Wiogora Committee 2015

Wiogora Committee 2015

"We believe that the real magic is friendship, acceptance, tolerance, and searching for the truth with love."

Chair: Alison Barrows Ronn

Members: Abby Hannaford Ricardi, Linda Wyatt, Una Belau, Laurie Ross, Warren Huber, Amy Borg, Fran Nase, Kelley Guilfoil-Zinkevich, Seth Popinchalk, Parker Ronn, Ellen Waite O'Neal, Nan AK Gibbons.

The Wiogora committee formed February 2015 to organize First Unitarian's two- week summer program for kids and youth aged 5-18 in the spirit of the Hogwarts camp that had run at our church for three years. Renamed the Wiogora School of Wonder and Wisdom, the camp is now wholly a program of First Unitarian Church. Wiogora shares the values of Unitarian Universalism through the magic of Harry Potter. This program welcomes in diverse youth and staff from all over Worcester County and beyond.

In planning our summer program, the Wiogora committee committed to preserve and improve upon the creative qualities of the former Hogwarts camp, while expanding our emphasis on scholarship, intentional values learning and community building. The following aspects of our program are essential:

• Community: The students and staff are a community of like-minded people, accepting of all and interested in learning and delving into challenges.
• High quality staff and engaging classes: Wiogora offers science, art, engineering, drama, crafts, music, dance, resilience, and much more, all led by experienced, enthusiastic practitioners in their fields. Lesson planning workshop urged multiple approaches to learning, and encouragement as the primary feedback.
• Values-based learning: Lessons (and the program as a whole) are planned with the seven UU principles in mind, and overt connection to at least one principle is required of each class. These principles are also the values encouraged in the Harry Potter Books.
• First U outreach and visibility in the wider community: Wiogora serves both First U and UUCW members as well as many families who do not attend a Unitarian church.

The Wiogora committee invited Nan AK Gibbons to direct the camp program in 2015, and continues to work closely with her in planning the program for 2016. During the year in addition to planning the summer program, she leads Wiogora off-season programs (Halloween and Spring), she attends Wiogora committee meetings, leads staff gatherings, and supports the Wiogora community. This summer's program is scheduled to run from July 25 through August 5, 2016.

The committee sets dates and camp tuition, grants scholarships, manages the program budget of ~$30,000, determines staffing needs and consults on hiring of staff and volunteers, determines broad themes and contributes to the myriad of details necessary to run a two- week program.

In 2015:

• Wiogora income was $28,280 and expenditure was $25,693 for a net income of $2597.
• 69 scholars attended camp for two weeks (60+ hours)
• 26 scholars attended camp for one week (30+ hours)
• 12 Young Adults between 15-18 participated in ELFS -Enriching Lives through Fun and Service which included daily reflection and support meetings on their experience
• 18 full time and 5 part time staff members under 30 participated
  12 full time and 6 part time staff over 30 participated
• 16 additional non-staff volunteers participated

Wiogora Mission Statement

• Wiogora continues the liberal religious education program of First Unitarian Church, by offering 60 hours of programming based in the seven UU principles
• Wiogora offers children, youth, young adults and adults values-based leadership and service opportunities
• Wiogora provides engaging opportunities, learning and support for college-aged young adults between 15 and 30 to participate in the mission of being a local leader in liberal religion
• Wiogora makes money for the church

• Wiogora draws people into the church -- both staff and campers have returned to attend regular services and Sunday school (other families have their own strong faith traditions which are entirely respected by the program and staff)

• Wiogora strengthens ties with other local faith and educational communities, providing a larger, supportive, intergenerational, interfaith community of like-minded scholars, artists and social activists to serve and grow in
• Wiogora increases the visibility of the church in the community