"Playshop for the Spirit

Director's Message             

The "Too Much Fun Club"-those of you who are old timers like me may remember when our fledgling kids program coined that term to describe their programming (and boy, I do mean fledgling-one group of all ages, with one teacher and an assistant-hard to believe now, isn't it?). Well, I think it's high time the rest of us got in on that fun. So this year instead of "workshops", we're going to have a PLAYshop for all ages. Times are tough, and we are constantly bombarded with reminders, lest we should forget for a moment. So our goal for WUULF this year is to forget that not only for a moment, but for the week! We want to see the adults playing as hard-and laughing as much-as any of the youth groups. To make this possible, we have a great mix of old favorites and new experiences lined up.

This year we are dedicating our week of Community to the memory of Rich Lee. Our theme of "Playshop for the Spirit" is particularly fitting, as Rich preferred playing while at WUULF-enjoying friends and exploring his art in this special place. So plan to join us and have the best time ever in his honor.

We're very excited to bring Dee Masters, direct from really-near-Hollywood, to show those of us who are no longer Cubs how to play again. Dee is one of the most talented and entertaining people I know. Don't be intimidated by the terms "improv games" or "theatre"-what Dee provides is outright fun. I attended an Improv workshop with him last year, and it was the most fun I had all year-and contrary to Dee's claims, that is NOT because I have such a boring life. Take my word for it-do not miss Dee's Playshop!

I am thrilled to announce that we are launching a WUULF Young Adult Program for ages 18-24. Deanna Reyna, a longtime WUULFie, will be facilitating the program. This will be a co-created program with the participants involved in planning and execution. We will also be offering housing in Young Adult Dorms for those who are interested. Please see the Youth page for all the details. Along with this addition, we are changing the age/grade ranges for our Youth Groups, so double check to see where your youth fits now.

Our Community Minister this year is the Rev. Teri Masters, Pastoral Care minister at Pacific Unitarian Church in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. Rev. Teri will be facilitating our Wisdom Circles and leading the Chanting playshop, among other things. If we're very lucky, she will sing for us, too! This year we also have a Young Adult and Youth Chaplain, Canyon Bosler - who started out in that "Too Much Fun Club" at age 5…

Enough from me - on to the good part, trying to decide which of the amazing opportunities to play you're going to squeeze in! There are a lot of changes this year, so be sure to read your catalog carefully. One of Rich's favorite quotes is "The grand essentials to happiness in this life are: something to do, something to love, and for something to hope for." (Joseph Addison). WUULF 2010 is certain to help with at least the first of those.

Can't wait to see you all in June,

Nuna Bosler - Director, WUULF 2010

Program Highlights

  "Playshop for the Spirit"

Offered by Dee Masters.

Dee Masters will lead us in a program based on improvisational theatre games that will be fun, empowering, non-threatening, intergenerational, and spiritually uplifting. Dee has over forty years of theatre and academic experience, including running workshops for UU camps and churches, and is an active UU himself. Do not be intimidated by the word "theatre"! Improv games are great fun and Dee will quickly have us up and moving, interacting with each other, and, well, playing! You'll think on your feet, laugh a lot, "act", use props, etc. "Whose line is it anyway" is improv, as is Saturday Night Live. While it might feel threatening to do improv on TV, it is fun in a safe atmosphere, where everyone is playing and supporting each other, rather than in front of an audience--though those who like the stage will have the chance to perform, those of us who aren't ready for "prime time" can have fun trying it in small groups. Dee will have something for every comfort level, and you might just discover that star thespian deep within. Some games will involve everyone, some will be done in groups of two or three, others will have volunteers to get on stage and try something, still others are played in teams. Improv is NOT a competition, your partner or group's goal is to help you succeed at the game. Come prepared to laugh, have a great time, get moving, laugh, take the stage-or not, cheer the rest of us on, laugh, play, and laugh!

Born in Panama and raised in Kansas and SW Colorado, Dee Masters earned a BFA in Theatre from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and a Masters degree in Rhetoric at California State University, Dominguez Hills. Dee has extensive performance and directing experience, such as the East Coast summer stock, director of the children's theatre in Albuquerque, off-Broadway New York, regional professional theatres, Producer/Director of Four Year Productions in L.A., various Shakespeare festivals around the U.S., director of theatre program at Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance CA, director of Drama Lab Improvisational team, and has been the recipient of three grants from the Colorado State Arts Council. Dee currently teaches at Bishop Montgomery H.S. and Harbor Community College.

Community Minister

Rev. Teri Masters is an ordained Interfaith minister serving the Pacific Unitarian Church in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA as Director of Pastoral Care. Rev. Teri has frequently served as Minister for UU camps in Southern California, and we are blessed to have her joining us at WUULF. Prior to joining the PUC ministry staff, Teri was a hospice chaplain and grief counselor. Rev. Teri will be available during the week for pastoral care or counsel for any attendees who are experiencing times of challenge, transition, or crisis. And lest you think she is all seriousness, Teri will sing at the drop of a hat and is a member of Vox Femina Los Angeles, one of the country's premiere women's choruses. Rev. Teri is a graduate of The Chaplaincy Institute for Arts and Interfaith Ministries in Berkeley, CA, and has completed 1,600 post graduate hours of clinical pastoral education at Long Beach Memorial Hospital. She and her husband, Dee, have two adult daughters and one grandson.

Volunteering

WUULF is a volunteer operation-board, youth leaders, minister, chaplains, activity leaders and others volunteer their time and talents to make this week the amazing experience it is. For an all too brief week in our busy year, we come together at WUULF to form a conscious community. To support that community experience, each person is asked to volunteer during the week. We have a wide range of volunteer opportunities available, so it should be easy to find an option that suits you. Choices range from helping one of our Youth groups for part of a morning or afternoon, setting up or cleaning up after Social Hour, supervising afternoon swim (Ghost Ranch lifeguard will be on duty), chaperoning late night Youth activities (25 and up only), and much more. Sign up sheets will be available at registration listing all volunteer opportunities, and WUULF attendees will be asked to choose volunteer commitments at that time.

What's Different This Year?

There are a LOT of changes this year, some big (like the new Young Adult Program) and some small (new improved raffle drawings). Please read your catalog carefully, so you don't miss anything! We have revamped the Youth Program age groups to more closely match typical school groupings. We put a lot of thought into setting these age/grade breakouts, and think it will be a positive change for all ages. So when you are doing registration, check out the new brackets to be sure you're getting your youth in the correct group.

Social Hour

Last year we asked everyone to pitch in and provide snacks and beverages for the daily Social Hour because we were in a tight money situation. We knew you terrific people would take that in stride-but we had no idea how enthusiastically you would embrace the idea! We received so many comments about the best Social Hours ever, and people enjoying sharing their favorite brew (or homebrew), pop, and snacks, that we are making it a tradition. So plan to bring your snacks and drinks to share again. Since Social Hour is just before dinner, light snacks are best. Thank you all for your generosity, and turning a problem into a party! Participants are gently reminded to contain social hour beverages to the Lower Pavilion and patio area. Additionally, although Ghost Ranch has a recycling program, we feel that WUULF can do more to reduce our impact on the local environment (and the world in general!) by minimizing our disposables usage. To that end, during the daily social hours, we will be utilizing bulk containers for dispensing soft drinks, water, lemonade and wine. We would encourage you to think about bringing a suitable drink container or cup to reuse during the week, thus reducing our waste and recyclable products.