Thank you for being a part of The Mountain

Thank you to those who took part in The Mountain funding priority survey. The information gathered was insightful and will be valuable input towards the future growth and development of the Mountain. 

As we move into 2020 and start the countdown to MountainCamp, the excitement builds with each passing day. Since 1980 MountainCamp has become “home” to thousands of kids. Campers from the 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s often come back to sit on Meditation Rock, see their cabin, look at pictures and share memories with their friends and children. More often than not their eyes are filled with tears of joyful and meaningful memories of their camp experiences.  

“MountainCamp is a very special place for me and my children. It’s a 

community of like-minded people who are striving to be closer to nature and each other. We were so grateful for our son’s first summer this past year getting to forge solid friendships and have memorable experiences at The Mountain. He has been looking forward to coming back to camp and hasn’t stopped talking about all the fun he had last summer. The staff put so much love, care and acceptance into every aspect of camp. We feel like they are our Mountain family and we are so grateful to be a part of it.”

- The St.Germain Family

Unfortunately, not all kids have the resources to attend camp or for The Mountain to become their hearts’ home. A large part of The Mountain’s mission is having MountainCamp become possible for every UU and like-minded family. I am asking for your help to make this happen. I want to be able to offer camperships to every family who needs assistance with camp registration costs. Each year, we strive to raise enough money to be able to offer camperships to all our families in need. Since 2015, MountainCamp's Campership program has been able to assist 191 youth to attend camp. On average about 38 campers per summer have a life changing experience due to your generosity. Currently 15% of our camper population attend this special place with campership funds. Our goal for 2020 is 18%, which equals to about 54 campers receiving financial assistance. This year our goal is to raise $17,500 for camperships. We believe this it is realistic, achievable and important! Please consider donating a gift of any size to The Mountain’s Campership fund so that every child can experience the unconditional love, acceptance and friendship that MountainCamp provides. 

In gratitude, 

Megan Quattlebaum                     Ted Wisniewski 

Programs Director                        Executive Director   

Are you a member of a UU Church? Have you experienced how MountainCamp can impact a child's life and want to bring that experience to more children. Inspired by Larry Wheeler, we've put together a MoutainCamp Google Slides show that you can share with your congregation. There is also a downloadable half sheet camp date flyer that can be printed and shared with your congregation, via bulletin board, or as a hand out.

View The MountainCamp Presentation

Be sure to get your children registered for MountainCamp early this year. Camp is filling up qucikly, and some sessions are almost at capacity.

MountainCamp is still taking applications for Cabin Leaders

> for the 2020 camp season! <

(Scroll down to "Become MountainCamp Staff)

What's on the Horizon?

Volunteer Work Weekend! 

Meet Veronica and Jamis who came up from Atlanta last year to join us for Easter Work Weekend! We're thankful for them joining us. It's truly the people who come and the connections made here that drive the spirit of The Mountain.

What's Growing Down Below

 Last week we hosted another great Americorps volunteer group and had them working on the farm several days. We were able to complete a lot of tasks including about 20 shiitake logs. They got to see the whole process from starting with approximately 3 foot long, 6-in diameter oak logs, drilling holes in them, filling the holes with shiitake spawn, and covering each hole with beeswax. We always love starting the year off with this good group of workers. They also helped package up and label a lot of tea bags including a chicory/dandelion roasted root blend. On their last day of work, we had the fun of working and playing in the snow and did some tree pruning.

I had the pleasure of taking a tour at Mushroom Mountain in Easley, SC. The crew there is doing some amazing work and had many species of mushrooms along a forest walkway. I hope to set up something like that in our food forest. And for giggles, here's a video of our ducks that got out and were loving the extra water flowing in the food forest. 

Stay connected with our projects through Facebook and Instagram.

Spring is nigh, and we have a lot to be thankful for and excited for. One facet of our excitement is that 2020 is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. We're hosting an afternoon event on Earth Day (the 22nd of April) where we'll be planting trees, making building native bee habitats, and making seed bombs! Many organizations here in Highlands are offering programs that week, and it's been great to team up with such a diverse mix of groups in the pursuits of sustainability and Earth care. You should definitely consider visiting or staying at The Mountain for Earth Day and Earth Week. More scheduled events for that week coming. 

-Joey Kyle, Farm Manager 

Kitchen Confidential

The kitchen is currently in search of team members for the 2020 season. 

If you or someone you know loves cooking, working in a team and supporting The Mountain's mission, please email me,

Jenn, at kitchen.manager@themountainrlc.org

Peace, Love and Chow!

Mountain Musings 

Acquire or renew your annual membership to The Mountain. Then join us Homecoming, Memorial Day Weekend! 

Membership in The Mountain means you care about this special place and our mission enough to invest in its future: with your heart, your hands, and your funding.

If you are age 16 years and older, consider becoming an Annual Member of The Mountain. Whether you prefer an individual adult membership, or a family/household membership, we warmly invite you to JOIN or RENEW your membership today!

Then join The Mountain community in celebration during Memorial Day Weekend and cast your vote in the annual meeting.

An Idea Takes Root, Grows Branches, an Bears Fruit

Last September I participated in a program at The Mountain with a friend from the UU Columbia, SC (UUCC) community.  I was thrilled to be chosen by my congregation to represent them at this beautiful and spirit-filled place which has grown to be so very important to me.

The activities of that program provided a ‘tour’ of the facilities including one of the bunkhouses.  There I noticed that some of the bedspread/comforters were in need of washing…a reasonable situation at the end of the camping season.  Realizing what an overwhelming job that must be for The Mountain housekeeping staff, I thought it was probably contracted to a local business.  When I asked, I learned that bedspreads and mattress pads from bunkhouses, the lodge, and all the cabins are laundered  by staff on a rotating basis throughout the year as time and scheduling allow.

Always eager to find ways to support The Mountain and its staff in their mission, I wondered aloud if I might spend a week and launder as many items as I could in that time.  My friend immediately said she would come too, thus doubling the manpower.  As it happened, two other women from UUCC were participating in a seminar at The Mountain the same weekend and we shared our plan as we sat with them at the next meal.  To no one’s surprise, they were eager to join us, and so in only a few hours the work force was growing exponentially.

 As expected, our offer was accepted by staff, and so we set the dates for the third week of February when there would be few, if any, guests at The Mountain.  A few weeks later we shared our plan with those attending our congregation’s annual retreat…at The Mountain, of course.  The result was lots of verbal support as well as some new recruits from others who love breathing in this wonderful and rejuvenating air.

Not too long after this I received an email from friends in another congregation who said they would like to be part of our team.   Our workforce was growing…and so was the work.  Blankets needed to be washed too.  And the curtains---don’t forget the curtains!!  By the time we arrived and rolled up our sleeves (a figure of speech, since most mornings were very, very cold) the chore list had grown to include many activities of sewing, cleaning, energy savings, general maintenance, and more.  

A few of the people who had originally signed up had to cancel due to physical and other personal issues, but we ended up with thirteen (if my count is correct) volunteers in addition to some long-term Mountain volunteers.  Some stayed for only a couple of days, some for nine days, and others for various times between.  

But regardless of the length of stay, all worked hard and accomplished much.  We collected, laundered, and replaced dozens of mattress pads and bedspreads.  We collected, laundered, and struggled mightily with re-hanging curtains in bunkhouses and cabins.  And we swept away hundreds (thousands?) of cobwebs.  While this was happening, the dining room banners were taken down and filled with sound-absorbing materials before being re-hung.  Mountain patches were sewn on clothing items to be sold in the office.  Updates were made to The Mountain’s Vision Holder board.  The cloth shades used for darkening in the Tree House were taken down and cleaned. (That’s not nearly as easy as it sounds on paper!!)  Squeaky door hinges were oiled.  A rainy afternoon gave time for the library windows to be washed and shelves to be cleaned.    All this done mostly by the women…and although I have little and incomplete knowledge about it, I know the men were working hard too.       

But the week gave us much more than work.  Because two small groups were staying at The Mountain, the dining hall was serving from Monday lunch through Thursday breakfast and our small band of volunteer workers was welcome to eat with them.   Otherwise we had to provide for ourselves…and this we did in abundance, sharing meals (and some adult beverages at dinner), life stories, and opinions in the kitchen and living room of Emerson Cottage.  The bonds of our UUCC community grew stronger while we were becoming acquainted with others who share the joy of being part of this special place. 

Saturday evening we were treated to a presentation of Ivy Rowe, performed by actress Barbara Bates Smith accompanied by musician Jeff Sebens.  I must admit that I was not bothered for too long by the knowledge that, while most of us were sipping wine and being entertained, Barbara and Jeff continued to work.  And what a blessing that work was for those of us fortunate enough to be there!  It was a beautiful and heart-warming experience.   Thank you, Barbara and Jeff.

And finally:  Some of us were lucky enough to not be worried about being ‘stuck’ at The Mountain and were not responsible for the safety of guests when it snowed.   Yes, we had worked hard and shared some gifts we have to make The Mountain just a little better for others.   And The Mountain gave back… in an amazing way.   A gentle, breath-taking, and beautiful snow.   A picture postcard gift for me, and I hope for others who were there.

Am I glad I followed through on the small idea that came into my head?  You bet I am.  I believe that those who worked shoulder-to-shoulder are too.  We will be back, already scheduled for the third week of February 2021.   In the meantime we are planning to return for the annual Easter Work Weekend.   We hope to see you there.

Ginny Verne

Joys and Concerns 

Sharing the sad news that a longtime and much beloved member of The Mountain community, Sharon Beecher, has been going through a very difficult time with physical and mental health conditions. Sharon has been moved into an assisted living community near her son, Niall, who is overseeing her care. Nial has also shared that while Sharon is now receiving hospice care, she is eating a little better and is usually in good spirits. 

Cards may be sent to Sharon: 

                                  c/o Niall O'Connor

                                  34 Arlington Lane

                                  Commerce, GA  30529

 It is stories like these that are core to The Mountain experience of inspiring people of all ages, transforming lives, and building a more compassionate world. Thanks forbeing a part of it. If you have a Mountain Memory or story you wish to share with The Mountain community, please share at: tanner.csonka@themountainrlc.org 

Bellow you can find more about how your congregation can connect with The Mountain. Under Media Resources you can find posters for upcoming programs, as well as text from events to copy and paste into your own newsletters or mailings. You'll also find presentations and social links. Let us know if you would like a visit from a Mountain representative to engage with your congregation.  

Our Instagram account is new, so follow us; @themountainrlc and tag your favorite Mountain memories with #themountainrlc! We'd love to see your pictures. 

We are looking for you!

To create an online talent roster, we would like to gather contact information, along with your talents, and availability. This resource would be available for groups or individuals coming to The Mountain to have a resource list to help fill in program offerings, further connecting members of the Mountain Community!

Take a Moment...

The Mountain is a Membership Organization, as such we value your contributions and inputs to keep our doors open to all. If The Mountain has enriched your life in any way, please express your appreciation in the form of a financial contribution. Give through our website—or the old-fashioned way, with a check. Thank you for your support. Please consider:

 Donating to The Mountain's Annual Fund

or becoming a Mountain Member.

Just over 25% of our budget comes from contributions. This enables us to help keep programming and camps affordable to all and better fulfill the mission of The Mountain. We thank you for your support! 

We wish you a Fabulous February, and we look forward to seeing you on The Mountain.