Changing schools, moving to a new town, becoming a teenager… There are many moments in life that can make you feel like you are entering a new chapter. Turning the page into that new chapter can feel exciting, but it can also feel challenging. At this conference we will talk about how big changes have affected our personal story. We will also have space to talk about characters from books and how they handle big changes. Along with discussion, expect games and fun activities that will help us consider the wide view of our lives as stories.

Quakers believe that everyone should get a voice when decisions are made for a community. In Quaker Meetings, the clerk takes on the role of listening to the members of the Meeting and helping everyone come to consensus on any decision that gets made for the Meeting. At this conference we will talk about the role of the clerk as well as how the skills of clerking can be applied to different areas of life. As always, you can expect games and fun activities to accompany this meaty topic.

Another cooking conference! Let’s fill the building with the aroma of delicious dishes. There is something so special about cooking a meal with friends. As a community practice, we grow into our connection with food and with each other. At this conference we will breathe into those connections and talk with each other about what sustains us. Of course there will be plenty of games and other fun activities as well.

A lot of people think of themselves as separate from nature. The truth is that we are as much a part of nature as any living being. Maybe you know this because some mornings you wake up and feel like a wild animal running through the house. Or maybe you feel connected to the slow and steady life of a plant, content to stay in one place as you are fed sunlight and water. Or maybe you just don’t feel like part of nature at all! At this conference we will explore what connects us to nature and how it feels to be in nature. You can expect games and plenty of time in the woods around Powell House.

Weekends at Powell House are a creative experience. We come together and build a caring community that allows everyone to live out their truth. At this conference we want to explore what happens when conflict arises in this space. Can conflict support the creative energy of our community? How do we embrace conflict and move through it with love and care? Expect music, art, and lots of games as we bound through this topic.

Wintersong is a time for connection and care within our community. We will play games, participate in deep conversation, share talents at Cabaret, delight in a fancy dinner, and more. There is a special feeling of warmth and celebration that is created at Wintersong. We hope you will join us in creating that experience this year.

Quaker testimonies are foundational for the Powell House Youth Program. These testimonies (Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship) represent core ideas within Quakerism and are often referred to as the Spices of Quakerism since they form the acronym SPICES. At this conference we want to focus on the I of SPICES: Integrity. What does it mean to be true to yourself? How does one breathe their Truth into the world? These are the kind of questions we will be exploring through deep discussion and fun-filled activities.

On Saturday night of every youth conference at Powell House, we have Cabaret—a time to share creative acts that range from beautiful songs to laugh-out-loud improv games. At this conference, you will get to craft instruments and props yourself for a DIY (do-it-yourself) Cabaret. We will have lots of time for designing materials and have an extra creative (and potentially quite long) Cabaret! We will also sprinkle in games and discussions during the weekend to help us explore different aspects of crafting and performance.

We live in a world that tries to divide people and identities and put them in narrow boxes, when in truth we form a wide spectrum of possibilities of every kind. We are a rainbow. We are many rainbows! Come explore your colors together, the nuances and unique aspects of yourself that make you you! Let’s dance along these rainbows until we find the pot of gold where they all come together and we can truly welcome and cherish each other for who we truly are.

Pillow fort building is a common activity at Powell House. Entire worlds form within cushiony structures. Economy and trade flourish. Sometimes, feelings are hurt and justice is needed. At this conference, we will explore what it takes to form a society where peace and justice prevail. We will form clans and develop rules and customs. What happens when clans come together? Let’s find out!

A good meal nourishes you and lifts your spirit. Intentionally choosing ingredients and cooking them together is a powerful act of creation. At this conference, we will partake in the spirit-filled acts of cooking, baking, and eating. We will focus on simple, delicious recipes that will ideally be helpful in your own kitchen. We will also play games and talk about food and its role in our life.

*All 3rd graders must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Email us at sarahandmartin@powellhouse.org if you are a parent or guardian wanting to attend. Your fee will be half the price of the conference ($110).

Hey! Let’s go camping together! We want to kick off this next cycle of conferences with a celebration for everyone in 3rd to 12th grade. Parents and guardians are welcome to come along with their kids. We will set up tents in the campground area and have bonfires both nights. We will have some sessions as a full group and split into age groups at other points in the weekend. We will play games, sing songs, and joyously connect with each other. We have tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads available if needed. Please reach out to let us know if you want to make use of our supplies so that we know we have enough.

Let's get in touch with nature! This conference we will pitch tents and camp in the wilderness of the Powell House grounds. We will explore our maze-like trails, learn wilderness survival techniques, and roast marshmallows by the fire. We are happy to provide tents and sleeping bags so please let us know what you might need.

Join us for our annual celebration of our loving, strong community. We will rejoice in our connection and send our seniors off into the world. Expect diverse workshops, a delightful dress-up dinner, and an extravagant Cabaret. This tends to be a popular conference, so sign up soon!

Games can be a fun way to explore our world. A good game may encourage you to think creatively while overcoming interesting challenges. At this conference we will play lots of games and think about games in the context of social justice. We will discuss what a peaceful, loving world looks like and create games to clarify our understanding. This mix of games and justice is sure to be a fun and fulfilling time.

The critters of Powell House are always active and exciting! Red squirrels chase the gray squirrels up and down trees. Deer stalk the frisbee field at dawn and dusk. Turtles dive into the pond to meet the giant grass carp that swim through the water. This weekend, we will get to know these critters. We’ll spend time in the maze noticing what different animals are up to. We will also discuss with each other what it might be like to be an animal living here. Of course, there will be many fun games and activities to look forward to. Let’s get wild with the wild wildlife!

Acting gives us a chance to explore different personalities and concepts in an intimate and energetic way. We will set the stage. It’s up to you to decide where we go from there! What stories will we share with each other in our performances? Will we explore new worlds or a trip to the barber shop? Perhaps something in between? No matter what, this will be a deep and expansive weekend, with good fun and connection.

What does it mean to be yourself? It can be overwhelming to try to answer this question. There is a whole world inside of you and sometimes it is surprising what you may find. This can be fun and exciting too! At this conference we will dig deep into our internal worlds and talk with each other about what we find. We will learn to embrace our weird, wonderful selves in a caring and supportive space. We will also play games and get creative with different crafts, all in pursuit of self-understanding and self-expression.