SHEHAQUA FAMILY NEWS

Friday, October 19, 2012

Save the Date - Winter Retreat

Shehaqua Fall Festival 2012

Report by Kyra Moyer and Jana Iparraguirre

September 21^st marked the beginning of fall and the Shehaqua family welcomed in the new season with style!

Over 140 young adults, children, and parents, gathered in the beautiful Pocono Mountains for a weekend of food, fall fun, and fellowship! Several east coast communities came together spanning from Maine to North Carolina. Both Maryland and Bridgeport attended with vans of 20 to 35 high school and college aged participants. A large portion of the participants came from New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, as well. We were also very lucky to have representatives from Maine, North Carolina, Washington, and Massachusetts attend. The groups arrived Friday night and settled in in order to start Saturday's activities bright and early. After a delicious and nutritious breakfast we split up into age groups for the morning education session.

Each facilitator created a unique curriculum designed to encourage discussion and to give guidance and direction for the future. We would like to thank Liz Stewart, Igraine Convery, Victor Servito, and Crescentia DeGoede for taking up the responsibility of leading the groups.

After lunch the fall festivities began. Young children and parents alike, joined in pumpkin designing and candle dipping. The strongest and most fearless of the bunch tested their strength in the log throwing contest. Faces were covered in watermelon and pumpkin pie as participants struggled to out eat their competitors in the infamous pie and watermelon eating contests. In the evening, the rec hall swarmed with cowboys and cowgals decked out in their country best ready to do-si-do and swing their partners into the night! Nathan Santelli, from New Jersey commented, "I would have to say the square dancing was the most fun/influential part of the fall fest. Being able to dance around and be completely open with yourself and others in such a safe environment, together with the most amazing people, was pretty fun!" When we asked first time participant Emily Giampaoli about her experience she said, "Square dancing was amazing. I thought square dancing was for old people down south, but it brought out so much spirit from everyone. I had a blast. The live band was phenomenal and they completed it all!"

Tired and happy we headed back to the dining hall to indulge in the scrumptious cakes, pies, and sweets of the dessert potluck. Sunday morning found us already at the conclusion of our Fall Fest. A collection of heartwarming testimonies were compiled and participants were encouraged to share personal experiences with God, struggles, and deep insights. "On the last night of Fall Fest a few of us gathered around a warm campfire and sang songs together as a united family. I felt like this moment really gave us the opportunity to bond in a simple way; we could tell stories, laugh, connect and reflect. I always love that warm and comforted feeling I have after I leave Shehaqua; it's like a second home." - Gabby Hochmuth

We thank God for the extended family He has given us and for the chance we have to share and recharge in order to bring the love we feel at Shehaqua back to our families and communities. Thank you to everyone that made this event possible. We look forward to seeing many familiar faces at our next gathering as well as many new ones! We will leave you with some final words from Yeonsu Maeda, a participant from Bridgeport, CT, "In general it was really good, but my favorite part was... I don’t know, everything!"

SHEHAQUA FAMILY