AEthelmearc Scribal Retreat
(aka AEthelmearc Scribal Sleepover!)
Friday, May 31 – Sunday, June 2, 2019
Last year’s Scribal Retreat was such a blast, we couldn’t wait to do it again!
New as well as veteran scribes will want to attend this no-garb, relaxed, informal event.
Site
Our lovely site, Boy Scout Camp Karoondinha, nestled in the heart of Abhainn Ciach Ghlais (225 Thomas Dam Road, Millmont PA 17845-9448), opens at 5 PM on Friday, May 31st, and closes at noon on Sunday, June 2nd. There is a lake with a trail, wildlife, lots and lots of woods, and, best of all, PLENTY of space for All Things Scribal!
The Dining Hall has ample room for our activities without having to rearrange things constantly. A smaller, separate room for eating will allow us to leave our workspaces set up for as long as we like. There are flush toilets (men's and women's) just off the smaller room.
The Showerhouse, adjacent to Harris Cabin and a short walk from the Dining Hall, has private showers and flush toilets.
Those who wish to tent are welcome to do so. There are wooded camp sites as well as flat open areas (especially well-suited for those with pavilions).
Indoor accommodations are available in either Edna Sheary Lodge or Harris Cabin.
Sheary Lodge is accessible to those with mobility restrictions and has electric heat and indoor bathrooms (sinks, toilets, showers). Both of the sleeping areas have 9 double-decker bunk beds (so 18 total), which makes these rooms feel a bit crowded. Edna Sheary Lodge also has a gathering room overlooking the lake.
Harris Cabin, heated with a fireplace and/or a woodstove, has 15 double-decker bunk beds in one large dormitory-style room; this sleeping area is more spacious than Edna Sheary Lodge. Harris does NOT have indoor bathrooms; however, the Showerhouse is right next door.
For those needing electricity, both sleeping cabins have bunks with nearby electric outlets.
Bunk spaces will be filled on a first-paid, first-served basis. If you require a lower bunk in Edna Sheary Lodge, you would be wise to send your registration immediately.
Schedule & Activities
Mistress Antoinette has devised a schedule (subject to change) that will keep us busy all weekend long yet will still provide time for socializing and working.
FRIDAY
5-10:30 Troll
all weekend Open Scriptorium
5-10:00 Banner Painting -- THL Shirin
SATURDAY
7-8:30 Breakfast Bar
Make Lake pigments -- Hersirkona Bubba Blackhammer - Join Bubba Blackhammer for Making Lake Pigments during the AM session. There will be a number of dyestuffs available to create pigments with and participation is voluntary. Drop in and out or stay for the whole time. Samples will be available for take-away.
Painting with pigments -- Mistress Sthurrim Caithnes - Hands-on pigment work with glair (egg white), tempura (egg yolk), and gum arabic (a plant, not an egg part). Compare and contrast how these different binders work and when you might use them.
Macclesfield Blank painting -- Mistress Antoinette
Open Scriptorium
Banner Painting -- THL Shirin
Library -- manned by Baroness Graidhne Ni Ruaidh. If you have a book you’d like to share with others, bring it! All books will be locked up at night.
12:30-1:30 Lunch
1:30-5:00 -- Try it Stations:
Make Earth Pigments -- Hersirkona Bubba Blackhammer -- Join Bubba Blackhammer for Making Earth Pigments during the PM session. There will be a number of earths and carbons available to create pigments with and participation is voluntary. Drop in and out or stay for the whole time. Samples will be available for take-away.
Painting with pigments -- Mistress Sthurrim Caithnes - Hands-on pigment work with glair (egg white), tempura (egg yolk), and gum arabic (a plant, not an egg part). Compare and contrast how these different binders work and when you might use them.
CALLIGRAPHY! -- Mistress Liadhain ni Chleirigh na Coille and Mistress Alicia Langland - Without calligraphy, a scroll wouldn't really stand up in Court. Two Laurels who love their letters will work with you to help you find joy in lettering, too.
-- Macclesfield Blank painting -- Mistress Antoinette
-- Banner Painting -- THL Shirin
-- Open Scriptorium
-- Library -- manned by Baroness Graidhne Ni Ruaidh. If you have a book you’d like to share with others, bring it! All books will be locked up at night.
5:00-5:30 What's in your scribal box?
5:45 Silent Auction bidding ends
5:30-6:30 Dinner
7:30-8:30 Scribal Roundtable (self-care, raising money and what's next on the scribal tour series?)
9:00-? Campfire (weather permitting)
SUNDAY
9:00 All personal belongings removed from cabins.
7:00-9:00 Breakfast Bar w/ Q&A for documentation
9:00-11:00
Macclesfield Blank painting -- Mistress Antoinette
Open Scriptorium
9:00-12:00 Clean site
noon Turn in completed survey. Start thinking of ideas for next year. Safe travels!
What to Bring
- hard copy of the directions in case you don't have cell phone service
- bedding (pillow, sleeping bag/sheets and blankets)
- comfort creature, if one is desired
- towels
- toiletries / personal supplies
- your favorite mug so you can enjoy a hot beverage or two during the weekend
- snacks for Friday / Saturday night
- beverages -- but NO ALCOHOL, please! Site's rules, not ours!
- current project(s)
- scribal toolbox / supplies (if you have them)
- portfolio (if you have one) / photos of your work
- favorite lamp/lighting device with extension cord
- favorite books from your personal libraries to contribute to the event's Scribal Library. The Library will be staffed, and books will be locked up overnight.
- donations for the Silent Auction
- comfy folding chair if your back (or bum) is not happy sitting on a hard plastic chair for long periods of time
- earplugs if you are a light sleeper
- flashlight
- anything you can't live without for a weekend
- friends! (It's more fun that way!)
OPTIONAL!
- garb
DO NOT BRING:
Please DO NOT bring alcohol, as the Boy Scouts have a strict no alcohol policy for those who use the camp. If we find that you have alcohol, you will be asked to leave the site with no refund.
Nor do they permit pets on site or smoking in any of the buildings.
Please do not jeopardize our future use of the site by violating their policies.
Event Reservation
How much for this weekend of fun?
A pittance, considering how much you will gain from attending!
- Pre-registration is required. (We want to make sure we have food for everyone who attends.)
- What you pay covers the camp rental costs. The cost of the food will be underwritten by the Signet Office.
- The deadline for registering is May 11th.
- Those whose registration is postmarked on or before April 30 will pay $5 less than those whose registration is postmarked on or after May 1st.
- Bunk spaces will be filled on a first-paid, first-served basis. If you require a lower bunk in Edna Sheary Lodge (the cabin with indoor bathrooms), you would be wise to send your registration immediately.
- Those who don't want to mail a check are welcome to pay me in person (by cash or check) at Crown Tourney.
Okay, but how much does it cost?
If you ARE NOT an SCA member and want … |
the Event Registration** is … |
a LOWER bunk in the cabin WITH indoor bathrooms |
$45 ($15 site fee + $25 bunk fee + $5 NMR) |
an UPPER bunk in the cabin WITH indoor bathrooms |
$35 ($15 site fee + $15 bunk fee + $5 NMR) |
a LOWER bunk in the cabin WITHOUT indoor bathrooms |
$40 ($15 site fee + $20 bunk fee + $5 NMR) |
an UPPER bunk in the cabin WITHOUT indoor bathrooms |
$30 ($15 site fee + $10 bunk fee + $5 NMR) |
to tent |
$20 ($15 site fee + $5 NMR) |
** if postmarked on or after May 1st, add $5.
BUT ...
If you ARE an SCA member and want … |
the Member Discount Event Registration** is … |
a LOWER bunk in the cabin WITH indoor bathrooms |
$40 ($15 site fee + $25 bunk fee) |
an UPPER bunk in the cabin WITH indoor bathrooms |
$30 ($15 site fee + $15 bunk fee) |
a LOWER bunk in the cabin WITHOUT indoor bathrooms |
$35 ($15 site fee + $20 bunk fee) |
an UPPER bunk in the cabin WITHOUT indoor bathrooms |
$25 ($15 site fee + $10 bunk fee) |
to tent |
$15 ($15 site fee) |
** If postmarked on or after May 1st, add $5 to the cost.
Note: There is no reduced price for children. Babes-in-arms, however, will be not be charged.
Checks should be made payable to "SCA PA Inc, Shire of ACG." Please include a note with your modern and SCA names, email address or phone number, and your accommodation choice (tenting or cabin name/lower or upper bunk). Include a copy of your SCA membership card to take advantage of the Member Discount Event Registration.
Mail reservations to Maitresse Marguerite d'Honfleur at:
Dawn Maneval
922 College Court, Lewisburg PA 17837
We will email (or call) you to confirm receipt of your registration.
ScriBucks!
To help defray the cost of attending the Retreat, you can earn "ScriBucks" by working at the upcoming scribal fundraiser -- serving breakfast at War Practice. For each hour you spend working, you will earn $5 in "ScriBucks." (You must sign up in advance for a shift; please contact Mistress Antoinette at aesignet@gmail.com by Saturday, May 11th if you are interested in signing up for a shift.)
Refund Policy
Because the site requires us to pay the rental fee in full well before the event, we must ask attendees to reserve in advance.
If you request a refund of your event registration prior to May 1, we will refund your event registration. On or after May 1, we can only refund your event registration if we have sufficient attendees to break even.
Lodging and Parking
Sleeping cabins are heated, have electricity, and have a kitchenette.
The double-decker bunk beds have mattresses, but overnight guests should bring bedding (pillow, sleeping bag/sheets and blankets) and towels. We recommend bringing earplugs if you are a light sleeper.
Bunk spaces are filled on a first-paid, first-served basis.
- Need a bottom bunk? Please reserve early!
- Need access to electricity? Request a bottom bunk near an outlet. Please reserve earlier!
- Want to be in the cabin with indoor plumbing? Request Sheary Lodge. Please reserve earliest!
Indoor accommodations are available in either Edna Sheary Lodge or Harris Cabin.
Sheary Lodge is accessible to those with mobility restrictions and has electric heat and indoor bathrooms (sinks, toilets, showers). Both of the sleeping areas have 9 double-decker bunk beds (so 18 total), which makes these rooms feel a bit crowded. Edna Sheary Lodge also has a gathering room overlooking the lake.
Harris Cabin, heated with a fireplace and/or a woodstove, has 15 double-decker bunk beds in one large dormitory-style room; this sleeping area is more spacious than Edna Sheary Lodge. Harris does NOT have indoor bathrooms; however, the Showerhouse is right next door.
Those who wish to tent are welcome to do so. There are wooded camp sites as well as flat open areas (especially well-suited for those with pavilions).
All buildings have designated accessible parking spaces. Guests may park in front of their sleeping cabin rather than parking in the lot at the bottom of the hill.
Meals
We will have food!
Mistress Rynea Ingen of Stormsport and her staff have graciously agreed to cook for us ... all weekend long!
Menu (subject to change)
Saturday Breakfast: Oatmeal and fixings, hard boiled eggs, fresh fruit, muffins.
Lunch: Lentil soup, pressed sandwiches, chicken kabobs, veggies and dip, bread, butter, fresh fruit and cheese. Melon salad with mint and balsamic dressing, freekeh tabbouleh with beets (salad)
Dinner: Bread and butter, pickled baby veggies, lamb kofta with white beans and beet tzatziki, zucchini ribbon skewers with tomato and feta salad, red lentil dhal with cashew topping, roasted sumac chicken with baby veggies, sweet potato rosti with roasted veggies, orange fennel hazelnut salad.
Dessert: Flourless chocolate cakes with avocado icing, chamomile and buttermilk panna cotta and perhaps date and raspberry brownies.
Sunday Breakfast: Breakfast casseroles
Hot beverages (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, etc.) and sweets will be available throughout the weekend at our celebrated Hospitality Table.
Silent Auction
Do you have no-longer-wanted scribal-type items that you'd be happy to send home with someone else? Supplies you no longer use? Toys you tried but didn’t like? Books you accidentally bought a second copy of because you forgot you already had a copy???
All proceeds from the Silent Auction will be used to defray the cost of attending the next Retreat.
Everyone's a winner! Donors rid their homes of no-longer-wanted items, successful bidders go home with new treasures, and someone who might not be able to attend the next Retreat won’t have to miss out because of finances.
Plan to help!
Unlike most events with a “host group,” this event is hosted BY scribes FOR scribes. Everyone attending will be expected to help for 2 hours sometime during the weekend.
To sign up for ONE task that suits your abilities and inclination, fill out the Google form, found here: https://forms.gle/7Xh5yViJMvcgjbSDA
Contacts
The Autocrat for the event is Mistress Alicia Langland (hutchnsn AT bucknell DOT edu)
The Head Cook is Mistress Rynea Ingen of Stormsport.
The Reservations Clerk is Maistresse Marguerite d’Honfleur, c/o Dawn Maneval, 922 College Court, Lewisburg PA17837.
Directions
Find your best route to the intersection of PA-45 & PA-235 in Hartley Township, PA 17845. If coming from the west, the last town you travel through will be Woodward. If coming from the east, the last town will be Hartleton.)
At the intersection, turn onto Route 235 South.
From this turn, follow signs for 235 South through Laurelton (last chance for food, gas, and ATM). After navigating the first 90-degree turn, continue straight ahead onto Lincoln Chapel Road instead of making a second 90-degree turn. At the next stop sign, turn left onto Paddy Mountain Road.
At the T-intersection, turn right onto Creek Road. Penns Creek will be on your left. When you pass a large 3-story stone house with three arches on your right, you are about one mile from the Camp.
Just before you cross the bridge over Penns Creek, Penns Creek Campground will be on your right. Cross the bridge and turn right at the sign for Thomas Dam Road/Boy Scout Camp.
Camp Karoondinha is on the left. From the road, all you'll see is the parking area.
Turn left into the parking lot and drive up the hill to the Dining Hall, the large stone building with 3 flagpoles in front. Follow the road around to the right (as you approach it from downhill); Troll will be inside the double doors on the right side of the building.
Parking spaces in front of the Dining Hall and Edna Sheary Lodge will be reserved for those with mobility concerns.
Drivers are asked to use their flashers and to travel at the posted 10 miles per hour.
Directions from the scouts are here
Google map:
Map showing site:
Here's a detailed map of the camp (click to enlarge):
Or, download a pdf here
Local Area Information
- Local (big) towns: Mifflinburg, Lewisburg, Milton
- CVS: 140 E Chestnut St (AKA Rt 45) in Mifflinburg, and corner of Rt 45 and 3rd St in Lewisburg, and Rt 15 in Lewisburg (north of Rt 45)
- Groceries: Rt 45 in Mifflinburg (Weis, Wengers), and Rt 15 in Lewisburg (Weis)
- Walmart: Rt 15 in Lewisburg (north end of town)
- Gas: all along Rt 45 in Mifflinburg, and Rt 15 in Lewisburg north of Rt 45
- Hardware: Cole's on 145 E Chestnut St (AKA Rt 45) in Mifflinburg, and Lumber and Building Supply on 8200 Old Turnpike Rd (AKA Rt 45) in Mifflinbug, and Cole's in Lewisburg (55 N 2nd St), and Lewisburg Builders Supply/Ace Hardware on Rt 15 Lewisburg (north of Rt 45)
Other Lodging Options
- Days Inn Lewisburg
409 N Derr Dr (AKA Rt 15), Lewisburg, PA 17837
likely $72 and up
(570) 523-1171 - The Mifflinburg Hotel
264 Chestnut Street (AKA Rt 45) Mifflinburg, PA 17844
(570) 966-5400 - Buffalo Valley Bed & Breakfast
376 Wirth Rd, Mifflinburg, PA 17844
(570) 922-0446 - The Vicksburg Inn
6444 Old Turnpike Rd. (AKA Rt 45) P.O. Box 86, Vicksburg, PA 17883
(570) 966-8906 - The Inn at New Berlin
321 Market St, New Berlin, PA 17855
$139 - $209
(570) 966-0321 - Comfort Suites Lewisburg
4775 West Branch Highway (AKA Rt 15), Lewisburg, PA 17837
$131 - $152
(570) 524-8000