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Mountain Views Education Fund

  • Project Team Members:
    • Project Team Member Name: Holly Gaspar
    • Project Team Member Name: Cliff Johnson
    • Project Team Member Name: Kirsten Oates
  • Project Updates:
    • Project Update:

      April 2026 Update

      Mountain Views Education Fund hosted two community education gatherings to learn how we can ensure that our project complements the other education funding initiatives in the community.  These were well attended by local leaders and we plan to hold another later this spring while we identify a long-term leader for the project.  

      In the meantime, we are keeping close contact with the leaders of the new school project as we await state decisions on

      1. Legislation to separate capital construction debt from the per-pupil education spending penalty built into the state’s current education funding formula and
      2. State school construction funding.  

      Moving forward, we expect to have two distinct funds: one focused on ongoing community education initiatives and one available as a resource for the school construction project as needed. 
  • About:

    The Mountain Views Education Fund is dedicated to helping enrich the educational, cultural and civic experience of students and the broader community in the Mountain Views Supervisory Union district by providing supplemental funding through private donations and grants to support a thriving educational environment.

Inner Rhythms

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    Inner Rhythms
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    Inner Rhythms
  • Project Team Members:
    • Project Team Member Name: Kelley Boymer, Project Team Member Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    • Project Team Member Name: Tim Brennan
    • Project Team Member Name: Bridget Kane
    • Project Team Member Name: JJ Overstreet
    • Project Team Member Name: Audrey Richardson
    • Project Team Member Name: Kelly Schulz
    • Project Team Member Name: Jacquelyn Thomason
  • Project Updates:
    • Project Update:

      April 2026 Update

      Inner Rhythms had a successful school year, providing social-emotional and mindfulness services weekly at the 5 elementary schools in the Mountain Views Supervisory Union. Three instructors were trained and are providing services in the district. New curricula are being developed and data is being gathered to be analyzed when services end in May.

      Inner Rhythms summer camp will return in July and is almost full. 

      Learn more about Inner Rhythms at Pride of Woodstock and WES Field Day. 
  • About:

     Inner Rhythms is on a mission to provide weekly 20-minute mindfulness sessions in every classroom in the Mountain Views Supervisory Union in VT. These mindfulness practices and tools are offered to whole classrooms in public schools as a way to create equity in rural Vermont communities where there is often limited access to mental health resources. Programming includes body-centered scientifically-backed practices including shake-it-out release exercises, breathwork, yoga/movement, and guided relaxation. 

    In the 2025-26 school year, Inner Rhythms launched programming at Woodstock Elementary School, Reading Elementary School, The Prosper Valley School, Barnard Academy and Killington Elementary School. 
  • The Challenge:

     Many rural towns in Vermont have limited mental health resources (hospitals, doctors, therapists, and other resources for minorities and at-risk populations). Yet, mental health is the defining public health crisis of our time with 20% of children diagnosed with mental health disorders (not to mention those that are undiagnosed). Educational demands increase each year resulting in limited time and resources for mental health and social emotional programming.
  • The Solution:

     Inner Rhythms  provides equitable and preventative mental health resources for classrooms and schools. 20-minute weekly programming by trained Inner Rhythms instructors provides an accessible option for students to acquire these imperative mindfulness tools without burdening teachers with additional curriculum demands. Crucially,  Inner Rhythms also offers teachers weekly yoga sessions to help manage their own stress and burnout. Visit https://www.innerrhythmsvt.com/ for more details.
  • The Impact:

     In its pilot year, Inner Rhythms successfully completed weekly services to half of the classrooms in Woodstock Elementary School from October through May. Teachers and students who participated in the program reported increased ability to identify emotions and feelings in their body, utilize tools to self-regulate, and connect to others. Parents reported students using Inner Rhythms practices to manage big emotions at home, self-soothe and fall asleep independently, and even help other members of their family de-escalate. This programming is not only making an impact in our schools but its rippling into our communities at large!
  • Project Plans and Support:

     Inner Rhythms is excited to start services in the entire school district with newly hired trained instructors. Services will be provided in the 5 elementary schools in the Moutain Views Supervisory Union school district including Woodstock Elementary School, Reading Elementary School, The Prosper Valley School, Barnard Academy, and Killington Elementary School. An Inner Rhythms curriculum is being developed with the goal to eventually expanded programming throughout Vermont schools. 
  • Get Involved:

    Interested in supporting Inner Rhythms? Reach out to Project Leader Kelley Boymer to see how you can get involved! This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Contact Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Header Photo: IR-2025-header.jpg
  • Subtitle: Tools for growing self-aware, compassionate, resilient, and confident kids
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Pride of Woodstock VT

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    Pride of Woodstock VT
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    Pride of Woodstock VT
  • Project Team Members:
    • Project Team Member Name: Gabe DeLeon, Project Team Member Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    • Project Team Member Name: Mollie Faccio
    • Project Team Member Name: Alison Hankey
    • Project Team Member Name: Ted Kapinos
    • Project Team Member Name: Seton McIlroy, Project Team Member Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    • Project Team Member Name: Megan Pollock
  • Project Updates:
    • Project Update:

      April 2026 Update

      The Pride of Woodstock Vermont team has been actively fundraising for Pride 2026., which will take place Saturday, June 6.  Grants have been submitted and we have many new sponsors this year.  We are finalizing contracts for performers and dj’s to entertain the community. In the meantime, we hope you’ll join us on May 3, 2026 for Drag Story Hour at the Norman Williams Public Library.
  • About:

    Pride of Woodstock, Vermont is a celebration of love, diversity, and community in the charming New England town of Woodstock, Vermont. More than an annual weekend of events in early June—the organization reflects the town's commitment to inclusivity and acceptance. Pride of Woodstock, Vermont fosters an environment where everyone feels welcome, supported, and celebrated.
  • The Challenge:

    “Why not Woodstock?” is the question a group of community members asked themselves when the topic of hosting a local Gay Pride event was brought up in conversation during a gathering in May of 2023. This started a flurry of research, organizing, and speaking with local Woodstock residents. It quickly became clear there was overwhelming support for the idea and soon a committee of volunteers formed, ready to make it happen.
  • The Solution:

    The Village Pride Committee and a taskforce at the Woodstock Inn & Resort were formed to build the Pride of Woodstock, Vermont organization from the ground up. The two groups worked together to establish a purpose: To invite LGBTQ+ individuals and allies to celebrate in a welcoming and supportive environment within the Woodstock, Vermont community. Next began the work to make it happen! Organizing the events, promoting the celebration, and bringing color to Woodstock, Vermont for June (LGBTQ Pride Month) and beyond. Permits were signed, grants were applied for, donations and sponsorships received, and “the most fun meetings” were held weekly to track projects, timeline, and budgets. These volunteers work year-round to plan and execute the annual Pride of Woodstock, Vermont celebration, as well as organize monthly 365 sessions that support our LGBTQ community beyond the one weekend in June with programs like community discussions and guest speaker gatherings.
  • The Impact:

    The inaugural year welcomed over 400 visitors to the Village of Woodstock. The immense support for the weekend of events including the High Heel Race, Made with Pride Arts & Crafts Fair, Drag Brunch, Dances, and more garnered from the local community and tourists from as far as California solidified Pride of Woodstock, Vermont as an annual celebration. Media coverage from publications such as The Advocate, Philadelphia Gay News, NBC5, Vermont Public Radio, WCAX, Vermont Digger, and many local news organizations showcased Woodstock, Village as a destination for Pride. The weekend event itself achieved the ultimate goal of welcoming, celebrating, and supporting an underrepresented diverse group, the LQBTQ+ community, while engaging our local residents to celebrate and participate.
  • Project Plans and Support:

    Becoming a project of the Woodstock Community Trust has allowed Pride of Woodstock, Vermont to focus on creating wonderful celebrations and monthly support sessions while keeping our non-profit status. Continued fundraising efforts, bolstering the schedule of events for the annual Pride of Woodstock, Vermont celebration as well as ongoing 365 programs are all goals of the organization as it continues to grow.
  • Get Involved:

    Pride of Woodstock, Vermont welcomes all and is run solely by volunteers and depends on donations to bring this celebration to our community. We accept private donations, sponsorships, and encourage anyone interested in volunteering during the annual weekend celebration or joining the committees to reach out to us!

    Visit our dedicated website at prideofwoodstockvt.org
  • Contact Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Header Photo: Village-Pride-Header-2024.jpg
  • Subtitle: Sharing love, diversity, and community in the heart of Vermont
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Woodstock Village Conservancy

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    Woodstock Village Conservancy
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    Woodstock
    Village Conservancy
  • Project Team Members:
    • Project Team Member Name: Joe DiNatale
    • Project Team Member Name: Laura Dyess
    • Project Team Member Name: Michael Green
    • Project Team Member Name: Roger Logan
    • Project Team Member Name: Stuart Mathews
    • Project Team Member Name: Bettyanne McGuire
    • Project Team Member Name: Jack Rossi
    • Project Team Member Name: Scott Smith
    • Project Team Member Name: Wendy Spector, Project Team Member Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    • Project Team Member Name: Susie Stulz
  • Project Updates:
    • Project Update:

      April 2026 Update

      Woodstock Village Conservancy received the executed Letter of Agreement from the town in February, which enables us to advance our many initiatives. Currently, we are waiting to hear from the boards their thoughts regarding a proposal we have drafted articulating the process by which initiatives are developed and pursued. 

      We have several initiatives at various stages of the approval  process, including “Branch Out Woodstock”, an initiative to plant trees along the downtown sidewalks. Work continues to be done to move the Rehabilitation of the Green and the bicentennial celebration  initiatives forward. We look forward to working closely with DPW to explore other initiatives, such as the Conservancy Corps, a program to engage volunteers in regular park maintenance during the growing season.

      While we have set an annual budget goal based on these and other  initiatives we hope to execute in 2026, we have a few more details to iron out with the town before actively fundraising.
  • About:

    Outdoor public spaces are economic drivers for community engagement and tourism. The condition of parks, sidewalks, and public squares communicates civic competency, commitment, and values. Woodstock Village Conservancy imagines intentionally designed, sustainable, and well-kept public spaces, connected by safe and accessible pathways, that residents will use, appreciate, and support, and that visitors will explore and enjoy. 

    It will accomplish this through

    • collaboration with the municipality, local businesses, non-profits, and individual volunteers, 
    • funding from private and public sources, and 
    • implemention and transparent reporting of activities.
  • The Challenge:

    The 2023 Woodstock Town Plan seeks to be a steward of the land. Yet, with aging and failing infrastructure, care of public spaces is a low priority municipal operating expense. Our current decentralized municipal and non-profit management results in underserviced areas, public spaces that lack intentionality, inconsistent or insufficient maintenance, discontinuity between areas, and limited expertise and resources for big or complicated projects.
  • The Solution:

    Woodstock Village Conservancy will focus on the intentional design, environmental sustainability, accessibility, and maintenance of public spaces within the Village of Woodstock. Untethered to a specific place Woodstock Village Conservancy will focus on complex projects that touch all parks and pathways using the Green Streets framework.
  • The Impact:

    Woodstock Village Conservancy recognizes that our plans are ambitious and will require patience, communication, and collaboration. We anticipate the impact to take several years to manifest but relish the community-oriented process that will get us there. Ultimately, Woodstock Village Conservancy  hopes to enhance currently under-resourced areas and maintain all public spaces to become destinations; create safe, sustainable, and accessible streets and pathways for vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians; and provide consistent and visible visitor and resident experiences.
  • Project Plans and Support:

    Woodstock Village Conservancy will adapt to the needs and desires of stakeholders to enhance and maintain public spaces that serve and inspire our community and its visitors by creating and implementing, with partner entities, a roadmap to leverage and manage community resources and stimulate philanthropy to fund major projects and maintenance.
  • Get Involved:

    We are looking for volunteers to join our leadership team. If you are interested in contributing to our mission of enhancing and maintaining the parks and connectors within Woodstock's iconic village, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
  • Contact Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Header Photo: Header-Woodstock-Green-2023.jpg
  • Subtitle: Enhancing and maintaining Woodstock Village public spaces and connectors
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Ottauquechee River Trail

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    Ottauquechee River Trail
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    Ottauquechee River Trail
  • Project Team Members:
    • Project Team Member Name: Wendy Jackson
    • Project Team Member Name: Randy Richardson
    • Project Team Member Name: Phil Robertson
    • Project Team Member Name: Tom Weschler, Project Team Member Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Project Updates:
    • Project Update:
      Join us  for the July 4th Firecracker 5K!
       

      Join us for the inaugural Ottauquechee River Trail (ORT) Firecracker 5K Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, July 4th, 2026. Part of Woodstock’s 250th Celebration honoring the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Firecracker 5K also will raise funds to support the ongoing maintenance of the Ottauquechee River Trail. 

      The Firecracker 5K is family-friendly, and the route is mostly flat, easy to walk or run, and surrounded by lots of great nature! The Walk/Run will start at 9AM at the ORT kiosk in Woodstock’s 0 Maxham Meadow Way and follow the Ottauquechee River as it runs along beautiful hay fields, a vernal pool, and Woodstock’s 150-year-old rail bed. The Firecracker 5K is intended to be a "fun run" and it will be untimed. 

      Sign up early! Registration is limited. Parking is available but limited, either at East End Park or Sunset Farms, so please plan to carpool, ride a bike, or walk to the event if possible. Click here to sign up for the Firecracker 5K!

      Bring the whole family, except your dog! Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed to join the participant during the event.

      The Firecracker 5K is not to be missed!! Mark your calendar and tell your family and friends! 

      Able to support the event as a sponsor? Consider these options:


      $150-Friend
      $250-Patron
      $500-Pacesetter
      $1,000-Trailblazer
      $2,500-Champion

      		 Name  on T-shirt; Social media
      Small Logo on T-shirt; Social media
      Medium Logo on T-shirt; Sponsor banner; Social media
      Large Logo; Media announcements; Sponsor banner, Social media
      Largest Logo, Prime position; Media announcements; Sponsor banner, Social media

      Visit the sponsor donation page or make your check payable to Woodstock Community Trust. Enter ORT Sponsorship in the memo line to reflect how you wish to restrict your gift. Mail to: Woodstock Community Trust, PO Box 802, Woodstock, VT 05091.

       
  • About:

    In 2017, a group of Woodstock residents came together to create a 2.8-mile, flat, walking trail on private land near the center of Woodstock and adjacent to Woodstock’s East End Park. Ottauquechee River Trail provides the community with abundant opportunities for exercise, river access and a totally new exposure to Woodstock’s nature and beauty.
  • The Challenge:

    Today Ottauquechee River Trail  is actively enjoyed by 500 people per week and is conveniently located adjacent to Woodstock’s East End Park. However, to get to this point, the Ottauquechee River Trail team had to convince four property owners of the community value to be derived from the trail and then significantly transform the property into a welcoming and accessible asset. The trailhead was severely overgrown after years of neglect, is ribboned with sewer lines, and bordered by drainage streams. The trail also goes past Woodstock’s wastewater treatment facility and most of the trail is located on land that is actively hayed. Finally, the  elevation changes at the trailhead make universal access to the proposed trail challenging. 
  • The Solution:

    On Labor Day 2020, Ottauquechee River Trail opened with great celebration. The Ottauquechee River Trail team had gained permission from the landowners, raised money for trail construction, and obtained the necessary local and state permits/approvals. With this all successfully accomplished, the Woodstock community now has a conveniently located walking trail that can be used by everyone.  This initial construction funding and activity have paved the way for the next phase of existence. Now the trail is maintained and overseen by a group of dedicated volunteers, ensuring that the trail continues to be a valuable asset to the public for years to come.
  • The Impact:

    Conveniently located near the center of town, at the edge of Woodstock’s East End Park, Ottauquechee River Trail is used by more than 500 people per week, local residents and visitors alike:

    • Families having picnics, dog owners, nature lovers, fishermen, birdwatchers, and others are regular visitors
    • The Thompson Senior Center and Woodstock Terrace  residents take weekly walks along the trail because it is flat and easily navigable
    • The recent addition of a wheelchair ramp at the trailhead and a hardened trail makes the trail usable by everyone

    Ottauquechee River Trail is a perfect complement to East End Park. The two all-volunteer efforts provide a strong foundation/motivation for further development in Woodstock’s East End, which has long been a priority for the community.
  • Project Plans and Support:

    From the beginning, the Woodstock community has actively supported ORT.

    • Woodstock’s Economic Development Commission
    • Property Owners of the land used by the trail
    • Community members through active participation in “volunteer days” and financial support

    Now as a project of Woodstock Community Trust, Ottauquechee River Trail can move forward with the next phase of development as part of a professionally managed not-for-profit organization.
  • Get Involved:

    The Ottauquechee River Trail’s continued existence depends on your involvement! Participate in one of our regularly scheduled “Volunteer Days” and provide continued financial support through a generous donation to the Woodstock Community Trust. If you love ORT, become active to guarantee its long-term existence.
  • Contact Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Header Photo: ORT-couple-on-bench.jpg
  • Subtitle: A flat, walking trail in Woodstock, Vermont along the Ottauquechee River
  • Project Quote:

    "I love how beautifully this trail complements the Mt Peg and Mt Tom trails by offering an accessible way to appreciate Woodstock's riverscape and fields." —Wendy Spector
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