Message From Steph Anderson,
Executive Director
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Happy New Year, new and old friends! I can’t believe it is already 2024 and February at that! I thought we might have a quieter winter/holiday season but that never seems to be the case as this was our planning time and this staff did not disappoint! Although it is still winter here with the snow and cold, three groups have already visited and it is slowly waking up to a beautiful new year.
Since we are a learning center, the team here has been planning many new, relevant and exciting programs as The Mountain continues to make a difference in this world. I encourage everyone to look at the Events and Farm Programs pages on our website to find quality programs for everyone that you will not want to miss.
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The ones that excite me the most (if I HAD to pick!) are the Farm/Healthy Living programs, Climate Justice Summit and of course our Youth Programs. We are building on past successes plus adding new and thought provoking events. So many new groups have found a home here so our calendar is as packed as ever with opportunities for everyone to come enjoy and learn at The Mountain.
Aside from programming, there are other important things going on as well! Capital Campaign, Racial Healing Initiative, new staff, property/land improvements, new marketing strategies plus many new community connections are being made. So stay tuned!
Thank you so much for your continued support and love for The Mountain and I look forward to seeing all of you in 2024.
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Spring Youth CONs at The Mountain | | |
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Spring is a time for growth and Youth CONs on The Mountain are the perfect way to grow!
Join with other UU youth for a weekend full of insightful workshops, arts & crafts, games, and connecting with all kinds of new friends. There’s a Youth CON for every age group!
Learn more and register here: Youth CONs
Spring CONs at The Mountain
Intermediate CON
Grades 6-8
February 23-25
Elementary CON
Grades 3-5
March 8-10
Senior High CON
Grades 9-12
March 22-24
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Get in Tune with Music Week!
April 18-23
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Head on up to The Mountain to strum, drum and sing along as part of our annual Music Week! Enjoy six melodic days of workshops lead by award winning artists and focusing on instruction in songwriting, guitar, voice, ukulele, and choral, plus performances by our guest artists and participants! It’s a great opportunity to hone your musical skills and learn some new ones from professional singer-songwriters.
Register today!
Music Week
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Meet Our Music Week's Featured Artists | |
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Matt Watroba
Matt is a veteran performer, teacher, songwriter, nationally syndicated radio host and so much more. His love of folk music comes to life on the stage and his beautifully crafted songs evoke his compassion for community and his wonderful sense of humor. He has shared the stage with some of the world’s great performers including Pete Seger, Tom Paxton, Arlo Guthrie, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Christine Lavin, and Peter Yarrow. Music Week is a great opportunity to learn from this folk music master!
mattwatroba.net
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Tret Fure
We are excited to welcome Tret Fure to Music Week 2024. Over the course of her incredible career, Tret has worked with the likes of Spencer Davis and Lowell George of Little Feet, as well as opening for acts such as Yes, Poco, and the J Geils Band. An award-winning performer and prolific guitarist, she has moved seamlessly through the performing world from rock to the Women’s Music movement and into folk. She is a consummate professional and we are so fortunate she is coming to Music Week to share her knowledge and talent.
tretfure.com
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Friction Farm
Christine Stay & Aidan Quinn
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Award winning, modern-folk duo Friction Farm is the husband-and-wife team of internationally traveling artists – Aidan Quinn and Christine Stay. Combining storytelling, social commentary and humor they create songs of everyday life, local heroes, and quirky observations. From ballads to anthems each song is filled with harmony and hope. Their lyrically rich songs have earned them spots as Kerrville New Folk Finalists and Falcon Ridge Emerging Artists. They are also winners of the South Florida Folk Festival songwriter competition and have performed as official showcase artists at Regional Folk Alliance Conferences. Music Week is a great opportunity for emerging artists to learn from this amazingly talented duo.
frictionfarm.com
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2024 Climate Justice Summit
April 28-May 3
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Lend your voice at The Mountain for a week of insightful dialogue and action as we gather with climate justice leaders, activists, artists, and educators. It's a wonderful opportunity to learn from the lived experience of others who are taking on this monumental work.
Featured Guests
Brad Warren - Expert in climate science working with front-line communities experiencing exploitation related to climate change.
Ricardo Levins Morales - Leader at Worker Collective using art to inspire community organization, activism, and mentorship.
Joe Jencks - Singer-songwriter whose enlightening music inspires environmental and social justice through thought and action.
Leslie Boyd - Advocate and representative of the North Carolina Poor People's Campaign.
Come be a part of the conversation!
Registration deadline -- April 14, 2024
Registration now open at Climate Justice Summit
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Find the perfect Summer Camp experience
for youth grades 1-12 right here at The Mountain!
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June and July 2024
Registration is Now Open!
Learn more and register at Mountain Camp
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Traditional Camps
The classic summer camp experience full of arts & crafts, campfires, outdoor adventures and learning more about ourselves and our world.!
Beginner: June 23-29/ Ages 6-8
Elementary: June 30-July 13/ Ages 9-11
Intermediate: July 14-27/ Ages 12-14
Senior High: June 19-22/ Ages 15-17
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Outdoor Skill and Adventure Camp
The Mountain is the perfect place to hone your outdoor survival skills and learn some new ones. Make this the summer of adventure!
June 9-22/ Ages 15-17
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Farm Camp
Experience life on our working farm! It's a wonderful way to connect with the earth and other like-minded youth.
Intermediate: July 14-20 & July 21-27/ Ages 12-14
Senior High: June 9-22/ Ages 15-17
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Youth Leadership Development
A great opportunity for our older youth to gain camp leadership and camp counselor experience in an awesome atmosphere.
Counselor in Training (CIT)
June 9-July 27/ Ages 16-17
ASCENDER -- Work Study Program
June 9-July 27/ Ages 16-17
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Mark Your Calendars!
Homecoming 2024
Memorial Day Weekend
May 24-27, 2024
Join us as we connect with old and new friends and
celebrate all that is happening at The Mountain.
Watch for full schedule and more soon!
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Check out these great opportunities to work with a team that's making a difference in our world!
Youth Program Manager
Immediate opening for an experienced and enthusiastic Youth Program Manager to join us in enriching the lives of youth, building relationships, and connecting with the natural environment.
As part of our leadership team, you’ll be immersed in camp operations, parental communication, camper and staff recruitment, and program development. This position includes directing our residential summer camp, for grades 1–12, with programs focused on leadership, inter-generational learning, farm education, outdoor skills, and adventure. Director of MountainCamp; Lead Spring/Fall CONs; Provide experiential activities for youth in other programs throughout
the year.
Maintenance and Maintenance Manager
Responsible for care and maintenance for all the great spaces and grounds we provide for staff and guests including a small lake and dam.
Development Associate
Work with Mountain Advancement Director to build relationships with people who care about this special place. Help spread the word about what we do and how it makes a difference on our world.
Learn more by clicking below!
Positions open and applications:
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Message from the Board
Camille Cassingham
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I first came to The Mountain at age 12 for a YouthCON and fell in love with the place. After attending MountainCamp and CONs throughout middle and high school, I worked at MountainCamp for several summers in various capacities, from Counselor-In-Training to Camp Coordinator. I feel that my experiences with The Mountain’s youth programs informed a lot of who I am today, and having grown up around this intergenerational community that values people of all ages is one of the things I cherish most.
I have served on the Board of Trustees for nearly a year now, and I feel so privileged to have this opportunity to participate in the incredible work being done by and for our Mountain community. I very much look forward to what the future holds for our beloved Mountain.
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| There is always so much happening at The Mountain! Check out the archives of Mountain Matters Newsletters and relive all the fun and important programs. |
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