As a program that operates in the lush Green Mountain wilderness of Vermont, True North has valued from its founding the unique and bountiful experience that spending time in nature has to offer, and we are committed to the longevity and preservation of its beauty. For the past few years we have worked closely with the Leave No Trace Center to ensure that the outdoor spaces we visit and inhabit throughout the seasons … [Read more...]
Young Adult Community Service Projects
Once a week throughout the year, you can find the young adults at a local farm, non-profit organization, or local business, providing service and learning about various aspects of the local Vermont community. Whether it is weeding at a family-run farm that combines sustainable agricultural practices with education or helping out at a locally owned farm that produces food for guests using local and organic … [Read more...]
Preparing Our Students For Transition
Transitioning out of True North can be one of the most difficult tasks that our students take on during their stay here. Leaving behind friends and mentors, removing themselves from the quiet and serene wilderness, and departing from the structured environment that allows immense growth to occur, creates a stressful and exciting time for our students. We realize how difficult this time can be and have implemented a … [Read more...]
Preparing for Summer
For those who aren’t familiar with the term, Mud Season is Vermont’s unofficial ‘fifth season’, falling between winter and spring. Sunnier days, melting snow, and April showers cause New England’s rural dirt roads and hiking trails to become soft and mucky. Despite the inevitable muddy boots, the season is as much a sign of spring as green grass, blue skies, and chirping birds. Just as winter is fading away, … [Read more...]
Snowshoeing in the Wilderness
“Hiking is a bit like life: The journey only requires you to put one foot in front of the other…again and again and again. And if you allow yourself the opportunity to be present throughout the entirety of the trek, you will witness beauty every step of the way, not just at the summit” UNKNOWN It is fortunate that the Vermont wilderness offers a wide array of activities and interesting … [Read more...]
A Tour of the Winter Facilities
During the summer, True North students are making their way through the beautiful green mountains in a nomadic wilderness therapy model. As the seasons change, however, True North students find themselves at Windridge, our winter base camp. The use of the camp’s buildings and infrastructure is crucial to the operations of our winter program. Upon arriving to Windridge, the first building students and guests … [Read more...]
Young Adult Winter Activities
Staying Active Wintertime in Vermont provides an endless amount of opportunities to stay active and continue to explore the outdoor world. At True North, our young adults go on various day trips and multi-day expeditions that help to develop a love for the quiet beauty of a snowy winter day. From snowshoeing along a frozen river to downhill and cross-country skiing, our young adult groups find plenty of ways to … [Read more...]
Profile of a True North Guide
Camping in the Vermont woods can be demanding and rugged, especially for long periods of time. However, every Wednesday at True North, guide teams of two pack their necessary belongings into a backpack and head into the field for a full week’s time to support our students through their True North journey. True North Guides are responsible for their group’s well-being and safety around the clock during their … [Read more...]
Celebrating the Winter Holidays
Just a few days after the longest night of the year, the holiday season acts as a beacon of light to our True North family. This morning, members of our friendly staff worked together in the kitchen preparing a home cooked meal to celebrate the holidays. As they moved about indoors, the final snowflakes from last night’s storm danced their way to the thick white blanket that covers the rolling Vermont hills … [Read more...]
True North Attends YATA Conference
Nestled in northwest Idaho, Coeur d’Alene hosts the annual Young Adult Transition Association (YATA) conference. This year, Executive Director, Ty Maves, and Program Director, Nate Hoff attended the conference from October 18 – 21. Every year, young adult programs travel to Coeur d’Alene to share ideas and build connections. This year’s theme for Ty and Nate was definitely about connections. YATA’s mission is: … [Read more...]
End of Summer YA Journal
End of Summer YA Journal As the summer comes to a close, we begin to enjoy cool autumn nights and beautiful Vermont scenery before we prepare for the winter season. Simultaneously, we begin the process of reflecting on the summer, re-tracing our steps through the forests and lakes that we hiked, canoed, and climbed through all summer long. With this in mind, we look back at some of the expeditions that our Young … [Read more...]
