Welcome to the July 30, 2008 issue of E-News.

In this Issue

	Denim & Diamonds Tickets on Sale
	24 Hour Leadership Retreat Experience
	Closure and Start Up
	Volunteers Needed
	Music in the Hay Mow
	Crews of the Month - Wilderness Crews 1 and 2

Faces Behind Our Success

Christa Finnern, a Minnesota native, moved east of the Mississippi in 2001 to serve as an AmeriCorps volunteer with the Student Conservation Association in New York’s Adirondack Mountains developing and teaching environmental education and completing trail projects. In 2003 she joined the VYCC as a Roving Crew Leader and has since contributed immensely to the Wilderness, Roving, and Community Crew programs. As the Associate Program Director, this fall she will work to provide support for the School Programs as they grow and expand before transitioning out of the organization at the end of the year. Thank you Christa for all you’ve done for the VYCC!

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Denim & Diamonds Tickets on Sale

The invitations are in the mail for Denim and Diamonds on September 13th! Join us for our 3rd annual evening of fabulous food, live music, gambling and dancing in the beautiful West Monitor Barn to benefit the VYCC --- it’s an event that you won’t want to miss! You can purchase your tickets by contacting Kate Villa at 802-434-3969 ext. 110 or kate@vycc.org. Hope to see you there!

24 Hour Leadership Retreat Experience

On July 14th, VYCC’s Community Crews spent 24 full hours at the West Monitor Barn for the 2008 Leadership Retreat, where they took part in a variety of projects and initiatives. The goal of the experience was to have the crews start discussing what needs are present in their communities, and to help the crews design service projects that will address those needs, equip them with the skills necessary to lead the projects, and bring about positive changes in their communities. Visit the full story on our website to learn more about the 24 Hour Experience.

Closure and Start Up

The first session of VYCC crews ended on July 13th after putting in four spectacular weeks of work on projects throughout Vermont! Crews returned to the West Monitor Barn for the first session Closure before reuniting with their families. Two weeks later the second session kicked off on July 26th with another Start Up at the West Monitor Barn for Wilderness and Roving Crews. These crews will be out in the field until August 17th working around the state on more high-priority conservation work. To volunteer to help at the second session Closure please contact Harry Frank at hfrank@vycc.org or (802) 434 – 3969 ext. 146.

Volunteers Needed

As part of our campus expansion to the East Monitor Barn property, our Champlain Valley Union High School, Mount Mansfield Union High School and Center for Technology - Essex school crews will be using the white farm house as a classroom space this school year. Volunteers are needed to help clean and paint the white farm house in September and help spruce up the space to become classroom ready by the first day of school! If you’d like to volunteer please contact Harry Frank at hfrank@vycc.org or (802) 434 – 3969 ext. 146.

Music in the Hay Mow

Music filled the rafters of the Hay Mow as folk singer Bill Staines performed for an audience filled with alumni, families, and fans on Sunday July 13th following a picnic barbecue and the first session closure. Thank you to Events for Tom and Smith, Bell and Thompson who sponsored the event, and to all who attended!

In addition, the Vermont Mozart Festival held a sold-out show at the West Monitor Barn on July 15th. Guests picnicked on the lawn and then listened to “Harp in the Hay Mow” on a beautiful sunny evening, and we hope to be able to support the Vermont Mozart Festival with the use of the West Monitor Barn space for years to come!
 

Crews of the Month - Wilderness Crews 1 and 2

For the first session the two Wilderness Crews spent four weeks working on projects in the backcountry and learning the importance of teamwork with their crew. Wilderness 1’s project had the crew moving huge rocks in torrential rain on the Long Trail/Appalachian Trail on Stratton Mountain. Wilderness 2 completed a 70 foot crib wall, a staircase, and a stone step bridge in Norwich. The Norwich community even held a dinner in recognition of all the work the VYCC has done on the Bill Ballard Trail. Great work Wilderness Crews!