Facilities

NESTLED HIGH in the patchwork of hill farms and forest above nearby Tunbridge, New Acadia Farm occupies 260 acres of scenic pasture and mixed woods. A well-maintained gravel road leads two miles up the hill from the valley of the First Branch of the White River, opening up at the crest to another place and time known as Whitney Hill.

New Acadia Farm encompasses not only the homestead farm of David Whitney and the 1907 Octagonal Barn, but also enough private acreage to offer a secluded, quiet, and peaceful setting for the varied interests of our guests where the natural resources remain diverse, fresh and pure. The landscape shapes the flow of activity here so that the connections with nature, with God, with each other and with ourselves that people come for are made effortlessly. Our facilities are intentionally rustic, yet clean and simple in keeping with the traditional character of the area and its history, although the influences of our contemporary lifestyles are apparent in our improvements. The land and buildings continue to reflect a living history of natural and human impact.

Accomodations:
A variety of choices are available throughout the seasons. Summer overnight capacity is 50, winter capacity is 15. Day use and camping rates are available to groups by special arrangement.

The Retreat House: a 1500 sq. ft. private hilltop home with three bedrooms and two full baths. It is of timber-frame construction on two levels and sleeps up to 10 guests. It includes one queen, one double and up to three twin bunks, w/d, local phone service, microwave, a fully equipped kitchen with 2 gas stoves and is lightly furnished. One common area serves as a dining/livingroom with both a deck and enclosed porch for additional space. A beautiful ash-wood floor and cathedral ceiling characterize the upper level, while the day-light basement level is cozier with its wall-to-wall carpet and sliding glass doors in each bedroom opening to a grassy outdoor terrace. The house has a private drive to its location well away from the road and neighbors and sits at the crest of a knoll in the back pastures overlooking a private yard with 360 degree views of the Vermont hills. Ski and hiking trails begin right out the door.

The Retreat House serves as housing for off-season Retreats and also accommodates our Farm Vacation guests.

The Yurt - a 24 foot in diameter round canvas Yurt provides a comfortable indoor-outdoor space for groups to use for a variety of purposes. It is located close to the driveway access and Retreat House has power.

Camper's Villages - set out away from the comforts and amenities of modern life, canvas tents are located in a cluster to provide a comfortable living space for four to five occupants and yet blend easily into the natural surroundings. They are furnished with sturdy metal bunks and new foam mattresses and have sides that roll up for inhabitants to enjoy the great outdoors.

The Farmhouse: The main farmhouse is the 3000sq. foot homestead building of the farm. It features a large kitchen and service area, large living-room with a beautiful old-fashioned fireplace, outside deck and lawns. On the second level, 5 rooms are available for either accommodations or studio space. There are three full bathrooms located in the house.

Activity Areas:
The Round Barn - animal stables on the lower level, this building provides a cool space in summer for folks involved in farm activities

The Camp Common- a level, well-drained field with composting toilette and mobile food kitchen. During summer, a large mess tent is set up for group activities and eating areas. A tether-ball and basketball hoop are available. Most outdoor group activities happen here, and campsites are easily set up for a family camping area.

The Barnyard - a fenced area behind the Round Barn where our farm critters reside.

The Pond - a quarter-acre L-shaped body of water with sandy beach and roped off swimming area. Cool and refreshing in summer, a great skating pond in winter. Home to many birds, frogs and other forms of life.

Horse Stables - A run-in shed where our horses can freely come in for shelter. Stalls are available for boarding animals and sharing pasture.

Riding Facilities - a full sized riding arena and miles of trails which are good for both trail rides and driving.

Campfire Circle - located on top of a hill with views all around, this is a perfect place to gather, cook a meal, sing songs, and take in the splendor of the skies and vast beauty of nature.

Outdoor Living Skills Campsite - a rustic spot in the woods set up with a table, small campfire circle and tent sites for groups to learn and practice outdoor skills.

Organic Gardens/Chickenhouse - a teaching garden which produces a crop of pumpkins, potatoes, corn and swiss chard for our use and for the local food shelf.

Wildlife Preserve - approximately 180 diverse acres of forest, marshland, sugarbush, old pasture and streams, all in varying stages of re-forestation where an abundance of wildlife, history, ecology and biology can be observed and studied. Many trails wind through the hilly terrain taking explorers to beautiful vistas, deep ravines, rocky cliffs and open clearings in the wood. Low impact camping practices are mandatory for backcountry overnights. Trails provide multi-purpose recreational use, including horseback riding, mountain-biking, walking, running, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Trails also meander on the more level terrain of the Wetlands area, Sugarbush and Hayfields.

Wetlands - a boggy marsh where astounding wildlife can be observed.

Sugarbush - the farm's old sugarbush and run-down sugarhouse are located just beyond the pastures, where amazing old maples can be seen and taps are set out during sugaring season.

Studios - a variety of spaces are available for individual instructors to work one-on-one with a student or small group of 3 - 5 people in activities which require only simple materials. Depending on the activity - be it music instruction, dance, woodworking, building a brick-oven, yoga, Thai Chi, cooking, drawing or sketching, playing in a band or drama, we aim to accommodate. If you don't see what you need listed here - just ask us!