The story of North Country School and Camp Treetops all began with a vision. A vision of children growing stronger, developing their characters, hearts, and minds, in community, together with nature and one another.
Today, everything we do stems directly from our guiding values and beliefs about the world, about ourselves and each other, and about how best to guide and nurture children in the middle years of their development.
When we stay focused on the why, figuring out the what and the how becomes abundantly clear. We are here because we believe in children. Like our founders, we believe that they are caring and competent, that they are able to do hard things, and that when they do, they learn and grow stronger.
Our latest strategic planning initiative began where our last plan left off. It finds us in a position of strength, optimism, and boundless energy for what comes next. Always rooted in the values and ideals that have guided us from day one, we are firm in our beliefs but flexible in our ability to meet kids where they are, to address the challenges specific to this moment, and to make a positive impact on the world.
Our Commitments and Initiatives
In our plan, we make the following three bold commitments to ourselves, our community, and the world. To ensure we uphold these promises, each of these focus areas has actionable initiatives that will keep us moving forward.
Program
We are committed to continuing to deliver exceptional programs guided by our unique educational philosophy.
People
We are committed to strengthening our community and investing in our team of educators and adults.
Purpose
We are committed to expanding our reach and establishing ourselves as thought leaders in teaching and learning for children in the middle years.
Our Roadmap
Our Process
With gratitude and appreciation, we are proud to share that the Board of Trustees adopted our strategic plan at their spring 2023 meeting. Over the last 18 months, our community came together to help us envision Camp and School’s future to continue and build upon our meaningful programs.
In October 2021, the Board of Trustees affirmed the launch of a visioning and strategic planning process for North Country School and Camp Treetops. We assembled a steering committee comprised of trustees, alumni, and staff and dove into the work of creating the plan. This included intentional one-on-one interviews, community-wide surveys, meaningful focus groups, and informational community sessions. We are indebted to the many people who have contributed to this effort. Our mighty community is the heart of this special place and we are so grateful for all of you who voiced your thoughts, shared your ideas, and envisioned the future with us. As we move forward to put the plan into action, we welcome your continued questions, feedback, and conversation via .
Click here to read the May 7, 2022 update.
Click here to read the August 15, 2022 update.
Click here to read the November 17, 2022 update.
Click here to read the February 23, 2023 update.
Click here to read the July 11, 2023 update.
Mara Frankel Wallace, Committee Chair,Trustee 17-present, CTT 77-80, parent 14-15,
Barkley Stuart, Board Chair, Trustee 08-present, CTT 69-72, parent 03-07, NCS parent 09-11
Todd Ormiston, Executive Director
Ed Biddle, Trustee 20-present, CTT parent 01-08, 10-12,
Christie Borden, Director of Advancement, NCS 92, parent 17-19, CTT parent 19-present
Ami Brabson, Trustee 21-present, NCS parent 16-18,
Matt Davidson, Trustee Emeritus, CTT 62-67, parent 96-06,
Sarah Davidson, CTT 96-99
Hannah Edwards, Camp Treetops Director
Emily Eisman, Associate Director of Advancement
Molly Malmfelt-Frank, CTT 90-93, staff 13-14, 21-present
Chris Moore, Director of Facilities
Bill Newman, Director of Admission (NCS)
Stefan Nowicki, Trustee 18-present, CTT 87-91, 93, staff 97-03, 06, 11
Caroline Hlavacek Perry, NCS faculty 15-present
Skye Raiser, Trustee 20-present, NCS parent 20-23
Larry Robjent, NCS Faculty 00 – present, CTT parent 16-17, 19, NCS parent 18-21
Pamela Rosenthal, Trustee 11-present, NCS Parent 07 – 09
Fritz Sabbow, CFO
Erv Shames, Trustee 95-04, CTT parent 82-85, grandparent 13-21
Matthew Preston Smith, Director of North Country School
Dave Steckler, NCS faculty 08-22
David Stewart, Trustee 20-present, NCS 94, CTT 95-96
Yunga Webb, NCS Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Our Timeline
PLAN
Jan-Feb 2022
Set up for success
SCAN
Feb-April 2022
Where are we now? What does the environment look like?
ENVISION
May-July 2022
Where are we headed? What’s possible? How do we impact the world?
CREATE
August 2022–April 2023
How do we get the there? What’s the plan?
COMMUNICATE
April 2023-Ongoing
Share the plan and put it into action!