2026 Summer Retreat

The Northeast Basketmakers Guild is holding
its Summer Retreat on
Sunday, July 26, 2026

at Sunrise Park, Suffield CT

Our Summer Retreat is once again at Sunrise Park in beautiful West Suffield, CT. We look forward to seeing you and your friends in a wonderful lakeside setting. For your best experience, please look at the skill level needed for each type of basket before you register.

Please register by June 28, 2026. This allows the teachers to have time to prepare their materials. However, if your plans change, please check with Kate SummerRetreat@Northeastbasketmakers.org , we may be able to squeeze in a few people! Confirmation emails are sent when you register. There are four wonderful teachers so please register as soon as possible since we only have 37 spots!

Registration is $5 for members and $15 for non-members. Children 16 and under who attend with an NBG member will not pay a registration fee (sign up for both classes under the NBG member’s account). Basket fees, minus a 10% handling fee, will be returned if notice is given on/before June 29, 2026. If a cancellation is received within 3 weeks of the retreat, the weaver can arrange postage fees with the teacher to receive the basket kit by mail. If you can find someone to take your spot, have them reimburse you directly and let us know the name change. We encourage everyone to use the online registration and payment.

You can pay for your classes with a credit card through PayPal (you do not need to have a PayPal account) or you can make out a check to “NBG” and mail it to:

Stephanie Gage
93 Lakewood Drive
Belmont NH 03220

We have four great teachers joining us for this event:

Anne Holden
Joyce Flower
Larry Antonuk
Marlene Pouilot

• The tools that are required for each class are listed with each class.
• Brown Bag Lunch (NO REFRIGERATION)
• Your individual cup/mug for tea/coffee/water (we will have some for those that forget)

Coffee, Tea, and water will be provided by NBG, we encourage a few of you to bring some individually packaged snack items for the day. Please contact Kate if you would like to volunteer to help set up either of these drink/food items or help with set up and clean up.

We will be continuing the summer retreat tradition of having a traveling basket. Last year’s winner of the traveling basket will be making a basket for this year’s retreat. 

We will have some great door prizes, too! Feel free to contribute a door prize of your own. We will also have a “Free” table for those goodies that you don’t need anymore but that someone else will treasure.

Any questions, please email Kate Carroll (SummerRetreat@northeastbasketmakers.org)

Time
8:30 – 9:00	Registration – Please pick up your free parking permit at the gate to the park
9:00- 3:30	Classes
12:30 – 1:00	Lunch Break

NBG members and Summer Retreat teachers are welcome to set up a table to exhibit or sell baskets, basket related items or basket supplies. Please let Kate know if you plan to set up a table.

When signing up for your classes, please be very careful about the skill levels and prerequisites listed for each class. We want you and your classmates to all have a good experience. If you are not sure if you are ready for a particular class, send us an email and we’ll help you to figure out if it will be a good fit for you.

As a general rule, follow this guide

First Basket	Weaver has never woven a basket before.
Beginner	Weaver has little or no experience with the materials being used for that project. For instance, if you are an intermediate reed weaver but have never worked with pine needles before, then consider yourself a beginner for a pine needle class.
Intermediate	Weaver is skilled at basic techniques with the materials being used.
Advanced	Weaver has mastered all of the basic skills and is ready to try new techniques, fibers, shaping, and creative methods.

Registration

NBG Members – please log into the website before adding your registration. You must have purchased a 2026 membership to sign up for the Summer Retreat. 2026 memberships begin on July 1, 2026, but can be purchased now. If you are purchasing a membership at the same time as you sign up for the Summer Retreat, please put the membership in the same cart as your Summer Retreat registration. Sign up for 2026 NBG Membership here.

2026 Summer Retreat Classes

All Classes Are Full. Please join us in the Fall.