Heartwood Traditions & Celebrations Orientation |
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08/30/18
As described in our Spiritual Expression Agreement, we welcome any sort of spiritual expressions and celebrations. We enjoy celebrating the diversity amongst us. Listed below are some of those celebrations which have become or seem to be becoming Heartwood traditions. Some of the events happen every year without fail, others on a more sporadic basis.
Retreat
In the spring (February or March) we hold our annual retreat, which is a combination of celebrating who we are and where we’ve come and working on where we want to go and who we want to become. On Friday evening, we watch the Heartwood Movie, which celebrates life at Heartwood in the previous year. On Saturday evening, we hold the Gong Show, which features some real talent, lots of spoofs, and plenty of laughs.
Spring Brunch
Most years we hold a Spring, often on Easter, in which case there's also an Easter egg hunt.
May Day
Most years we have a May Pole celebration and a brunch.
4th of July
Many of us go into Bayfield for their sweet little small town parade. In the afternoon, we may have a community BBQ.
Bike Rally
This is a very low key team relay mountain bike race on our trails. We have riders of all ages and skill levels. The team that has the most fun wins!
Fall Open House Party
This is one of the parties where we welcome visitors to come on over and celebrate with us and learn about what we’re up to. This celebration probably happens about every other year.
Canyonlands Camp Out
The Canyonlands Camp Out is our longest running tradition. The first community camp out at the Canyonlands was 5 years before we even moved into Heartwood. It takes place in October at the Squaw Flat group site at Canyonlands National Park.
Halloween
Most years we celebrate a good old traditional Halloween with a haunted house, trick or treating, and a party in the common house.
Thanksgiving
The day starts with a Turkey Trot, which is really a big, group hike. Then in the afternoon we have a big, organized potluck feast in the common house complete with an obscenely gigantic, homegrown turkey.
Holiday Music Program
Kids and adults share their musical talents. It’s part recital and part holiday celebration. There are cookies and other treats. The grand finale is gathering around the piano in the Hearth Room with a crackling fire to sing carols.
Spiral Walk
Sometime near winter solstice, we have a ceremonial spiral walk in the yurt to welcome the return of the light.
Winter Solstice Bonfire
At a bonfire on solstice evening, we read solstice stories, welcome back the sun, and share hot chocolate.
Posada
This is a Christmas Eve celebration in which we have a progressive dinner at 3 or 4 homes, eating, drinking, and making merry as we go.
Christmas
There’s an organized potluck, like at Thanksgiving, but usually much smaller as many families enjoy spending the holiday at home.
New Year’s Eve
This is another excuse for a big dinner and dance party at the common house. The kids usually outlast most of the adults and make their way home once they’ve danced themselves out.
As described in our Spiritual Expression Agreement, we welcome any sort of spiritual expressions and celebrations. We enjoy celebrating the diversity amongst us. Listed below are some of those celebrations which have become or seem to be becoming Heartwood traditions. Some of the events happen every year without fail, others on a more sporadic basis.
Retreat
In the spring (February or March) we hold our annual retreat, which is a combination of celebrating who we are and where we’ve come and working on where we want to go and who we want to become. On Friday evening, we watch the Heartwood Movie, which celebrates life at Heartwood in the previous year. On Saturday evening, we hold the Gong Show, which features some real talent, lots of spoofs, and plenty of laughs.
Spring Brunch
Most years we hold a Spring, often on Easter, in which case there's also an Easter egg hunt.
May Day
Most years we have a May Pole celebration and a brunch.
4th of July
Many of us go into Bayfield for their sweet little small town parade. In the afternoon, we may have a community BBQ.
Bike Rally
This is a very low key team relay mountain bike race on our trails. We have riders of all ages and skill levels. The team that has the most fun wins!
Fall Open House Party
This is one of the parties where we welcome visitors to come on over and celebrate with us and learn about what we’re up to. This celebration probably happens about every other year.
Canyonlands Camp Out
The Canyonlands Camp Out is our longest running tradition. The first community camp out at the Canyonlands was 5 years before we even moved into Heartwood. It takes place in October at the Squaw Flat group site at Canyonlands National Park.
Halloween
Most years we celebrate a good old traditional Halloween with a haunted house, trick or treating, and a party in the common house.
Thanksgiving
The day starts with a Turkey Trot, which is really a big, group hike. Then in the afternoon we have a big, organized potluck feast in the common house complete with an obscenely gigantic, homegrown turkey.
Holiday Music Program
Kids and adults share their musical talents. It’s part recital and part holiday celebration. There are cookies and other treats. The grand finale is gathering around the piano in the Hearth Room with a crackling fire to sing carols.
Spiral Walk
Sometime near winter solstice, we have a ceremonial spiral walk in the yurt to welcome the return of the light.
Winter Solstice Bonfire
At a bonfire on solstice evening, we read solstice stories, welcome back the sun, and share hot chocolate.
Posada
This is a Christmas Eve celebration in which we have a progressive dinner at 3 or 4 homes, eating, drinking, and making merry as we go.
Christmas
There’s an organized potluck, like at Thanksgiving, but usually much smaller as many families enjoy spending the holiday at home.
New Year’s Eve
This is another excuse for a big dinner and dance party at the common house. The kids usually outlast most of the adults and make their way home once they’ve danced themselves out.