Atlantic Friends Gathering

Camp Geddie
a Presbytarian Church camp near Merigomish, NS about 18 kms from exit 27 of Hwy 104.
Victoria Day Weekend, May 18 to 21, 2012  Friday Evening – Monday at Noon
Click here to register online

See photos from 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 2009, 2011 AFG’s

  

Theme | Cost | Meals | Children | Accommodations | Program | SIGs | What to Bring | Directions | Registration | Contact

Come and join new and old Friends for the rejuvenation of spirits and friendships
at our annual Atlantic Friends Gathering. Atlantic Friends Gathering is an annual event linking members and attenders of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) from across Atlantic Canada. Newcomers and enquirers are welcome to attend!

Theme: “Peace in Our Lives – Peace in the World”

As with previous AFG’s there are no compulsory activities. The healing atmosphere of being in a welcome nature retreat offers an opportunity to open ourselves up to whatever we feel leads us, and to make this, a weekend of renewal of our individual and our group spirit.

This is a weekend for fun and enjoyment for individuals of all ages.

The Young Friends Program will also feature plenty of scope for intergenerational activity.

Costs:
$70 per adult/weekend
$50 per 1 overnight, 2 days of program, and 2 days of meals
$30 per night
$25 per day (if not staying overnight)
If you pre-register, you save $5 from the full weekend cost (but you may still pay onsite) 
Free for children and teenagers!  Less or Free for anyone who cannot afford these fees.
Anyone who can pay more is asked to donate toward costs for those who cannot.  Check with your local Meeting re travel subsidies.  In the AFG Budget we have a modest surplus and can assist the needy with travel and other costs, so that those who wish to attend are not prevented from doing so because of financial concerns. For more details on costs, see the registration form.


 

Meals: POTLUCK. Serious potluck this year, F/friends! We will arrange meal coordination, preparation and clean-up by volunteer rota determined in meeting our first morning (unless we have a volunteer for food coordination by Monday May 14: we offer free registration to the coordinator!) Staples such as teas, coffees, some dairy products, nut butters, cereals and breads will be provided by the organizers, as well as limited salad makings. We will not be providing a range of organic products. If you have serious dietary concerns, please arrange to bring more of your own needed materials. The kitchen, storage, refrigeration and clean-up areas at Camp Geddie are spacious. Bring potluck dishes already prepared or ready to cook, clearly labelled with ingredients and how long they may be kept before cooking and/or eating. We will need hot meals up to Sunday supper.

Children: Children’s program will be designed for the range of ages we expect to attend. This makes it very important that you register well in advance if you are bringing children with you. Children are encouraged to send us ideas for what they would like to see at AFG. As always we are looking for assistance with the children’s program. If you feel led to help, please contact the coordinators.

  

Accommodations: Heated accommodations at the camp are in the main building -Irwin Lodge, which has sleeping capacity for 30-35 in double- and bunk-beds with shared bathrooms on same floor (It can accommodate most of those attending). Irwin Lodge also contains the kitchen, dining area and meeting area and library on the main floor. The entire building is heated and has a big open comfy fireplace. Bedrooms are heated. One bed room and nearby washroom on the ground floor are wheelchair accessible. There is also the Margaret MacDougall Lodge (A-Frame) which sleeps five with a kitchenette and bathroom. There are also a number of unheated cabins available for ‘shiver and shake’ Quakers. With both of these options Campers must provide their own sleeping bags.

Recreation:

Camp Geddie has a wide open field, spectacular beach, a place for a campfire at night, and many hiking trails, with an amazing view of sunsets that are literally show/workshop stopping. The large field area covered with short grass that would not hide dog doo very well. This field area is an ideal place to fly kites, play soccer, ball, etc. Camp Geddie is owned and operated by The Presbyterian Church in Canada and is accredited by the Camping Association of Nova Scotia.

See the camp’s web site at http://www.campgeddie.ca

  

List of what to bring:

Readings: We are asking people to consider bringing a short reading to AFG that reflects a deeply held belief or concern of yours. We will have an opportunity for people to get together in worship-sharing about the readings and ideas that Friends bring.

Toiletries: soap, towels, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.

Scent Free: Please do your utmost to make this a Scent Free event. Avoid wearing or bringing scented products — such as soaps shampoos, lotions, creams or gels – as well as other personal care products and scents and perfumes. Use Scent Free laundry soap and softeners. The camp is also a Smoke-Free and Alcohol-Free zone.

Sleeping stuff: Sleeping bag, blankets, pillow. Remember that while the rooms in the lodge are heated, the cabins can get really cold at night, and you have to bring all of the items necessary to keep yourself warm. Mattresses only are provided in the rooms and the cabins.

Food: POTLUCK. Serious potluck this year, F/friends! We will arrange meal coordination, preparation and clean-up by volunteer rota determined in meeting our first morning (unless we have a volunteer for food coordination by Monday May 14: we offer free registration to the coordinator!) Staples such as teas, coffees, some dairy products, nut butters, cereals and breads will be provided by the organizers, as well as limited salad makings. We will not be providing a range of organic products. If you have serious dietary concerns, please arrange to bring more of your own needed materials. The kitchen, storage, refrigeration and clean-up areas at Camp Geddie are spacious. Bring potluck dishes already prepared or ready to cook, clearly labelled with ingredients and how long they may be kept before cooking and/or eating. We will need hot meals up to Sunday supper.

Clothing: Remember that while during the daytime it can be quite warm, the evenings are still brisk. So a range of clothing options may be needed, from t-shirts to mittens/sweaters. Rubber boots and raingear may also help you.

Other Misc: Fly repellent (natural alternatives such as lemon eucalyptus, citronella, etc. are an option!), sunscreen, flashlight, batteries, musical instruments, canoes, kayaks, and swimming suits for the extremely brave. Your ability to have fun, humor!

Pets: If you need to bring a pet please talk with the registration Friend, well in advance of the gathering. Our aim is to ensure the interests of all creatures are respected without conflict.

Registration: Let us know as soon as possible if you are coming. This is particularly important if you are bringing children, as we need to know what ages to plan for, and what materials to prepare. Click here to register online. Alternatively, a phone call, an email or just plain old snail mail will be sufficient. We need to know names, ages of children, preferred type of accommodation, # of nights you plan to be there, and we might be able to help connect rides together for car-pooling, although check within your own Meeting first. BOOK NOW PAY LATER!

Contacts: Edith and Michael Miller 506-454-5882   448 Golf Club Rd., Fredericton, NB  E3B 5Z7
Click here to email all the AFG planners.

Info last updated: 2012-04-06 12:15 PM