2009 Columbus Day Retreat at Blairhaven

The 2009 Columbus Day retreat (known as Blairhaven, as it is the only time a teen retreat is currently held here) was spectacular! As SCYL President Nina Sasser put it, "Best Blairhaven ever". We all learned so much about Swedenborg's famous fans. Rev. Lee taught us all about the amazing things that notable readers of Swedenborg like Blake, Jung, Cowherd, Emerson and MLK Jr. did with their lives. And Rev. Susannah vividly shared with us the life of Helen Keller by play the part and giving us the opportunity to experience blind, deaf disco bowling! At the Elmwood church on Sunday, we identified people that we admire and discovered traits that we have in common with them or would like to have. Back at Blairhaven, Rev. Lee explained how important it is to make positive change in your self to bring positive change into the world.

Of course, retreats are also all about fun with friends, and this retreat had plenty of that! Cody came all the way from LaPorte. Rev. Kevin Baxter made a visit on Sunday afternoon with Ephraim. The annual mudwalk turned into a frenzied mud wrestle. Blind deaf disco bowling certainly spiced things up. Brownie movie night was as yummy as ever and we laughed to Fired Up and screamed to Signs (some of us laughed at both ;-) ). We even got to take a hike up to the Myles Standish Monument, which was something we haven't had a chance to do for several years (and got a fun picture of our staged break in). And although Killer Croquet took a hiatus, I think all will agree that this Columbus Day retreat at Blairhaven was one to remember.