Hello Holden,

Holden is a gift and an invitation to build and practice community both within the Village and in the greater world.

Villagers share intergenerational connections on the first day of school through silly shenanigans to celebrate the year of learning ahead. As we emerge from this long, isolating pandemic, new long term staff are embracing “remote work” with an entirely new meaning in a caring wilderness community. 

Villagers celebrated the life of author, artist, and long-time Holden connection, Pastor Dan Erlander, sharing how his work inspired many to form and renew their relationships with God, the earth, and each other. 

Beyond the Railroad Creek Valley, people who have been impacted by Holden take these lessons with them and share their stories, including at a recent meet up in Minnesota. What is your story of how Holden helps you practice community?  

Faithfully,

Stacy Kitahata, Mark Bach, and Kathie Bach

Jubilee Auction begins October 5!

October 5-9, 2022

Celebrate Holden Village's 60th anniversary and support Holden for the future! 

As Holden continues to navigate the pandemic challenges, short staffing  required us to cap registration at lower numbers than anticipated.

The third annual online Jubilee Auction on October 5th-9th will help offset the loss of guest revenue from the summer and fall and make it possible to continue to transform the future of Holden Village for another 60 years and beyond!

Prepare to bid on unique handcrafted items like these Holden aprons, a handwoven stole, and quilt -- alongside exclusive experiences including vacation stays in Big Sky, MT, Maui, HI, and all over Washington! 

Register to bid now so you're ready to go when the Auction starts, and share with your community!

Donate to our "Fund-A-Need"

During The Auction

1. Access Fund: ($10,000 goal!)

By donating to this fund, you help support efforts that may include: 

• Free and reduced price visits for underrepresented communities
• Travel assistance to help cover costs for new volunteers/staff to move to the Village
• Teaching faculty honoraria to help attract and make it possible for a more diverse faculty to participate

Double your impact! Every dollar made to the Access Fund will be matched, up to $10,000 thanks to two generous matching gift donations. This means potentially a total of $20,000 for the Access Fund! 

2. Dining Hall Ice Machine & Water Dispenser ($8,000 goal!) 

You just came back from/or are planning to go on a long hike and want to quickly fill up your water bottle with ice cold water. Or, it’s another beautiful, HOT day in the Village and wouldn’t some ice for your Beanie’s coffee be just the perfect addition? Donate to this fund to make this a reality! 

3. Village Center Audio/Visual Fund ($15,000 goal!)

The Village Center sorely needs upgrades to its audio and visual systems. By donating to the Village Center AV Fund, you help keep the space vibrant through efforts that may include:

• Audio Assistive system to enhance audio portions for people with hearing impairments
• New projector and cabling
• New transmitter

Thanks to an individual challenge gift, for every $3 you give to the Village Center Audio/Visual Fund, an additional $1 will be donated, up to $5,000! AND, if we hit the $15,000 goal, we’ll also be able to apply for a grant to cover the remaining needed to fully fund a system overhaul.

Apply for Teaching Faculty

We are looking for faculty, guest musicians, and guest artists to facilitate sessions for summer 2023. The program will include visual and performing arts, the sciences, theology, justice work, music, global topics, and more.

We seek candidates who are flexible and open as well as experts in their field. All are valued and vital members of the summer program! 

Deadline to Apply: November 1, 2022

As Holden celebrates our 60th anniversary, you can be a part of the long-standing tradition of hospitality and joy on the Holden staff!

We are looking for people to help as Housekeeping Services Associates, 

Head Cooks, Kitchen Assistants, and more.

Thank you for sharing Holden volunteer and job opportunities with anyone interested in applying.

Kennedy's Story

"If you need a place to take a pause in life for a while, this is the place to go. Knowing that you are surrounded by community that loves you is very important at Holden. You’ll always feel welcome. Even if you’re a complete stranger, we care about you very much."

-Kennedy Elholm

Operations Team

Long-Term Volunteer

Visit for Early Winter & Holidays

Bring your spirit of adventure, pack your sense of humor, and prepare for snow in all its glorious variations! Enjoy the peace, simplicity, and intentional presence of the Holden winter community.

Registration is ongoing with additional rooms available for select weekends in the early winter season, including the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s holidays:

• November 2-7
• November 11-14
• November 18-28
• November 30 - December 5
• December 18 – January 2

Save the Dates for 2023 Registration

Registration for stays January 2, 2023 to May 31, 2023 opens on December 1, 2022 at 8am Pacific Time. 

Registration for stays June 12, 2023 through January 2, 2024 will open on January 5, 2023 at 8am Pacific Time. 

New rate information for 2023 will be available after the Holden Board meeting in November. 

Holden Twin Cities Meet-Up

Current and former Holden staff, board members, and visitors gathered for casual conversation and good company at a meet-up in St. Paul, MN this past month. 

If you are interested in helping Holden Village with outreach, presentations, staff recruitment, or hosting a future Holden meet-up in your area, please contact Jennifer Wolbrecht, Director of Development and Outreach, at jennifer.development@holdenvillage.org.  



Reference herein to any specific commercial products or services does not necessarily constitute or imply its

endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by Holden Village.



PHOTOS: Kara Barkman, Annika Berntsen, Maeve Bittle, Clay Gustafson, Carter Schafer, Rachel Schafer