Prairie Society has an informal style. It is very easy for members and friends to organize interest groups and special events. Some "special events" have been so popular they have become annual or recurring events. Here is a sampling of our adult and family activities:

Annual Retreat

Each year since 1970, Prairie members and friends have scheduled an annual retreat in the fall. The 2004 and 2005 retreats were at Bethel Horizons, near Dodgeville.  Many retreats have also been at Camp Upham Woods near Wisconsin Dells. The retreat provides an opportunity for members and friends to join together in canoeing, nature walks, crafts, discussion groups, games, dancing, singing, meditation, worship--you name it! The highlights of the weekend are the Talent Show on Saturday night and the Sunday morning service featuring a "key log ceremony."

Music making

Prairie appreciates musicians and encourages their talents. Most Sunday services include piano accompaniment or other musical performances. The most frequent performer is the Prairie Choir, which is open to any member who can carry a tune. Rehearsals are most Sunday mornings from 9:00 - 9:45 am.

Circle Dinners

Circle Dinners are groups of 6 to 12 people who meet approximately once a month for dinner and conversation at the home of one of the circle members. Circles are organized each fall, but new members can be added at any time. Some dinner groups include children, while others may be organized for adults only.

Prairie Book Club

Members of this group read a different book each month, then meet to have lunch together and discuss the book. Meetings are at 11:30 or 11:45 am on a Sunday at the Meeting House. See our list of books and dates.

Women of Wonder (WOW)

Spanish Speakers' Potluck

This group is open to all who wish to practice their Spanish. It meets periodically in members' homes.

Adult classes

From time to time an adult class which involves a series of meetings is scheduled. Classes are held at the Meeting House.

Prairie Playreaders

Meeting monthly at the homes of different participants, this group reads from scripts of plays old and new for enjoyment. The group also attends local theatrical performances and holds an annual fish fry in the spring.

Prairie Elders

This group for members 65 and older meets monthly on a weekday afternoon at Oakwood West.

Humanist Union

Prairie humanists meet once a month at noon on a Sunday at the Meeting House to discuss a topic of particular interest to humanists. The meetings start with a potluck lunch, and sometime include an outside speaker. Events are posted at http://humanist.madisonwi.us.

Our Meeting House

Members often use the Meeting House when they wish to celebrate special occasions in their lives. The Meeting House also can be rented for a reasonable fee by non-member individuals and other organizations. The parish Administrator arranges the schedule for use of the building.

Canoeing

Sometimes on Labor Day Weekend, Prairie members and friends get together for a weekend of canoeing and camping along one of Wisconsin's many rivers. Some locales in past years have included the lower Wisconsin River (east of Prairie du Chien), the Sugar River, the Meccan River and the Kickapoo River.