Shibagau Creek Forest Farmstead
Spring is in the air at Shibagau Creek, and we’re grateful for the migrating birds, budding trees and warmer temperatures. There’s so much to look forward to including the lilac trees that will be in full bloom in less than a month. Since our last newsletter we’d like to extend a huge thanks to Scott and his niece, Edie, who built and put up 5 birdhouses in the fields. We have 3 more emptied and cleaned to put up this weekend which the house wrens used last year, mostly for wooing their mates and decoying the bigger birds. We were happy to give them options to sing loud and proud – which they did.
This weekend marks our first official “work weekend” emptying the extension. It’s our plan to renovate this space, open it up to the south-facing view, and provide additional sleeping space. It’s going to look gorgeous.
Now, we are looking for volunteers, hosts, and participants for events. Enclosed is our updated 2024 schedule. We’re planning to expand what we offer, and we invite you to ponder what you may love to join us for, be it something we’re creating, or something you’ve had a hankering for leading. Honestly, the sky’s the limit, creativity has no bounds and SCFF provides a beautiful and inspiring backdrop.
Victoria and Peter
SCFF 2024 Updated Schedule
Shinrin Yoku
While in Japan Victoria completed her in-person training and is excited to lead 8 practice sessions required for her Certification. Please join her for one of these free sessions as a beautiful introduction to forest bathing aka forest therapy.
Sundays: April 21st, 28th, May 12th, 19th, 26th
Saturdays: May 11th, 18th, 25th
Time: 1.30-4pm
To sign-up for a free Shinrin Yoku session follow this link: scff.ca/shinrinyoku
Volunteer Work Bee Schedule
Weekends will be organized with specific tasks in mind as we renovate the extension, cut & groom trails, side the barn, and paint the caravan exterior with images of sunflowers.
As a volunteer, you can stay the whole weekend, or come for a day trip. We’d really appreciate your helping hands and in exchange for your physical labour, we will provide basic meals and lots of good cheer. You’ll have free time to enjoy the countryside, breathe the fresh air and, in mid-May, enjoy the amazing lilac season. It’s going to be fun, we promise!
April
20 & 21 Volunteer Weekend extension renovation work
27 & 28 Volunteer Weekend extension renovation work/caravan painting & possible barn siding bee
May
11&12 Volunteer weekend extension renovation work/caravan painting & possible barn siding bee
18, 19 & 20 Volunteer weekend trail grooming
18 May Spring bird count (19th rain date) let us know if you will come out by pre-registering.
To sign-up to volunteer and/or participate in a free Shinrin Yoku session also follow this link: scff.ca/shinrinyoku
June
To be scheduled:
– Shinrin Yoku sessions led by Victoria
– Re-use, Recycle, Reclaim: From Rags to Rugs, candle making, sustainable soap making and how to workshops…
July
Special Events at the Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning, Kingston
July 4-9 The Abstraction is not the Reality,
Exhibition of photographs by Peter Sramek
July 4 Opening/Vernissage 5-8pm
One-day workshops with Peter Sramek in the TETT Gallery:
July 6 Introduction to Basic Hand Bookbinding
July 7 Linkstitch and Album Binding Structures
To sign-up for hand bookbinding workshops follow this link: scff.ca/bookbinding
Summer Workshops at SCFF in Tamworth
(to Register visit: scff.ca/workshops )
July
26-28 (new dates) Presence and Light: Black and White Photography Workshop with Peter Sramek
Shinrin Yoku sessions led by Victoria
August
3-4 Annual Nature Conservancy Canada Backyard Bioblitz (we assume this will be the long weekend again)
10-11 Handbound Artists’ Books: Introductory experimental workshop with Peter Sramek
23-25 ‘Poetic Whispers: Interventions in Nature’, a photography and site specific workshop with Berlin artist Walter Bergmoser
30- Sep 1 INTAC Alumni Weekend with Walter Bergmoser and Peter Sramek
To be scheduled: Happy for No Reason Workshops & Shinrin Yoku sessions led by Victoria
September
27, 28, 29 Still Center Men’s Retreat
led by Greg De Koker www.stillcenter.ca
To be scheduled: Happy for No Reason Workshops & Shinrin Yoku sessions led by Victoria
October
4, 5, 6 Visioning Weekend Retreat led by Zan Chandler
To be scheduled: Happy for No Reason Workshops & Shinrin Yoku sessions led by Victoria
We’re excited for the upcoming 3 seasons at the farm and we can’t wait to see you this year. We’d love you to come and visit, participate in and/or send like-minded people our way. Follow this link to let us know what you may be interested in joining.
If you know anyone who is looking for off-grid time away in the country, for a venue to host their workshops, retreats or events, or someone who might want to participate in our workshops, please forward our information.
For those wishing to book independent overnight stays, SCFF is listed on AirBnb at: https://airbnb.com/h/offgrid-farmstead
Thank you for your support, sharing and being a part of our incredible community.
Victoria and Peter