Woolman Hill May 20-22, 2005
“Instruments of Peace”
JYM evaluation
YES NO SOMETIMES
I had a great time at this retreat! 45 0 3
This was my first JYM Retreat. 5 43
I made new friends at this retreat. 37 11
Will you miss the 6th graders
Moving up? A lot: 23 Somewhat: 18 Good-bye!: 5
How long is Kevin’s hair? 6 inches: 9 1 foot: 6 What hair?: 32
I enjoyed the singing. 30 3 13
I like having retreats at Woolman Hill. 39 1 7
I liked the food we ate. 40 0 7
Think about the staff…Were they helpful, friendly and help you to enjoy this retreat? Give them a report card! A+: 26 A: 9 B+: 6 B: 1 C+: 0 C: 1
D: 0 F: 0
I learned new things in Small Groups. 36 12
I felt safe and comfortable here. 44 0 4
I felt a little homesick sometimes: 8 33 7
I want to clean toilets next time! 6 9 33
I want to come to another retreat. 45 1 2
I also go to Yearly Meeting. 28 19
I go to Friends Meeting at home. 34 3 11
Have you ever visited the JYM Retreats Web site and looked at the pictures of our retreats? 25 21
Is staff person JERRY awesome or what? Yes: 11 Yes-yes: 8 Yes-yes-yes: 31
Comments: use the old nametags, had great time (2), will miss 6th graders!, love Woolman Hill, love you!, kind of homesick but liked it, hi, hola, fantabulistic!, some staff people didn’t help me as much as others, hello!, don’t like small groups, will miss everyone very very much!, goodbye Becky!, I’m not leaving, I refuse!!, JYM Retreats RULE, will definitely do it again, staff were great!, so fun!, wish for more free time, staff meetings must be shorter of none of us get any sleep
Woolman Hill May 20-22, 2005
“Instruments of Peace”
staff evaluation
Regarding this retreat and your role as a staffer, what worked best for you overall?
-free time (baseball), rooms (got a bed!), everything basically
-freetime and dress-up were to high points
-it is beautiful to have the program so well planned ahead and that we receive the notes ahead, this retreat I loved being in small group with Julia and Robin because they are strong, creative leaders
-very helpful Jr. staffers and wonderful staff! Love quiet hour and meeting for worship
-great theme, well outlined and supplied w/materials for small groups, great hard-working staff
-people-adults/kids
-great weather, outdoor play, happy group of kids, loving community of staff
-regular check-in w/other staffers, staff notebook and schedule, the children who were regular retreaters knew the rhythm
What didn’t work as well for you? (Was it related to program delivery, leadership, personal limitations, difficulty with theme, human dynamics, the Moon, etc.?)
-it was all good!
-think small groups ran a bit too long, ours was definitely the most fun and interesting but we should have moved things through more quickly
-helps to get materials for small groups earlier with notes if possible, but even one day before is helpful, sticker name tags get lost/covered more easily
-forgot to bring earplugs/not enough time to sleep
-the rain
-very late bedtime Friday was tough, maybed consider graduated bedtime to get the younger ones to bed sooner, 2nd graders in our room were up until 10:30
Can you comment on the specific content of what was discussed in your Small Group? Did we reach our goal as it related to our theme?
-one I went to in the meeting house, kids didn’t really get to talk and say what they felt but I really liked the song they played at the end
-helped with small group in meeting house, felt kids weren’t given enough time to discuss, what they thought about “instruments of peace”, didn’t like how I held up majority of group with my own story of witnessing for peace, didn’t feel I had enough structure over what I was supposed to talk about
-the acting part that Julia created about various instruments of peace was clear and simple for all ages, the read a loud story was a great addition and the ‘anyway’ music closed it with beauty
-Jeremy was wonderful speaker for witness of peace, liked demonstration as well as letting children draw to portray what they thought was an instrument of peace
-theme and contact great, especially small groups
-wanted to hear more from children and how they interpreted/thought about topic
-Instruments of Peace-we acted out different instruments (musical, scientific, violence, peace) being used or not used, Jeremy spoke of his experience being a witness for peace-talked about need to be active to be an instrument-kids colored images for windows, read a story of peaceful warrior—all groups seemed focused
-asking and praying for peace-music and story were excellent, would suggest story first perhaps to engage children
Please comment on the effectiveness and value of our other activities, such as games, being on the Hill, free time, interpersonal discussions among children and staff.
-really glad to staff even though I missed Shona, love the Hill
-really love the hill, but wish we had more capture the flag
-doing the dishes has always been a great way to get to know staff and kids
-capture the flag! Doing dishes with children was really fun bonding experience
-always great to be on Woolman Hill, fun to get on the grounds and trails more
-lots of good opportunities to burn off energy, pile of dirt and shovel provides hours of entertainment-for child to get attention from an adult is more important than we know
-fun, relaxed, retreat overall
-JYM ball great, bubbled and lawn games great, maybe quiet hour earlier (after lunch?)
Other thoughts and suggestions?
-wish we could’ve played Capture the Flag
-loved it
-another awesome weekend with New England saints, small and large, these times are beyond words can explain, let’s bring on more new staffers and keep the juice and joy flowing, thank you for giving us all so much of your love and life
-loved being able to have first timer-Katherine-little angel, said she had a ball, had so much fun! Thank you guys!
-don’t have staff meetings next door to the “quiet room”
-please consider no extra gum or candy-there are so few places where these kinds of ‘treats’ do not dominate—the setting has so much wonderful food and home-made goodies that sweets not necessary—I was struck by gum blowing, popping, pulling of gum in meeting, also gum especially makes for extra clean up, mostly however, I think about the extra sugar that most children don’t need—thank you! Kevin: even without the candy the children will LOVE you!
How do you feel about staffing another retreat with us?
-great
-yes!
-be back as often as I’m able!
-oh ya
-if I can get away from shepherding Eli A-yes!
-YES!
-absolutely!