for supporters a blue ball splotched with white, camp sponsored youth and family growth. who will contribute $5000+ to our green, and brown, a president views camps. Also included in the list Keep an eye on our website. Jacki building projects. We will launch his or her organization from this of invaluable Weber designed a broader capital campaign to high-level perspective. The key employees is a fundraising include all constituents once we to success for the next sixty years our team of website when she reach a pre-determined goal with is for me to nurture the moving kitchen staff and first came aboard large donations. parts in the organization that are housekeepers. to help articulate Monthly donations cover in harmony with our strategic Janet is paving the needs of increased operational costs beyond plan. Additionally, I will push to the way for the camp. This registration fees (funding support modernize the camp where needed sustainable modern website staff, meeting minimum wage and to interface with the USFS on staffing with a will become our increases, and ever increasing important issues. focus on modern primary website USFS lease fees and insurance Our Executive Director/ on-site staff once we work premiums); and our annual Operations Manager, Janet James, facilities as well out the transfer campaign, Share The Vision, oversees operational details and as a concept for of data off our supports small projects, equipment drives the business forward. Her key staff positions old site and purchases, green projects, and the knowledge base is irreplaceable, needed to operate implementation camper scholarship fund. Legacy and she is pushing the board a busy camp. of a new and endowment fundraising are in to plan far into the future. Our Our Board of Directors now has registration system. This process the infant stage. new office assistant/Outreachexperts in Stewardship, Financial should be completed within the There is no denying that a robust Coordinator will allow Janet to oversight, Personnel, and Capital year. Stewardship Committee is the only delegate many of the day to day Projects oversights. The three-year I have come to understand the way to sustain de Benneville Pines administration details to Marianne contract for our Development good intentioned but obstinate into the future; and membership Shuster. Our Maintenance Consultant, Jacki Weber, is permit process of the USFS can be on the Stewardship Committee Supervisor, Frank Haahr, is very winding down. Four years ago, the lengthy. Plans to update and expand has become the launching vehicle resourceful. He handles routine Board set in motion a plan to hire the Director’s Cabin have been in to board participation. Should you maintenance, emergencies, and a consultant to help us develop a the queue with the USFS historian have an interest in being on any camp improvements with ease. strategic plan and strengthen the for over a year. Optimistically, we board committee, please reach out Our Registrar, Laura Chamberlin, organizational structure, with the will obtain all permits required to to me, Dale Botts, at president@ is handling website updates for key focus on the development of build in the summer of 2020. The uucamp.org. SEND YOUR CAMP MEMORIES TO: [email protected] presentation of Sages used as they feel for making our shared medicine and baking Indian Fry experience at de Benneville Pines Blending Camps and Bread. The Bread activity was a big so comfortable and cohesive. It is hit with everyone. a pleasure to know that UUCF can make a difference by creating this Cultures During the routine coordination harmonious union of people from to make synchronize events at A recent story about a UU tribes. She also warned me this had different life experiences. congregation brought forth the been tried before, but the Alianza de Benneville, I have found that thought process that it is tricky Group did not come back because our partner group is collectively to help marginalized people. they did not feel welcome. financially challenged, determined to preserve their culture, and quite Understanding the skepticism I coordinated with the Alianza marginalized people have toward welcoming. They want to feel Group to share activities, space accepted and comfortable around the dominant white Anglo, paternal and expectations with UUCF culture is a start. us and they want to understand during our de Benneville weekend. and articulate the story about how Over the last three years I have We purposefully designed several our two groups came to share this been coordinating the Unitarian activities intended to blend our time and space. Universalist Congregation in two groups together. The first year Fullerton (UUCF) weekend at our children spontaneously joined Lupe Lopez is the leader of the Camp. UUCF was having trouble the Alianza children to do arts and Alianza Group that I work with. consistently filling all the beds for crafts activities that the Alianza She includes her son, Bok Lopez, our weekend. Janet James suggested Group coordinated. The Alianza in our planning sessions. Lupe and that UUCF coordinate sharing our children spontaneously joined our Bok surprised me the last Sunday of weekend with 20 to 30 members UUCF member(s) in early morning June 2019 by publicly honoring me of a Native American association. yoga. The second year, they offered with a Native American ceremony at our UUCF worship service. They Now called the Alianza Group, it is to share workshops centered on Lupe Lopez and Dale Botts an association of about half a dozen their cultural activities including wanted to express the gratitude Page 24 - Connection 2020

Our Mission Editors Camp de Benneville Pines Camp de Benneville Pines welcome UUs and kindred spirits to connect Laura Chamberlin Board of Directors in nature, igniting creativity and capacity to bring about positive change Marianne Shuster in the world. 2020-2021 Graphic Designer Vic Eisenhut President Vision: Dale Botts We are integral to the growth of our Unitarian Universalist faith and we Our sincere thanks to all are impactful: for people, communities and our environment. Vice President contributors of stories and photos Chris Faller Values This facility is oper- Secretary We cherish and want to preserve our natural environment ated under a Special Louise Klatt Use permit on land We promote play and recreation in life-affirming ways under the jurisdiction Treasurer We encourage lifelong learning and spiritual growth of the US Depart- Donna Herman ment of Agriculture, We build beloved community Forest Service. The United States De- Members at Large We change the world for the better part of Agriculture Betsy Gilpin (USDA) prohibits (outgoing April 2020) discrimination in all its programs and activi- Unitarian Universalist Principles and Purposes ties on the basis of race, color, national origin, Pat Gordon We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, Martha Kazlo Association, covenant to affirm and promote: sexual orientation, and marital or familial sta- Paul Wallace tus. Executive Director • The inherent worth and dignity of every person Janet James Need Help? • Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations Youth and Family Camp programming: Camp Staff Marianne Swift-Gifford, Geoff Anderla • Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth Camping Ministries Director Ed Bagdon [email protected] Kimberly Britton in our congregations Registration or general camp informa- Daniel Caple tion: Laura Chamberlin, Registrar Laura Chamberlin • A free and responsible search for truth and meaning [email protected] Niki Giberson Frank Haahr • The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within Camp Support and Volunteer Involve- Lori Haahr our congregations and in society at large ment: Marianne Shuster, Karen Irgang Outreach Coordinator [email protected] Steve Johnston • The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all Jill Lumus Any and all issues: Janet James, Trudy Mann Executive Director • Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are Rhonda Reeves [email protected] Eli Saurez a part. Marianne Shuster Marianne Swift-Gifford Ruth Wortham Camp Dog Daisy Doodle Farewell and Welcome Geoff Anderla, who has served to make them the best UU camps as our Camping Ministries nationwide. Director for over 5 years, will be We are pleased to announce How to Contact Us moving on in August to focus on that Marianne Swift-Gifford his other equally demanding yet will be jumping into this position Camp de Benneville Pines fulfilling, fulltime job. Geoff has 41750 Jenks Lake Road West immediately and will be in- been involved with camp since his Angelus Oaks, CA 92305 training with Geoff through the teens. He has provided leadership conclusion of the 2020 Summer and program development for Office & Group Reservations Camp season. Marianne is a Youth and Family Camps, helping 909-794-2928 (phone) member of Palomar UU 909-794-2418 (fax) Fellowship, and has served [email protected] multiple times as a dean for [email protected] youth camps and Women’s 909-435-6298 cell Retreat. She knows our camping ministries mission Lodge/Kitchen and philosophy well. 909-794-8712 We want to honor and Registration thank Geoff for his amazing 909-794-2928 (message line) and loving stewardship of as she takes on this vital role for [email protected] the UU Youth and Family camp programs. We wish camp. We are confident in her abilities to continue to make Camp website him all the best and hope to youth camps fun, meaningful and www.uucamp.org continue seeing him at camp. And we welcome Marianne true to UU values.