Dance Camp

~ MaryG

I’ve made my first questionable decision of 2026.

I’ve registered and paid for a five-day dance retreat in Maine in August.

I’ve been hearing about “Ferry Beach” from my fellow Unitarian Universalists for decades. This mythical coastal retreat center has transformed many a life. They’ve got retreats for everything from Yoga, to Women’s Healing, to Buddhism. My church friend Ron, who leads our monthly Sacred Circle Dance, is co-leading a week-long Sacred Circle Dance retreat. I brought the flyer home and stuck it on the refrigerator about a month ago.

With my husband’s knee replacement recovery taking for fucking ever, we have zero travel plans. Nothing booked. Nothing to look forward to. And I have no idea when or what type of travel he’s going to be up for.

This led me to Dance Camp. I tried to convince my two friends from high school that I rarely get to see to join me there, but so far, no dice.

So…I went ahead and registered for five nights by myself in the mythical UU retreat center. Dancing 5 hours a day with strangers, could be a terrible idea. I mean, I like our monthly dance, but this is going to be waaaay more than that. There’s a chance I might hate it and bail out after a night or two.

In any case, I’ll have finally experienced Ferry Beach.

25 thoughts on “Dance Camp”

  3. I know the general area. It’s south of us and a more beachy type of coast than our rocks. I hope you enjoy the experience and are able to explore a bit of Maine while you’re here.
    😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’ve never been away for a week without a friend (or my family). And these people may be a bit “different,” but hopefully I will grow as a person—like you said!

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Hope it turns out to be just what you are looking for. I have to say that after reading this post, I am not exactly eager to have knee surgery, which I had put on the far horizon.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks! And yeah, there’s no way around knee replacement really sucking, but he was out in the garden planting Dahlia bulbs on Saturday so there’s hope.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. I like that you keep busy with interesting things in retirement. It’s inspiring me to try new things when I finally cut the corporate chord and jump in. Hope you have an amazing time!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you! I feel that retirement on the early side requires you to cast about for some truly new stuff to do. What’s your target year for retirement? My husband is winding down and will probably finish up with his last client this year.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. My target is 3-5 years. I have to work until at least 59 1/2 . Maybe a few additional years as a buffer. But I also have to figure out the bridge for health insurance to 65. I never thought there would be so much to think about!

        Great your husband is winding down. Make sure he heals up so he can enjoy being a fun grandpa and the two of you can travel!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Thanks. I hope he can get his health back and enjoy our granddaughter more soon. We’ve spent nearly 25K on health insurance and health expenses this year already. It’s crazy. We’re counting down the months til he can get Medicare.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Healthcare costs are insane. I hope he’s on the mend.

        I hear REI offers good medical coverage and I only have to work 20 hrs per week. Maybe I do that as my bridge and take advantage of the company discount.

        Liked by 1 person

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