Blue Ridge Song & Story Fest:
Singin’ the Blues, Searchin’ the Stars!
July 6-12, 2025
Camp Brethren Woods, Keezletown, VA
A Family Camp featuring Brethren musicians and storytellers in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia!
RSVP Here
Are you Feeling Blue lately?
War got you down?
Election results making you wonder about the sanity of our citizens?
Worried about what our government and leaders might do? Not do?
You aren’t alone!
Even the Wise Men, the Magi, were not alone when they searched the stars for the places where new life from God might emerge. They traveled and sought for signs of the kingdom of God, together. I bet they even sang as they navigated the deserts of fear and longing.
So, come and sing with us! Hear the stories of hope and new life! Recommit yourself to the journey toward justice for all, mercy for the poor and the refugee, telling the story of Jesus’ love for the oppressed and heavy laden.
Yes, it’s time to sing the blues, but also to renew the struggle that never ends! Together we’ll find some vistas of hope and understanding to rest upon and regroup!
Join us as we sing the blues and search the stars!
Storytellers and Workshop Leaders:
Susan Boyer Anna Lisa Gross Matt Guynn
Kathy Guisewite Jonathan Hunter Jim Lehman
Campfire, Workshop, and Concert Musicians:
Rhonda and Greg Baker Louise Brodie Hannah Button-Harrison Erin and Cody Flory Robertson
Chris Good Michael Overman Sadie Gustafson-Zook
Katie Loomis-Adams Peg Lehman Mike Stern
Come sing the blues and search the stars with us at
Camp Brethren Woods!
An Intergenerational Camp for All Ages -
Single persons and families of any size and shape will enjoy this combination of performance and participation in the wooded hills of Virginia.
Mornings - Intergenerational gatherings and worship will be followed by workshops for adults, children, and youth to help us:
- Reconnect with the God of all creation and with each other
- Tell the stories that make for peace and rekindle faith
- Sing the words of our hearts in gratitude for the unceasing power of life
- Root and ground ourselves in the Jesus Way
- Deepen our connections with each other and the earth
- Celebrate peace, creation, and life
- Learn the skills of peace-making and justice-seeking
Afternoons - Free for family time, recreation, nature walks, support, music making.
Evenings - Campfires, snacks, and concerts or a folk dance.
Song & Story Fest #29:
This is the twenty-ninth summer in a row for these Song and Story Fests and is our second Fest at Brethren Woods Camp & Retreat Center. The Fest will begin on Sunday evening, July 6, with supper at 5:30 p.m., an opening campfire, and some music and dancing. We’ll close the Fest on Saturday morning, July 12, after breakfast, worship and hugs.
On Earth Peace will again co-sponsor the Fest, providing leadership and administrative support.
Camp Brethren Woods is nestled on 115 acres in the rolling woodlands adjoining the George Washington National Forest, about 15 miles northeast of Harrisonburg, VA, just off of Rt. 722 (4896 Armentrout Path). Hiking trails wander through dense stands of native hardwoods and transitional forests and offer a multitude of plant and animal life and a self-guided nature trail. A central small human-made lake provides opportunities for nature study, fishing, canoeing and paddleboats. Afternoons will offer a Swimming Pool, a Canoe trip, and a high and low Ropes Challenge Course, and a hike to the Falls. Of course, Basketball, Volleyball, Four Square, Horse Shoes, Softball, Frisbee, Soccer, and Ping Pong, are also available. Photos and additional information about the camp can be found at www.brethrenwoods.org. Linetta Alley is the Executive Director, and the Camp phone number is 1-540-269-2741 if you need additional information or assistance.
Lodging - New this year is variable pricing based on lodging type - There are limited beds in retreat centers (bathrooms, AC, electrical outlets) at full price; six cabins with some AC, electrical outlets, and bunk beds; and six hogans with long lower beds (no AC, no outlets) and a short walk uphill, both at a discount. Hot showers are provided in common bathhouses for cabins and hogans. You may need to share cabin space with other individuals or families, so please, on your registration indicate anyone with whom you want to share space. Please bring your own bedding and towels as the Camp doesn’t provide these. You may also sleep in your own tent, at a discount, or in your RV (electric only, 20 or 30 amp), no discount. Motels are available in Harrisonburg, a 20 minute drive.
Food - Judy Gump and Arlene Kindy will be cooking for us again this year, so complete vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available at every meal. If you have special dietary needs, please note them on your registration, but do not expect to have individual exceptions made just for you. The cooks will contact you to determine what you will need to supply yourself. Please bring a new table grace to add to our repertoire.
Craft Project - Contact Mikah ([email protected]) if you have a craft project to share and lead.
Registration and Fees:
Registration includes all meals, on-site facilities, and leadership; and is based upon age. Children 5 and under are welcome, no charge.
Retreat Centers/RV Cabins Hogans/Tents/Offsite
Adults $390 $360 $340
Teens 13 - 19 $250 $230 $210
Children 6 - 12 $170 $150 $140
Maximum Fee per Family $1000 $950
Please register now and remit the entire fee by June 1.
Registrations submitted/ post-marked after June 1 should add 10% as a late fee.
Daily Fee - $50/adult, $30/teen, $20/child, $120/family, includes all meals and program. Lodging is an additional $15/night/person.
Contact Ken Kline Smeltzer at [email protected] if you need financial help.
Register here: https://www.onearthpeace.org/song_and_story_fest_2025
and pay on-line
Or
Send a check to the address below:
On Earth Peace, P. O. Box 188; New Windsor, MD 21776
Phone: 410-635-8704 - 9am-4pm Eastern; [email protected]
For general questions, email the Song and Story Fest planning committee at [email protected].
For additional information or with program questions contact:
Ken Kline Smeltzer, Director, 1452 Willowbrook Drive, Boalsburg, PA 16827-1668
814-571-0495 (mobile); 814-466-6491 (home); or [email protected]
We expect a high turnout, so be advised to register early!
If you live nearby, please bring a lawn chair to sit on.
Travel - Email Ken if you would like assistance with ground transportation from an airport or Annual Conference. Check the Camp website for driving instructions.
RSVP Here
When is the event?
Sunday, July 06, 2025 at 05:00 PM through July 06, 2025
Location
Camp Brethren Woods
4896 Armentrout Path
Keezletown, VA 22832
United States
Google map and directions
Contact
Tina Rieman ·