How You Can Help

As a not-for profit organization, the Visiting Students and Summer Camp educational programs are supported entirely through program fees and contributions. All donations go directly to benefit our program, are tax-deductible, and allow us to continue with our vital work. There are many areas in our operating budget, which are in great need of funding. This list is just a sampling of our needs. By your support you can guarantee our program continues to provide children a hands-on farm experience, which strengthens their being in many ways.

Camp Scholarship funds assure that no child is denied the living, healing experience of being at the farm due to insufficient family resources. By donating to this fund you will help a child grow in nature with his/her friends and experience a blossoming of inner growth that so many children need at this time in their lives.

Internship Scholarship funds help provide needed stipends for interns who are immersed in learning and living on the farm while being responsible for the social, physical, emotional, and spiritual well being of the children who visit.

Staff Support assures that the committed professional long-term staff can dedicate themselves to inspire the next generation. Affective work with children and youth depends totally upon the quality of the individuals standing before them. By contributing to this fund, you will help us provide for the financial needs of our high quality staff while they serve all the children who visit the farm throughout the year.

Future Plans We look forward to continuing the task that Rudolf Steiner has set before us, namely to educate the whole human being. On the farm we give children experiences that educate their hands and hearts as well as their heads. We also have a bold plan to move our campus to a quieter, more farm-like corner of our now very busy hamlet. Become a part of this plan and help the next generation of children live in a new farmhouse that opens its doors onto a green garden and play field next to the young animal pens. This is the vision of our future which will happen with your support and generosity. We will keep you posted as to the progress of our bold plan.

How to Make a Donation: A donation in any amount will be greatly appreciated! You can use the Donate Now button to donate online, or please complete the form below to designate your funds. Make checks payable to the Visiting Students Program and mail to: Hawthorne Valley Farm – Main House, 327 RT 21C, Ghent, NY 12075.

Enclosed is my tax-deductible contribution in the amount of: _________ Thank you!

Name:_________________________________ Phone: ____________________________

Address: _______________________________ E-Mail:____________________________

_______________________________

Please use my donation for the following fund (check all that apply):

General Fund _____ Camp Scholarship ____ Intern Stipend _____

Staff Support _____ Future Plans______ Other _________

Visiting Students and Summer Camp Programs is a not-for-profit organization

Tax ID #13-272-2428

For Questions please call Helen at (518) 672-4790 or e-mail us at helen@vspcamp.com.

Contact Us

Visiting Students and Summer Camp Programs
Hawthorne Valley Farm-Main House
327 Route 21C
Ghent, NY 12075
Phone: (518) 672-4790
Fax: (518) 672-7608
E-mail: helen@vspcamp.com

The Directors of the program are Nick Franceschelli, Charlie Doheny, Matt Davis, Tessa Schmidt, and Helen Enright. Our Dining Hall Manager is Gene Talbott. Please don’t hesitate to call or e-mail us with your questions.

LOCATION: We are located 100 miles north of New York City (Amtrak train stop is Hudson). From Boston we are 180 miles west, just inside New York State (Lee, MA, is the nearest bus stop). Click here for Local Hotel and Bed & Breakfast listing.

The Amtrak Train Station is about 20 minutes from the Visiting Students and Summer camp programs. The train starts at Penn Station in New York City and the nearest station stop to our program is Hudson, NY.

DIRECTIONS BY CAR:

NYS THRUWAY (I87), Exit 21 (Rip Van Winkle Bridge/Catskill/Hudson): Follow Rt. 23 east to Taconic Parkway. Parkway North to Philmont/Harlemville/217 exit. Follow signs to Harlemville (east 2 mile on Highway 21C).

TACONIC PARKWAY (north from NYC or south from the Berkshire Spur of NYS Thruway (I90): Take the Philmont/Harlemville Exit. Follow signs to Harlemville, two miles east on Highway 21C.

(Click on map to enlarge)