Farm & Wilderness

Farm & Wilderness, also known as F&W, is a system of eight ACA-accredited Quaker-based summer camps for kids and summer programs for teens rooted in social justice, environmental sustainability, homegrown fun, and wilderness adventure situated in and around Plymouth, Vermont.

Basic Info
LocationPlymouth, Vermont, United States
Established1939 (1939)
NicknameF&W
Homepagewww.farmandwilderness.org

Philosophy

Farm & Wilderness has been noted for its stances on a number of social issues, including racial integration, gender equality, and environmentalism. All of the camps practice organic gardening and farming and are certified by the Northeast Organic Farming Association. All of the camps have composting toilets, which they call Kybos, and campers and staff live in three-sided cabins in the woods.

History

Farm & Wilderness was founded by Kenneth and Susan Howard Webb in 1939.[1] The Webbs were influenced by Vermont philosopher and educational reformer, John Dewey.[2]

The first camp was all-boys and was founded in 1939 under the name Mehrlicht, meaning "More Light" in German. After its initial success, the name was changed to Timberlake, and a companion girls camp, Indian Brook, was founded in 1941. Later additions to the group were Tamarack Farm (a work camp for 15- to 17-year-olds of all genders), Saltash Mountain (co-ed, focused on hiking trips), Flying Cloud (for 11- to 14-year-old boys, originally borrowing the traditions of the Lakota people but later creating their own system of wilderness living in the manner of cultures from around the world; originally called "Indian Encampment"), and Barn Day Camp (for 4- to 10-year-old children).[3]

A program called "Questers" was created for those campers who wanted greater challenges in wilderness adventures. The program is based from Saltash Mountain (SAM) and on the trail for the majority of the session on a long trip. Questers have hiked the entire Long Trail (a two-session program), which spans from the southern to northern tip of Vermont.[4] Other one-session Quester adventures typically involve both canoeing and backpacking as well as rock climbing or white water rafting.

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References
  1. "Susan Webb Obituary". Rutland Herald. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  2. "Farm and Wilderness Website - History". farmandwilderness.org. Archived from the original on 2012-05-19. Retrieved 2012-05-22.
  3. Richardson, Audrey. "Farm And Wilderness Changes With Times But, Values Remain The Same". Vermont Standard. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  4. "48 Days on the Long Trail: A Learning Opportunity and Challenge for Farm and Wilderness Teens". Long Trail Bound. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2013.

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