Mountain Matters

Homecoming Reflections

and Looking Forward

Message from Steph Anderson, Executive Director

Wow, what an amazing Homecoming it was! We couldn't have planned it any better and it was because of all of you! Just watching and talking to all our members who showed up for this weekend filled me with joy, awe and a renewed purpose to continue to do the good work that The Mountain is planning and improving on.

Your ideas for improved programming and bringing back some great traditions are noted. It truly was the beginning of another chapter in The Mountain’s history. This Capital Campaign is really happening and is off to a great start already thanks to everyone who is reading this. Your generosity still astounds me.

Thank you for all the stories, kind words, and help that everyone gave to me and my staff over that weekend. I see fully now what this Mountain means to all of us and I plan to keep moving us forward and figuring out more ways that all of us can make a difference in this world.

Guests Arriving & Connecting

For Mountain Homecoming, there was much joy as 87 guests arrived from nine states. It was delightful to welcome Mountain Founders, Charter Members, families, campers, and local residents.

As typically happens, the car is parked and guests go directly to Meditation Rock to connect with this special spot!

Throughout this program, guests were so excited to be with people they had not seen for many years, and to meet new people who love this special place. Guests were so immersed in conversation, it was at times a challenge to get people to move from one event to the next. One of the many things that happen at The Mountain, leading to this being referred to as "a magical place!"

Recognition of Larry Wheeler

Homecoming weekend was kicked off by recognizing Larry for a lifetime of achievement and his legacy: vision, leadership, compassion, collaboration, and perseverance.

His dedication and commitment since 1979 have touched virtually all aspects of The Mountain. Not only has he helped create the history, he has also been involved in archiving that history.

Capital Campaign

and Ground Breaking

During the Homecoming Annual Meeting, the capital campaign was officially launced!! This is a generational investment in the current and future impact of The Mountain.

As a result of the generosity of people who believe in and are dedicated to this special place, we currently have $1,540,000 in cash and pledges toward our goal of $3+ million.

The photo above is of the ground-breaking for the new staff housing buildings.

The Capital Campaign Webpage provides additional information, including various ways you may like to be involved in supporting this exciting project.

Ascender Building Honored

This building, from the early 1900's served The Mountain in many ways -- youth and adult guest space. The ASCENDER program, All Summer Campers Exploring Nature's Delights and Experiencing Recreation is a six-week experience for high school students. There are plans to replace this building, which was recently removed, through the capital campaign initiative.

Judge & Maude Parry bought this property in 1908 for Camp Parrydise, a girl's adventure camp.

Their grandson, Laird, joined us for Homecoming, and shared Mountain history especially related to the Ascender building and tower, where his grandparents lived.

A memorial ceremony honored the service of this century-old building The Mountain.

Prior Ascender youth spoke about the significance of this program in their personal development, and the importance of continuing this experience for other youth.

Farm Tour and Farm Camps

During Homecoming, guests learned about Farm changes.

Tolvin Stiles, Farm Manager, shows new crops, moving of the hoop house, the garden plot for kitchen produce, and new plants for the food forest (provided by a Laurel Garden Club grant).

Our new greenhouse, provided by the generosity of a Mountain Findings (local resale store) grant and Victoria Stephens.

By extending the growing season, we will increase the variety and quantity of produce for two Farmer's Markets as well as guest meals.

Farm Camps -- we have a few more openings

Intermediate Farm Camp July 16 - 22

High School Farm Camp June 25 - July 8

Adult Farm Camp August 13 - 18

Farm Campers will have time each day learning about different aspects of sustainable farming and living in addition to traditional camp and outdoor activities.

Campers will learn where their food comes from and how to evaluate their relationships with food through experiences, including:

Starting Plants From Seed
Planting Starts of Various Crops
Harvesting Produce
Forging Wild Gourmet Mushrooms
Crafting with Medicinal Plants and Mushrooms
Learning what is required to care for a lively coop of chickens and ducks
Composting

Endowment Reception

The Homecoming Endowment Reception is an important opportunity to honor people who have made planned giving arrangements, and to encourage others to consider including The Endowment in estate plans. Thank you for supporting the long-term well-being of this special place.

The Endowment is at $650,000 as a result of your generosity. The annual gift to The Mountain was $24,200 to be applied to the purchase of a much-needed vehicle to use for Farmer's Markets and other Mountain business.

Join Our Mountain Team

We are thriving and hiring!!

Kitchen Staff

Farm Staff

Development Associate

Positions open and applications:

Message from the Board Chair - Anna Martin

We are in a period of growth and transformation at The Mountain. I am filled with gratitude to all of The Mountain supporters who sustained The Mountain to this point: from the founding members, staff and donors over the years, KC Boyce for his chair leadership over the past three years, and to everyone who has encouraged a friend to check out The Mountain.

My recent big change is becoming Board Chair. I enjoyed getting to know Mountain supporters over Homecoming weekend and as Board Chair I look forward to continuing to meet and hear stories and ideas from all of you. We have strong roots, founded in community, which are launching us to the inspiring kickoff of the first campus-wide capital campaign The Mountain has had. At Homecoming, our tour of the renovated staff housing in the Craft Barn, followed by a ground-breaking at the new staff site, helped us to see how we are living our values by honoring the importance that staff play in keeping The Mountain vibrant and growing. Hope to see you soon at The Mountain.