Monday, April 23, 2012

Camphill Kimberton receives DEP Grant for Environmental Education and Stewardship





Camphill Village Kimberton Hills  is pleased to announce that it has received a grant of $7,356 from the Department of Environmental Protection. This award will help fund an Educational Outreach Program on Sustainable Forestry Management, a three-phase project incorporating hands-on experiential learning and educational tours.   

To be truly responsible stewards of the land, Camphill Kimberton’s goal is to educate others of what sustainability really means. There are 100 acres of forest in Camphill Kimberton which are in need of care and stewardship to continue to thrive and protect the air and water.  As the depletion of American native woodlands is ever increasing, along with the destruction of riparian buffers that protect the rivers and streams, it is more important than ever to educate others about why and how to preserve woodlands.  This sustainable forestry program can become a unique and important demonstration model within the region and educate hundreds of students of all ages for years to come.

The three-phase project will incorporate the help of local college students, who will be invited to participate and learn about a wide range of environmental topics.  They will learn how to identify and rid the forest invasive species through strictly manual and biological removal, without any use of chemical pesticides or herbicides. They will learn to identify invasives and how best to remove them, restorative plants, and where they best grow, and how to plant them, and how to test soil and what to look for.  Topics covered may include point and non-point source pollution; soil, tree and plant identification; biodiversity vs. monoculture; native eco-systems and human impact on destroying them as well as restoring them; different microsystems that include soil, animal and plant variation; riparian buffer and its effect on the watershed; habitat loss vs. preserving “interior forest”; and forests as natural resources. 

Phase 1: Fall 2012 - College students will participate in a two-day workshop to have hands-on experience of sustainable forestry management and watershed protection led by environmental experts.

Phase 2: Winter 2013 - Fall workshop participants will have the opportunity to apply their recently gained knowledge by creating three educational, interpretive signs about sustainable forestry to place along the trails in the forest.

Phase 3: Spring 2013 - Workshop participants who would like to share their unique experiences can lead walks with younger primary and secondary school students who visit the village.

The new Educational Outreach Program on Sustainable Forestry Management will allow Camphill Kimberton to provide experiential learning opportunities, providing students a deeper appreciation of the material and more tools to apply and share later in life.


Camphill Village Kimberton Hills residents, living and working side by side, create a dynamic and caring community for people of all ages and varied abilities.  Located on 432 acres of farm, gardens and woodlands in Chester County, Pennsylvania, Kimberton Hills is also a local center for culture and a model for sound ecological living.  Founded in 1972, Kimberton Hills is part of the international Camphill Movement which has created communities where the values of service, sharing, spiritual nourishment, and recognition of each individual’s gifts can offer a model of renewal for the wider society. 

The DEP grant program was established by the Environmental Education Act of 1993, which mandates setting aside five percent of the pollution fines and penalties DEP collects annually for environmental education in Pennsylvania.

For more information on Camphill Kimberton, visit www.camphillkimberton.org.

For more information on environmental education, visit www.dep.state.pa.us and click “Environmental Education,” or call 717-772-1828.


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Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Shares available at Sankanac CSA








Camphill Village Kimberton Hills announces that shares are available for Sankanac CSA’s 2012 season.

Part of Camphill Village Kimberton Hills, the biodynamic 15-acre garden operates as the 200-member Sankanac CSA, which stands for Community Supported Agriculture

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer.  Typically a farmer offers a certain number of "shares" to the public which includes a set amount of vegetables or other farm products, based on the harvest.  Participants purchase a share and in return receive seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season. 

The gardens of Sankanac CSA, which are organic and biodynamically farmed, are harvested each week, and shareholders can pick up their produce either on Tuesdays or Fridays for 24 weeks.  There are also U-pick crops, including flowers and berries. 

Members can choose to purchase either a full or partial share depending on their personal needs. A full share is designed to feed a family of about four; a partial share to feed a couple, or a veggie-loving individual. The cost for a full share is $750 and a partial is $430.

Sankanac CSA grows a diverse seasonal mix of vegetables, flowers, herbs, and berries and also tends a small herd of mixed livestock (sheep, goats, donkeys).  The head gardener, Todd Newlin, and his wife, Mary, oversee this enterprise with a crew of over 10 gardeners (including individuals with special needs, apprentices, service volunteers, and interns).

The crew is deeply committed to the use of biodynamic methods, which allows them to strengthen the fragile ecosystem as well as provide food of the highest quality to our local community. Activities in the CSA include plant propagation, greenhouse management, pruning, crop cultivation, harvesting, tractor and equipment operation and maintenance, irrigation, livestock management, composting, and making/using the biodynamic preparations.

The group warmly welcomes new members, and does have available shares for the upcoming season. Please email SankanacCSA@gmail.com for more information or to request a share.  

Monday, April 16, 2012

Wine and Dine Talkfest - April 29 - more details revealed...



Camphill Village Kimberton Hills 4th Annual Talkfest!

Sunday April 29 at 5…Fourth and Final Announcement!

All The Important Details


I am so pleased to announce that we have a bunch of really amazing people coming to wander around drinking wonderful wine and eating spectacular hors d'oeuvres…or whatever the French call them…while talking with you. 

I am hugely disappointed to report that we still have a few spaces left! 

It is unbelievable to me that with two weeks to go we have not filled up the Birchrunville Store Café. It only holds 55 people…well, 89 if we do that shove them in the door thing they do on the Tokyo subway. Aditi Roy is going to be so disappointed that you aren’t there.

Ooops, did I let it slip that my special guest is the unbelievably talented, exceptionally knowledgeable, ridiculously friendly, world famous NBC news anchor and reporter Aditi Roy?

So cheer me up and make sure we don’t disappoint Aditi.  Call Bernadette at 610-935-8660 or send her an email at Bernadette@camphillkimberton.org and register.  Now!  It’s only $158.79 which is a pittance for such an exceptional experience that will explode your senses and expand your mind.

  • Ridiculously interesting people with unbelievable stories
  • Wine that will make your body glow
  • Oardoors that will drive your taste buds into flights of ecstacy
  • Aditi Roy…
  • And No…I repeat, NO…silly program keeping you from the fun

Important Details:

You can’t get there via GPS!  Birchrunville is in a bit of an alternative universe so you need to go to the Birchrunville Store Café directions and follow them.  Using your GPS might leave you miles and miles away…while the rest of us eat your food and drink your wine.  Hmmmm, not such a bad thing for those of us who know where we’re going.

This is not a formal event.  Thank goodness. Come in comfortable clothes. Leave your tie at home and forget stockings. As for the women, no gowns please.  They scare the horses.

Most importantly, get there soon after 5. You never know if Francis will remember how to make something he sends out early. If you miss it…it’s your own fault.

So come on out and have a good time while supporting our wonderful place: Camphill Village Kimberton Hills.  If for some reason you have had a senior moment and forgotten to register, call Bernadette, 610-935-8660, or email, Bernadette@camphillkimberton.org, and register.  Quick, before you forget.


Steve Smolinsky
President, Board of Directors



4th Annual Talkfest, April 29, 5-7:45, Birchrunville Store Café, $158.79 per person
Be there! You’ll have a great time while supporting an exceptional place.
And then there’s the chance to meet a Really Big Star!

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Camphill Kimberton receives Gene Wilson Award from 4CP



We are pleased to announce that Camphill Kimberton, as well as Executive Director Diedra Heitzman and Administrator Michael Babitch were awarded the 2012 Gene Wilson Award from the Chester County Citizens for Climate Protection (4CP). 4CP is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to reducing the county’s substantial carbon footprint.

Camphill Kimberton was honored for outstanding achievements in fulfilling our mission through sustainable efforts such as biodynamic agriculture, sound land stewardship, use of renewable energy sources, renewable building materials, earth-friendly and efficient building designs, extensive recycling, an environmentally focused educational outreach initiative and much more.

Camphill Kimberton received several citations from the Commonwealth and the County.  Officials in attendance were:  Senator Andrew Dinniman, Representative Duane Milne, Alan Randzin from Representative Curt Schroder's office and Chester County Commissioners Kathi Cozzone and Terence Farrell.











Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Camphill Village Kimberton Hills 4th Annual Talkfest at Birchrunville Cafe: April 29


Third Announcement!


I am so pleased to report that we have a bunch of reservations, including some from people we’ve never seen before.  Then there’s that amazingly fantastic and wildly spectacular television personality who has agreed to attend. 

Actually, when I told her about the event and she discovered that all she had to do was show up, drink good wine, eat fantastic oardoors, and wander around chatting with all of you of so very interesting people…she was ecstatic about coming. 

Now, about that oardoors thing.  It seems that a number of you have been a bit confused about my clearly way too obscure sense of humor about this.  You will not get splinters from the exceptional food of the Birchrunville Store Café. According to those in the know, it’s actually hors d'oeuvres…which to me sounds vaguely obscene.

But whichever way you spell them, they are world class morsels of scrumpiousness that will have your mouth doing backflips of delight.

Call Bernadette right now. 610-935-8660 or send her a note: Bernadette@camphillkimberton.org.  Reserve your place before we sell out and you wind up stuck at home eating week old leftovers washed down with flat beer.

Remember:
  • Unbelievably interesting people sharing wildly entertaining stories
  • Grape juice turned into Elixir of the Gods
  • Both oardoors and hors d'oeuvres that will delight your taste buds
  • And…No…that’s No program at all to interrupt your insightful musing
And…that secret, fascinating, beautiful, erudite, entertaining star that you've dreamed about meeting in person.  Okay, a little hint.  Think NBC.

All supporting that place that transcends exceptional: Camphill Village Kimberton Hills.

All this for the ridiculously low $158.79 per person.  

But there is a catch! This is the early registration price only available to those who register with Bernadette.  Call, 610-935-8660, or email, Bernadette@camphillkimberton.org. Register right now. As I mentioned in the last announcement, this special price is $6.20 less than last year’s price due to my having made a math mistake when I first figured it out.  Bernadette is making me pay that extra $6.20 for each person who registers so save $6.20 and take advantage of me.

And we do have sponsorships available.  Be in front of the most important people in Birchrunville.  Sponsor now.


Steve Smolinsky
President, Board of Directors


.
4th Annual Talkfest, April 29, 5-7:45, Birchrunville Store Café, $158.79 per person
Be there! You’ll have a great time while supporting an exceptional place.
And then there’s the chance to meet a Really Big Star!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Inspiration through art

Camphill Kimberton is a place full of wonderful experiences provided through the creative arts. Eurythmy, fiber arts, pottery, music, painting and drawing are nurturing, therapeutic activities that help all of us thrive. Through these therapies and workshops, we find dignity and self worth to grow and develop inner personal strengths, and remain inspired as well as be inspiring to others.

THERAPIES
Eurythmy
Eurythmy is an art of expressive movement that can be described as visible speech and music. In a Eurythmy session, poems are often recited by the Eurythmist as participants move to the words. For example, there are patterns of movements with a question, followed by a different pattern of movements with an answer. “After repeated experience,” says Eurythmist Grace Ann, “the speaking becomes associated with movement and then the words come more easily.”

Recently, Gabrielle began precisely reciting a Goethe poem she was familiar with as she began to move through the poem:

Wouldst thou truly study nature?
Seek the whole in every feature?
Naughts within, naughts without,
What is in, will out.
Haste thou then to learn in season,
Her plain published mystic reason.

Music
In music therapy, villagers work with instruments that are suited to their needs and abilities and are encouraged to compose their own pieces. The therapists vary tone, intervals, rhythms, mirrored tone sequences, and movement supported sound patterns. Group therapies in workshops are offered to support language development, auditory focus, social interaction, manual dexterity and muscle tone. “Sessions allow people to gain more self-confidence and self-respect,” says Music Therapist Kerry Lee, “and aid the individual in learning how to generally listen better.”

Art
Painting and drawing in art therapy allow villagers to work with color, form, light and darkness, and the imagination. Watercolor helps with movement and flow, enhancing inner flexibility. Drawing is helpful to strengthen boundaries and develop observation and discernment skills, bringing clarity and focus to thoughts, words, and actions. The activity allows for different aspects of self-expression, depending on the person and his or her needs in the moment. “It can help with focus, manual dexterity and fine motor movement,” says Mimi, art therapist, “or it can be relaxing and fun, or it can be an emotional outlet where color and content are important.”

WORKSHOPS
Fiber Arts/Weavery
Working with the wool from local sheep, villagers can experience the fiber arts process from beginning to end: wool is washed, carded, dyed with plants, hand-spun and knit or woven into a variety of articles that are sold to the public. Villagers find that their work in Fiber Arts and the Weavery brings pride and accomplishment, especially when they can teach others. Natural fibers, colors, and textures all have therapeutic qualities and villagers often work with the fiber and colors that they are drawn to. Charlene, who worked with livestock for many years, continues to feel a connection to the land by working with hand spun sheep wool to make her rugs on the loom.

Pottery
Not only does this workshop provide a venue for creating beautiful tableware, vases and sculptures, the pottery has been well-received at craft fairs throughout the region and items are available for sale in our
Craft Shop.

Music and Orchestra
In Music Workshop a group of eight to ten villagers dedicate two afternoons a week to work on their instrumental and musical skills. Now in its fifth year, most members have been part of the group from the beginning and perform regularly for various occasions in the community.



Villagers have learned to play percussion, wind and string instruments, and in that process, have refined their technical skills to do justice to the demands of the differing instrument groups. They have explored the musical possibilities of the instruments in relation to high and low pitch, fast and slow movement, soft and strong dynamics, and short and long values. They are learning to conduct all these various instruments and musical expressions, and are practicing imagination, flexibility, and assertiveness in the process. The group is learning seasonal songs to remember as each season comes around again.

Music workshop overlaps with orchestra workshop once rehearsals for the annual spring musical are underway. Additional rehearsals for orchestra take place outside of the music workshop schedule. Veronika, who leads the workshops, says, “Music opens doors for some people, and the instrument becomes the tool to open the door more.”

The Kimberton Hills orchestra is a dynamic and dedicated group. They meet once a week, for one hour after work, and play mostly hand bells, bordun lyres and drums. The orchestra performs for village events and festivals. The highlights were two appearances in New York for the Camphill Foundation’s triennial benefit concerts.


Ever since Mary learned a song by heart over a year and a half ago, she continues to demonstrate growth in her musical abilities and otherwise. Before then, she could read the notes and play the corresponding fingering, but she couldn’t “hear” herself, or make the connection to the notes and an actual melody. Now, since learning a song by memory, she can play in time, and she even occasionally corrects herself, which means that she is paying attention to the sound differently, and processing the music more deeply.

Dance
While dancing is not a formal therapy or workshop, a volunteer couple has been offering Sunday ballroom dancing sessions in Rose Hall. There are also folk and contra dances from time to time, as well as other parties and celebrations. Dance offers a joyous time of self-expression in community.

PERFORMANCE
Many of the arts also provide the added benefit of performance and community involvement. Participation is much more inspiring in the company of friends.

The Fiber Arts group regularly goes to craft fairs, farmer’s markets and festivals throughout the year providing a demonstration of wool spinning and showcasing crafts. Villagers take delight in selling their goods there and at our Craft Shop, open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. When customers place custom orders for a specific item, villagers have an extra sense of accomplishment and purpose.

Paintings are displayed in public spaces throughout the Village and are also used to create notecards. Art work is often framed and given as gifts for special award recipients.

Orchestra and theatre performances are the highpoints for those who choose to perform publicly. “Of course, the best part is performance time,” Veronika says, “when the results of all the long and hard work are shared with an audience. Every audience plays a very important role, because a good audience will enable the performer to grow beyond what has been achieved during practice time. A mutual giving and receiving takes place between audience and performer, and only then, when it is shared in this way, is the music or play complete and whole.”


“There is magic in stage performance and participants are quite willing to attempt the seemingly impossible,” Veronika continues. “Every creative group process gains its own momentum, carrying each member as if on wings, and challenging each to give his or her very best.”

Read the entire Spring Newsletter and 2011 Annual Report, where this article is taken from, by clicking here.