New Years Gathering

Information

11/19/07: The information on this page has been updated for the 2007-2008 Gathering!

This year, the Gathering will be at the Sierra Friends Center, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada just outside of Grass Valley in Northern California. We look forward to seeing Friends from Oregon and Northern Pacific Yearly Meeting, as well as from California and Pacific Yearly Meeting. We’ll meet there this year for a Gathering of our usual length, starting with dinner on the 28th and ending after breakfast on the 2nd. We hope to see many old and new Northwest Friends. The theme of this year’s Gathering will evolve and change—as always—with what each one of us brings to it. Anyone may lead a workshop or interest group. If you have any questions or would like to lead a workshop, feel free to contact one of this year’s coordinators, Nathan Helm-Burger at (707) 825-8183, erreth_akbe at hotmail dot com; or Melina Larkin at melinabeena at gmail dot com.

Previous workshops and interest groups

Environmental concerns
Peaceful economics
Quaker process
Dance
Tarot
Nature walks
Tai Chi
Sign language
Massage
Various aspects of spirituality

Previous sharing groups

Men’s
Women’s
Mixed
12-step
Couples
Friends of gays & lesbians

What to bring: Come prepared for rain and snow with a warm sleeping bag, boots, warm clothing, raingear, flashlight, pillow, and your favorite cold remedies. Please observe camp policy not to bring or use drugs or alcohol. Bring musical instruments, CDs and tapes, art materials, your heart, and anything else to share. Pre-teen kids are welcome at half price; childcare will be provided, as all who attend the Gathering participate in cooking, clean-up and childcare.

Payment

The cost of the Gathering is $140 (half-price for pre-teen kids who come with their parents). This covers food and lodging, mailing and phone expenses, and gives some help to the scholarship and travel fund. Please pay by mailing a check to our registrar/treasurer (see below for mailing address). Make checks out to "Young Friends Gathering". Please pay for your trip to the gathering as soon as possible, so that we have enough funds to actually make the gathering happen. However, don’t let lack of funds be an obstacle; your monthly meeting may be able to help if you ask in advance, and the Gathering also has some scholarship funds available. Send checks to:

Michael Eastwood
WYFNYG Co-Registrar
1223 10th Ave,
Arcadia, CA 91006

(626) 394-9074
eastwood@riseup.net

If you have any questions about payment, please call or e-mail Michael.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship is available for everyone; especially for those new to the Gathering, those who might want mentorship or guidance, and younger Friends. Sponsors are previous attendees of the Gathering who desire to create a special relationship with someone which helps them understand the Western Young Friends community and provides additional support as needed. Sponsors and sponsees can be of any age. For additional information contact the Registrar.

Travel Information

Please call the Travel Coordinator in your area before Christmas whether or not you pre-register.

Carpooling is the most cost-effective and fun way to get to the Gathering. Please call the Travel Coordinator in your area as soon as you know whether you will need a ride or can offer one. If you organize your own carpool, please call to let the Travel Coordinator know who is in it. If you’re planning to fly in, contact the Registrar to arrange for someone to pick you up.

For directions and maps to the Sierra Friends Center, please see this page on the Center's website.

Travel Coordinators

Northern California
Faith Eastwood
(707) 825-8183
silverfox at sohum dot net

Oregon and Washington
Gavin White
(971) 404-7294
Gavin.White at alumni dot reed dot edu

Southern and Inland California
Sarah Rose House
Cell (562) 889-1421 (Weekends & M-F after 4:30)
sarahrosehouse at hotmail dot com

Registration—please send as soon as possible

Click here to register online!

Or, if you want to register via snail mail send your registration to our registrar: