Hosting Students and Faculty of Hampshire College of Amherst, Massachusetts
In the course of its development process, the Patagonia Learning Center hosted a ten-day visit in October 2005 by a group of twenty-three students, faculty, and one administrator from Hampshire College of Amherst, Massachusetts.
The Hampshire visit was an important experience for all parties and helped crystalize the ethos of The Bellows Institute. It was also an excellent opportunity to determine the effectiveness of the Patagonia facilities and to make appropriate modifications in their use.
(Click once on photographs to enlarge)
The Spirit Tree Inn, location of Patagonia facilities.
The 53-acre Spirit Tree Inn, three miles south of Patagonia, has a capacity of 25, two classrooms and a wireless Internet connection
Visiting students, faculty and administrators of Hampshire College, Amherst, Massachusetts at the Spirit Tree Inn—-October 6-16th, 2005.
The Patagonia facilities includes a 4,500 square foot space in the center of Patagonia to enable students and faculty to work on projects including community service, economic development, and civic engagement activities.
The facilities include an in-town space with a meeting area that is equipped with a 35″ TV with DVD, as well as a wireless Internet connection.
The facilities also include a comfortable faculty compound that sleeps up to five, located in the center of town, and facing the town common. This facility also is equipped with a wireless Internet connection.
The faculty compound will soon include this casita in back of the cottage with one bedroom and bath.
The Patagonia facilities include a 14-passenger van and a 9-passenger GMC Suburban.
As well as a utility aircraft for maintaining contact during long treks.
To handle the anticipated need for more student housing, the first yurt was purchase. Visiting Hampshire students plunged into the assembly process.
A huddle as the assembly process grew more complex.
Everyone was in quiet awe as the yurt began to make its presence felt.
The finished yurt is 20 feet in diameter and can house five students comfortably. Standing guard is Mandrake, the Center’s mascot.