Life in Camphill Village Copake
Camphill Village is an integrated community where we connect with one another through meaningful work, enriching spiritual life, and supportive relationships. We are unfolding our potential together through the practice of social therapy, in which we nurture the gifts of our peers while meeting their needs through life’s different stages.
There are more than 20 lifesharing households in Camphill Village. These are shared by individuals with and without developmental differences, including house leaders and their families, volunteers, and students of the Camphill Academy. These housemates of all ages and abilities live as extended families—experiencing milestones and challenges together, enjoying wholesome meals, and sharing responsibilities within the household.
We spend our mornings and afternoons working in our therapeutic craft studios, houses, and practicing biodynamic agriculture. Evenings and weekends are dedicated to creative pursuits and visiting with friends; we might enjoy a week baking cookies and sourdough breads in our Bakery before relaxing on a Saturday afternoon in our busy Coffee Shop. Some will spend evenings practicing a new piece of music before performing alongside fellow musicians in our Village Bell Ensemble concert.
Our weekly activities provide structure and balance, but life in Camphill Village follows the natural rhythms of the seasons. Chilly winter mornings spent cradling mugs of hot mint tea from our gardens melt away into long sunsets by the swim pond. And through these seasonal shifts, we gather for our many holidays and spiritual festivals.
Many of our celebrations are held outdoors, as our scenic valley landscape provides us with space to grow food, as well as gather. Our land enables us to stroll and chat with friends, ride our bicycles in a safe environment, and to decompress peacefully at the end of a fulfilling day.
Camphill Village Copake is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, and we thank our donors and other generous supporters for helping us to make Camphill Village the special place that it is. Learn about the different ways you can support the adults with developmental differences who make their home at Camphill Village here.
Medical and Therapeutic Care
In addition to off-site care, the Medical Office here in Camphill Village is staffed with nurses and doctors. Our caring medical staff practice integrated medicine—combining homeopathic and mainstream medical care and remedies.
We offer on-site dental care, vision care, physical therapy, and mental health counseling, as well as a wide array of supportive therapies including massage, eurythmy, painting, music, and movement—all of which are utilized enthusiastically by our community members of all abilities.
Camphill has reminded me that life is a gift to be shared. The staff in the medical office, the house leaders, and the villagers give testimony to the power of community; and it is clear that Camphill cares.
Upcoming Events
The Camphill Village 5K Trail & Fun run on September 19th benefits the wonderful residents of Camphill Village! Your participation and sponsorships support our gardens and craft studios, household costs, many of our care needs that aren’t supported by insurance or trusts, and the many exciting cultural performances our people enjoy right here at Camphill Village. Our 5K trail run is ideal for runners who enjoy a scenic race through woodlands and pastures, and our fun run option for all abilities can accommodate kids and adults with mobility aids, as well as families with strollers who want to contribute to a great cause. Sign up today to join us on Saturday, September 19th! Sign up at the link in our bio!
Apply at the Careers link in our bio!
Join our team at the Village Green! Our coffee is awesome, and so are our baked goods! Plus, you get to work with and serve the amazing residents of Camphill Village!
Our new Coffee Shop Team member will contribute to a warm and welcoming environment in our coffee shop while serving specialty coffees, pastries, and lunches, while maintaining a clean environment for our people!
BENEFITS:
• We offer generous paid time off (4 paid weeks off per year to start, plus up to 13 paid holidays).
• All copays, deductibles, and prescriptions are paid by Camphill Village and there is no waiting period. This leaves you with more take-home money. Or, you can choose to opt-out of our insurance offering and receive $3500 annually.
• We encourage and support good health and wellbeing by offering an annual wellness stipend of $1000 that can be used for a new kayak, fitness equipment, massages, a bicycle, etc!
• We care about your retirement! To help fund your 401k, Camphill Village will contribute 5% of your pay to your retirement account.
• Other benefits include dental and vision insurance, opportunities for on-the-job training, and a diverse, beautiful, and non-traditional work environment. Plus, our fabulous coffee shop, bakery, and Café serves delicious soups, salads, and other meals for you to enjoy!
We celebrated our final Community Garden Day of the season with a great barbecue, complete with salads, burgers, and veggie sausage! Because of the hard work of our community members every Tuesday morning, our gardens are abundant and our weeds have been kept at bay. Thank you, all!
Did you know Big Mike used to be a volunteer firefighter before coming to Camphill Village? He`s always been so helpful on the Estate crew and in our Woodshop, and anything requiring reaching tall heights. And now that he`s retired from busy work life in the Village, he has time to work on his model train Village in his bedroom—complete with Ken`s repair shop (run by Mike`s brother Ken!)
The 10th Annual Camphill Village 5K Trail & Fun Run for All Abilities is just around the corner! Join us for a morning of beautiful scenery as you trek through our woodlands and pastures, or stay on the Ring Road in the Village and join us in a walk, stroll, or roll. Bring your mobility aids, friends, and strollers! We’ll see you on the morning of Saturday, September 19th. Registration begins at 9 a.m., and race lineup is promptly at 10! Visit the LinkTree in our bio!
Our Thursday night summer activities continue! While Tom, Aaron, Max, and Andreas have been playing basketball and other outdoor games at Russet House, Finot, Kim, Ernesto, Ben, and Elizabeth have been recreating some classic fairytales with Irena! Such a nice variety of activities this year!
We’re so grateful to be surrounded by seemingly endless places to explore and swim all summer long! Tamarack House makes especially good use of the refreshing ore pits at @taconicstatepark every year! Thanks for the photos, Rose!! 🫶
Our seasonal festivals are some of our favorite ways to connect as a community! St. John’s Day falls within days of the summer solstice each year, and we love to celebrate with a bonfire, music, and ice cream! The volunteers who live in Camphill Village enjoy full college loan assistance, healthcare, room and board, and friendships with people from all over the world! Visit the link in our bio to learn about our volunteer experience.
