Hello Flying Clouders!
I couldn’t be more excited to post this entry in the Flying Cloud blog. It seems like it was just yesterday that I walked into the clearing at Flying Cloud for the first time. Just like I am sure the rest of you, I still remember that day so vividly. Standing there in front of Two Kettles, looking out at the clearing, I never would have imagined I would find myself where I am today. It all happened so quickly, so I just want to take some time here to tell you all a little bit about how I came to find myself here.
I was born in Washington, D.C. but raised in Takoma Park, MD. I attended Montgomery County Public Schools through High School and then moved on to college. During my time in grade school, I discovered a truly wonderful place, Farm and Wilderness. At the age of 12, I began attending Timberlake. I spent three summers there. While there, I even swam a grand circuit (completing the full perimeter of Woodward Reservoir, including every cove). After Timberlake, I made my way to Tamarack Farm. TF served as a critical part of my transition from a young boy into a young man.
After two summers at TF, I took a break from Farm and Wilderness. In 2006, I returned to F&W as a staff member at Flying Cloud. I spent two summers as a Lodge Staff ( my lodges were Sage in 2006 and Obsidian in 2007). In 2008, I became the Sensible Health Person and remained in that position in 2009. In the Spring of 2010, F&W began the search for a new Flying Cloud Director. I submitted my application and was offered a full-time position, which I gladly took. I spent the rest of the spring, the summer and most of the fall training for my new role. Now, the official transition has been made.
Outside of working at Flying Cloud, I spent the last handful of years pursuing my undergraduate degree. I graduated summa cum laude from Green Mountain College this spring with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Production.
I would also like to take a moment to thank Valley Zephyr for all of his hard work and care for Flying Cloud. He accomplished a great deal of wonderful things for Flying Cloud and we could not be more thankful for all of the energy that he invested. I wish him the best in all of his future adventures and I am happy to know that there are people like Valley Zephyr out there, touching the lives of so many individuals in such a positive way. May we all hold him in the Light.
Before I close, I just want to let all of you know about a couple things we are working on here at Farm and Wilderness. If you haven’t received them yet, your re-enrollment packet is in the mail. Also keep an eye out for a house party in your area. Myself, Jeff Bounds (SAM director), Tulio Browning (TL director) and Amy Bowen (the new IB director) will be making trips to Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. areas over the coming months. I have also started a Facebook page where you can see photos from this year. I also plan to put up photos from previous summers as well!
Flying Cloud Summer Camp Facebook Page
Make sure to check back regularly on the blog and the Facebook Page. I will try to at least post updates on Flying Cloud every month until the summer, when the blog posts will be weekly.
I would also love to hear from all of you on how your year is going since leaving Flying Cloud at the end of the summer. Feel free to contact me at Zach@farmandwilderness.org.
Until next time, be well!
~ FF