Vermont Wilderness School, Inc.

Just like the acorn requires the support of the beautiful strong Oak tree, you can make a difference by supporting Vermont Wilderness School.

The Vermont Wilderness School is dedicated to restoring our relationships with nature, ourselves, and each other.

We offer nature-based mentoring programs to people of all ages. We provide a dynamic environment for students to face challenges, engage their natural curiosity, and cultivate an intrinsic love for learning that they bring back into the classroom and the rest of their lives.

Our history began, on this continent, with the forcible removal of indigenous people from their land, continued as nature and wilderness environments became white spaces in America, and persists today as many urban and rural residents lack easy access to safe outdoor spaces in their community. In addition, today’s youth, regardless of their racial background, socio-economic status, or zip code spend more time indoors and in front of screens than any other generation, whether at home or in school.

Given this history, we believe that nature connection is fundamentally an issue of social justice.

VWS is embarking on a process of raising our awareness, engaging in deep listening and connection, and inviting transformation to our programs and organization in solidarity with the larger movement to undo, repair, and heal centuries of historic harm. We are committed to offering programs that are welcoming, inclusive, and reflective of all children and families in Vermont, and to creating an environment that is safe and free of harm for all people, regardless of their color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, heritage, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or ability.

All of our programs get kids and adults outside and having fun! Our mentors work with the natural world to teach participants valuable life skills. We believe that nature is the perfect place for learning about our personal gifts, the natural world and how to overcome life’s challenges. Our small group size and exceptional adult mentors ensure high-quality experiences filled with memories and new friendships.

After almost 25 years of providing this service to our community and as the word spreads of our accessibility through our scholarship and reparations funds the need for your support has increased even more so that we can continue to provide our programs.

We are in the midst of an Executive Director (ED) transition where incoming ED Odette Butler is closely collaborating with outgoing ED Sam Stegeman and the Board to ensure we are effectively transitioning the leadership of the organization to support our mission and community over the coming decade.

The VWS board is conducting a one-time capital campaign to raise funds to supply the financial energy outside our normal annual budget to make this transition an accelerant to our mission.

We have a campaign goal of $125k, and have secured $100k to date. We are outreaching to you, as a community member who has demonstrated your willingness to support VWS with financial energy, to help us raise the remaining $25k and support the long term health of VWS.

Please help us reach $125k by donating before September 30!

— The VWS Board of Directors