Kickstarter

You have the chance to be a part of a project that will blend outdoor activity, service, and education together to create something unique, creative, and worthwhile!

For the next 6 months I will be living and volunteering in an intentional, volunteer-run, retreat community in the Cascade Mountains, called  Holden Village. Thousands of guests come through Holden each year to build relationships and to find relaxation, fulfillment, healing, and engagement. This summer, I will coordinate the Middle and High School Programming for the village.

Using my background of living and working at summer camps,  passion for youth development, and an interest in active learning, I propose a project that will employ theories of Experiential Education in Holden Village’s youth programming.  What is Experiential Education, you may ask? Experiential Education uses direct experience and focused reflection to increase knowledge, develop skills, and clarify values. In other words, Experiential Education is Learning by Doing.

Each week, I will research one theory within the field of Experiential Education, and plan/facilitate at least one activity for youth based on that theory. These activities could range anywhere from games, to hikes, to service, to art projects… the possibilities are endless!

 I will discuss my research in a blog, including photos and commentary on the activities I have created and facilitated. I will also compile a curriculum of the activities, their goals, theories, and materials needed, resulting in a collection of theoretically based programming for youth that the village can use for the future and supporters can utilize and share. I will also create published copies of both the blog and the curriculum. Stuff like this should be passed on and spread around! That is the benefit of my project- the product is free and shareable, because I think it is important to fully engage youth in their surroundings, learning along the way.

I’ve already made the commitment to live on a volunteer’s stipend and have paid for the journey across the country- I need your help for a couple other areas:

1) Research Materials ($400)

This will be used for texts and collections on Experiential Education theory and practice. Most books and collections on Experiential Education cost at least $50, and I would love to have a diverse array of theories and perspectives to draw from.

2) Technology ($300)

This will be used for equipment to support and synthesize photos and video for the blog and support internet functions with the limited internet capability of this remote mountain community.

3) Project Supplies ($150)

Though Holden Village has a small budget for program supplies, I anticipate that the creation of new activities will bring additional financial need for supplies ranging anywhere from hula hoops to trowels to rubber chickens and I would like to avoid asking Holden Village for additional funding.

I hope I’ve piqued your interest already, but wait! There’s more!Namely, a fabulous array of prizes for different levels of financial support- you’ll be helping me “climb the mountain” by offering your generosity to get me to my goal! These rewards connect you to my project as it progresses, and help you get a taste of the beauty and creativity of the village.

Thanks for taking a look. As per Kickstarter’s terms, this project does not get one cent unless it is fully funded- please help me reach my goal to make meaningful programming in this gorgeous mountain valley! If you cannot contribute financially, I appreciate your prayers, wishes, positivity, and energy on my behalf. THANK YOU!