Camphill Village USA, Inc.

Our goals are to achieve:

1) a productive environment where meaningful work contributes to the community;

2) individual growth and personal accomplishment among residents; and

3) a well-rounded life comprising an abundant and supportive social atmosphere, as well as challenges, personal pursuits, and a focus on one's physical and spiritual health

1) the appreciation for meaningful work and commitment to the community are evidenced daily in our artisan craft studios, as well as our vegetable and livestock farms. Residents have an abundance of options, from hand-milking dairy cows to weaving a blanket in our beautiful fiber arts studio.

2) Residents are constantly exploring their abilities and pushing through obstacles. The nature of Camphill Village's daily rhythm inspires creativity in the workplace, as well as all the complexities that come with being part of a community.

3) Our community embraces the therapeutic benefits of the arts. In addition to the many musical groups (chorus, drum circle, Join the Sound, and the Village Elder Singers), we have an active arts club, as well as constantly rotating exhibits of resident artwork and sculptures in our coffee shop. The artistic and poetic expressions of our residents are celebrated in each issue of our newsletter – the Village View.

Aside from the arts, we practice a number of physical and spiritual therapies, including regular yoga, swimming, and therapeutic horseback riding. Additional support is provided by our residential volunteers, most of whom pursue certificates in Social Therapy here as a means to develop their skills as attentive and well-rounded caretakers.

Our programming is unparalleled, thanks to the gifts we receive from our generous donors. In addition to funding provided by our state contract, it's the donor contributions that set us apart from any other setting. They provide for the sugarhouse where we make our own maple syrup, the beeswax for our hand-dipped candles, and myriad other materials and workspaces that can be researched more on our web site. In terms of our surroundings, life in the Village is busy, and we rely on safe architecture and infrastructure almost as much as we rely on personnel. For instance, the scenic pathways that guide us through our bustling community are carefully maintained, and our expertly planned artisan studios are airy and full of natural light. These factors, combined with the support of more than 100 residential service volunteers in the home and in the workplace, help residents mark new achievements and set new goals each day.

We are always finding new ways to improve and to encourage a healthy social life, whether it's through renovating the Village Green Café to accommodate more people, or seeking out new therapies to continue our well-rounded programming.

Members of our Quality Improvement Department maintain close relationships with residents to ensure that concerns or conflicts are properly addressed. Frequent conversations and meetings with residents, many of whom have lived here for more than 50 years, can often shed light on areas that need improving.

Meanwhile, our overall approach – an integrated lifesharing community – has become a model after which other residential communities have been designed. The founding of Camphill Village in 1961 was part of a transformative movement in the United States to reform how society treats people with special needs; we plan to continue to inspire other communities and to remain ahead of the curve.