Farm & Wilderness

History

F&W was founded by Kenneth and Susan Howard Webb in 1939. The Webbs were influenced by Vermont philosopher and educational reformer, John Dewey.

A boys' camp was originally founded in 1939 under the name Mehrlicht, meaning “more light” in German. The name was later changed to Timberlake. A companion girls' camp, Indian Brook, was founded in 1941. Later additions to F&W were Tamarack Farm (an all-gender work camp for 15- to 17-year-olds), Saltash Mountain (co-ed, focused on hiking trips), Flying Cloud (for 11- to 14-year-old boys, originally borrowing the traditions of the Lakota people but later creating their own system of wilderness living in the manner of cultures from around the world; originally called “Indian Encampment”), and Barn Day Camp (for 4- to 10-year-old children). Indian Brook has been renamed Firefly Song. Flying Cloud was paused beginning in 2024 to reimagine its program. In the fall of 2025, Flying Cloud was officially closed and a yet-to-be named co-ed camp will take its place in 2026.

A further program, called “Questers”, consisted of session-long backpacking trips. The program was based from Saltash Mountain. Questers has hiked the entire Long Trail over both camp sessions, which spans from the southern to northern tip of Vermont. One-session Questers expeditions have involved both canoeing and backpacking, as well as rock climbing and white water rafting. As of 2025, the Questers program has also been paused.

After retiring, Susan Webb served in the Vermont State Legislature from 1973 to 1980.

Philosophy

F&W has been noted for its stances on a number of social issues, including racial integration, gender equality, and environmentalism. All F&W camps practice organic gardening and farming, and are certified by the Northeast Organic Farming Association. All the camps have composting toilets, nicknamed "kybos”. Campers and staff live in three-sided, open air cabins in the woods.

Naturism

The Webbs were naturists, so the camps were originally “clothing optional”. By the late 1980s, nudity was only allowed at the waterfront for swimming. With further social changes and seeking cultural inclusion of those whose religion would not allow it, nudity was banned in 2009.

At Camp Flying Cloud in the 1960s, nudity was more frequent, the campers and counselors otherwise wearing “Indian” breech cloths of their own making. The Flying Cloud program has since moved away from what has been described as cultural appropriation of Native Americans.

In a memoir, journalist and podcaster Mark Oppenheimer recounts his experience at Timberlake, the boy's camp, in 1982, when he was eight. The most memorable aspect was nudity, which he found generally positive. While campers were clothed most of the time, swimming in the lake and outdoor showering were always nude, and clothes were not worn when walking from the cabins to these activities. Tamarack Farm, the coed camp, was also clothing optional at that time.

References

References

1. "Susan Webb Obituary". Rutland Herald.
2. "Farm and Wilderness Website - History".
3. Richardson, Audrey. (July 2025). "Farm And Wilderness Changes With Times But, Values Remain The Same". Vermont Standard }}{{Dead link.
4. "48 Days on the Long Trail: A Learning Opportunity and Challenge for Farm and Wilderness Teens". Long Trail Bound.
5. Darling, Reggie. (2011-07-12). "Reggie Darling: My Name Is White Rainbow". Reggie Darling.
6. Oppenheimer, Mark. (2000). "At August's End: Serving Time in Leftist Summer Camps". The Yale Review.