MOSAIC & Gabe Goldman Present: A Wilderness Leadership Retreat for Jewish Nature Enthusiasts Everglades National Park & Big Cypress National Preserve Thursday, February 3 to Sunday, February 6, 2000 You are cordially invited to a unique outdoor experience. Mosaic Outdoor Clubs of America will host a 4 day / 3 night wilderness camping retreat for leaders of Jewish outdoor and nature organizations, and all Mosaic members and non-members interested in a unique adventure. Participants will be trained, through hands-on experience, in Jewish nature programming, environmental education, leadership resources, and outdoor and wilderness skills. Explore the many ways of turning the outdoors into a natural learning experience. All participants will receive a Leadership Certification from Mosaic. Come experience America's "River of Grass; Everglades National Park" and Big Cypress National Preserve. Leadership Skills and Presentations: Mosaic Leadership Certification Learn to build a Native American sweat lodge Creative cooking with wild, edible plants Communications Skills, Group Dynamics, Conflict Resolution, and Decision Making Some of the best Jewish nature activities to use on campouts Introduction to ancient Native American wilderness living and earth stewardship skills Learn How to Introduce Judaism into Mosaic and other outdoor events Wilderness First Aid & Emergency Plans Lost Hiker Search & Rescue Procedures Talking Stick Circle and other Goal Setting Strategies for Leaders The Mitzvah of Tikun Olam; Positive Impact Hiking & Camping Reaching Out to Unaffiliated Jews in Your Community Starting or Growing a Mosaic Chapter Exploration of Jewish ecological wisdom Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Living Activity Highlights: Airboat ride to Native American village for barbeque and campfire Full-day canoe trip on the Turner River Tram tour of Everglades National Park, Shark Valley Day hike through the Cypress forests of Big Cypress National Preserve Slough slog through the sawgrass prairies of Everglades National Park Local wildlife viewing including deer, otters, owls, alligators, armadillos, wading birds, & more Smudge and sweat in Native American sweat lodge Creative Havdallah and Shabbat services Games, songs, Indian chants, and nature projects Optional Add-ons: 1) Arrive on Wednesday evening for a "Welcome to Miami"cocktail party, and maybe visit South Beach for some of the hottest clubs in the world! You are guaranteed a spot on the floor to sleep at the island home of Rick Dronsky. Last time, some participants slept right on the dock over Biscayne Bay! There is no additional charge for arriving on Wednesday. 2) Depart late Monday (after 6:00 pm), and spend Monday snorkeling the coral reefs of the Florida Coast! Due to the costs involved, there will be an additional charge of $20 for snorkeling on Monday. Gabe Goldman, Program Director Gabe Goldman has been a professional Jewish environmental educator for over 27 years. He is nationally recognized as the "grandfather" of Jewish environmental nature education. Gabe is the Director of the Jewish Nature Center of the New Jersey YMHA/YWHA Jewish Camps, and is also a member of the Turtle Clan of the Micmac Tribes of the northeast. He is an excellent orator, and is passionate about his "work". He loves to share his knowledge of such things as fire building, fox walking, wilderness survival, and wild edible plants. He is currently the President of our national organization, "Mosaic Outdoor Clubs of America. Those who have been lucky enough to train under him can attest to his charm, skill, knowledge, and teaching ability in so many areas of Jewish and environmental education. Joe Browder, Special Guest, and the "Father" of Big Cypress National Preserve Joseph Browder initiated and led the campaign to put the Big Cypress Swamp into the National Parks System, and is also recognized as one of the founders of Biscayne National Park. While in Miami, Mr. Browder served as the President of the Tropical Audubon Society, and worked closely with such legends as the late Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Joe's lifelong work to protect the Everglades is the subject of a book edited by the late historian Alex Haley. In 1970 Joe left Florida for Washington, DC to become the first Conservation Director of Friends of the Earth, now is a consultant on environmental matters to several global corporations, and continues his Everglades work with national and Florida environmental groups. Joe will be staying with us on site for the weekend. Sandy Dayhoff, Special Guest, and Environmental Education Coordinator; Everglades National Park Barbara Jean Powell, Special Guest, Wildlife & Resource Management Liaison, Everglades Coordinating Council Mark Jacobs, Special Guest, Executive Director, COEJL (Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life) Rick Dronsky, Program Coordinator Rick Dronsky is the Executive Director and Founder of Mosaic Outdoor Clubs of America. He is a native of South Florida, an Eagle Scout, and longtime nature enthusiast. Rick has been organizing Mosaic trips and events for six years. In addition to helping to organize the last six Mosaic National Events, Rick has led Mosaic to Costa Rica, Bonaire, in the Netherland Antilles, the Wild West Adventure through Indian Country and canyon lands of the Western US, and countless campouts and local events for the South Florida Chapter of Mosaic. His organization of the 1998 Everglades Retreat was a resounding success, and has inspired similar events on a regular basis. Travel: Fly into either Miami International Airport, or Fort Lauderdale International Airport, after 4:00 pm on Wednesday, February 2, or before 12:00 noon on Thursday, February 3. Depart either airport after 6:00 pm on Sunday, February 6, or after 6:00 pm on Monday, February 7, if you'd like to stay and go snorkeling. If you are flying in, please add $15 to help defray transportation costs. Rental vehicles will be provided as necessary. Campsite Facilities: There will be no regular bathrooms nearby, but Port-o-lets (plenty of them) will be available. Arrangements for showers have been made for Friday afternoon, after the Turner River Canoe Trip. We will have a huge party tent set up just in case of inclement weather. There is no running water at the site, but we will have plenty of bottled water available for washing, drinking, and cooking. Firewood will be delivered so there will always be plenty available for cooking, sweat lodge, and bonfires. Food: Kashruth will not be observed, but there will be a large variety of parve and vegetarian items available throughout the weekend. All food will be prepared under the leadership of Mosaic Head Chef Neil "Forrest" Leve. Shabbat dinner will be catered by the Pit Barbeque Restaurant. Cost: $175 for Members of Mosaic Outdoor Clubs of America and it's affiliates. Non-members add $10. Also, please add $15 if you will need a ride to and from the airport, to help defray transportation costs. Cost includes all meals, materials, sightseeing, transfers from the campsite to activities, rentals, and equipment. Participants must bring their own tent, sleeping bag, pillow, and sleeping pad. There is no additional charge for arriving on Wednesday. Deduct $40 if you will be arriving after the canoe trip on Friday. Scholarships are available from Mosaic Outdoor Clubs of America based on financial need. Some chapters are providing subsidies to their active members. Please contact your Chapter leaders on an individual basis regarding this matter. Sponsorship: We are seeking local and national organizations and benefactors to sponsor this event in order to help defray some of the costs. If you have any suggestions, please contact us. Presenters: We welcome dynamic presenters who would like to organize and lead interesting and relevant hands-on programming. You will be reimbursed for the costs of any materials used in the programming. If you feel you have specific knowledge or skills that are relevant to the program, please contact Rick Dronsky. Contact: Rick Dronsky, Executive Director, Mosaic Outdoor Clubs of America, at 1-888-MOSAICS, or office@mosaics.org . Mail check in the appropriate amount to Mosaic Outdoor Clubs of America, 262 S. Coconut Lane, Miami Beach, FL 33139. Please send your check in the appropriate amount ASAP in order to guarantee your spot. All registrants will receive periodic email updates, and upon receipt of payment, but no later than one week prior, and a registration package by mail with complete details for the weekend.