UUMAC
What: UUMAC stands for the Unitarian Universalist Mid Atlantic Community. UUMAC gathers together for one week each year to build community and deepen our Unitarian Universalist faith through fun, friendship, music, dancing, learning and worship.
When: July 10 – 16, 2022
Where: DeSales University, Center Valley, PA
Website: http://www.uumac.org
Why?: (from a UUCF member)
- Someone else cooks. AND cleans. Vegan, vegetarian, omnivore, gluten-free, and with MANY and VARIED allergy requests. There is usually applause for the staff at week's end.
- The children go away to programming in the morning. You can have some free time or do a fun workshop with others. There's also early AM yoga.
- There are tons of fun things to do nearby. There are organized, prepaid excursions (you drive your own car) to Dutch Springs (lake), Pennsylvania Shakespeare company, and Whitewater rafting. However, there is also Hawk Mountain sanctuary, LeHigh Zoo, Dorney Park amusement park, nature centers, caves, local public pools, wineries, and other fun stuff within an hour. Choose your own adventures or just HANG OUT.
- Starting at 8pm, each parent takes one shift of 2 hours just ONE time during the week. The rest of the week, you are free from child-watching in the PM. Make sure the kids are in rooms by curfew and leave your cell in case the watchers need you. But I've never called anyone or been called. Multiple nights of babysitting coop. Go dance or have a drink at Night Owls, escape off campus with your spouse, whatever!
- No hall bathrooms... two rooms share a bathroom between. If you stack 3-4 people in a room, everyone gets a mattress (1-2 go on floor).
- The kids ride bikes or scooters between the buildings and get to feel great independence. You can get sunshine walking between dorm, cafeteria/meeting space, children's classes, and night activity center ... or there is ample parking at all stops along your day.
- The kids participate in a "fair" (bring your hair chalk and face paint) AND a talent show which always turns out precious and entertaining.
- I am in my 40s and I have NO IDEA what the Young Adults do. They clearly have fun, because lame adults like me only see them at Night Owls. Woot!
- It's not all families and it's not all single registrants ... it's a great mix.
- Most likely, your special needs can be accommodated ... we have visually impaired folks, wheelchair/scooter using folks, etc. Come!
- LGBTQIA+ all up in here. Come!
- The Minister and Theme Speaker have been great and thought-provoking.
- There are opportunities to volunteer to lower your cost ... a great entry point is leading a children's class in AM for half-off. Second year, there are LOTS of staff positions to check out.
- There are scholarships... tell us what you are able to pay. We will do our best to make it happen for you. If you have a few spare bucks, donate to the fund.
- On Thursday night, there's an auction with MANY belly laughs involved. Proceeds benefit the scholarship fund. One of our children went to a Raven's game last year from this auction!
- You can go all week... or you can try it for a partial stay and see how you like it.
(The short link to this page is frederickuu.org/UUMAC.)