FRESH AIR & SELF CARE – A place-based retreat at the College Farm

Free Local Foods, Activities and Workshops 

Sessions all day | Come & go as able | Overnight camping option available | Transportation provided to/from campus  

Dickinsonians and members of the community are invited to join in free workshop sessions ranging from creative strategies for staying grounded during stressful times, connecting to place, exploring the ecology of place, using movement, art and food production to connect with others, plus opportunities for guided yoga and meditation. Together, we will work to build inclusive and accessible spaces that connect to caring for ourselves, others and the places we inhabit. Hands-on sessions, time for reflection, and locally sourced meals aim to build community and bring us closer to those around us.  

This event is co-sponsored by the College Farm, the Office of LGBTQ Services, the Center for Spirituality and Social Justice & the Center for Sustainability Education. Click on the registration link below to see the full schedule where you can indicate which sessions/meals you would like to attend. RSVP’s are strongly encouraged to attend.

RSVP LINK HERE

Tentative Schedule:

SATURDAY, APRIL 30

  • 4:00-6:30 pm, Inner and Outer Landscapes
    • How does our body’s interaction with our environment influence our perception of space, place and our role within it? How can that interaction enliven our experience of our own inner world? How might we draw on that experience to more authentically connect with others? Through simple movement activities, a guided walk around the farm, and written reflection, this session aims to open our senses to the intertwining of our inner and outer landscapes. If possible, bring something to write on and with. Facilitated by Professor Erin Crawley-Woods (Theatre & Dance).
  • 6:30-7:30 pm, Local, sustainably sourced dinner
    • Food from Talking Breads and the College Farm, beverages from the Peddler.
  • 7:30-9:00 pm, Outdoor Recreation/Farm Fun Time

SUNDAY, MAY 1

  • 7:30-8:15 am, Guided Yoga and/or Meditation
    • Ecospiritual Rock Meditation and Stress Management Activity. Start your day with Amelia Fitch (’22) and an early morning guided mediation on mindfulness and stress management.
    • Guided yoga will be led by Professor Claire Seiler (English). Yoga mats will be provided.
  • 8:30-9:30 am, Local, sustainably sourced breakfast
    • Food from Helena’s, Beeman’s Bakery & Keswick Creamery with Coffee from The Peddler.
  • 9:30 am – 12:00 pm, The Ecology of Place
    • The Ecology of Oneness: Dr. Scott Boback, Professor of Biology, and the Rev. Mike Travisano, Buddhist priest, will lead a discussion on the connections between ourselves and our environment. Focusing on the importance of place, this session will explore how ecology aligns with the Buddhist teaching of oneness. This open dialogue will encourage introspection, make us question our individual responsibilities, and expose ethical considerations.
  • 9:30 am – 12:00 pm, The Art Forms of Food Production
    • Sourdough or gluten-free wood-fired pizza making, led by Cody Nielsen Ph.D. (Center for Spirituality and Social Justice).
  • 12:00-1:00 pm, Local, sustainably sourced shared lunch
  • 1:30-2:30 pm, Our Place in the Landscape
    • What are landscapes? How do they shape us and how do we shape them? What can we learn from them? Starting with a place we lived before coming to Carlisle and the Cumberland Valley, we will think about the physical, social, and cultural elements of the locations we spent our lives moving through. Using those experiences, we will examine the landscapes of the college farm and other areas of the valley we now interact with. By unpacking the physical elements of these landscapes, we can learn more about the natural, social, cultural, and political processes that created them, continue to shape them, and influence our experiences with them. Facilitated by Professor Maria Bruno (Anthropology & Archaeology).
  • 2:30-3:30 pm, Hands-on DIY Activities: Capturing Nature’s Colors & Plant-based Herbal Remedies
    • Capturing Nature’s Colors. Join local artist Carol Reed transform botanicals from the farm into prints on paper, using steam and Hapa Zome methods.
    • Green Remedies. Discover unknown properties of plants and how to use them. Join us for a weed walk and hands-on demo. Facilitated by Jenn Halpin (College Farm).