Join us for the first Fruits & Roots midweek retreat where we will focus on one of the fruits of the Spirit, JOY, as we meet for theme sessions led by Rev. Maren Tirabassi, a pastor, poet, and mystery writer from Kittery, Maine. Deacon Judy Smith will be coordinating the program, including devotions and retreat activities. Gary Benevides, long time Calumet summer guest in our campground and music director at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vernon, CT, will be our retreat guest musician. Opportunities are already scheduled to experience various art media facilitated by guest artists in Calumet’s new Pippi Art Space in the Oasis and/or to participate in writing workshops led by Rev. Tirabassi.

On Monday evening we will enjoy and participate in a joyful concert by the Funky Divas of Gospel who will get our feet tapping, our hands clapping, and our voices singing with their gospel, soul, and rock music rooted in universal stories.

Our Wednesday evening program “Maple, New Hampshire’s Medicine of Connection” with Vermont theologian, Dr. Damian Costello, will connect us to the land, our ancestors, and all that surrounds us. We will learn about indigenous wisdom, a communal medicine of connection. We are grateful to the New Hampshire Humanities to Go Program for sponsoring this evening program open to the public.

Look for more additions to this inaugural Fruits & Roots series as we excitedly prepare for your spring midweek retreat at Calumet.

Beginning in the Spring of 2024, Calumet will embark on a journey of explortation with people of any age who can make time to get to Calumet during the mid-week. Fruits & Roots is a learning experience -- an opportunity to grow, engage, and be renewed. At each Fruits & Roots retreat, participants will dig into one of the nine fruits of the Spirit during a multi-day visit to Calumet. Calumet's programs -- especially this one -- are deeply rooted in Christ. What does that mean?

Calumet endeavors to be a place of welcome, hospitality, safety, compassion, and goodness. The meals that are served are beautifully presented, absolutely delicious, and -- well -- let's just say "plentiful" is a good descriptive word. Our accommdoations are comfortable. Guests staying in the Conference Center and the Village Cabins will enjoy private bathrooms. Those who choose a the Retreat Lodge or the Staff House by the Lake will make use of common bathrooms. And there is the option to re-visit the old classic camp days by opting for a modest cabin that is positioned near to one of our clean, well maintained bathroom facilities. Our programs are planned and implemented in a such a way that guests quickly get to know each other naturally begin to develop friendships.

PROGRAM -- The FRUITS we're talking about can be found in Paul's Letter to the Galatians. Let's have a look and get ROOTED in this program's thematic offering -- Galatians 5: 22-23 says: "...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things."Delicious meals, meaningful morning devotions, holy singing, walking around areas of camp, a day-trip or two, camp activities related to the theme, substantive presentations, time for prayer and wondering, active learning, and tons & tons of laughter.

TRANSPORTATION -- Though some will drive their own car to Calumet, we're excited for the partnership with Emanuel Lutheran in Hartford that will have a Charter Coach Bus making stops and picking folks up in Central Connecticut, Greater Worcester, and Boston Metro -- before arriving to Calumet. Visiting Calumet has never been easier for folks who don't drive or don't drive long distances anymore.

LODGING -- The Conference Center (CC) has sleeping spaces on the first floor (the same level as the Dining Room and some meeting areas). The second floor has additional rooms (where there is also a large lounge). The Village Cabins (VC) have a variety of options in terms of layouts. Two "larger cabins" have sleeping rooms on the second floor with a bathroom on the first floor. The "smaller cabins have a sleeping room and bathroom on the first floor. Finally, the Village has a few "hotel style" rooms which people find to be just perfect for their Calumet stay. The Staff House by the Lake (SH) has five big sleeping rooms and a couple of common baths. The Retreat Lodge (RL) has two big sleeping rooms upstairs and bathrooms downstairs. Lastly, our modest Camp Cabins have heat and the simplest of sleeping accommodations. Bathroom facilities are just a few steps from the cabin door. These are fantastic even though they are quite simple (and priced very affordably!).

Single/Double/Triple Occupancy -- At Calumet, our goal is to figure out how to make sure that both guests are comfortable and that as many guests can participate as possible. There aren't too many single occupancy options around camp. But that's not been too bug a probem over the years. It's not at all unusual for a couple of single friends to double up in one of our comfortable spaces. There are even rooms for as many as three or four people! Help Calumet be ready for as many guests as possible by being flexible.

Day Guests -- There are quite a number of folks who make up Calumet Nation who live within driving distance and those folks might choose to participate fully as Day Guests. This option would have a fee that is only food and program. Contacting the office to get info on this option would be the way to go.