On Thursday, Aug. 23, Hearty Roots (HR) hosted a gathering on its newly acquired Bremen property to honor the land, express gratitude and appreciation for their donors and supporters, and share the vision for uplifting youth through HR’s nature-based programming. The “First Fire” ceremony was HR’s take on a ribbon-cutting. HR asked guests to contribute one rock to the new fire pit, while Program Manager Josh Leatham demonstrated his fire-starting skills via bow drilling. Deputy Director Jess Donohoe gave ceremonial remarks to the approximately 50 attendees. Olive Pine, an adventure mentor in training, strummed guitar and sang.

“First Fire” was the final celebration of an evening that began with a land acknowledgment by Lauren Cucci, HR therapeutic adventure mentor. “All programs at HR are dedicated to reflection, respect for humans, and respect for the land. In such, and in the spirit of reconciliation, we recognize that we are in the unceded homeland of the Wabanaki Confederacy and acknowledge the Wabanaki people as the traditional custodians for the lands and waters where we work and play. They have cared for this area for tens of thousands of years, and we extend our gratitude to their elders past, present, and emerging.”

State House Rep., and mother of an HR camper, Lydia Crafts spoke of listening to her daughter describe her days at camp when she was asked to rank how much she mattered. Her daughter described it as the hardest thing she had ever done but in the end, the exercise revealed to her, her own importance to herself, her family, her community and the world at large.

Three-year HR veteran Jacqueline Ford recited a soulful poem she wrote for this year’s closing circle, a rite performed at the end of each camp week.

“We’re here today because of you,” spoke HR founder and Executive Director Haley Bezon. “This moment marks a significant and special milestone in the story of HR. A culminating moment in time to celebrate the characters of the first few chapters since our inception.” She continued, “I am an ordinary person, I had a simple solution for an unmet need eight years ago ... to serve our youngest population with a mission to bring back a play and nature-based childhood.”

On hand for the event were two of HR’s biggest contributors. Eleanor Kinney, who sold HR the 114-acre property on Biscay Pond in May said, “I have been conserving land for years, and looking for a way to share. Sharing this land to HR, sharing it with kids was a perfect match. I have always supported nature as the foundation of socio-emotional well-being.” A bench dedicated to her at the firepit has an inscription that reads, “Let nature be the light that shines on your beautiful spirit.”

Adam Burk of Peter Alfond Foundation, donors of a $250,000 match to HR’s capital campaign, said, “I’m super excited to see the support for HR, this community gathering tonight, and all of it coming together.”

“The fire marks an essential piece of this land and what can be grown from here. And each rock from the property has its own story here, just as each of you does,” said Donohoe. Attendees spoke of what HR means to them as they placed their rocks at the fire pit.

HR began in 2017 with the mission to guide youth off the grid and into their hearts. Development of the campus and program offerings continues.