A PUBLICATION FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND SUPPORTERS

FALL 2012

Community Spotlight

Join Us as the Camphill Challenge Rides Again

Ursel Pietzner came with her husband Carlo in 1961 to start Camphill work on this continent. At 85 years young, she is still a vibrant part of the community.

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Cover photo courtesy of Marc Bryan-Brown

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COMMUNITYSPOTLIGHT

(continued from Front Cover)

Ursel Pietzner—A Half Century of Caring Ursel, the founder of Camphill School was born in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1927. She grew up in a board-ing school in the Odenwald region where her parents were teachers in music and art. Ursel was the oldest of three sisters and describes her young years before World War II as idyllic. She enjoyed music, her family, and her home immensely.

After World War II, she was trained as a weaver. She had heard about Karl Köenig, M.D. (1902–1966, founder of the Camphill in Scotland), who had lectured in Stuttgart about Camphill Scotland. He invited young Germans to come to Scotland to help with the Camphill Movement. In 1949, Ursel and her younger sister trav-eled to Scotland and into a new future. In the beginning it was very difficult. They had always lived under the same roof but now they were in different homes and felt a sense of estrangement.

Ursel had never seen anyone with a disability before moving to Scotland. In Germany, disabled children were generally kept hidden away. Upon her arrival at Camphill she was tremendously shocked to see so many children with disabilities in one place. She remembers the sense of dislocation she felt, and she had to fight the urge to flee. After the first evening becoming familiar with her new surroundings, Ursel grew to love the children.

Ursel lived in the big house where Carlo Pietzner was the principal. She described Carlo as a Very Important Person in the Camphill Movement. In Vienna in 1936, Carlo was an art student when he joined a youth group founded by Karl Köenig. In 1941, he joined Camphill Scotland. Ursel was a young girl of 22 when Carlo had to convince her that she was the one that he wanted to marry. In 1953 Carlo and Ursel were married. She believed that marrying Carlo was her destiny. They were married for a year before moving to Ireland in 1954.

The Pietzner family began their life in Belfast, Ireland, at the Glen Craig School, where all three of their chil-dren were born. After seven years in Ireland, Karl Köenig sent Carlo to America and they began and built the work of Camphill in America, eventually founding Camphill Special School at Beaver Run in 1963. Moving to America with three small children was not easy. In those days the journey was mostly made by boat, a remarkable experience.

Guy Alma, Director of Development at Camphill Special School notes that Ursel has lost none of her courage and capacity to lead. “Ursel cherishes the community that she and Carlo created together, and has been a mentor and inspiration to new coworkers over the last five decades. She is truly a remarkable woman.”

Photo courtesy of Marc Bryan-Brown

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Camphill SpeCial SChool will be Celebrating Soon. Founded in 1963 in Glenmoore, the school known affectionately as Beaver Run will turn fifty next year. The celebrations will begin at the ProAm Gala on June 7, 2013, and continue for many months! Here are a few things to look forward to:• A beautiful coffee table book celebrating the

fiftieth year.• An incredible celebration on June 7, 2013, at

The Foundry in Phoenixville, host of this year’s ProAm event.

• A summer Alumni Reunion in June 2013 for students, coworkers, and families.

• Camphill Special School will host the East Nantmeal Township Picnic in July 2013 so that we can celebrate with our neighbors.

• A birthday party in December 2013, on the day the moving trucks arrived in 1963.

• A performance of a play by the community’s founder, Carlo Pietzner.

• A new, beautiful building to host a very important program for our children. Watch this publication for more news and information!

Life Begins at

Fifty

many companies offer matching gift

programs to their employees, direc-

tors, employee spouses, and retir-

ees. Contact your company’s human

resources department to obtain a

matching gift form. Send your match-

ing gift and form directly to Cara

Schmidt at Camphill Special School

and she will complete the process.

Matching Gifts

Extraordinary children. Extraordinary possibilities.

By Guy Alma

Photo courtesy of Marc Bryan-Brown

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the CSS board of direCtorS iS alwayS open to new memberS. We look to evolve and grow by find-ing engaged, motivated individuals who are open to sharing their mind and their energy. It is an ongoing process and I find it very exciting when we embrace new members. Their fresh ideas and enthusiasm energize us as we work to steer the School on its journey forward.

I am pleased to welcome Tom Rosendale and Florie Seery to the Board. Tom has previously been a member and has graciously accepted our invitation to serve as our Treasurer. Florie’s son Alasdair is a junior in our high school program. We would also like to thank Jeffrey Powers, who has resigned as Treasurer. We valued his steadfast dedication and contribu-tion to our current financial health.

florie Seery Florie Seery is the mother of Alasdair, who has been a student at Camphill Special School since 2007. She is married to award-winning photographer Mark Bryan-Brown and they have two children. As the general manager of Manhattan Theatre Club, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit theatre compa-

nies, Florie sees firsthand the importance of a skilled and gen-erous board members who are passionate about their mission. When Florie was asked to join the Camphill Special School Board she was both flattered and touched that she could make a difference to a community that her family holds dear. As Florie mentioned, “Camphill Special School is not just our son’s school, but it is the road map for all of us to live produc-tive, engaging, and nurturing lives. I am on the Board to sup-port the phenomenal staff and visionary leaders of Camphill.”

tom roSendale Tom was delighted to join the Board for a second time as Treasurer after many years leading the School’s Audit Committee. Tom’s cousin, Noah Ripper, was a student at Camphill Special School for many years and his Uncle Ray Ripper is an Emeritus member of the Board. Tom, who has recently taken some time off due to his hectic, travel-intensive job, said, “I have been a supporter of Camphill Special School’s mission ever since my cousin first became a student and I saw the tremendous improvement it had made in his life.”

New Board MeMBerS

a Note FroM greg aMBroSe, PResident of the BoARd of diReCtoRs

Photo courtesy of Marc Bryan-Brown

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WonderSIn the spring and early summer, the sounds of humming were heard throughout the Camphill Special School Community. Was this a bird, a bee, or a Friedel? Friedel Bücking, brother of Else Wolf, who was this year’s kindergarten teacher and a longtime community member, came to visit his sister and brother-in-law Else and Bernie Wolf.

Friedel is a chain saw artist residing in the United Kingdom. He was recently commissioned to do work for the newly opened Cutty Sark Museum in Greenwich. His pieces were on display for Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee during the opening ribbon-cutting ceremony. In his spare time in the UK, Fridel works in London and donates his handmade wooden rocking chairs to hospitals in the area.

While visiting his family, he remains active by providing all types of chain saw sculptures in our wooded areas. This past spring a huge tree tumbled down after a wicked storm. Friedel saw this as an opportunity to turn a very large tree into a piece of artwork for all of the children to enjoy. As the children wander around the wooded paths they are delighted with his many different sculp-

tures. Friedel’s father, Klaus Bücking, a native of Germany, also enjoyed sculpting in his retirement years. Friedel is continuing in his father’s footsteps.

Friedel visits every few years. He has created many beautiful wooden benches on the property. He also helped to create mosaics with the children who decorated the bread oven.

We are very thankful for Friedel’s wonders in our woods and are looking forward to his next visit.

in Wood

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oNce UpoN a tiMe, there waS a MagicalKiNdergarteN

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Kindergarten iS a praCtiCe for all of life … Our program is fully inclusive, meaning some of our students are typically developing and some have special needs. Some are full day, some are half day. No matter their level of ability, all of the students care about and appreciate one another for who they are.

Kindergarten is a magical time of life where creativity abounds. At Camphill, students enjoy games, creative play, painting, circle time, and fun times learning about nature. Each day brings new adventures, whether it is playing in the sand or adventures on the trails. Rain brings stomping in puddles or examining raindrops.

Children at this age model the behavior of the adults and others around them through imitation. We learn social skills such as patience, kindness, respect for others, and sharing. We have fun learning to wash napkins on a wash board and hanging them out in the sun to dry. We bake and cook, learning how ingredients come together to make food.

Children like to do things themselves. Sometimes it is easier to step in, but at Camphill we encourage children to do things on their own and in their own way. They help to pre-pare meals, clean up, hang up their belongings, and take turns. All of these activities are a part of growing up. We have a rhythm of building good habits. We learn to button our jackets, slip on our rain boots, and tie a knot.

One day we imitate the pirate, the farmer, our parents, any-thing and anyone. We see it in play. A stick may become a flute, or a sword, or a horse. Our creativity takes us into a state of being the creator of our mind. We do not need an abundance of toys when we have our imagination. A piece of wool or wood may become whatever our mind sees.

We build ships and houses and seascapes, and this evolves into what our mind envisions.

We all sit at the table, eat, work, walk, and play together. We imitate one another. During circle time we crawl, skip, jump, or clap. We all try new things together. We learn skills like setting the table, doing dishes, and modeling with clay. We enjoy watching the delivery man, or the mailman, or we explore and socialize with one another. We learn to accept “no” when someone doesn’t want to play with us. We learn to accept others for who they are.

Camphill Kindergarten is certainly a magical place for learn-ing about others, for learning about us, and for beginning the practice of our life.

KindeRgARten PRogRAm At CAmPhill

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VoLunteer SpotlightDr. John Fish hAs his eye on whAt’s iMPortAnt

As I walked into the restaurant with Dr. John Fish it was obvious that he is a well-known fixture in the local community. Nearly every person we saw came over to shake his hand or waved a greeting to him. While we were right across the street from his optometry office, Eagle Eye Associates, I knew that no matter where we were it would have been the same.

Dr. Fish began practicing optometry at Eagle Eye Associates in 1994 and purchased the business in 2002. When he is not at work he enjoys playing and watching hockey, golf, photography, and traveling.

Eagle Eye Associates has supported Camphill Special School since 2009 when then ProAm Chair Greg Ambrose asked Dr. Fish to sup-port the event as a business sponsor. In 2012, Dr. Fish served as the ProAm Sponsor Chair. His volunteer service on the committee helped to make the event one of the most successful yet.

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Fish will serve as 2013 ProAm Gala Chair, a role he enthusiastically accepted. When asked why he chose to volunteer on the ProAm Committee he responded, “Why not! The School is a unique place that’s offering me the opportunity to help.” He feels that, as a busi-ness owner, community outreach is incredibly important and he is happy to contribute to somewhere so special. “It is right in our backyard and most locals don’t even know about it.”

As we exited the restaurant a pick-up truck drove by, horn honking, its driver was waving to Dr. Fish. As I drove back to the school I thought, local people are really going to know about us now!

By Courtney Coffman, events and Volunteer Manager

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What an incredible year for our ProAm Gala and Tennis Tournament. Thanks to the support of our many friends we broke nearly every record:• 400 people attended the Gala at the Phoenixville Foundry

on June 1 and enjoyed dancing, dining on food by Queen of Hearts Catering, and catching up with other supporters of the School.

• Our live auction brought in nearly $15,000 and silent auctions items garnered bids totaling $20,000 from bidders.

• Anthony DeCecco managed to recruit probably the most tal-ented players we have ever had – our winning team was made up of pro David DiLucia, who is in the Irish Tennis Hall of Fame, and amateur Teresa Otterbein, whose doubles team is the Philadelphia-area champs.

• Over $150,000 was raised for Camphill Special School and our students (just shy of our best ever!).

Special thanks to Phoenixville Foundry, Queen of Hearts Catering, Whitford Country Club, and Dia Doce for helping make it an unforgettable weekend!

Mark your calendars to help celebrate our 50th Anniversary!• Camphill ProAm Gala

June 7, 2013, at Phoenixville Foundry• ProAm tennis tournament

June 8, 2013, at whitford Country Club

For more information on how you can support the 2013 Camphill ProAm contact Courtney at 610.469.9236 x132 or ccoffman@camphillspecialschool.org.

For additional photos visit our website.

2012 Camphill ProAm an Ace!

Photos on both pages courtesy of Betsy Barron Fine Art Photography

Albany Irvin, our dynamic auctioneer, with Melissa Wilding and Kim Scott.

Pro Ryan Gargullo coaches Jack at the Children’s Tennis Clinic.

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PLein Air And CAmPhiLL

challeNge

Autumn, winter, spring, and summer at Camphill Special School all will be represented at this year’s Plein Air for Camphill art exhibition. Renowned artists from the Philadelphia area visited The Transition Program at Beaver Farm and Camphill Special School at Beaver Run throughout the year to capture the beauty of our campuses through each season.

The art they created during these en plein air painting sessions will be exhibited and on sale at the prestigious Rosenfeld Gallery in Old City Philadelphia November 29 through December 2. (After December 2 they will be available for purchase through the School.)

Camphill Special School will host an exclusive reception and preview sale on Thursday, November 29. The public opening and reception will be on Friday, November 30. More information will become available later in the fall, but be sure to mark your calendars now!

If you are interested in sponsoring this year’s Plein Air for Camphill please contact Courtney Coffman at 610.469.9236 x132 or ccoffman@camphillspe-cialschool.org. Benefits include admission to the exclusive reception and preview sale on November 29.

ArE yOu rEAdy TO TAkE THE CAmPHILL CHALLEnGE?The sixth annual Camphill Challenge on Sunday, October 16 promises to be another fun-filled day of cycling to benefit Camphill Communities in Chester County!

Get ready to tackle 50, 25, or 10 mile routes or a family fun ride through the picturesque back roads of Chester County. Rides begin and end at Kimberton Waldorf School (410 West Seven Stars Road, Phoenixville), whom we thank for graciously hosting us again this year. Autumn foliage will abound on winding rural routes featuring rolling hillsides dotted with historic homes, farms, covered bridges, and, of course, Camphill Special School, Camphill Village Kimberton Hills, and Camphill Soltane.

Be sure to register by September 30 to guarantee your T-shirt. Questions? Contact Courtney at 610.469.9236 x132 or ccoffman@camphillspecialschool.org.

Visit camphillchallenge.org for more information including how to set up your own personal or team fundraising page!

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registration Presenting Sponsor (incl. 25 cyclists) $15,000

Premiere Sponsor (incl. 20 cyclists) $10,000

Breakaway Sponsor (incl. 15 cyclists) $7,500

Prime Sponsor (incl. 10 cyclists) $5,000

Axle Sponsor (incl. 8 cyclists) $2,500

sponsor the camphill challenge

register to ride!

name address

phone

e-mail

how many are riding?

rider age 16 and older rider age 10 to 15 Children under age 10*

EArLy BIrd (effective until September 30)

Fees

Ages 16+ $30 Ages 10–15 $18

STAndArd (after September 30)

Ages 16+ $36 Ages 10–15 $24*Children under age 10 are FrEE

indicate t-shirt size/Quantity

Gear Sponsor (incl. 6 cyclists) $1,000

Spoke Sponsor (incl. 4 cyclists) $500

Water Station Sponsor (incl. 2 cyclists) $250

Pedal Sponsor (incl. 1 cyclist) $100

my additional donation

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medium

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Sizes are adult; T-shirt guaranteed only for paid registrations received by September 30

$25 $50 $100 Other $

Check in the amount of $ enclosed (make payable to Camphill Challenge)

Charge $ to my Visa MasterCard

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return this form and payment to:Camphill Challenge1784 Fairview Road Glenmoore, PA 19343

rEGISTEr OnLInE AT CAmPHILLCHALLEnGE.OrG

day-of REGISTRANTS WELCOME

Camphill Special School consists of The Children’s Village and School at Beaver Run, The Transition Program at Beaver Farm, and The Camphill School of Curative Education and Social Therapy.

Our mission is to create wholeness

for children and youth with intellectual

and developmental disabilities through

education and therapy in extended family

living. The Camphill School of Curative

Education and Social Therapy offers a

four-year professional course of studies

in anthroposophical curative education,

youth guidance, and social therapy in

a practice-integrated environment.

Camphill Special School does not

discriminate on the basis of race, age,

color, creed, gender, sexual orientation,

national or ethnic origin, or disability.

1784 Fairview Road, Glenmoore, PA 19343

610.469.9236 camphillspecialschool.org

2012–2013 board of direCtorS

Gregory Ambrose, President

Claus Sproll, Secretary

Craig L. Adams

Sonja Adams

Guy Alma

Lynn Garner

Jan Christopher Goeschel, Ph.D.

William C. Herman, Esq.

october 6 waldorf Kindergarten open house

october 14 Camphill Challenge

october 27 admissions open house

november 29 & 30 Plein Air for Camphill

Save the Date: June 7 & 8 — 2013 Gala and ProAm

FSC LOGO HERE

INDICIA

Join US on faCebooK.

Manfred Maier

Amy P. McHugh

Jennifer Nilsen

Tom Rosendale

Sarah Schreck

Florie Seery

Bernard Wolf

VISIT CAmPHILLSPECIALSCHOOL.OrG FoR MoRe DeTAIlS AboUT All eVenTS.

Please join us

2012

emeriti

Ursel Pietzner

Raymond Ripper

Extraordinary children. Extraordinary possibilities.