While the approach is always subject to change and growth, the main impulse of Hemlock Valley Family Center will always remain the same –
To follow the innate human desire to commune with the truth, beauty, and goodness that surrounds us in nature and community.
No matter how crazy the world becomes around us, it feels imperative to find and create community for our families, especially our children, to be able to connect to and experience the timeless truth, beauty, and goodness that is ever present in nature and community, despite and because of the intensity of the world today.
Living in the “age of information” presents new gifts and challenges to parents and children today. With the increasing use of instant communication, media, and all forms of technology, there seems to be a concurrent increase in parents seeking a deeper and truer, real life connection to their families and immediate communities.
Hemlock Valley Family Center’s goal is to provide a place in real time and space where parents can meet and connect in person and where children can explore their interests freely and connect with peers in a peaceful, soul-nourishing environment.
Most of the experiences presented for children are based on tenets of Waldorf education and Peter Gray’s work on self-directed education.
Our hope for children to receive from their time at Hemlock Valley:
- New experiences
- The gift of time
- Value and pursue their own curiosities
- Share meaningful experiences with peers
Our hope for parents from their time at Hemlock Valley:
- See and understand the benefits of play based learning
- Make connections between foundations of play leading to lifelong learning & skills
- Reassurance on their parenthood journey
- The gift of time! Slowing down to enjoy their children’s childhood and own personal development
Hemlock Valley strives to be a sanctuary for families in a busy world.