2009 Trails Fund Campaign

Dear Friend,

As we embark on our 62nd year, Winding Trails remains committed to our guiding principles: Fostering a Love for the Outdoors / Creating a Sense of Community / Developing Leadership and Life Skills. In these challenging economic times, Winding Trails is proud to inform you that we remain financially sound and well positioned to continue providing Farmington and surrounding communities with a premier outdoor recreation facility. With a healthy membership base, outstanding camp programs, and a successful winter season, Winding Trails is more popular than ever.

Like all non-profit organizations, Winding Trails must balance a myriad of competing challenges. While our day-to-day operation is healthy, preservation and stewardship of more than 375 acres of natural woodlands and waterways means that we are diligently planning for Windings Trailsʼ future through The Trails Fund.

Your donation to The Trails Fund specifically supports Winding Trailsʼ mission by funding environmental, Campership, and Education initiatives.

Environmental Preservation - Save Walton Pond
Walton Pond is the heart of Winding Trails and the key to the delicate ecological balance of our facility. It is home to our camp program, hosts winter ice skating, and is the focal point of all of our environmental programs. However, as a result of soil composition, development, and deferred maintenance on the pond dam, Walton Pond is slowly filling with silt and dying. Renovation of Walton Pond is critical to the long term viability of Winding Trails. The cost of the renovation plan, currently projected to be $1.5 million, is not captured by our current operating budget.

Campership
All young people need exciting outdoor environments in which to learn, play, and grow. Last year The Trails Fund provided 74 underprivileged youth the opportunity to attend our summer camp program. Summer camp in this unique natural setting provides significant growth opportunities in social, physical and cognitive skills, while emphasizing positive values, and developing leadership.

Education
Winding Trails seeks out collaborative partnerships with schools, as well as civic and conservation groups that provide us usable research and community service projects that benefit the facility. Part of Winding Trailsʼ mission is to provide educational programs to its constituents. These funds allow Winding Trails to purchase additional supplies and equipment for doing research while offering educational programs. Current projects include: invasive plant research and eradication, a forest stewardship, water quality analysis, and wildlife inventory and monitoring. All of these projects ensure a healthy and stable environment for the future.

You make it happen!  As part of the Winding Trailsʼ family, we are counting on your donation to The 2009 Trails Fund. One hundred percent (100%) of your tax-deductible donation will help ensure the continued viability of Walton Pond and other important environmental, campership, and educational initiatives. Thank you for your generous support of Winding Trails!

Click here for a Donation Form   


Sincerely,


Brian Cunningham                                          Scott Brown CPRP
President, Board of Directors                          Executive Director