Events & Programs
We are happy to host you for a sustainability tour/visit. School groups, church groups, garden clubs, individuals, etc. are all welcome. Host your staff meeting here and include a pizza lunch or snack of homemade bread & jam. OR just come to hang out, walk the trails and BE. Please call/email to set a time. The labyrinth & trails are self-guided, just call / email to let us know you're coming.
TO SIGN UP: Some classes/activities are limited. PLEASE sign up by contacting us via email, phone (need: your name, phone, email & class/activity), or thru the website (be SURE to indicate class you're signing up for). Schedule subject to change, confirm before coming. Any fees may be paid via cash or check when you come to the class. (we're keeping it simple with no corporate fees on payments and such).
ABOUT FEES: BMP is open to all regardless of one's ability to pay. The last three years we practiced an economy of “reciprocity”, giving in accordance to what you receive (i.e., labor, money, goods needed, etc.), for a balance. While this has been great to offer, the reality is costs are not being covered. As a result, classes/activities will mostly be on a "SLIDING FEE SCALE" of $0 - $50. YOU still determine the rate with some basic guidelines - most are offered at suggested $15-20 range. (some classes do have a "supplies" fee which are noted in addition to class fee.)
BMP's biggest expenses relate to insurance and property tax. Currently no staff are paid, and instructors receive a stipend, which many gift back to BMP, for which we are grateful.
StoryWalk Along Forrest Ridge Trail
Self-Guided & Open most days
The StoryWalk is along the Forrest Ridge Trail for adventurers to join reading One Dog Canoe by Mary Casanova (Minnesota author)
Play Nature Bingo while also out walking & exploring. (Bingo cards in the tote in Gazebo Welcome Center. Return cards to tote when done playing)
Labyrinth & Trails
The Labyrinth in the woods and trails around the grounds are available for walking / meditating. Trails are no longer than one mile. We are also near trails into the Foothills State Forest. Be sure to dress properly, trails may be wet and/or have fallen brush/trees across paths in the Foothills.
* Forrest Ridge Trail (StoryWalk trail)
* Meadow Creek Trail * Twin Creek Trail
* Balsam Pond Trail * Labyrinth
Daycare groups, home-school groups, families, school groups, library groups and all ages are welcome to participate. Want a special activity experience? Let us know and we can set that up as a teacher-guided experience.
Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg Hubbard Library.
Feel free to come snowshoe the trails in the winter months.
Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year and longest night. It is a time of reflection and slowing down. This is a time of year we gather to celebrate the past year with gratitude and acknowledgement, release it and make room for what is coming in. We may ritually release by burning a list or journal or notes/cards in the campfire, or simply state it and let it go. We invite you to share as your comfortable - thoughts, feelings, a poem, etc.
You may have dreams and intentions for the coming year and you can note those and welcome them in.
After sharing around the campfire we gather inside for snacks and fun by the fireplace. You are invited to draw an angel card for the year or other "oracle" card with a message for you to focus on. It's all in good fun as we also draw an Angel Card for Balsam Moon.
TRANSFORMATION GAME
January 10 & 11 (Sat & Sun)
OR CALL TO SCHEDULE DATES
10am-4pm each day (lunch included)
Facilitated by Barb Mann
Maximum of 4 participants/players
Examples of personal game focus:
* What steps can I take in my relationship(s) sot that I feel greater satisfaction and happiness?
* I desire to release those personality blocks that keep me from being joyful, creative and harmonious.
* I intend to gain a greater understanding and awareness, and move through my pattern of wanting to "fix" others.
* I intend to know and clear the obstacles that keep me from full and creative service to the planet.
The Transformation Game is a joyful way of understanding and transforming the way you play your life. It's about looking at your life and the kinds of experiences you create, seeing how you react to them, and how you can use these insights for your own growth. Through the Game you can become more aware of your personal strengths and learn important lessons that can deepen your understanding of how you operate on the Physical, Emotional, Mental, and Spiritual levels. By providing new perspectives on current life issues, the Game helps you clarify old beliefs and attitudes and transform reaction patterns. It triggers your creativity and lets you realize your full power and potential.
You play with a particular focus or intention (see examples at left) and this guides your entire experience.
This is not a competitive game. It is not therapy or counseling (those of you with those skills, be mindful in playing). The other players can be helpful in bringing different perspectives to light as you decipher information you receive in playing the game per your focus/intention, as you also serve in that capacity for the other players. It IS meant to be FUN! In the midst of that fun, there may be tears and resistance along with the laughter. It's not about judgment, or right/wrong, good/bad. It is an opportunity to reflect and learn about yourself as you live your life/dream.
FEE: Reciprocity - YOU determine the value to you based on your resources to "give back".
Coming a distance? Need an overnight? There are options.
Here's what past players are saying:
"I have been lucky enough to play the Transformation game twice and both times were life-changing experiences. The game has a light-hearted way of assisting the player to travel deep into their psyche and spirit to provide profound self truths and awareness." (Kris K 2019 & 2021)
"Barb is an exceptional guide through the Transformation Game. The game itself brought awareness to patterns and engaged my thought process to expand what was possible in my everyday life."
(Tanya H, 2019)
"The Transformation Game deepened the trust I have in my inner knowing and gave me numerous tools to build, rebuild, reimagine my place in the world. It’s like a Google Earth for Your interior landscape – a tool that gives you a new perspective every time you use it. " (Jenny H, 2021)
"The transformation game was very enjoyable to play. It explores different areas of life. Some examples are physical, spiritual, and emotional. As I played, I received many insights into each of them. It showed what areas were personally more challenging than others. The game seemed to take on a life of its own, which is hard to describe. It is also interesting to watch the process for the other players. Hope to play it again. Definitely a worthwhile experience!" (Joan I. 2019)