Fellows Program Information
What does peacemaking with God, people, the land, and ourselves look like? Together we search scripture to guide our understanding of mercy, justice, simple living, and creation care. Come unplug and live in a small Christian learning community where no question is too big.
​
Registration Checklist:
- Read all the information on this page.
- Complete the Fellows Application
- Ask two references to fill out the Reference Form
- Request a needs-based financial aid form (if applicable).
- Schedule a phone conversation with our staff: email.
​
Dates: Summer 2024: May 29th-August 3rd. Fall 2024: Sept. 9th - November 16th
Total Fee for Fellows Program 10-week term 2024: $5250 [This includes room, food, and all educational materials. It does not include travel to Burlington, VT]
Scholarship: We'd like to make this program accessible to all interested; we offer needs-based financial aid: request a financial aid application.
Deposit: $300 due by May 15.
Rooms: Students will live on the second floor of our beautiful lodge in a shared room. Each room has a bathroom with a shower.
Food: Students will take turns helping to prepare meals. We eat family style for each meal. Our food is made from scratch, and using fresh ingredients from our land when possible. We can accommodate a variety of dietary preferences, allergies, and restrictions.
​
Expectations
At 7th Seed, we want to partner with our students to create the optimal environment for growth.
​
Learning and Growth
Students can expect:
-
A caring space to try new things. We believe that people grow through challenge—both intellectually and physically. Our staff will support students to work through challenges that show up.
-
Our staff is committed to managing risk to the best of our ability.
-
One-on-one mentoring relationships with our staff.
-
A structured schedule and programming to experience meaningful work, reflection, and group dialogue.
We expect from students:
-
Showing up and being on time to all programming with a willingness to engage, grow, and contribute. We expect that our students will engage despite challenges that arise, whether those challenges be physical, social, or emotional.
-
Take care of their health and wellbeing. Students should be able to monitor their own health and ask our staff for support when needed. They should follow the safety rules and practices as outlined by staff.
Community Living
Students can expect:
-
to enter a respectful, supporting environment.
-
To learn the value of caring and tending for our land and the people on it.
-
Support from staff to learn communication, conflict resolution, and facilitation skills.
We expect from students:
-
to engage in and help create an environment of respect to other community members despite diverse backgrounds and ideas.
-
To engage in and practice healthy relational boundaries.
-
To be present and participate in community activities, including three meals per day.
-
Engage in simple living. This includes unplugging from devices and screens. To be fully present and engaged in this experience, our phone and devices will be set aside and used in a limited capacity.
At the beginning of the semester, the students in each cohort will create their own standards for community living. These may vary semester to semester based on the community needs.
The Fellows Program invites students into a time of particular focus on God and spiritual formation. Unto this, the following activities depart from the spirit of the Fellows Program and may provide grounds for expulsion. They are:
-
Lying
-
Stealing
-
Willful destruction of property
-
Use or possession of alcohol or drugs
-
Harassment, bullying, or hateful speech of any kind
-
Sexual activity
Expectations
At 7th Seed, we want to partner with our students to create the optimal environment for growth.
​
Learning and Growth
Students can expect:
-
A caring space to try new things. We believe that people grow through challenge—both intellectually and physically. Our staff will support students to work through challenges that show up.
-
Our staff is committed to managing risk to the best of our ability.
-
One-on-one mentoring relationships with our staff.
-
A structured schedule and programming to experience meaningful work, reflection, and group dialogue.
We expect from students:
-
Showing up and being on time to all programming with a willingness to engage, grow, and contribute. We expect that our students will engage despite challenges that arise, whether those challenges be physical, social, or emotional.
-
Take care of their health and wellbeing. Students should be able to monitor their own health and ask our staff for support when needed. They should follow the safety rules and practices as outlined by staff.
Community Living
Students can expect:
-
to enter a respectful, supporting environment.
-
To learn the value of caring and tending for our land and the people on it.
-
Support from staff to learn communication, conflict resolution, and facilitation skills.
We expect from students:
-
to engage in and help create an environment of respect to other community members despite diverse backgrounds and ideas.
-
To engage in and practice healthy relational boundaries.
-
To be present and participate in community activities, including three meals per day.
-
Engage in simple living. This includes unplugging from devices and screens. To be fully present and engaged in this experience, our phone and devices will be set aside and used in a limited capacity.
At the beginning of the semester, the students in each cohort will create their own standards for community living. These may vary semester to semester based on the community needs.
The Fellows Program invites students into a time of particular focus on God and spiritual formation. Unto this, the following activities depart from the spirit of the Fellows Program and may provide grounds for expulsion. They are:
-
Lying
-
Stealing
-
Willful destruction of property
-
Use or possession of alcohol or drugs
-
Harassment, bullying, or hateful speech of any kind
-
Sexual activity
Expectations
At 7th Seed, we work together with our students to create the optimal environment for growth.
​
Learning and Growth
Students can expect:
-
A caring space to try new things. We believe that people grow through challenge— intellectually, spiritually, socially, and physically. Our staff will support students to work through challenges that show up.
-
Our staff is committed to managing risk to the best of our ability.
-
One-on-one mentoring relationships with our staff.
-
A structured schedule and programming to experience meaningful work, reflection, and group dialogue.
We expect from students:
-
Showing up and being on time to all programming with a willingness to engage, grow, and contribute. We expect that our students will engage despite challenges that arise, whether those challenges be physical, social, or emotional.
-
Take care of their health and wellbeing. Students should be able to monitor their own health and ask our staff for support when needed. They should follow the safety rules and practices as outlined by staff.
Community Living
Students can expect:
-
To enter a respectful, supporting environment.
-
To learn the value of caring and tending for our land and the people on it.
-
Support from staff to learn communication, conflict resolution, and facilitation skills.
We expect from students:
-
To engage in and help create an environment of respect to other community members despite diverse backgrounds and ideas.
-
To engage in and practice healthy relational boundaries.
-
To be present and participate in community activities, including three meals per day.
-
Engage in simple living. This includes unplugging from devices and screens during times decided on by the community. To be fully present and engaged in this experience, our phone and devices will be set aside and used in a limited capacity.
At the beginning of the semester, students in each cohort will create their own standards for community living. These may vary semester to semester based on the community needs.
The Fellows Program invites students into a time of particular focus on God and spiritual formation. Unto this, the following activities depart from the spirit of the Fellows Program and may provide grounds for expulsion. They are:
-
Lying
-
Stealing
-
Willful destruction of property
-
Use or possession of alcohol or drugs
-
Harassment, bullying, or hateful speech of any kind
-
Sexual activity
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Please review the following essential requirements to make sure you are prepared for the physical, intellectual, and interpersonal challenges of our programs.
You must be prepared to:
-
Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. Simple community living is in close quarters with limited personal time. There can be a lack of, or variable, daily routines which can change day-to-day. Community living may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences.
-
Be motivated to try new things.
-
Contribute to a safe learning environment. No verbally or physically inappropriate behavior of others is tolerated for any reason.
-
Be able to willingly and equally share responsibility with community members in group chores. All students are learning the skills and being challenged by the conditions and activities. This also extends to a fair distribution of an instructor’s time and energy among students.
-
Support a physically, mentally, emotionally and socially healthy learning environment for all in alignment with the 7th Seed mission.
-
Participate fully in an intimate and intense small community environment, and as a member of a team.
-
Respond appropriately in the face of unexpected challenges such as inclement weather, changes in schedule, unfamiliar surroundings, group dynamics, and homesickness.
-
Participate in stressful and emotionally intense wilderness, residential life, and other learning experiences, including changes in diet, group living, and a daily routine that is likely much different than your routine at home.
-
In an indoor or outdoor (including backcountry) setting, be able to understand and follow rules, instructions, and guidelines, both individually or as part of a group, and frequently independent of direct supervision.
-
Communicate effectively with and respond to others in any setting, especially regarding hazards/risks, personal injury or need for assistance, where darkness, high winds, or other factors may impede communication.
-
Participate in activities that require students to pay attention and concentrate (including careful attention to detail) for extended periods whether in an indoor or outdoor (including backcountry) setting.
-
Perform manual labor – shoveling snow, splitting firewood, daily chores, weeding the garden, watering animals, and other manual labor.
-
Be able to be alone for reflective time in a wilderness setting for 2-48 hours.
-
Perform necessary self-care independently or with the assistance of a companion on campus or in a remote and outdoor setting, including personal hygiene and toileting needs, adequate hydration and dressing appropriately for weather conditions.
-
Withstand repetitive and sustained use of one’s body and limbs, including, for example, hiking or skiing 3-9 miles a day for multiple days, carrying 35-45% of one’s body weight.
-
Engage in activities, such as but not limited to walking, hiking, backpacking, running, climbing, and service projects (such as trail projects).
-
For each activity, be able to wear all recommended/required gear and or safety equipment.
-
Competently and independently live, travel in, and navigate a variety of uneven and challenging terrain. This includes but is not limited to: traveling on and off-trail and hiking, climbing, etc., up and down in steep, rugged and difficult terrain in mountainous, wilderness and other outdoor settings.
-
Carry weight, whether it be personal or group belongings, gear or provisions, independently or with the assistance of a companion.
-
Remain alert and focused for several hours at a time.
-
Live, travel, work and study for multiple days in all types of weather, in indoor and outdoor (including backcountry) settings in temperatures from -20 degrees to +85 degrees F, with a variety of stimuli, including (when outdoors) bugs, extreme temperature changes, intense sunlight, wind, snow and wild animals.
-
Get oneself in and out of a vehicle independently or with the assistance of a companion.
-
Learn skills and engage in tasks to support yourself and the group (individually or with the assistance of a companion). This includes, but is not limited to: cooking in the wilderness or in a commercial kitchen for self and others, washing dishes, caring for group gear and spaces, including clean-up.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Please review the following essential requirements to make sure you are prepared for the physical, intellectual, and interpersonal challenges of our programs.
You must be prepared to:
-
Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. Simple community living is in close quarters with limited personal time. There can be a lack of, or variable, daily routines which can change day-to-day. Community living may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences.
-
Be motivated to try new things.
-
Contribute to a safe learning environment. No verbally or physically inappropriate behavior of others is tolerated for any reason.
-
Be able to willingly and equally share responsibility with community members in group chores. All students are learning the skills and being challenged by the conditions and activities. This also extends to a fair distribution of an instructor’s time and energy among students.
-
Support a physically, mentally, emotionally and socially healthy learning environment for all in alignment with the 7th Seed mission.
-
Participate fully in an intimate and intense small community environment, and as a member of a team.
-
Respond appropriately in the face of unexpected challenges such as inclement weather, changes in schedule, unfamiliar surroundings, group dynamics, and homesickness.
-
Participate in stressful and emotionally intense wilderness, residential life, and other learning experiences, including changes in diet, group living, and a daily routine that is likely much different than your routine at home.
-
In an indoor or outdoor (including backcountry) setting, be able to understand and follow rules, instructions, and guidelines, both individually or as part of a group, and frequently independent of direct supervision.
-
Communicate effectively with and respond to others in any setting, especially regarding hazards/risks, personal injury or need for assistance, where darkness, high winds, or other factors may impede communication.
-
Participate in activities that require students to pay attention and concentrate (including careful attention to detail) for extended periods whether in an indoor or outdoor (including backcountry) setting.
-
Perform manual labor – shoveling snow, splitting firewood, daily chores, weeding the garden, watering animals, and other manual labor.
-
Be able to be alone for reflective time in a wilderness setting for 2-48 hours.
-
Perform necessary self-care independently or with the assistance of a companion on campus or in a remote and outdoor setting, including personal hygiene and toileting needs, adequate hydration and dressing appropriately for weather conditions.
-
Withstand repetitive and sustained use of one’s body and limbs, including, for example, hiking or skiing 3-9 miles a day for multiple days, carrying 35-45% of one’s body weight.
-
Engage in activities, such as but not limited to walking, hiking, backpacking, running, climbing, and service projects (such as trail projects).
-
For each activity, be able to wear all recommended/required gear and or safety equipment.
-
Competently and independently live, travel in, and navigate a variety of uneven and challenging terrain. This includes but is not limited to: traveling on and off-trail and hiking, climbing, etc., up and down in steep, rugged and difficult terrain in mountainous, wilderness and other outdoor settings.
-
Carry weight, whether it be personal or group belongings, gear or provisions, independently or with the assistance of a companion.
-
Remain alert and focused for several hours at a time.
-
Live, travel, work and study for multiple days in all types of weather, in indoor and outdoor (including backcountry) settings in temperatures from -20 degrees to +85 degrees F, with a variety of stimuli, including (when outdoors) bugs, extreme temperature changes, intense sunlight, wind, snow and wild animals.
-
Get oneself in and out of a vehicle independently or with the assistance of a companion.
-
Learn skills and engage in tasks to support yourself and the group (individually or with the assistance of a companion). This includes, but is not limited to: cooking in the wilderness or in a commercial kitchen for self and others, washing dishes, caring for group gear and spaces, including clean-up.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
We believe the Bible is the living and inspired word of God. In it is revealed the eternal, all powerful and knowing creator of the universe who is in pursuit of loving humans despite our failure and sin. We believe in Jesus Christ his only son who was fully God and fully man: revealing God and His truth. He knew our sorrows and struggles, yet remained sinless, lived the perfect life we were intended to live (but failed to), and suffered death on the cross as a redeeming act of love for us all. Jesus was dead and buried; but on the third day he rose from the dead and ascended to heaven (after being seen by the disciples and others). We believe in the Holy Spirit who God sent to guide his followers.
We believe following Christ and seeking a relationship with God, gives hope and joy, and the pursuits of this life become radically different than what the world tells us should be of value. We believe the Church (as a unified collection of Christ-followers) is meant to be the body of Christ in our time and place, radically loving God, our neighbors (especially the poor and needy among us), until Christ comes again to make all things new. Even though we’ve summed a whole lot up here in a neat little box, we believe in the depth, beauty, and complexity of God.