Introducing our Summer 2024 Programs

A Letter from our board president, Janine Valine

Dear Friends of the Woods,

I wish you all a Happy New Year! As many of you begin registering your children for camp this summer, you may notice that the programming at Westminster Woods this year looks a little different than many of us are used to. And for some, this change may be surprising and even a little bit uncomfortable.

As I sit down to write this letter to you, I sit amongst the happy chaos that is winter break at home with two young boys. Our Christmas tree is still up and, despite my best efforts, toys old and new are littered everywhere.

I’ve spent the last couple days talking to my five-year-old about the necessity of choosing some of his old toys to give away so that we can make room for all the new toys he just got. You can maybe imagine that this has led to some push back and even some tears. There have been a lot of reassurances that it is just toys you don’t play with anymore and “no we are not giving away Bear.” While he is super excited about all the new toys he got, he is still really attached to some of the things he has outgrown. I can’t lie, it’s not easy for me either. Why am I emotionally attached to that pull string rabbit he got for his first birthday!? This can be a hard concept that we as adults also grapple with. And it's where I believe we are as the Westminster Woods community.

I am so excited to introduce this new iteration of summer programming to this community! I am excited about the new growth and fresh energy I see coming out of the Woods and its Leadership Team. I am excited for our children to get to experience a version of Westminster Woods that is tailored to and relevant to them in this new day and age. However, to embrace that we need to come to terms with the fact that there are some things that the Woods has outgrown. That even though there are big changes being made, it doesn’t mean we are giving up our beloved teddy bear or our fond memories of Sherwood Forest.

The core of Westminster Woods will always be there. It has always been here. It is us, it is our community, our love for one another and our love for Christ.

If you would like to learn more about some of these changes, I encourage you to explore Westminster Woods newly updated Summer Camp page and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok to experience the incredible impact Westminster Woods is having on the lives of the youth and community we serve.

I know I’m looking forward to what this summer, and the many to come, have in store for our children, our families, and our community.

With Christ,

 

Janine Valine

Westminster Woods Board President

Reigniting the Embers Within

A Message from our Executive Director, Chris Rhodes

Dear Friends of the Woods

As we approach the end of the year, I want to share a reflection on the Woods from one of our summer staffers:

“The staff here are like family and the campers are able to sense that. The Woods provides a safe haven for the broken-hearted and the lost, allowing them to feel like they belong somewhere. This place is filled with so much love, and is a place where we can look past our own brokenness and that of others, which in turn allows us to openly receive healing with God. I am so grateful to be a part of this family and work side by side with them to love on the kids.”

Every year we receive similar reflections from our community. Whether they’re entering our forest for the first time or have called it home for years, our participants share that they experience positive growth and authentic belonging guided by the love that flows through our programs.

While Jesus’ message of love remains our guiding light, the programs and services that Westminster Woods offers have been revised many times since our founding in 1946. Times change, people’s needs evolve, and the Church itself has reformed. Over the years, we have adapted and expanded our programs and facilities to meet those shifting needs and through it all, Westminster Woods has remained a second home for our community.

In the past three years, we have hired a new Program Director, Ryan McKenzie; a new School Programs Manager, Casey Stachelski; a new Ministries Manager, Charlotte Trotter; and a new Challenge Course Manager, Jesse Posehn. When they joined our leadership team, we asked each of these dynamic and deeply considerate individuals to review our programs to see if they are still meeting the needs of the campers, churches, schools, and groups we serve - and how we can help extend and expand our guiding light and our Woods community.

After thoughtful and careful review, we realized that some of our programs needed only a few updates, but others a deeper rekindling. The embers in our programs were still glowing; they just needed new breath to blow upon them, and that breath is guiding us as we look toward the next year of the Woods’ life. That is what we always strive to do at Westminster Woods – to reignite the burning ember in each of us.

I hope you will be a part of what’s happening at the Woods in 2024 and ask that you consider including Westminster Woods in your year-end giving. Together, we can enjoy and share the experience of transformation with new breath flowing through our lives and our beloved community.

Just as the embers within some of our programs need a rekindling, our facilities and grounds are in need of their own consistent tending. In addition to the everyday upkeep of our site, this year the homestead is in need of a new roof, our pool needs a new lining, and we hope to renovate two cabins to include interior bathrooms. Financial contributions or donations of tools, supplies, and time help us complete much needed repairs to our site and help improve our guest experience

Visit our donation page to learn more about our planned projects for 2024. As always, we are grateful for your presence in our community.

Blessings,

 

Chris Rhodes Executive Director

 

Meet Janine Valine, Board President

Meet our new Board President, Janine Valine

We are excited to introduce our new Board President, Janine Valine! Janine joined the Westminster Woods Board of Directors in April 2022 and moved into the role of Board President in October 2023. At Westminster Woods, we strive to create opportunities for transformation, connection, and reflection through Outdoor Education, Ministries Programming, and Guest Experiences. As a former summer staffer and summer camp alumni, Janine has experienced the transformative power of our programming first hand and will bring this lived experience into her role as Board President. 

Janine first came to Westminster Woods in 1993 as a camper in Sherwood Forest and attended camp every year through High School Camp. She went on to serve on summer staff for 5 years working as a counselor, in the kitchen, and on the First Aid Team until she eventually became the First Aid Coordinator. Janine credits her summers working at the Woods for igniting her passion for healthcare and helping her find a career as a Nurse. Janine is a Certified Nurse Practitioner with a BS in Animal Science from Cal Poly Pomona, a BSN-RN from San Francisco State, and a MSN NP from University of Southern California. 

As a lifelong member of the Bethany Presbyterian Church in San Bruno, Janine has strengthened her connection to Christ and community while maintaining a strong bond with us here at the Woods. In addition to her time at Summer Camp, Janine has enjoyed attending Westminster Woods Adult Ministries Programming including Women's Weekend, Alumni Weekend, and she even participated in the construction of our beloved playground. Her years of service at the Woods have brought others closer together and closer to Christ.

Janine will be bringing her rich personal history at the Woods into her work on the Board of Directors. As president, Janine says, “I am looking forward to guiding the Woods through the post-Covid era where many of us still haven’t felt fully comfortable returning to our communities from our self-made silos. I am excited to help re-cultivate the culture of Westminster Woods, reconnect alumni and supporters to the Woods, and embrace new connections. I am looking forward to exploring new perspectives of what camp can be to this new generation of campers while still longing for my children to get to know and experience the amazingness of the camp I grew up in.” As a Summer Camp Alumni, Nurse Practitioner, practicing Presbyterian, and mother, Janine is uniquely qualified to understand and meet the current needs of our community while maintaining the deep roots of love, transformation, and community that make Westminster Woods so special.

As we welcome Janine into her new position, we’d also like to appreciate our former Co-Presidents, Corinne Dedini and Brian Gidney for their service and all that they have done to support Westminster Woods over the years. We bid Brian Gidney a fond farewell as he moves off of the Board of Directors and are fortunate to be able to welcome Corinne Dedini into her new role as Board Secretary. To learn more about Janine and the rest of our Board Members, visit our Board of Directors page!

School Programs Manager Update

Introducing Casey “Popcorn” Stachelski as School Programs Manager

We are delighted to announce that we’ve hired Casey Stachelski as our School Programs Manager! During the school year, our School Programs Department provides multi-day environmental and science education in addition to character development programs for students primarily in grades five through eight. Our School Programs mission is to foster the development of character, community, and science literacy in students through experiential outdoor education. Our program serves more than 6,000 students annually from across California, providing many participants new opportunities for growth and discovery. We are proud to employ some of the best youth development professionals and educators in the industry and are thrilled to have them led by Casey.

Casey has served as the School Programs Interim Manager for the past two years. During this time, Casey shepherded the department through a difficult time brought on by the Covid-19 Pandemic. Casey has met each challenge with compassion, thoughtfulness, and care for the program, staff, and schools that we serve. Under Casey's guidance, our School Programs Department has adapted our programming and been able to reopen our forest to students both during the school year and during the Summer with our brand new summer camp, Camp Heartwood. Casey is a phenomenal leader who knows our program inside and out, has a deep respect for our program and its staff, and pours integrity into everything that she does. We are so happy that the School Programs Department is in Casey’s capable hands. Read below to learn more about Casey and her role at The Woods.

CASEY “Popcorn” STACHELSKI (SHE/HER), SCHOOL PROGRAMS MANAGER

A series of happy accidents, well-timed decisions and serendipities have led me to Westminster Woods and my role as the School Programs Manager and I couldn’t be happier here!

As the head of School Programs, my task is to guide the vision and direction of our beloved program. In practice, my work centers on balancing deep care for our staff with careful tending of our program. Every day I work to build authentic relationships as well as to make School Programs accessible, equitable and environmentally –conscious.

I believe in integrity and authenticity. I believe that strong leadership comes through listening and learning. I believe that what our team builds together is so much more beautiful than what one person can do on their own. The strength of School Programs is in our people and Westminster Woods is home to the finest educators and youth development professionals that California has to offer. I feel incredibly blessed to work, play, sing, dance and learn alongside my dearest friends.

To learn more about School Programs and booking a program with us, visit our our School Programs Page.

Thanks and Giving

Dear Friends of the Woods,

As 2020 comes to a close, I am struck by how much we have to be grateful for.  This has been a challenging year for the Woods; we have missed the milestones of Summer Camp and the rhythm of the school year and returning guest groups, but there have been many blessings and moments of joy along the way. 

Innovative teaching.  When schools closed in March, our School Programs team immediately began working on distance learning lessons for schools that would miss their scheduled field trip.  Several of our videos (many of which are available for free on our website) have been shared by leading environmental education experts as exceptional examples of how to teach online.  One teacher wrote, “My team and I thank you with all our hearts for these online experiences… Lessons are so well thought out and easy for us to complete in a day.”  When we are able to welcome students back to the Woods, these projects will enrich the program we have already been delivering for years.

The Woods family.  Another blessing of 2020 has been connecting with individuals.  Our Ministries team continues to reach out to pastors to deepen our partnerships and relationships with each other and Christ.  We have also been able to welcome families and small groups to stay in our guest houses, which are normally reserved for schools and larger guest groups.  What joy it has brought us to see members of our community retreating to the Woods to find peace and connection in the beauty of this place.

Community.  All of these things could not have been possible without you, our community members, who have stepped up and donated, many for the first time, rented our houses, prayed for us, and sent messages of thanks and love.  THANK  YOU!  We truly could not be where we are today without your care and financial support.

As we look forward to 2021 with hope and purpose, we ask again for your support.  Your gift, of any amount, will provide critical funds to help us be ready to welcome back schools, campers, and larger guest groups whenever it is safe to do so. 

If you have already made a year-end gift, thank you!

Wishing you and yours peace this holiday season.

With gratitude,

Chris Rhodes

Executive Director

Virtual Field Trips at Westminster Woods

By Redwood and Popcorn

Online, outdoor education is underway at Westminster Woods! This fall, students from Learning House (of Santa Rosa City Schools) logged on to our very first Virtual Field Trip. Are you curious about how online, experiential education works? Take a look at the highlights from our partnership with Santa Rosa City Schools.

A Program Like No Other

From an initial inquiry to planning meetings to the first months of the program, Westminster Woods and Learning House have collaborated every step of the way. Our time-tested curriculum, supported by the Learning House teacher’s knowledge and deep care for their students, have produced a series of Virtual Field Trips designed to deepen students’ understanding of their home watershed and foster a meaningful relationship with nature.

IMG_8019.jpg

A Typical Program Day

Starting in September and wrapping up in December, each K-6th student meets with our Teacher Naturalists one day a month. The format of each Virtual Field Trip includes short Zoom meetings, hosted by our Teacher Naturalist, alternating with thoughtful activities from our online curriculum. This structure offers students time for “in-person” instruction, facilitated community discussions, and self-guided learning. 

Experiential education is the core of our curriculum at Westminster Woods. We believe that creating meaningful connections to each other and the natural world helps students become responsible humans. Online learning is no exception. With a focus on watershed ecology and sense of place, students leave each trip with a deeper appreciation for their close-to-home natural world. 

Deep Diving into Content

Our first meeting with students in September started with Zoom introductions and sharing observations about the parts of nature we could see around us. From a wooden chess board to spiders to plants and pets, it was clear that we’re never far from nature. After the introductory Zoom meeting, students watched a short video from our online curriculum, then they went outside to make their own nature treasure maps. We met back in a Zoom meeting to share our maps and share appreciations with each other. As the day went on, nature exploration continued with more activities and meetings. Students learned about scientific adventures, took part in ‘zoom in, zoom out’ nature journaling and played nature activities bingo! 

IMG_8039.jpg

In October, we focused on exploring creeks and streams. After a morning Zoom meeting and a video about how to catch freshwater invertebrates, many students headed off with an adult and a plan to investigate local creeks. The other students studied Dutch Bill Creek virtually, alongside our Teacher Naturalists, through facilitated observations of the creek and its inhabitants. The groups met back on Zoom after lunch to share about what they had found at different creeks, the creatures they found in them and how healthy they thought the creeks were. It was neat to compare the findings from creeks all over Santa Rosa and our Dutch Bill Creek. 

We’re excited to see what adventures and learning the next few months of Learning House trips bring! 

Summer Fundraiser

Dear Friends of the Woods,

Have you ever stood on the big green field and looked west towards the ridge of trees? There are a multitude of colors and layers that interweave, creating an ever-changing tapestry that can never be replicated. As the winds blow and the trees sway, our resident ravens fly by speaking to one another while they ride out the wind currents. The creek moving behind you, the crickets chirping, and the birds singing create one of the most beautiful and memorable soundtracks you will ever hear. The smells of the redwood forest fill your nasal passages as you breathe deeply and take it all in.

As you know, Westminster Woods is a place of connection, relationships, and growth. It is a place where children of all ages come to experience the life-changing gifts of school programs, summer camp or a trip with their church or group. Have you heard the laughter (or screams) of an eleven-year-old or an 80-year-old after they have left the upper platform of the zipline? Have you read one of the rocks painted by a summer camper reminding you that you are never alone? Have you eaten one of the amazing meals prepared by kitchen staff? Have you heard the joyful singing on a Sunday morning echoing down the challenge course canyon? Have you walked the labyrinth or one of our many hiking paths? Have you experienced one of the amazing stream ecology classes with your school? What did you discover? What did you wonder? What did you feel? Close your eyes and imagine one of your life-changing experiences at Westminster Woods.

As you might already know, we have not been able to host schools or guest groups since March, and our summer camp program was cancelled due to Covid-19. We have always relied on these programs to support the financial health and mission of the Woods.

We are uncertain of what the future will bring, but we are working diligently to welcome you, your schools, and your groups back to the Woods. Our team continues to create innovative solutions to keep our community connected. The Ministries team is working on videos and activities for a free virtual summer camp. Our Teacher Naturalists have created nature activities and resources which are designed to limit screen time and help children to engage outside. Our Guest Services team is about to announce new opportunities for groups to visit this summer and fall. 

However, we can’t do all of this without the support and generous donations of our community. We have already received over $52,000 in donations, bringing us closer to our goal of raising $175,000 by the end of the summer.

We hope that you will consider a one-time gift or commit to a monthly donation to help Westminster Woods continue to fulfill our mission and prepare to host groups in the future. Will you help us reach our goal today?

Until we meet again across the bridge,

Kori Donley, School Programs Director, kori@westminsterwoods.org
Aimee Studer, Co-Director of Ministries, aimee@westminsterwoods.org

Get outside with these fun activities!

You don’t need a mountain, a forest, or a state park to get outside and explore the natural world—once you start looking, you will see nature on your city block, in your neighborhood, or in your backyard! Some of our Teacher Naturalists have been hard at work coming up with activities for our community to try at home. These include scavenger hunts, drawing activities, and even a video about searching for treasures with a pirate! Check out these five activities for some outdoor inspiration.

1) Make a treasure map

Watch this example of how to make a map of nature's treasures with Nautilus and Feather. Then go out and make your own treasure map!

Based on an activity from Opening the World Through Nature Journaling (2nd ed.) by John Muir Laws, Emily Breunig, Emilie Lygren, and Celeste Lopez (https://johnmuirlaws.com/journaling-curriculum/).

2) Go on a Nature Scavenger Hunt

Take a walk down your street or search around your yard to see if you can find something that fits into each category of this scavenger hunt:

Nature Scavenger Hunt.PNG
“Something beautiful that is catching the energy from the sun”

“Something beautiful that is catching the energy from the sun”

“Something that is decomposing”

“Something that is decomposing”

“Evidence of an animal or an insect”

“Evidence of an animal or an insect”

3) Find the rainbow

Go on a walk or hike and see how many colors you can find in nature. You could try to find all the colors of the rainbow.

DSCF2536.JPG

It is also fun to give each person a paint chip card (or piece of colored paper or crayon or marker) and see how many objects they can find that match that color.

DSCF2581.JPG

After a little while of walking and finding matches, have everyone switch cards. You can make this more challenging by seeing who can find the closest exact match to their color.

DSCF2577.JPG

4) Draw a sound map

You can map the sounds from your backyard, your front steps, or even inside your own home!

5) Create a nature journal

A nature journal can include notes, drawings, and observations about the world around you. All you need is a piece of paper and something to write with. Below are two of our Teacher Naturalists’ favorite nature journaling activities. For more, download a free nature journaling curriculum from https://johnmuirlaws.com/journaling-curriculum/.

  • “zoom in, zoom out”

  • i notice, i wonder, it reminds me

Update on Summer Camp 2020

Dear Westminster Woods Friends and Family,

It is with great sadness that our leadership team has made the difficult decision to cancel our summer camp programs for 2020.  The health and safety of our campers, staff and volunteers are our first priority.  We know this is a disappointment for so many of our families, campers and staff who look forward to spending the summer under the redwoods.  This decision was not easy to make: we had many conversations within our own community and sought advice from other summer camp ministries and organizations including the CDC, the American Camping Association, and the Sonoma County Health Department.

Our registered campers, families and summer staffers were notified earlier this week.  We will miss the laughter, joy, games and song that have filled our summer camp for the last 48 years.  However, we do have some good news!  We will be hosting online activities during the summer. Even though we cannot be together in person we can still remain connected virtually. Follow us on Facebook for upcoming activities during the summer months.

Please pray with us.  Pray for our Friendship Campers who save their money each year to come to camp.  Pray for our campers who have been joining us for years and for the campers who would have experienced the Woods for the first time this summer.  Pray for our summer staffers who devote their summers to intentional Christian community and camping ministry.  Pray for the financial health and future of Westminster Woods.

Westminster Woods is resilient, but we need your help!  If you are able to make a monetary donation, it will help the future of summer camp and the other programs we offer.

We know that we are not alone in this pandemic.  God is with us and will continue to work with us through these uncharted waters.  Thank you for your continued support of the ministry at Westminster Woods.

Grace and Peace,

Chris Rhodes
Executive Director

Westminster Woods Update - COVID-19

Dear Friends of the Woods,

As I write this, most of you are sheltering in place. I am also at home working, and not at the Woods. My prayers are with you and your loved ones during this challenging time in all of our lives.

As you can imagine, the Covid-19 virus has had a huge impact on Westminster Woods. Just three weeks ago, we welcomed 175 6th grade students, from Dewey School in Fair Oaks, Bel Aire Park School in Napa, and Brandeis School in San Francisco, taking advantage of the incredible outdoor education and character development programs that we offer to schools. That all changed on March 20th, when we had to close the camp. We had over 2,500 more students scheduled to stay at the Woods this spring with their schools, but now those excited, eager kids will miss out on the highlight of their school year. We also had a number of churches and other guest groups that were anticipating their weekend retreats this spring, all of which have had to be cancelled or postponed.

With no schools or guest groups visiting this spring, Westminster Woods will not be receiving any income for the foreseeable future. Our staff of 45 people has had to be furloughed until we can start generating revenue. In the short term, we have reached out to the Presbyterian Synod of the Pacific about a loan, and we have also applied for a Small Business Administration non-profit loan. The plan is to use this borrowed money to rehire some of our staff and get us through the early summer, when we anticipate the revenue to start coming back in more steadily.

At this point, we are still planning on holding our annual Summer Camp, which hundreds of kids and teens anticipate every year, and we encourage parents to join the many others who have registered their campers through our website. We will make a final decision about Summer Camp during May, once we have a better understanding of how long the Covid-19 virus will be a major concern. The safety and well-being of our campers is always our first priority.

In 2021, Westminster Woods will celebrate its 75th year as a camp. Westminster Woods has provided a place to connect with God and nature for generations. It has been a place to retreat from the routine of life and experience transformation. The camp started as a place for adults, children and teenagers to grow in their faith, have an opportunity to connect with nature, make new friends, and have life-long relationships with people they meet at camp.

During our almost 75 years as a camp, we have gone through some very good times and some extremely challenging ones. When I look back historically over those 75 years, the Woods and the world have seen incredible change.

Some years ago, one of the members of my church told me she had first come to Westminster Woods in 1947 as a young girl. The camp had been opened just one year earlier and there were no buildings on the property. Her church came to the Woods on a retreat and she camped with her family on the big green field in the center of camp and prepared their own meals. She would jokingly say, “Westminster Woods was such a beautiful place, until they started constructing all of those buildings.” This woman is in her 90’s now, and so often has commented to me that she is so grateful that the Woods was such a foundational part of her life.

Realizing that she had been at the Woods from its very early years helped me to better understand the impact this camp has had on so many lives. She and a multitude of others have continued to retreat to the Woods throughout their lives. For so many of us, this is our sanctuary, and every time we cross the bridge over Dutch Bill Creek we are welcomed back home.

In the last few weeks, we have phoned many of you, and you have responded with some very generous donations. Your commitment to the Woods is evident, not only in the checks you have written but in the notes that have come with them. To date, we have received around $20,000, and we – our staff and board – could not be more thankful.

For those of you who have not yet taken the opportunity to make a contribution, we could use it now more than ever. You can mail a check to Westminster Woods or make an online donation here on our website. Either way, know that your gift will aid us in continuing the legacy of the Woods.

Take care, stay healthy, and come stay with us (as soon as possible),

Chris Rhodes
Executive Director

A Fond Farewell to Tony Fry

from Chris Rhodes, Executive Director

No doubt when you have visited Westminster Woods you will have seen or met Tony Fry.  Tony’s first day working here at the Woods was March 3, 1993. That was 27 years ago.  Tony’s last day working at Westminster Woods is Thursday, March 12, 2020.  So if you do the math Tony has worked at the Woods for more than half of his life.  That is impressive.  His commitment to the Woods over all of these years is simply amazing. 

I am sure when he first started working here at the Woods he never anticipated being here this long.  He first started working in the kitchen as a cook and then moved onto being a maintenance assistant in the Building and Grounds department.  He has been the manager of the Building and Grounds department for the last 19 years. 

Tony in front of the playground he helped build

Tony in front of the playground he helped build

Tony has put his heart and soul into his work here.  He knows this place better than anyone: he knows where every plumbing pipe is, where all of the electrical circuit breakers are, where every septic tank and leach field is located.  And he can tell you everything you would ever want to know about our Westminster Woods water system.  He knows it all, and his knowledge and expertise (and his laugh) will be missed.  But he has a great new job awaiting him working for the City of Santa Rosa, and it is an exciting new chapter in his life.   

So we bid a sad, but very fond farewell to Tony Fry.  We wish him all the best in his new job. 

Thank You, Tony!

Tony with his wife, Teresa

Tony with his wife, Teresa

Will you share your story?

Dear Woods Community,

The Westminster Woods family has grown so much over the years. We literally have family members across the globe. We want to reconnect with our family, hear from you about why you love the Woods, and share your stories—OUR story—with our community.

Will you help us?

 
 

Send us a one minute video finishing the sentence, “I love the Woods because…” A few options to think about when coming up with your answer include:

a.      What is  your favorite Westminster Woods memory?

b.     How has Westminster Woods influenced your life?

c.     Why would you encourage someone to go to the Woods?

Just film your video on your smartphone—vertically—and keep it under a minute! Then send it to info@westminsterwoods.org or send it to us via Facebook message.  The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 20th.

We are so grateful for you! If you send us a video, we may use it to connect with our community and to promote fundraising.

Thank you!

What’s all the hype about fungi?

BY AMY SHMANIA, PHOTOS BY DAVID SALOMON

Going out into a coastal forest in the damp northern California winter can be an exciting adventure—you might spot a banana slug on the path, a newt swimming in a pool of water, even adult salmon swimming upstream to spawn, and, once you start looking, you might find a rainbow of fascinating mushrooms all around you. Here at the Woods, we have seemingly endless species of mushrooms—all colors, shapes, sizes, and textures.  And we think that’s pretty exciting.  So what’s the scoop on the Kingdom of Fungi and why it is important?  Read on for a few of my favorite fungi facts.

IMG_7506.jpg

1.      While mushrooms are often the most obvious parts of the fungi that we see, they are in fact only the fruiting body—think apple or orange—of the larger organism.  Mushrooms produce spores that allow the fungi to reproduce, similar to how fruits contain seeds.  Not all fungi even produce mushrooms! 

IMG_7582.jpg

2.      Have you ever noticed a white substance under leaves or deep in the forest soil?  You were probably looking at mycelium. According to Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast, mycelium is made up of “tubelike structures called hyphae…strung together in long chains and branching networks that form a sort of carpet” (3). You might be tempted to think of mycelium as the roots of the mushroom, but in fact this mat of white material is the main body of the organism.

IMG_7617.JPG

3.      Nom nom nom.  Like animals, fungi are heterotrophs—they must consume other organisms to survive.  But with body structures very different from animals, fungi have a unique tactic for consuming nutrients. In Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast, authors Christian Schwartz and Noah Siegel explain that the mycelia exude enzymes that break down the organic matter around them: once the material is broken down, the fungi can absorb it (2).

IMG_7503.jpg

4.      Mushrooms don’t live in a vacuum—they are an essential part of the forest ecosystem.  Many fungi form mutualistic relationships with specific species of trees and other plants, called mycorrhizal relationships, where the mycelium and the roots of the plant share water, nutrients, and sugar (Swartz and Siegel 3).  As we just learned, fungi can absorb nutrients (and water) from the soil, while plants can produce their own sugar. 

IMG_7545.JPG

5.      Scientists have even discovered that these mycorrhizal relationships allow trees in a forest to communicate with each other!  According to Peter Wohlleben, scientist and author of The Secret Life of Trees, “Trees share water and nutrients through the networks, and also use them to communicate…about drought and disease, for example, or insect attacks, and other trees alter their behavior when they receive these messages.”

IMG_7633.jpg

6.      Micorrhiza and Climate Change. According to a 2019 study, globally “Ecosystems encompassing mycorrhizal vegetation store on the order of 350 gigatons of carbon globally, compared to just 29 gigatons stored in non-mycorrhizal vegetation.”   The study explains that human impact on natural ecosystems has reduced the areas where these relationships exist and suggests that restoring native plants with micorrhiza might be a way to increase the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

IMG_7510.JPG

7.      There’s so much more to learn about fungi, and, in this relatively untapped field of study, there’s plenty scientists don’t even know yet!  So get out there, pay attention, and see what you can find! 

IMG_7607.JPG

Sources:

Grant, Richard, and Diana Markosian. “Do Trees Talk to Each Other?” Smithsonian Magazine, March 2018, www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-whispering-trees-180968084/.

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis. "Plants and fungi together could slow climate change." ScienceDaily, 7 November 2019, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191107084034.htm.

Schwarz, Christian, and Noah Siegel. Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast: a Comprehensive Guide to the Fungi of Coastal Northern California. Ten Speed Press, 2016.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Heterotroph.” Encyclopaedia Brittanica, 13 November 2019, www.britannica.com/science/heterotroph.

Giving Back to the Woods

Dear Friends of the Woods,

First of all, I want to thank you for your participation in our programs and your support of our community.  Westminster Woods is able to remain viable and vibrant because of people like you who keep our programs strong. 

As a religious nonprofit, we work to keep costs down not only for retreats and summer camp, but also for the thousands of students that experience the Woods on class field trips each year and the guest groups that rent our facility on the weekends.  Because of this, we rely on donations from members of our community to help with staff salaries, operation costs, facility maintenance, and more

As we look to the future, we see possibilities for continued growth as well as new challenges.  As you know, the risk of wildfires in California has increased.  As we look forward, we are driven to make changes that will reduce the risks of fire on our property.  This includes meeting with neighboring organizations and working with a state licensed forester to create a forest management plant.  With the help of donors, in 2019 we have been able to remove over 20 dead and dying trees to reduce our fuel load as well as a handful of trees that were a danger to infrastructure.  With over 200 acres, we have a lot of work left!

This holiday season, please consider putting your faith into our mission and our future by making a tax deductible donation to Westminster Woods.  Donations can be made online or by mailing a check made out to Westminster Woods to:

Westminster Woods
6510 Bohemian Hwy.
Occidental, CA 95465.

With gratitude,

Chris Rhodes

Executive Director

7 Reasons to Join Summer Staff

Every year in June, camp fills with young adults who have dedicated 6 weeks of their summer to work at Westminster Woods Summer Camp.  Summer Staff is made up of arts and crafts experts, archery lovers, guitar players, rock climbers, lifeguards, and more, who are brought together by a commitment to their faith in Christ and to creating a community where campers and staff alike feel welcome and loved.  Read on to find out if Summer Staff is right for you.

1. Explore your faith.  Weekly Sunday worship for staff and families, Inspire Service (contemplative daily worship), nightly campfire speakers, campfire music, daily Bible lessons, and cabin talks are just some of the ways Summer Staff delve into their faith at camp.  Many Summer Staff say that living in a community that intentionally works to get closer to God has a profound impact on their ability to understand and express their beliefs.

IMG_1192.jpg

2. Develop your leadership.  Whether you are a lead counselor, lifeguard, or photo buddy, you will have ample opportunities to improve your leadership skills through being in charge of a cabin group, leading bible studies, working with other staff, planning and leading activities, being a role model, and more.

IMG_2004.jpg

3. Have fun!  Our themed camps are filled with theatrics, games, costumes, pirates, Robin Hood, and more.  Did we mention that puppies visit once a week?  Add amazing staff and campers to the mix for an unforgettable summer.

4. Relational Ministry. Mentor campers of all ages and abilities, and see their spiritual growth and learning season after season.  For 4 weeks of the summer, Westminster Woods campers range from 6 years old to high school seniors.  The other week, Friendship Camp, is an opportunity for adults with developmental disabilities to experience the magic of Westminster Woods.

5.  Step in to your growth zone!  Not only are we helping campers and fellow staffers grow, but we grow and change ourselves.  Whether it is a long conversation with a co-worker, stepping off of the Giant Swing Platform, leading new energizers, singing at campfire, or comforting a camper, you will grow with these new experiences.  It means working with people you love, impacting the lives of campers, and learning new skills along the way.

IMG_6572%2B%25281%2529.jpg

6.  Connect with nature.  Westminster Woods is 211 acres of coastal redwood forest and is nestled next to the beautiful Dutch Bill Creek.  The impact of living under the canopy of these ancient trees allows you to grow your understanding of God and creates a new connection to God’s creation.  The Sonoma County coast is a mere 20 minute drive or 13 mile walk across the hills!

IMG_9769.jpg

7.  Belong to a community.  At Westminster Woods, we believe that Christ Centered Community changes lives for the better because of the transformative love that is shared.  Summer Staffers stay in touch all year, whether it’s through friendships made at camp, participating in retreats at the Woods, joining the young adult group run by the camp directors, or posting on the staff Facebook page until next summer comes around.

Want to apply or know someone who might be interested?  Check out our Summer Staff page for more information, or share this post.

What is Social Emotional Learning?

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) has become an important topic in education over the past few years. Last week, I sat down with our School Programs Director, Kori Donley, and our Challenge Course Manager, Jessica Barry, who both have extensive knowledge about the subject. Read our conversation below to learn about SEL and why we teach it at the Woods.

Kori is part of the Residential Environmental Education Partnership (REEP), a partnership between 11 organizations across the country that is working to develop a framework for Social Emotional Learning for residential environmental education progra…

Kori is part of the Residential Environmental Education Partnership (REEP), a partnership between 11 organizations across the country that is working to develop a framework for Social Emotional Learning for residential environmental education programs. She will be presenting about REEP at the statewide Manager's Retreat for the Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (AEOE).

Jessica is a certified Challenge Course Manager and Social Emotional Intelligence Trainer. Through her Human Accelerated Performance (HAP) certification, Jessica is trained in both Social Emotional Learning (SEL) skills and how to teach SEL skills t…

Jessica is a certified Challenge Course Manager and Social Emotional Intelligence Trainer. Through her Human Accelerated Performance (HAP) certification, Jessica is trained in both Social Emotional Learning (SEL) skills and how to teach SEL skills to other people.

What is Social Emotional Learning and why is it important?

Jessica: The way I’ve been trying to sum it up for people is, Social Emotional Learning is the process of getting to know yourself, getting to know your community, and getting to know your environment and how those things relate.  This is important because it is literally what everyone is doing at all times; people have been relating to each other and their environments the entire time humans have been around.  What’s exciting is that now we have enough knowledge about psychology and physiology that we are starting to develop better tools to guide how we could relate to each other.

Kori: I totally agree.  There’s a lot of research that shows that these social and emotional skills can profoundly impact a student’s success in life, their sense of efficacy, and their perceived happiness.  These skills are on par with academics, which is really powerful.  The most amazing part is that these skills can be learned!  For example, if someone’s a good communicator, it’s because they are practicing that skill and putting effort in daily to improve their communication practices.  It’s not an innate skill.  That’s the best news, because it means we can all become the people that we want to be.

How do we teach Social Emotional Learning at Westminster Woods? 

IMG_9932.jpg

Jessica:  We have this new language that we are calling ‘Social Emotional Learning,’ but the activities, tools, and reflection on our interactions with people have always been built into the activities we run on the challenge course.  We have been doing Social Emotional Learning the entire time, whether it’s learning how to communicate and trust each other, how to find strength and bravery within yourself, or learning how to ask for the support you need; all of this is built into our activities.  As an educational institution, we are always seeking to learn, so it’s exciting to witness the momentum behind this movement across all sectors of education.  There are studies, tools, and shared language to take our game even further.  So it’s like, yes, let’s do this together now! 

Kori: Absolutely, that’s well said.  It’s amazing that we have this built into our program already, and now with the excitement about Social Emotional Learning we have more buy in and more support from schools.  The framework we use is CASEL, Collaborative for Academic and Social Emotional Learning, which includes five core competencies: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision Making. Social Emotional Learning is becoming more ubiquitous across the country, so when students come to the Woods, they already have language attached to these skills.  There are more opportunities for students to practice SEL, because of the potential support from their outdoor experience to school and back to their homes.

I agree that this is something we have been doing; Social Emotional Learning happens all the time, whether it’s positive or not.  So with more people on board, we can be more intentional about building skills from the beginning to the end of our program. For example, spending time away from home with teachers and peers has learning opportunities embedded throughout.  We are checking in with students about cabin life, dining hall dynamics, or issues that arise during free time.  These are opportunities for us to offer students support by connecting learning from our facilitated programs to navigating camp life. This helps students to reflect on the embedded opportunities for social emotional learning rather than limiting learning to class time. 

Furthermore, teaching science with the Next Generation Science Standards gives us the perfect laboratory to apply these skills.  Our science education asks students to collaborate with their peers, communicate their results, and form statements grounded in evidence.  These are skills that support people’s relationships to each other, and so in addition to the residential setting, we’re now practicing SEL on our hikes and in the labs. Every place is an opportunity to learn these skills.

What is something you’ve learned about emotional intelligence that you wish you had been taught at an earlier age?

Kori:  I wish I knew the piece about these skills being learnable rather than innate.  I definitely had the perception when I was younger that if she was good with people, she’s just outgoing and charismatic; I felt like I couldn’t be that person.  I still want people to be true to themselves—that’s at the heart of any skill we’re building—but we can specifically practice skills that help us better connect with others. I certainly wished at some points that I had different skills, and it wasn’t until I was older that I realized, I can take steps to practice this consistently, and I will get better.

westminster (168).JPG

Jessica:  I would say similarly for me, wishing that I had had skills or tools at a younger age to help navigate social interaction of all kinds and understand that it’s okay to be human, and it’s okay to interact in different ways.  Even things like learning how our brain works: how to not have knee-jerk reactions about things and think a little more analytically about things.  An easy way to get into your executive brain is to be asked questions or ask someone questions to help them get there, and we utilize that a lot on the challenge course to bring participants out of their fear-based reactions.  I’m already using it with my two year old daughter.  We have a flip book of emojis that show the different emotions, and we talk about that.  So she already has a whole list of emotions that she can say and name and talk about.

Kori:   I do feel like in the past I was expected to go figure it out.

Jessica: Or things that were happening were just swept under the rug.

Kori: Right. And there are so many areas in our society right now where we are drawing attention to equity for all people. We are having conversations which were avoided in the past.  So now to address inequity, our hope is to have conversations, listen to both sides, and try to problem solve rather than just leave it to kids who may or may not have the skills to navigate those situations.  We can offer support in a structured way that respects all people involved but also addresses any problems that are happening here on program and reflecting back on what’s happening in home life.

How does the work we do here transfer back into students’ lives at home and in their classrooms?

IMG_9173.JPG

Kori: I think for one thing, with the CASEL framework, we have a tool which provides us shared vocabulary.  With the five defined core competencies, there are concrete skills for students to practice and develop.  If they’ve been introduced to that at school, we can carry those goals through our program. If they’re introduced here, great, we involve chaperones and teachers in every group, so they’re hearing the vocabulary, seeing our debrief tools and how we ask students to reflect.  There is always a transference piece at the end of the week.  And that’s: “What did you learn?” and “So what does that mean for you?”  We’re not telling students what that means in their lives; we are asking them how it applies to their school life, home life, and how they will continue to build these skills after they leave here.

Jessica: Yes, I even communicate that directly to the chaperones.  We are going to practice social and emotional skill building and here’s what it looks like. We are going to reflect on the interactions we have, but this doesn’t stop here.  We hope the discussion and reflection happens in the classroom and back home. Sometimes the difference is giving teachers and parents some tools and language to use if they haven’t heard it before. The most impactful thing we can do is model behavior for the students and chaperones, so they can learn from example.

What are some resources for folks reading this blog if they want to work on their own Social Emotional Learning?

IMG_1678.jpg

Jessica: Some advice for continuing that work beyond their time here is to look into it, get educated about it.  There are a lot of resources out there. But also know, to use one of our terms, it’s okay to be “raggedy” with it. And it’s okay to be a human and be figuring this stuff out because nobody’s an expert at life, and we are all figuring this out together.  Find confidence with that knowledge of interacting with other humans in ways that’s not just happy and smiling.  A lot of people shy away from that, adults especially.  They want to be liked, more than they want to be consistent upholding boundaries, and so it takes some reflection on your own behavior and some bravery to decide to really look at what’s happening and how you might improve.  We have the knowledge.  We have the tools.  We have the language.  The next step is for people to step up and look into it themselves.

Kori: I want to build on your point of how we model behavior.  We’re good at modeling, but it’s not because we are born that way: it is not innate. We are good because we practice.

Jessica: We are immersed in it.

Kori: Yes. And I love the honesty of saying we don’t nail it one hundred percent of the time.  No way!  But we really are intentionally practicing with each other, and we give feedback consistently, and this whole process has to be internally motivated.  Even if someone is reading this blog thinking, “Oh I wish my students had better social emotional skills,” I recommend starting with you. Reflect on how you are modeling learning and practicing the skills. What is the work you are doing?  There is no “life hack” for being good at Social Emotional Learning.  You don’t just “be good.” And you don’t just help your students “be good.”  This is a practice, and that’s what we can support: we hope it is ongoing from school to home to our program.

What is a key takeaway point you would like readers to consider?

Kori:  Social Emotional Learning supports equity in a way that we haven’t seen before.  And with that conversation coming to the forefront of the national mind, even internationally, we’re seeing that equity and inclusion are vital.  It’s not enough to be multicultural or diverse; we are looking for more equitable access to everything, so if we are going to break out of our silos and be united, we need to listen and have conversations with each other.  And so this is at the heart of Social Emotional Learning: building the skills to work with and connect with everyone, regardless of who they are.  I believe in the tools because the impact is vital.

Suggested Readings from Jessica and Kori:

Social and Emotional Learning in Action by Tara Flippo

CASEL website: casel.org

Bring Summer Camp to Your Kitchen!

Feeling the blues because summer camp is over? Let the taste of one of camp’s favorite recipes bring you back! Don your Sherwood hat and grab an adult to make this recipe over a campfire or in your own oven. Shhh…it’s a secret!

Knights in Shining Armor or Raccoon Packs Recipe

IMG_0616.JPG

Ingredients (serving size: 1)

1 piece aluminum foil, approximately 15” long

1 cooked hamburger or veggie burger patty

1 slice of bread

1/4 cup diced carrots

1/4 cup diced potatoes

1/4 cup diced onion

salt and pepper to taste

BBQ sauce or ketchup

IMG_0614.JPG

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees or build a fire and allow it to burn down to coals.

  2. Spread a thin layer of butter on the foil.

  3. Rip the pre-cooked burger and the bread into small pieces and place on foil. Add the carrots, potatoes, and onion. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with a heaping amount of BBQ sauce or ketchup.

  4. Seal the foil into a packet by pinching the edges together and rolling them up. Make sure to seal the packet well!

  5. Cook in hot coals or preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, flipping the packet halfway through.

Want to make a gourmet variation of the traditional KISA? Try adding cheese, avocado, bell peppers, beans, other spices, salmon burgers, or other types of meat.

Many thanks and a fond farewell to Bec!

Army Corps (2.1).jpg

Bec Detrich is a leader in the field of Environmental Education. Since 2013, she has been an asset to Westminster Woods by strengthening programming, growing community partnerships, and developing a team of exceptional Teacher Naturalists.

During her tenure as Director, School Programs advanced to the cutting edge of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Our innovative NGSS evening program “Biomimicry” was the first of its kind. We are serving more students than ever with our established challenge course programming as Character Development and SEL have been recognized as priorities for schools. With the generous support of the Margaret V. Ping Foundation, Bec developed and opened both a microscope lab and skulls lab where students can explore structure and function. To share our exceptional programming with as many students as possible, Bec extended the calendar into the beautiful winter months.

Westminster Woods will actively continue the partnerships that Bec strengthened over the past six years including with the Lawrence Hall of Science and BEETLES Program, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Natural Marine Sanctuaries, and the Sonoma Environmental Educators Collaborative

Reflecting on her time at Westminster Woods, Bec knows she is leaving our strong program in good hands:

“Thanks to many positive, collaborative steps, School Programs is stronger than it has ever been. I will certainly miss the amazing students, classroom teachers, and district administrators that Westminster Woods serves. I know our incredible Teacher Naturalists will continue to innovate and deepen the impact of this program for many years to come.”

Beach 2 (2.1).jpg

We are excited for Bec’s next steps and wish her all the best as the Executive Director of Trips for Kids Marin. During this transition, Westminster Woods will continue to offer the highest quality environmental education and character development programs. We will continue to serve the needs of our schools with the outstanding programming and staffing you have come to expect.

We are currently hiring the next great leader of School Programs. Applicants can check out our Job Opportunities page to learn more today!

2018 in Review

Dear Friends of the Woods,

Here at Westminster Woods, we strive to create an environment where everyone feels loved and accepted and is challenged to grow while connecting with nature.  Many of our staff work long hours to keep camp clean and functioning, serve nourishing meals, and deliver quality programming to campers, students, teachers, and guests throughout their stay. 

In 2018, we had the honor of seeing this hard work reflected in our guests’ feedback.  A high school camper shared, “This is my favorite place.”  A parent wrote that the school program she attended was, “The best education program I’ve experienced (and my oldest child is 22).”  And the community voted us Sonoma County’s Best Summer Camp in our local newspaper, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat! 

Here are a few things that our guests shared about Westminster Woods in 2018:

1)      People feel welcome at the Woods.  “Westminster Woods is so accepting and open to everyone!” wrote Carina, a Buccaneer camper.  “Staff were role models of kindness and enthusiasm,” wrote a parent chaperone.  Friendship camper Elyssa shared, “Camp makes me happy, because of the nice people.  I loved camp!”

2)      Experiences at the Woods strengthen community.  “Westminster Woods has been central to the building and health of our youth and our whole church,” said Reverend Kelsey.  A parent chaperone wrote, “Your naturalists were all SUPERB! Good modeling for students on how to encourage each other – be respectful – how to bring it back home!” 

3)      People are impressed by our programs.  A parent wrote, “The program not only met my expectations but soared past them.”  Reverend Lauren shared, “The long term value and impact is immeasurable.  You’ve shown them the reality of God’s love is not a ‘church’ thing but an everywhere thing.”

It is because of support from the people who love this place that we are able to attract exceptional staff, to provide experiences that help people deepen their spirituality and build community, and to focus on embodying our mission. 

Thank you for helping Westminster Woods flourish.

Counting Our Blessings - 2018 at a Glance

Westminster Woods celebrated another financially sound year, thanks to the continued efforts of board members, staff, and donors.  We ended 2018 with a net gain of $93,000 of revenue after expenses.

We encourage you to make supporting our camp a regular part of your planned giving.  Whether you contribute monthly, quarterly, annually, or include the Woods in your estate plan, your tax-deductible gift will make a difference in the lives of kids, teens, and adults in 2019 and for years to come.  

Here’s a glance at our 2018 revenue sources and how our expenses were allocated.  Note that revenues from our Challenge Course program are included under income for School Programs, Guest Groups, and Ministries.

Charts.PNG

With gratitude,

signatures.PNG

AEOE at the Woods!

by Olivia “Newt” Longstaff, Lead Teacher Naturalist

Westminster Woods will be hosting the Spring AEOE Conference this year!  What is AEOE?  The fun-to-say-quickly acronym stands for: the Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education. It is a volunteer-run nonprofit whose goal is to serve outdoor and environmental educators in California. I am super psyched that we are hosting AEOE Spring Conference here at Westminster Woods: with our outstanding challenge course, our delicious food, and our beautiful creek and forest, there is something here for everyone to enjoy.

1.jpg

I’ve been to four AEOE Conferences so far, and this year I am excited to step it up and present my first workshop.  I love this conference because I get to reconnect and create new friendships with unique and passionate people who share my interests in nature and teaching. The feeling of being surrounded by those who share the same mission, outside of one's own organization, is powerful.  I leave inspired and energized after a weekend attending workshops, sharing stories, and dancing the night away at the Saturday night event.  I highly encourage anyone interested in teaching outdoors to attend so that you can take in the positive vibes of AEOE and walk away with concrete new lesson ideas and useful skills to use in the field.

IMG_2015.JPG

AEOE puts on three conferences a year, two that happen regionally in the fall (north and south), and one that is statewide in the spring.  The spring conference is a place for creating bonds and sharing skills with other outdoor educators in California and beyond.  It provides a variety of professional development opportunities for newly emerging naturalists and skilled program administrators through daytime workshops, an inspirational keynote speaker, and open space to build up community values.  It is a jam-packed weekend dedicated to training educators with the knowledge and skills required for educating today's youth about the natural world.

I love all the spontaneous things that happen at the conference and the way that the people who attend are up for anything.  From early morning bird-watching to games of human-foosball, so many unscheduled and last-minute experiences make attending worth it for me.  For example, at one conference there was a jam-session on Saturday night where we opened the doors to a patio and danced to the funky beat in the pouring rain.  Afterwards, a group of us went on a barefoot night hike to the nearby pond where we jumped in for a midnight swim.  We were a random group of new friends, who shared a unique experience that felt so right in that moment.  I am so looking forward to making new memories this year.

IMG_9992 (2).JPG

Olivia Longstaff, also known as Newt, is a Lead Teacher Naturalist here at Westminster Woods.  This is her third year as an outdoor educator and her 24th year on this planet.  She enjoys birdwatching, exploring the forest floor, and dancing in the moonlight.