Addison Eagle News and Reporter
Vol. 7 No. 36 · September 11, 2004
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Families of all stripes find
“common ground” in Starksboro
By Alice Dubenetsky
eaglepub@bluemoo.net
STARKSBORO — Common Ground Center is off to a strong start after years of planning by co-founders Jim Mendell and Peg Kamens.
The summer of 2004 saw the beginning phase one of the couples' plans to construct a family-oriented camp at the end of Tatro Road , just south of Starksboro's village center. Mendell and Kamens worked diligently with town officials and neighboring property owners to insure compliance with the town's zoning regulations and to allay neighbors fears that the camp would be noisy or intrusive.
The intergenerational camp was founded in 1994, when Mendell and Kamens thought it would be ideal to have a family camp where their children could enjoy fun, interesting activities, while the adults could pursue interest of their own. The envisioned an atmosphere which welcomed diverse family and life styles, offered healthful foods and respected alternative diets. Mendell and Kamens contacted a number of friends and together they established Camp Common Ground at Lake Hortonia in Hubbarton.
After a move to the grounds of the YWCA's Camp Hochelaga in South Hero, they decided to seek a permanent location. Mendell said they looked at over 100 properties in five states before settling on the Starksboro location. Originally, they wanted property that included a lake, but when they discovered this beautiful 715 acres nestled into the Hogback Mountains in Starksboro, with clearings, hiking trails, Lewis Creek and large wetland areas, they realized it was the perfect location. It even included a house with a large, well maintained barn. “We said ‘wait a minute—why don't we just dig a pond? Let's grab it,” said Mendell during a recent tour of the property.
Since its early days in Hubbardton, Camp Common Ground has grown into an extended network of people who share Mendell and Kamens vision to create a place where families can learn, play and grow together in a safe, fun atmosphere that respects family, diversity and community. This summer, The work continued during Family Week and then Teen Week at the end of August. Long-time members have worked alongside new campers and local people to construct the cabins for next summers campers.
Lumber for the cabins was harvested from their own woodlands and milled teens. Aside from a few of the usual teenage power struggles, the work was carried out with almost professional efficiency. Teams constructed roof struts, pounded framing and flooring into place and joined together on other projects, such as creatively painting the doors that will hang on the finished buildings. Smiles and cooperation were everywhere, and everyone pitched in. Anita Pandolfe-Ruchman is the camp nurse, parents, and worker and has attended the camp for six years.
“This year is totally different,” Pandlofe-Ruchman said. “We're finding it exciting and we've engaged the teens and negotiated boundaries– there are more of them than us. Most of us know each other, and share the parenting duties. The teens are basically having a big slumber party every night, since most of them have known each other for years.” Co-founder Peg Kamens agreed. “This is totally fun—it has been a dream for a long time for us, and it's a real bonding thing, working with friends—in a primitive way. There's a lot of human energy, and powerful symbolism in the group effort.
When complete, the camp will have 22 cabins for families, a winterized sleeping lodge with family accommodations for fifty, a winterized main lodge for dining and educational activities, a greenhouse, animal barn, infirmary, art barn, teen barn, kid barn, toddler building, as well as gardens, playgrounds, playing fields, a pond for kayaking and a meditation hut. Over 98 percent of the land will remain wild and undeveloped, and the camp has donated a conservation easement for a large portion of the property to the Vermont Land Trust.
In addition to its regular camp programs, Common Ground Center is working in partnership with the American Cancer Society to create wellness programs and caner survivor weeks, and they hope to focus on the needs of those afflicted with other serious illnesses. The camp will be handicapped accessible to provide access to those with mobility or health issues.
The center is a non-profit organization that raises private and foundation funds to support Kamens' and Mendell's dream of constructing and maintaining a facility with the stated mission of creating a multi-age arts, education and outdoor recreation center. The camp is dedicated to building strong families within a diverse and supportive community, and to provide families with the gift of time to be together, to play, share, discover the natural world and form lasting friendships with other campers.
As to the definition of “family”, Mendell said the center's philosophy is: “If it's considered a family by you, it's considered a family by us.”
Photo by Alice Dubenetsky
Lizzie Finnefrock and Victoria Irwin pause during cabin construction work at
Camp Common Ground in Starksboro last month.