Here We Go!

Yes, I know; I missed a week. I am sure one's of you are disappointed. But, the spring season was dropped into 4th gear, as it always is, on day one. The entire instructing staff and Krista spent a few days in the woods last week bonding, eating, hiking and getting to know each other in a way that you only get to know each other when you are sleeping shoulder to shoulder with your co-workers on a sub-zero night. After two glorious days of hiking on Nun-da-ga-o and the backside of Hurricane Mountain, we woke to an inch and a half of snow on the third day that cancelled our plans to do some rock climbing, but the trip was an amazing success. We all came back worn out, but extremely happy about the time we spent together. Emily swore that she would never go back inside again. A great success for all. The time we spent on the top of Hurricane Mountain the first afternoon was as calming and fulfilling as any hike I have done as an employee of PMOEC. We all took time by ourselves pondering the horizon, mentally mapping our whereabouts relative to the local mountains nearby Pok-O and filling our internal tanks, readying ourselves for the spring.
And this week? Well, those full tanks are running smoothly as we host Spring Break Camp. Thus far, the weather has held and the kids have had a great time. Today is a full day hike with all of the groups heading out to various points in the High Peaks to get a taste of the phenomenal feelings that we were all able to experience as a staff just a few days ago. Get yourselves out there too. Its a great time of year. In the meantime, enjoy this photo that Emily took from the top of Nun-da-ga-o and don't worry; she did come back with us. Until next week...

Welcome Krista!

The staff of PMOEC is starting to get back to work at Pok-O. Work projects that were left undone at the beginning of the month are getting finished. The feeling of an impending snowfall is thankfully overshadowed by the inevitability of warmer spring temperatures. Even the plants that got an early start during last week's un-seasonally high temperatures are fighting the good fight, knowing that today's snow and this week's dip in the mercury are only short lived. Spring is blooming and so is our next season at PMOEC. All of the staff, save Denise, are back on site and we are shaking off the rust before we begin spring training, officially, on April 2nd. This week we also welcomed our newest employee, Krista Goodman. Krista joins us as our Chef for the spring and she couldn't be a better fit for PMOEC. She has spent her first few days in the kitchen cooking scrumptious lunches and crunching numbers to create a local, healthy and varied menu for the spring. Its going to be a great season.

Polar Bear in March? Oh yeah!

For three years I have seen the staff of PMOEC excitedly walk down to the pond every few days in the early spring. Each trip back, their grins have grown wider until they can finally tell us all that the ice has gone out and its time. Its time for insanity. The insanity of which I speak is a polar bear plunge. The staff gathers on the day after, or as close to the day after the ice goes out. They hope for sun, and have usually been obliged. They huddle close on the swim docks side of the pond- thank goodness those face west. Then, their enthusiasm turns to anxiety as each piece of clothing comes off. As they make their way to the pond's edge, the anxiety turns to fear, as their toes touch the icey water that is over the edge of the docks, where the water usually abides for the winter. Next comes the plunge. Every other year I have stood on the sidelines. I have taken pictures. I have held towels. I haven't understood. But this year, I got the bug. The ice went out early and, as it subsided, the temperatures climbed to record highs. It seemed like the perfect year for me to jump in- literally. On the 19th of March (an alltime early in my documented history of PMOEC) all of the PMOEC staff onsite went to the pond after work- the warmest part of the day. Shai, the Maintenance Director, was our lifeguard. Tim the Assistant Director, watched my daughter. And I finally took the plunge. I had myself mentally and physically prepared for the worst. I had been into the Colorado River in early May on a snowy day, so my mind had a point of reference. I went for a run immediately before the plunge to get myself as ready for refreshment as I could be on the last day of winter. None of that mattered when my head came back up after we all jumped in. It was group chaos. Deep breaths were impossible. Everyone was splashing, fighting for the ladder. Come to think of it, Allison was not clamoring for the ladder, she just yanked herself onto the slippery dock like a jumping fish. And Nick was the Zen Floridian, just treading water, watching the rest of us freak out. The feeling was exhilarating and fleeting. As soon as we got out of the water and toweled off, I began to sweat a bit, feeling the effects of the run beforehand. I'm not sure if it is something that I will do again, but maybe I'll never miss another opportunity. But, either way, I can cross it off my list.

The Ides of March

PMOEC has a topographical map. It is a beautiful scale version of Long Pond and the surrounding mountains and hills that all drain water into our home body of water. There is even a small marking on the topographical map for Camp Poka-moonshine. Truly beggars cannot be choosers and this is the only blemish on an amazing 3-D learning tool. I don't know who made it and I don't know when it was made, but the worn edges and frayed paper would suggest that it is either old or has been handled with rough hands over the years. Either way, it is a shell of its former self. It has been so for a couple of years. Since mid-2011 the necessary repair of this map has been on our work project board- the dry erase ink seeping into permanence. Over the many months, different people have tried, in vain, to conquer this seemingly easy task, only to be overwhelmed by the enormity of the project once they began. Too little time, too many other necessary work projects, etc. have kept that work project on the board- until now. Yet, I have seen progress over the past few days. The mountains have been reformed to their true heights with the aid of foam board. Maps have been printed. With a little luck, and a trip to staples for map enlargement, this job will get done this month. This is what March is all about at PMOEC.
The staff continues to come and go during this month of half-employment. Despite their furloughs, the staff members are able to stay on sight, since the buildings would stay open for the year round summer camp staff anyway. The early spring weather has afforded those who are on-site, but not working, the opportunity to experience spring a bit earlier than most. Today I've already seen mountain bikers, frisbee throwers and a few folks sitting in Adirondack chairs enjoying strawberries; all of these activities have been enjoyed by the same 3 people!
I however continue to sit in front of a computer making sure to stay connected with the hungry public who want as much PMOEC information as I can give them. Just kidding- don't feel sorry for me. It's mere minutes before quitting time and, as long as I can find Harmony, I plan on getting out on this beautiful day for a run with my hound. Until next week....

A Strong Snail

Yes things have truly slowed down to the pace of a snail- or so it may seem form an outsider's perspective. Last week, we tied up the loose ends of the winter season. After our staff enrichment day we all took last Thursday off to go ski Whiteface together- quite a hoot, let me tell you. We made it back in time to see the heavy snow that had fallen at PMOEC, more than we had seen at Whiteface in fact, and worried that it would effect the turnout for the evening's lecture. However, an incredibly inviting, warm and interesting presentation from Kristin Kimball brought plenty of folks out through winter's latest last gasp. On Saturday Denise and Allison went to the Willsboro 'FareWELL to Winter' and made quite a splash with their scat display, their indoor animal tracking activity (enjoyed by young and old according to multiple independent reports) and their unending willingness to expound on what we do at PMOEC; an institution that still is shrouded in mystery for many of the locals during the school year. "No we aren't a commune," was probably uttered more than once by two of our greatest educators. Now, we shore up the center in preparation for the spring season. I keep waiting on a boring week at PMOEC so I don't have so much to report. Maybe in mid-June. For now, I invite you all to see our last Lecture. Local Jeff Cochran, who many of you may know form his amazing abilities at the Crux climbing center or as the consummate employee at The North Country Co-Op, will be telling stories, singing songs, reading poetry and being all together interesting for your please. Come and bring a friend. Until next week...

A Toast to the Winter Season

Monday evening the PMOEC staff toasted the end of yet another successful season. We had spent the day doing staff development in Burlington, spending the morning at The Echo Center and the afternoon at the Petra Cliffs Climbing Center, before ending the day with a great dinner in Vergennes. And yes, I know that winter is far from over, but for us, the season is defined by kids. And when kids stop coming, the seasons change. Now, the focus once again turns to community events, work projects and personal rejuvenation. The staff will all be taking a furlough in the month of March and when they are on sight, the pace will be a little less frantic as when kids are here. We all need the break before the spring season begins, as our winter season ended with a long stretch of days worked by everyone. Even I worked 12 straight before having this past weekend off- and the next five days as well. But the seasons official end on Monday felt better than the end of any winter season before. Despite the sickness that is working its way though the staff, despite the tired eyes I saw behind the smiles as we all raised our glasses and despite the soreness that found its way into my throat yesterday, the moral continues to stay high throughout the entire community. After a few weeks of Nature Table development, wood game, general cleaning, construction projects, etc. we will be welcoming in our new chef and intern then hitting the ground running with Spring Break Camp in early April.
But between now and then, we do have a couple of events that we hope you will join us for. Thursday night we are as excited as we could be about a community event. Local farmer and author Kristin Kimball will be presenting a discussion about the impact of climate change on farming in the Champlain Valley. Anyone who has ever had the chance to read anything that Kristin has written, either in 'The Dirty Life' (a book recognized by Oprah) or in her weekly farm notes for members of Essex Farms, knows of Kristin's intelligence, her sharp wit, her passion for farming and her engaging aura. I'm not sure if there is one lecture that I am more excited about than this one.
Life has slowed down a bit today- I am off and watching Spring Training reports while writing this update- and we are thankful for the time. Until next week...

Winter Break Camp and Sharpe

As promised, the best stories come from our break camps. The youngest kids, those that are 5-7 are wonderful and vibrant and full of the most imaginative ideas that you could ever imagine; or couldn't because you have left that version of yourself behind many years ago. On Monday morning, since the snow still hadn't agreed to fall, we replaced some traditional winter sports with a scavenger hunt. Part of the hunt required the kids to find the chickens and name them. Would you expect any names other than Aeisha Dark Star and Aeisha White Star Jr. from a group of 5-7 year olds? But the best story is, unfortunately for you, one that I cannot share. Using the imagination you have left, try and connect a person using the bathroom in the woods for the first time and a rubber chicken. Obviously the only way to connect these is with Pok-O.
Our lecture series continues tonight. Our very own Sharp Swan will be presenting an engaging talk on the history of the Santa Clara Logging Company and we can't wait to have him back. We hope to see you at the Pok-O-Queen at 7:00PM. Until next week, enjoy the spring!

Where It All Begins

This week, the emphasis at PMOEC is not on our lecture series. This seems pretty obvious, but we try as hard to concentrate on the task at hand and for the past few weeks, other than work projects, all of our time has been spent gearing up for and enjoying our lectures. This week, we have focused on what it is that makes our center so special. On Monday afternoon we welcomed a busload of Canadian teenagers who are here to hone their English speaking skills in an immersion field trip. It is always a great feeling to step onto a bus in our parking lot when a group arrives and see the gamete of feelings personified on the varied faces; trepidation, excitement, anticipation. You name it, I see it. This week, I had an incredibly rare bonus when I stepped onto the bus. I saw familiar faces. Our center typically welcomes back the same grade from the same school year after year. Thus, Mrs. Smith always returns, but it is with the 5th grade class each year. So, the connections with the students are always new, but always short lived. This school is one of the exceptions to the rule. They come twice a year. In the spring the come in 9th grade and in the winter they return the following year in grade 10. When I stepped on the bus, I was immediately excited by the familiarity I had with the students and their genuine smiles showed me the feeling was mutual. This week, their acclimation to our center and our programming has been sped up, relative to first time students, and they have been able to take hold of the more in-depth and abstract concepts in our classes that are sometimes left out of introductory experiences at PMOEC. It has been a wonderful experience for all of our instructors, whether they returned from a previous staff or are new this school year.
Despite the fact that we have a week off from our lecture series, I do want to plant the idea of next week's lecture a bit earlier than most. A few years ago, my introduction to PMOEC came through a lecture given by Sharp Swan. Sharp is the Director of Pok-O-MacCready Camps, board member of PMOEC and direct descendent of the man who founded the camp over a century ago. This lecture was captivating. Sharp's knowledge about the practices at logging camps, their locations and stories from within their ranks can not be paralleled by any single scholar, or library for that matter. And Sharp's zest for life and optimism for what is in front of him would make a staged reading of the phone book an interesting evening. Yet next Thursday, Sharp will be once again be speaking about logging in the Adirondacks; a topic that he too finds fascinating. It is a must see.
That's all for today. I am sure that I will have volumes to write once next week's Winter Break Camp has been in full swing for a few days. Until then...

Cabin Fever is good!

My first experience at PMOEC was as a customer. Specifically, on a cold winter night in early 2009, I came to the main building of Pok-O for a lecture given by Camp Director/ PMOEC Board Member/ Logging Aficionado Sharp Swan. I was immediately hooked. This lecture was enough to open my eyes to what an amazing center was so close to my home, with so many diverse activities to offer. Fate allowed me to find out, a few months later, that the Director position was open and after a great interview process, I was behind the Director's desk by April 15th. Thus, the lecture series has always been near and dear to my heart and the success we had in recruiting amazing speakers this year and the initial success we have had with Carl Heilman's lecture makes me feel like the Cabin Fever Lecture Series has truly arrived and become a part of the cultural fabric of the Champlain Valley.
Help us to continue this excellent newfound tradition of success tonight with Steven Kellogg. Steven is a resident of Essex, an amazing soul and a children's book author/ illustrator of world fame. Google him to find out which of the book's from your childhood Steven was either the author or illustrator of; I am sure their is at least one.
The end of our winter season is about to ramp up- starting Sunday we have groups through the 25th. Hopefully I will find the time to get a blog out during this intensive run, especially since Winter Break Camp is one of the funniest times of the year and you need to hear some of the stories. Until then...

Mid-Winter (Is it Winter?) Blues?? Nah...

We waved goodbye to our last group in the month of January and soon after waved goodbye to the last of the snow on the ground. Since our next group will not arrive until the 12th of February, there is renewed optimism that we will see lots of deep powder around the center before welcoming the next bunch of students. As is always the case with the time between groups, the staff is catching it's collective breath and, of course, tending to all of the jobs at Pok-O that get tabled until we have work project time. Extra days off come in batches before the next group, but thats just because people will be working many days in a row on the second half of the month.
But for now time is being spent mucking stalls, acclimating our new horses to the barnyard (And on this topic, let me tell you- when you have been looking at ponies, pigs, sheep, goats and chickens for 5 months, horses look BIG!), continued re-insulation of older buildings, shingle painting and too many other jobs to list. And of course, we are all wound up for our Cabin Fever Lecture Series starting tonight with Carl Heilman II. This really is a don't-miss-program and its free. And if you can't make it (for some reason that better be good), next week we have the acclaimed children's book author/ illustrator Steven Kellogg. Its big time at PMOEC. Big time.