As anyone who has launched a business knows, it can’t be done alone. The engagement of local community is critical, as is the belief and financial support of donors. For the past eight years, Hearty Roots has been fortunate to be part of an enthusiastic village of helpers. Without the breadth and depth of generosity it has received, Hearty Roots could not have connected with the 600 kids who participated in its programs last year. 

When Hearty Roots acquired its 114-acre Campus for Mindful Adventure in Bremen last year, thanks to the generosity of seller Eleanor Kinney, a matching grant from the Peter Alfond Foundation, and the support of hundreds of individual donors, the land was a gloriously pristine place of wildness and waterfront. 

Those vital qualities are still present–but there have been some notable upgrades as well! In order to accommodate campers in inclement weather, a beautiful post-and-beam pavilion was erected this past weekend with the help of volunteers and lumber connoisseurTucker Neale. Just up the way from the pavilion is the prettiest privy in the state–home to two outhouses and two changing rooms for participants. A standing dock was generously donated by Hammond Lumber, and installed by Sean Bates, owner of Only Docks.  

These simple but essential infrastructure additions are critical to the mission of Hearty Roots, which includes accessibility to all local kids, many of whom have varying abilities to navigate a wilderness campus. Maine Community Foundation and Bangor Savings Bank have been vital partners in the campus expansion, along with a special cadre of “cornerstone” supporters.

The kindness, and “inkindness,” of all have brought Hearty Roots’ campus dreams into reality. Amazing volunteers bring the muscle to so many of the construction donations. As just one example, guardians and parents dropping their kids off are now greeted by a roundabout island of donated native plants created by dedicated volunteers who offered the truest version of sweat equity to the project.

Every village of support deserves a world of acknowledgement and gratitude; Hearty Roots offers that to its incredible community every time a kid sets foot on its Campus for Mindful Adventure. Anyone interested in learning more is encouraged to go to www.heartyroots.org or follow Hearty Roots on social media for updates on campus events.