In December, I posted about the possibility of hosting a Chickens in the Road retreat and asked for feedback from you. Based on that feedback, we are moving forward with the first CITR event! This two-day retreat will take place on Friday, September 2 and Saturday, September 3 at Camp Sheppard, located in Roane County, West Virginia, about 15 miles from our farm. Camp Sheppard is a fully renovated facility that can provide hall, kitchen/dining, and workshop/activity space as well as lodging accommodations. The idea behind this retreat is to provide a learning experience in both fun and functional skills that apply to self-sufficient living and old-fashioned crafting. An array of workshops will be offered, including soapmaking, canning and other preserving, cheesemaking, candlemaking, breadbaking, and small woodworking projects such as building cheese presses and soap molds. Attendees will take home what they make (when possible–we expect we will be eating the bread and cheese, but soaps, candles, canning, cheese presses, soap molds, etc. will be taken home by participants).
The retreat will be followed by the annual Chickens in the Road Party on the Farm on Sunday, September 4. Lodging accommodations will be available Friday and Saturday nights as well as Sunday night to allow participants the choice to stay over and not travel back until Monday. (That Monday is Labor Day, so will be a day off for many, which we hope will make it easier as you won’t have to take an extra day off work to travel home.)
More information, including workshop details and cost, will be available in March when reservations open. There will be a limited number of attendees that can be accommodated for the retreat, though as always, the CITR Party on the Farm is open to all. I will post a heads up a few days before reservations open so that those of you interested can be sure to be watching for it when it’s posted.
Thank you for your interest and encouragement in this project!
The Chickens in the Road Retreat 2011
September 2nd and 3rd
A Hands-On Experience in the West Virginia Mountains
It’s coming!
Amy at Verde Farm says:
Oh wonderful Suzanne–so excited. I’ve been watching for some info on this. It will be great. :happyflower: https://chickensintheroad.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/happyflower.gif
Amy at Verde Farm
On January 30, 2011 at 12:25 pm
Deb says:
Oh boy, sounds like a LOT of fun, wish we were a lot closer and had the money so I could join you! I’m sure whoever can, will have a wonderful time. 🙂
On January 30, 2011 at 12:35 pm
LisaAJB says:
Will you take pictures as the cheese presses come together? I wish Iowa and West Virginia were closer, but unfortunately that’s a bit of a trip for me. Still, I’m really interested in topics your teaching! Hope you have fun!
On January 30, 2011 at 12:47 pm
jennybek says:
OH! That sounds wonderful! I’d love to participate. Sounds like so much fun!
On January 30, 2011 at 12:47 pm
BethieofVA says:
I can not wait!!! I would love to attend.
On January 30, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Charlotte Spears says:
I want to come!!!! I can’t wait to learn more about this, it sounds like it will be so much fun and I can’t wait to meet you, Suzanne! YAY!!!
On January 30, 2011 at 12:52 pm
Kelly A says:
are kidlets welcome too?
On January 30, 2011 at 1:26 pm
Sheila says:
I wish now that I still lived in va , that sounds like it would be so much fun :).
On January 30, 2011 at 1:43 pm
Hlhohnholz says:
Woohooo! I hope I can make this work!
On January 30, 2011 at 1:58 pm
ann says:
You I get to meet & greet clover Dr pepper Nutmeg and the rest of the gang whoohoo.
I hope I can convince DH plan a holiday.
On January 30, 2011 at 2:06 pm
Joann says:
Looking forward to getting more info!!!
On January 30, 2011 at 2:06 pm
Mona @ Healthy Homesteading says:
Too bad I live in California. Sounds like fun though 🙂
On January 30, 2011 at 2:53 pm
Ashlee M says:
Crazy, I JUST mentioned the CITR Retreat to my husbands seconds before logging on and seeing this post! We originally didn’t think there would be any way we could make it as we live in Wyoming and he didn’t have any vacation time this year. However, we’re moving back to Nebraska for his job in a couple weeks and he’ll instantly have 2 weeks vacation!! We may make it after all! :shimmy:
On January 30, 2011 at 3:40 pm
lilac wolf says:
Oh I’d give anything to go to this…but alas with small children, working husband and limited budget…probably not. I wish you much success with it. 🙂
On January 30, 2011 at 5:56 pm
Janice Jewett says:
I live in Northern Maine my mother and sister live in Virginia we are now making plans to attend. Sounds like alot of fun.
Janice
On January 30, 2011 at 6:17 pm
melody says:
I would love to come,but I dont drive and live in wv.I would have to see if gray hound or am track comes thru there. If one does I for sure will be there.
On January 30, 2011 at 6:45 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
melody, Amtrak comes here and there is also a bus station in Charleston.
On January 30, 2011 at 7:42 pm
melody says:
Thank you Suzanne Im going to look into that now.I love am track I take it to Il and wi a lot.
On January 30, 2011 at 9:21 pm
Lacy says:
yeah something I may be able to attend and in WV!!!!
On January 30, 2011 at 10:10 pm
AA says:
So glad that you posted this. Today when I was driving and thinking I thought about the retreat and got online to send you and e-mail or comment to ask about it.I wanted to be able to plan around it. I am putting it on my calendar. Look forward to signing up.
On January 30, 2011 at 10:19 pm
holstein woman says:
I hope I hope I hope I can come. PLEASE LORD!!!! I have to have someone to milk the cows and take care of the chickens and BO if he is well…. :dancingmonster: :dancingmonster: :dancingmonster:
On January 30, 2011 at 11:09 pm
dalewestfallsgranddaughter says:
I can’t make it to the retreat, but may finally be able to make it to the party!! 🙂
On January 31, 2011 at 7:46 am
SandyCWV says:
I think that would be a great adventure! Looking forward to it!
On January 31, 2011 at 7:53 am
Mim says:
Suzanne…I plan on attending…let me know if there is anything I can do to help. :pawprint:
On January 31, 2011 at 8:41 am
Cathey says:
I would love to attend. How can I get on the list to come. Making plans for the hubby to stay with the boys already.
On January 31, 2011 at 9:47 am
Jennifer Mossman says:
I just found you web page and I am loving it. I think it is a wonderful idea to have a retreat. Now if I just lived close my husband and I would love to join it. I look forword to seeing all the posts of the fun and exciting thing you will be doing. :sun:
On January 31, 2011 at 10:16 am
Lisa says:
Hello! Which airport is closest to you. I would like to check flight costs. :happyflower:
On January 31, 2011 at 12:37 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Lisa, the closest airport is Yeager in Charleston, West Virginia. I believe it’s CRW in airline logo to check flights.
On January 31, 2011 at 12:44 pm
Sharon Brown says:
I’m in central VA and can easily make the drive. It will be a distance, but I feel it will be well worth it! Can’t wait to get the details. Count me in!
On January 31, 2011 at 3:07 pm
GrammieEarth says:
😥 :hissyfit: 😥 :hissyfit:
Ok, Ok…I’m over that part now. :wave: Have fun everyone, and please, please, please take PICS and bring them home to post for those of us who must live vicariously!
Pam
On January 31, 2011 at 6:09 pm
wvhomecanner says:
I know that I am excited! The planning is buzzing along and we need to know what YOU that can come want regarding Canning & Preserving. What do you want to do/see/learn? We’ll be doing water bath and pressure canning and have lots of ideas, but tell us what you want!
dede
On February 1, 2011 at 7:07 am
momma-leigh says:
I didn’t know if this had already been answered, but I didn’t know if little ones were invited? I am a stay at home mom of one and I know my hubby would be a little more OK with me going if I took our daughter. I live in North GA so if anyone wanted to car-pool (if I can go) I can do that!
On February 1, 2011 at 9:21 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Children are always welcome (and encouraged!) at the party on the farm, but the retreat is geared to adults.
On February 1, 2011 at 9:24 am
Ramona says:
This will all be so much fun for ya’ll.
On February 1, 2011 at 10:49 am
brookdale says:
This sounds like SO much fun! Wish I could attend, but it’s too far away. Please post lots of pics afterward!
On February 6, 2011 at 7:19 pm
Marci says:
Ooohhh…I hope I can come! Sounds great! :snoopy:
On February 26, 2011 at 3:27 pm
LINDA SHRULL says:
Love West Virginia!!! Visited there many times.
On February 27, 2011 at 7:29 pm
BethieofVA says:
I so want to come, but need to wait and hear about the cost! Yeehaw!
On February 28, 2011 at 4:13 pm
Carrie Johnston says:
I’m going to try and come from WA state. So please include the nearest airport and how far it is away to the lodging/accomodations.
Thanks!!
On February 28, 2011 at 4:15 pm
Gennifer M says:
I was so hoping to come, even hubby wants to come…but I am pretty sure I will be in MO watching my son graduate from basic training…
On February 28, 2011 at 5:52 pm