Registration and Retreat Information 2012

Courses

Check out the courses page for information about this year's courses.

Registration

Register online:Registration for the 2012 NHC Chesapeake Retreat is online at www.regonline.com/nhcchesapeake2012. This allows for easier registration and no-stamp-needed payment using PayPal! Payment by check is also available; details are on the check-out page at www.regonline.com/nhcchesapeake2012.

Deadlines: Unfortunately, we cannot accept registrations after Tuesday, January 31st, 2012.
Register by Monday, January 16, 2012 to guarantee your space and avoid the $36 late fee.

Work-Study & Scholarships Available: We don't want cost to be a barrier to anyone in our community. If the cost of the retreat presents a problem for you, please contact Jess and Sara before you register in order to arrange a scholarship. Please also contact Jess and Sara before you register if you are interested in a work-study role that can result in a 10-50% discount on the cost of the retreat.

Come for the Day...

Commuters are welcome to attend all or some of the retreat without staying overnight at Pearlstone. We ask that you let us know which meals you plan to attend. Please see the registration page at www.regonline.com/nhcchesapeake2012 for details.

...or Stay the Night

Pearlstone offers hotel-style lodge rooms that are connected to the dining and meeting areas by a covered walkway. These rooms have two queen-size beds and a private bath. (A rollaway twin bed can add a fifth sleeping space to any of these rooms; single-occupancy private rooms are available for an additional fee.)

We also have discounted housing in heated cabins and the Teen Center, which offer twin beds, bunkbeds, and shared baths. Details are on the registration page at www.regonline.com/nhcchesapeake2012.

Most sleeping spaces and all public spaces are wheelchair-accessible.

Kids and Teens

Children and teens are full participants in the NHC community and are welcome at all Retreat gatherings, meals, and services. During each workshop time, Jewish educators will run workshops geared to the under-12 crowd but open to all; please see the list of courses for details. Children and teens may choose to attend some adult sessions together with their parents/guardians.

Shabbat at the Chesapeake Retreat

A spirited, soulful Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma'ariv (together, the Shabbat evening service) will begin our weekend. Friday evening will continue with dinner, singing, study, and games.

On Shabbat morning, we will celebrate a diversity of davening (prayer) styles while also praying together as a community. We will gather for a traditional egalitarian service and full Torah reading, with opportunities to experience alternatives throughout the morning. Options may include: chanting, yoga, a Torah discussion, and a prayer walk around the campus. If you have an idea that you'd like to suggest or facilitate, please email us at chesapeake-retreat@havurah.org.

Shabbat afternoon will bring lunch, more workshop sessions, active outdoor games for kids and kids-at-heart, and time to relax, hike, sing, and visit with friends new and old. Those who wish will gather for a traditional egalitarian Mincha (afternoon service) and Ma'ariv (evening service), and a community-wide Havdalah (ceremony to separate Shabbat from the rest of the week).

Community Jam and Shmooze-a-palooza

Send out the Shabbos Queen joyfully! Join your havurah friends for a jam session, dancing, and singing. Relax and schmooze! Find some gems at the Jewish Book Swap or the mini-shuk. Brave souls may attempt a winter campfire. Hot chocolate and good company will be available late into the night. (Want to add to our Saturday night programming? Email us at chesapeake-retreat@havurah.org with your ideas!)

Meals

In keeping with Chesapeake Retreat tradition, we will share vegetarian meals with vegan options. Pearlstone's food service is certified Kosher under the supervision of Star K. We'll serve Fair Trade Certified™ coffee, tea, sugar, and hot chocolate. Please indicate any additional dietary needs or restrictions in your registration submission.

Getting There

We will gather at the Pearlstone Retreat Center in Reisterstown, MD. The Center is close to Baltimore, 1.5 hours from the DC metro area, and 2 hours from Philadelphia. It is 30 minutes from BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. Directions to 5425 Mt. Gilead Rd. are available at www.pearlstonecenter.org. Organizers will help facilitate rideshares/carpools.

Arrival and Departure Information

Please arrive at Pearlstone on Friday, February 17 between 4 and 6 pm to register and settle in. Candle-lighting is at 5:30 pm, and Kabbalat Shabbat services will begin at 6:15 pm.

Our Sunday programming will end by noon. Retreat organizers will provide information about kosher and other lunch options in the area.