The Place
Where is the program? Growing Radical is at our Place Corps Campus at Hawthorne Valley Farm in Ghent, NY. on land of the displaced Mohicans.
Do you have any pets and can I bring my dog? No personal pets are permitted on campus. The campus does include various farm animals such as: cows, chickens, horses and lambs.
Where is the closest town/village? Place Corps is 5 min from Philmont, 10 min from Chatham, and 15 from Hudson.
What is the weather like in the Hudson Valley? We are blessed with all the weather: cool fresh breezes, fresh crisp spring and fall, hot humid days, cool nights, rainy gray days, and icy-snowy winters.
Growing Radical Program Details
What are the dates? June 29th-August 21st 2020
What do you teach? Place Corps offers experiential learning, our pedagogical approach is to LEARN BY DOING. During Growing Radical we offer training in: Regenerative Farming, Green Building, Food Preparations & Processing, Interpersonal Communications, Creative Collaborations and Co-Governance, Forgotten Crafts of the Homesteader, Permaculture Design, and more!
I don’t have much experience farming or building. Will I be left behind by the workshops at Growing Radical? No! We provide unique training that is skill appropriate for beginners as well as folks with experience.
I want to make a portfolio for possible employment or for my college application. Is Growing Radical the right choice for me? Growing Radical is experiential project based learning. There are many opportunities to document projects that are appropriate for individual’s desired work or learning outcomes.
I am mostly interested in Farming. Do I need to participate in Co-Governance and Interpersonal Communications workshops, or can I just focus on farming? The Growing Radical program includes an interwoven curriculum that supports the growth and development of wholeness in individuals, communities and the earth. For this reason, it is important to participate in the full interdisciplinary curriculum.
What is a typical day like during Growing Radical? Read about a typical day here and view a residents experience through their own lens and visit our gallery page to see more. We are happy to connect future applicants with past residents for more information.
Do we travel around the Hudson Valley? Yes, every week there is at least one excursion into the valley. Field trips may include visiting organizations demonstrating innovation in their fields or could be hikes to waterfalls or a day trip an organic hemp farm followed by a picnic at the lake.
How many residents attend Growing Radical? Up to eighteen residents.
Who teaches during Growing Radical? Our Place Corps Education Team leads the learning with support from outside guest educators and our Just Transition Fellows.
How old are Growing Radical residents? 15yrs-19yrs
If I am 16yrs old, turning 17yrs in August can I apply? No, all residents must be 17yrs at the start of the residency.
Where do your residents come from? Residents come from both urban and rural settings. Our 2019 demographics are: 50% from NYC, 37.5% from the Hudson Valley, 12.5% from Washington DC
What is the gender ratio and how is rooming set up? Residents identify as 37.5 % male and 62.5% female. Our homestead and ecocabins are coed with same sex roommates.
Do I need to participate in all eight weeks of Growing Radical? Can I attend for a shorter period of time? Residents may leave early if necessary for school but must register and pay for the program in full.
English is not my first language. Can I still attend Growing Radical? Yes, but a working knowledge of English is necessary as English is the language the program is led in.
Fees & Payment
How much does Growing Radical cost? $10,800. This fee includes: workshop materials, three organic meals a day, and field trip transportation.
What is not included in the fee? Personal transportation, insurance, and materials for personal projects
How can I pay for Growing Radical? Payment can be made by Credit Card or Personal Check.
Are there scholarships available or financial aid? A limited amount of need-based scholarship is available. To learn more about qualifications please email us: info@placecorps.org
What is your refund policy? A full refund will be given if a request is received in writing at Place Corps by March 1st. Requests received by April 1st will be given a full refund minus an administrative fee of $1,850.00. No refunds are given for cancellations received after April 1st.
Once the program has started, no refunds are granted for early voluntary withdrawal, absences or behavioral dismissals. In the event that a session is cancelled by Place Corps for whatever reason, all fees will be refunded.
Travel to and from Ghent NY
Can I be met at a train station or bus station? We can make arrangements to pick up and drop off residents on the scheduled day of arrival and departure only.
Can I bring my own car? Yes
Can I bring my own bike? Yes, we recommend having a bike for easy green transportation between Hawthorne Valley and Place Corps.
Can I arrive early or leave later than the program start and finish dates? We expect all residents to be able to attend the full program. However, we are happy to discuss individuals calendar needs
Safety
What happens in the event of a medical emergency? Place Corps is equipped with first aid safety kits and staff with CPR knowledge. Residents safety is our first concern. In the event of an acute emergency, the nearest hospital is less than 10 miles away from our campus. To learn more please visit our handbook.
What type of supervision is there? Residents are expected to be responsible for their own safety during Growing Radical. Supervision is provided during classes and field trips.
What about health insurance? Residents must be fully insured with medical and dental.
How can I stay in touch with my friends and family? There is time built into the week for residents to connect with family and friends digitally as well as to visit off campus.
Can I have friends visit me? Friends and family are welcome during the specific Friends and Family events happening at the end of the session.
Do I need to sign a letter of consent or do my parents need too? Yes, all dependents must sign a letter of consent that is co-signed by parents or guardians.
What to Bring
Are cell phones allowed? Yes, but are restricted during class times.
Are laptops or other tablet computers allowed? Yes
How much spending money is needed? We recommend having spending money for snacks and misc. Materials. We recommend $500.
What materials/equipment do I need to bring? A journal, pen and pencil, natural tick repellent, natural soaps, sunscreen. To see a complete packing list please look here.
How much luggage should I bring? The smallest amount possible! We do not recommend any more than can fit into a small suitcase.
Should I bring rain/muck boots or other weather related clothing? We recommend muck boots, swimming attire, and clothing for both hot days and cool nights that can get dirty. To see a complete packing list please look here.
What about laundry? We have a shared washer and dryer, and encourage hand-washing and line drying.
How many residents share a room? 2
Food
What type of food is made? Residents make their own meals with instructional guidance. All meals are organic using produce cultivated on the homestead.
If I don’t know how to cook, will I be taught to cook? Yes, a part of our program is dedicated to learning how to menu plan, meal budget, cook, bake, and process food.
What about special dietary requirements? Dietary needs can be accommodated for the most part. If you have specific concerns or questions please ask.
Taking Projects Home & Documentation
How do I get my craft projects at home? It is the residents responsibility to take all projects home with them at the end of the session. Projects can be mailed home.
Will you document my work? Or should I? Projects and work done at Growing Radical should be documented by residents. Residents will be supported with lessons on professional documentation and professional communication.