Vacation? Keep GE Auction Baskets in Mind!

Last weekend I attended the Biennial Handbell Musicians of America Area 1 (NE) Conference.

An amazing group of musicians played for us.  Check out Forte at Fortehandbells.org  They are from Colorado; be sure to check out their videos.  They are even more amazing in performance - they do a lot of comedy bits!

There was a basket auction, too, and I took some photos and notes.  Many baskets were themed to the New England States.  That's what made me think that if you are on vacay, you might want to pick up basket items.  I love to shop for souvenirs but the thought of cluttering up the house keeps my purse closed.  Putting the items in a Great Escape basket would benefit our camps and satisfy that shopping gene!

Everyone bid on this wonderful item - a portable firepit filled with s'mores ingredients.

There were baskets from all the New England States, labelled with what was in the basket.  And wrapped beautifully too!

There's still time to sign up - hurry before all the workshops you want to take are full!  Check out the Turkey cooking workshop in the "D" slot - amaze your troop by teaching them to cook a turkey in a trash can!

Last Call For Early Birds!

Remember, deadline for Early Bird Registration for the Great Escape is midnight June 30th!

Nine workshops are already full, and accommodations are going quickly.

Heated spaces are full (unless you have a medical problem requiring inside quarters - contact Lesley.)

 Did we mention this is a turkey dinner year?

Make Something Beautiful At Great Escape

Sometimes the small photos on the WORKSHOPS page don't do the items justice!  Here are some larger photos to help you decide on your choices for REGISTRATION.  Many  are suitable for making with troops or family groups.

This burlap wreath uses a wire coat hanger instead of an expensive wreath form!  It can be decorated for any occasion.  It surely has that Fixer-Upper farmhouse feel. I can imagine it for Christmas with a green bow and some holly.  Or a red bow and some hearts for Valentine's day.

If you are like me, you can't stand to throw out all the beautiful holiday cards, birthday cards, congratulations, wedding and anniversary wishes you received.  When we moved, I had to dispose of literally thousands!  Be proactive - make some into these lovely decorations!  Or, bring some scrapbook paper and deplete that stash!

I'm so taken with this beautiful string art cactus!  Wouldn't this look great on a bathroom wall, or on a covered porch?  Wouldn't it be fun to do as part of an "Outdoor Art" badge?

Speaking of outdoor art, pine cones, with their 'leaves' arranged in a Fibonacci sequence, are a great example of STEAM.  Learn to make these beautiful pine cones and you'll want to teach everyone you know!  These neutral colors were chosen to be quasi-realistic, and to go on a themed tree,  but they can be glitzy or glam, depending on the papers chosen!

The Early Bird Gets the Workshop!

Less than three weeks since registration opened and we are over half full!  Four workshops are full.   

Our Early Bird rate ends July 1 but last year we were full before that! 

Another Opening, Another Show!

Registration is open at REGISTRATION

Don't forget to pick WORKSHOPS first.

General Information

Product Sales - order mugs and patches in advance!

Go to it!  We expect to sell out very early!

Closer and closer....

The big day is getting closer.  If I were a bookie, I could take bets on whether registration for the Great Escape will open before or after the Duchess of Sussex has her baby.

We'll post it here, on facebook, and some of you will be getting emails!  Be alert!  America needs more lerts!

We're looking for a few good scouts...

Adult Girl Scouts, that is, who want to be GE presenters.

Do you know how to do something that you would like to teach to others?  Can you make something that's fun and beautiful?  Is there some great outdoor activity you love to do?  Then present it at this year's Great Escape!  Presenters get a special rate for the weekend ($10 off the regular price) and it's a great way to meet new people and have fun in the woods.  If you have an idea email us at

GSGREATESCAPE@YAHOO.COM

Maybe you have a friend who would be a great presenter, or you took a workshop that would be appropriate for the Great Escape. (I borrow all my workshops from talented people or Pinterest. Or magazines.)  Let us know about it!

Watch for the listing of this year's workshops, and the opening of registration around the beginning of May.  www.gsgreatescape.org