Pandemic
What if you thought of it as the Jews consider the Sabbath —
the most sacred of times?
Cease from travel.
Cease from buying and selling.
Give up, just for now, on trying to make the world
different than it is.
Sing. Pray. Touch only those
to whom you commit your life.
Center down.
And when your body has become still,
reach out with your heart.
Know that we are connected
in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.
(You could hardly deny it now.)
Know that our lives are in one another’s hands.
(Surely, that has come clear.)
Do not reach out your hands.
Reach out your heart.
Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils
of compassion that move, invisibly,
where we cannot touch.
Promise this world your love —
for better or for worse,
in sickness and in health,
so long as we all shall live.
— Lynn Ungar 3/11/20
We are closed due to the Covid-19 emergency. We will communicate updates here and on our Facebook page. Stay well, friends!
Hello Everyone; Friends, Families, Campers, Community!!
March17th, you received an update from us at Orchard School Community Center. In cooperation with State and Nation wide recommendations we had canceled all programs, events and classes. That date is now extended to May 4th.
We hope you are all holding up and staying healthy in these difficult times. “If you are seeing a mountain of disparate sometimes conflicting information about which you cannot form a single unified narrative right now, you are not alone.” Caitlin Johnstone. Indeed.
As of March 13 Andrea and I decided to volunteer our time for the center. We decided to pay the bills so when and If things open we will be licensed and insured to care for your children and our community!
We are not a virtual program. Our technology and resources are limited and marginal at best. However, Andrea has done more web work SO you can see this here, read about our camps and creative potentials for Connecting, and see updates. Kudos Andrea!
And on a positive note, I (Eleanor) have just completed a zoom meeting with 105 NH camp directors as part of NH Camps of which we are members. There are really good people in the leadership of this statewide organization. Their work right now is to provide real accessible support for all Summer programs and camps in NH , including nonprofit small camps such as ours. Following state protocols and precautions my hope is to have small groups, learning together a way of being with Physical distance, plenty of hand washing and strong Social connection! There aren’t definite answers and big administrative work is before us. Here is how you can help: Let's us know if you are interested in day camps this summer. If the State lifts the stay home order, camps / care will run for 5 weeks June 29 thru August 7 . There may be state money for you as well to help cover camp costs.
No commitment is needed at this time. Share your interest by clicking the button below.
We are still available to you for questions. Andrea is available Wednesdays. Eleanor is available Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. We look forward to supporting one another during this unprecedented time. Please reach out! :-) :-) Summer 2020 will Be one to remember for sure.
For each of you, Hang in and Hang on. We believe we will Heal from this time. Be Well in Body, Mind, and Heart; Practice kindness with yourself and others.
With love and sending positives,
Eleanor and Andrea
The mission of the Orchard School & Community Center is to foster community learning, healing, and sustaining. We encourage programs that provide inclusive learning for children and adults. We provide healing space for movement, expression, and the restoration of vitality. We sustain the community by encouraging connection with the land, the arts, and the diversity of cultures beyond our rural community.
Your tax-deductible gifts helps to make our work possible!
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