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An Update to Our Community

Flying Cloud and Red Spruce Grove for Summer 2024

October 24th, 2024

Update: Base Camp Trips in 2025

This coming summer of 2024, Timberlake and Firefly Song will offer base camping trips at the locations of Flying Cloud or Red Spruce Grove. While both camps have run wilderness camps previously, moving them to those sites allows us to continue to use the land and expose campers to Ninevah.   

These trips will run within the normal trip windows for each camp and will be selected by campers as part of the normal process during camps. We are excited to offer so many F&W campers an introduction to the unique environments of Flying Cloud and Red Spruce Grove as a step towards the goal of being able to offer sustainable two-week mixed-gender programs at Ninevah in 2026.     

We will have a detailed program for these trips in late Spring.   We want to take full advantage of the time we have to plan program and not rush that process.   We are excited to already be hearing from campers eager to be part of this experience for next summer.   

Please contact me directly at tulio@farmandwilderness.org if you have any questions.   

  

 

May 20th, 2024

Update: Ninevah Wilderness Pilot Program

Six months ago, we announced that after extremely careful consideration, the Farm & Wilderness Leadership Team and the Board of Trustees came to unity with the difficult decision to pause and fully reconsider operations of Flying Cloud (FC) and Red Spruce Grove (RSG) for the 2024 Summer. Despite efforts to attract and engage more camp families and campers to FC and RSG over the past few years—both before and after the pandemic—our enrollments were still below what we need for program and financial sustainability.  The vulnerability of our off-the-grid and remote camps to climate events, coupled with low enrollment in recent years called us to take a step back.  We needed to assess how we can sustainably operate and honor these distinctive programs—financially and programmatically in ways that attract more families and campers.
 
Tulio Browning and Chris Moncrief, both of whom have long and deep ties to Farm & Wilderness, have led the wilderness programs re-imagining work, supported by an Advisory Committee which includes a camper, staff, two former and one current camp director as well as the executive director of community engagement and inclusion from another New England camp.  

In March, this group agreed on a description of our wilderness programs based around Lake Ninevah as follows:

Ninevah Wilderness Program Definition:   
The Wilderness Programs of Farm and Wilderness at Ninevah provides participants with a profound sense of social comfort, belonging, and recognition within a close-knit community.

Individuals are not only known but also integrated into a shared identity, disrupting traditional societal norms and allowing for the full expression and acceptance of diverse identities. Moreover, the emphasis on participants' dependency on and closeness to the earth, cultivating a sense of awe and deeper appreciation for the natural world.

Intentional deconstruction of time creates an environment of “timeless peace”, free from the pressures of everyday life. This facilitates a deeper spiritual life for each participant.

Learning and daily practice of skills to live in comfort with nature can be leveraged for personal growth, finding challenge and fulfillment in individual and communal outdoor activities.

This uninterrupted and constant close connection with the land, combined with community rituals and celebrations fosters self-confidence and resilience, empowering participants to navigate and thrive in future environments.   

This description then guided the work for the group over the following weeks.   

As planned, at the Board of Trustees Annual Meeting in May, Tulio and Chris shared a status update on the groups work and a program brief to pilot in 2025. 

We used a design thinking framework, DVF, to arrive at the broad outlines of the pilot.  The DVF framework considers  

  • Desirability - Will new families desire the kind of wilderness program we offer?  
  • Viability – Will the new program offering be financially and programmatically  sustainable?   
  • Feasibility – Do we have or can we gather the resources and know-how to build and deliver the new program offering?   

Recommendations for a Pilot Program in 2025 

Coming out of our initial rounds of research on the desirability of a Ninevah wilderness program, we identified several key aspects to maintain from the rich program and history of the Flying Cloud and Red Spruce Grove camps. Through a combination of interviews and surveys with former campers and parents, and an analysis of what made their experience memorable and valuable we clarified the elements worth preserving in what will become a new program: 

  • Timelessness: The tradition of timelessness breaks campers from daily routines, promoting mindfulness and significant mental and emotional health benefits, thereby enhancing community connections. 
  • Size: The camp's intimate size of 30 to 45 campers ensures everyone feels included and integral to the community, fostering close personal connections. 
  • Rituals & Reverence: Rituals and reverence differentiate the program by deepening spiritual connections to the earth and each other, providing unique, culturally sensitive experiences that align with the organization's values. 
  • Remote: The remote and isolated setting of the camp is crucial for developmental growth, allowing campers to detach from daily life and explore personal and interpersonal dynamics in new ways. 

Based on extensive research from over 200 prospective families unfamiliar with Farm and Wilderness, over 50 alumni and current camp families the preference was clear for a pilot program of:  

  • Two weeks in length.  
  • Mixed Gender 
  • Based at an existing F&W location in Ninevah 
  • Enroll 11–14 year-olds.  

We recognize that 2 weeks is a notable departure from our past.  However, the research we conducted with prospective families, and the current trends we are seeing with summer camp enrollment more broadly suggest that this change is worth exploring.  While currently there is no intention to adjust our existing camp programs, we welcome what offering a 2-week program would do for creating better access to Farm and Wilderness for new families.   

We accept the challenge of designing a new program honoring the past and focused on a transformative experience in a wilderness environment within a time frame that can widen the circle of families we serve.  

(For more information, download slide deck here)

Next Steps 

At their May meeting, the Board of Trustees was in unity with the recommendations for a pilot program and the next phase of work shifts to the F&W team to establish the feasibility and viability of this proposed program.  At its August meeting the Board the F&W team will seek the support of the Board of Trustees to move forward with the design and marketing of the pilot. We will share: 

  • Program budget, including development costs, for Years 0-3 (Summer 2025 being Year 1) 
  • Minimum enrollment goals for Years 1-3 
  • Marketing plan for the Year 1 pilot 
  • Prospective program designers and leaders, to address feasibilty concerns 
  • A risk assessment and mitigation plan, to address feasibility and viability concerns.  

Our value of Community states that “We honor traditions that guide us and they must not bind us”.  The rich work that we’ve done to capture the essence of and re-imagine our wilderness programs has been a time for us to lean into exploring what is possible.  The author adrienne maree brown said that nature taught her about “fluid adaptability. About not only weathering storms, but using howling winds to spread seeds wide, torrential rains to nurture roots so they can grow deeper and stronger... the only lasting truth is change.”   

Your Input

Responses?   Reactions? 
Please contact tulio@farmandwilderness.org We are committed to a transparent and participatory process.  

March 25, 2024

Update on Wilderness Program Exploration

TIMELINE

 

Phase 1: Desirability - What kind of wilderness program should we offer? 

We have completed the first round of research with prospective families with children who are looking for a wilderness camp program.  

We discovered:    


  • One the surface, many of the over two dozen similar programs we looked at across the country offer similar program. What set FC and RSG apart was the depth of experience and connection with other community members and nature.   
  • Other programs are mostly small-scale ventures, without connection to a larger organization and often with a limited offering or dates and services. (some are bring your own tent, or even bring your own food!)  
  • 79% of parents surveyed were looking for a camp of two-weeks or less. 
  • While at a higher price that similar programs, F&W’s Affordable for All program brings cost of camp in line with what families would be able to pay.
  • The culture and practices of “timelessness” at FC and RSG appears to be unique to F&W and directly connects to the delivery of connection to nature and unplugging from technology.  

We are using this research to inform our program concepts for a future wilderness program, including the Wilderness Program Definition below.  

Wilderness Program Definition:   
The Wilderness Programs at Farm and Wilderness provides participants with a profound sense of social comfort, belonging, and recognition within a close-knit community. Individuals are not only known but also integrated into a shared identity, disrupting traditional societal norms and allowing for the full expression and acceptance of diverse identities. Moreover, the emphasis on participants' dependency on and closeness to the earth, cultivating a sense of awe and deeper appreciation for the natural world. Intentional deconstruction of time creates an environment of “timeless peace”, free from the pressures of everyday life. This facilitates a deeper spiritual life for each participant. Learning and daily practice of skills to live in comfort with nature can be leveraged for personal growth, finding challenge and fulfillment in individual and communal outdoor activities. This uninterrupted and constant close connection with the land, combined with community rituals and celebrations fosters self-confidence and resilience, empowering participants to navigate and thrive in future environments.   

We have had two meetings with our Advisory Committe. Thanks to all the members for making that commitment. We would like more representation for Red Spruce Grove – please contact Chris Moncrief if you are available. 

Phase 2: Viability – Will the new program offering be operationally  sustainable? 

the second meeting of the Advisory Committee brought us into an analysis of Program Concepts.   There is are elements that are foundational, such as fostering a deep connection with nature and will be includedd in all Program Concepts.   Each Program Concept will focus upon a specific element such aa:

  • Mentorship
  • Rites of Passage
  • Emotional Wellbeing
  • Physical and Mental Challenges

There will be a survey specifically designed to get input on these Program Concepts and current and former FC and RSG families will be invited to participate.  Look for updates here on this page and in emails from Farm and Wilderness.  

Phase 3: Feasibility – Can we build and deliver the new program offering? 

April 15th to May 3rd 

May 4th  F&W Board Meeting 

Week of May 13th – Public announcement of program offering.  

 
Note: This is an appreviated timeline. To download a detailed two-page timeline click here
 
Please reach out to Tulio Browning at tulio@farmandwilderness.org with any thoughts or concerns about this timeline. 
 
Please scroll for more information on what will inform the Wilderness Program Exploration.

February 29, 2024

Update on Wilderness Program Exploration

TIMELINE

 

Phase 1: Desirability - What kind of wilderness program should we offer? 

Feb. 26th to March 10th  

Phase 2: Viability – Will the new program offering be operationally  sustainable? 

March 11th to April 14th  

Phase 3: Feasibility – Can we build and deliver the new program offering? 

April 15th to May 3rd 

May 4th  F&W Board Meeting 

Week of May 13th – Public announcement of program offering.  

 
Note: This is an appreviated timeline. To download a detailed two-page timeline click here
 
Please reach out to Chris Moncrief at program@farmandwilderness.org with any thoughts or concerns about this timeline. 
 
Please scroll for more information on what will inform the Wilderness Program Exploration.

February 29, 2024

What Is The Value Of A Wilderness Program?

Two Brief Surveys

 

We invite everyone familiar with Flying Cloud and Red Spruce Grove to share their answer these two questions with us:

What is the innate value of a wildnerss experience (like FC or RSG) to a young person? 

Why does it matter that Farm and Wilderness provide this experience (rather than another provider)? 

Click Here to log your answers.   We recognize many of you have shared extensive thoughts in the original free-form survey.  We can extrapolate answers from there, but would love your direct answers if you have another moment for us. Thank you!  

 

The questions in the second survey are for families that have attended FC or RSG.  This survey asks questions such as what you loved about the program and what are your fears/concerns regarding your child not being able to return.  
 
We hope you will take a moment to share your thoughts with us as we strive to understand to the unique role F&W plays in Wilderness Programming.

November 13, 2023

Update on Flying Cloud and Red Spruce Grove

We Value Your Voice. Please Share Your Thoughts Via the Form Below.

After extremely careful consideration, the Farm & Wilderness Leadership Team and the Board of Trustees came to unity with the difficult decision to pause operations of Flying Cloud (FC) and Red Spruce Grove (RSG) for Summer 2024. For more details, please continue reading.
 
Flying Cloud and Red Spruce Grove each have a distinct history at Farm & Wilderness.
 
For nearly 60 years Flying Cloud has provided an off-the-grid experience for boys, and more recently non-binary youth. At its peak, FC’s enrollment was over twice the size it is today.
 
Red Spruce Grove, for girls and non-binary campers, started as an outpost program of IB (now Firefly Song) several years ago, and was expected to operate sustainably at 15-20 campers per session. Unfortunately, we have been unable to meet that enrollment level. Additionally, the resources needed to operate RSG are far beyond what was originally envisioned. 
 
Despite efforts to attract and engage more camp families and campers to FC and RSG over the past few years—both before and after the pandemic—our enrollments are still below what we need for program and financial sustainability.  
 
The Great Flood of Summer 2023 had a profound impact in Plymouth and the surrounding communities.  Our rural location sustained serious damage to public and private roadways, bodies of water, beaches, and trails. Local emergency services were stretched beyond capacity.  This summer emphasized the increasing challenges associated with operating our network of camps in general, and supporting off-the-grid, remote camps specifically.   
 
The vulnerability of our off-the-grid and remote camps, coupled with low enrollment in recent years call us to take a step back.  We need to assess how we can sustainably operate these distinctive programs in ways that attract more families and campers.  
 
Over the next 9-12 months, a dedicated group, including staff, Trustees and FC and RSG alums, will assess a variety of factors and craft recommendations to the Leadership Team and the Board of Trustees on what’s required to operate distinctive and more financially sustainable off-the-grid camps.
 
We are eager for your input in this process. You can provide your thoughts and ideas using the form below. All feedback will be carefully reviewed by the planning group.   
 
We truly appreciate your understanding as we work through these challenges. We remain committed for F&W to be a place of Joyful Play, Purposeful Work, and Rugged Outdoor Living.   
 
We welcome your questions, feedback, and suggestions at any time during this process in the form below.
 
Please reach out to admissions@farmandwilderness.org if you would like to discuss your child’s enrollment for Summer 2024.  
 

F&W Community Input Form: Flying Cloud & Red Spruce Grove