About WFC

WFC is an independent intergenerational secular summer camp and conference center located near the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire.

MISSION

WFC promotes social justice and connections between people, communities, and nature through education, recreation, and creative expression.

VISION

We envision a world where people are deeply rooted in their shared humanity and the pursuit of justice.

WFC offers renewal of mind, body, and spirit through educational programs, recreational activities, and informal sharing of progressive values.

We continue a tradition of vigorous, constructive engagement with the defining issues of our time.

We promote environmental harmony, providing opportunities for the enjoyment and understanding of nature, and modeling sustainable forest management and organic agriculture practices.

We foster kindness and inclusivity, striving to build respect and understanding between people across lines of race, class, gender, sexuality, age, abilities, experience, nationality, ethnicity and beliefs.

We value and cultivate respect for the worth of all individuals.

History

Founded in 1941 as a secular non-profit organization, this “camp and conference center with a social conscience” has a rich history of speaking truth to power, defending civil liberties and promoting peace while considering issues of justice and freedom as our society shapes itself for future generations. All while families and people of all ages enjoy the wilderness, community, arts, wholesome food and good summer fun!

A BRIEF HISTORY OF WORLD FELLOWSHIP CENTER

1893
First Parliament of Religions, in conjunction with World Expo, Chicago.

1918
League of Neighbors commenced working for Racial Unity

1929
World Fellowship of Faiths founded an inter-religious, intercultural peace organization, bringing together the League of Neighbors for common human unity; Union of East and West for cultural unity; and Fellowship of Faiths for religious unity.

1941
World Fellowship Center, a secular summer camp and conference center, is founded by Charles and Eugenia Weller (with help from Lola Maverick Lloyd and scores of contributors), in Albany, NH on 290 acres in the White Mountains.

The opening taglines: “In a time of peace, prepare for war” and “Rustic but adequate”.

1953
Willard and Ola Uphaus became Directors in the McCarthy era. Soon after, the NH attorney general demanded that they turn over lists of guests and presenters. They refused.

1958
Purchase of Weller House and 30 acres – home of the first World Fellowship organic garden.

1959 – 1960
Though subversive activity was never established, after six years of litigation the US Supreme Court upheld the State of NH’s ‘contempt of court’ and Willard Uphaus spent his 70th year in jail.

1970
Christoph and Kathryn (Kit) Schmauch became Directors. During the Schmauchs’ 30-year tenure the Center grew to include: Children’s Fellowship; weekly cultural offerings; organic vegetable gardens; 135 additional acres; nature trails; Schmauch Meeting Room…and much more.

1982
Uphaus Lodge purchased.

2001
Andy Davis and Andrea Walsh became Directors. A year-round home for directors and office built on site. Program offerings expanded to include spring and fall weddings, summer Recreation Program, Art on the Porch, additional trainings and workshops, and more.

2018-2019
The Kathryn ‘Kit’ Schmauch Conservation Easement to permanently protect wilderness and farm acreage established with Upper Saco Valley Land Trust.

Co-Directors

Andrea Walsh

Andrea brings experience directing, fundraising for, volunteering with and growing non-profit organizations of many stripes to the job of co-directing WFC. Andrea enjoys helping groups and individuals juggle the endless opportunities and challenges of social justice work.

Originally from the lush farmland of mid-Michigan, Andrea treasures having raised Fiona while working with Andy in the Granite State. Andrea loves to knit, enjoys long-distance self-propelled journeys, and likes being with people who want to hurry up and slow down to join in making the world a better place—for everybody.

Andrew Davis

Andy was born in New Hampshire, and mostly grew up on the coast of Maine and on Long Island. During the 1980s he earned his living as a cook, struggled against a US foreign policy in the grip of death squads and mercenaries, hitchhiked 100,000 miles, and traveled whenever possible in Europe, Africa, and Latin America.

During the 1990s did human rights work in Guatemala, where he met Andrea Walsh. They came back to the US and lived in an intentional community while casting about for a way to combine their values and livelihood; in the meantime, he learned carpentry and did seasonal farm work while also learning to grow food organically. Andy and Andrea got married in 1999, and Fiona Uniacke Davis-Walsh joined them in the world soon after. In 2000 the three of them came to live and work at the World Fellowship Center. Since 2001 he has channeled his senses of righteous indignation and magical realism into a passionate avocation as a storyteller.

Staff

Office and Outreach Manager

A year-round position with varied duties, according to the season. Responsibilities range from outreach to organizations, publicity, and social media; to office management, registrar, and personnel responsibilities; and more. This position is currently open.

Summer Staff and Volunteers

Each May – September 25-35 people spend 2-12 weeks making WFC summer happen. Care to join us?

Board of Trustees

The World Fellowship Center Board works to ensure that the mission of the organization is fulfilled in financial, legal and ethically responsible ways.

TRUSTEES

Eroc Arroyo-Montano
Boston, MA

I bring my experience as an educator, artist, facilitator, organizer, youth worker, community activist and a proud father of three children as well as my passion for Social Justice and my love of laughter and nature to the WFC board in hopes of being useful. I hope to be able to connect new people with WFC with the idea that nature and community will bring some healing and relaxation to them. My favorite spot at WFC is on a rowboat, with my family, picking wild blueberries on Whitton Pond. I am also a fan of the morning updates over a family style, homemade breakfast.

Jane Becker, Co-Chair
Montclair, NJ

I bring my love of WFC and my skills as a math head/computer geek/organized brain to the WFC board in hopes of continuing to strengthen our financial position, with new structures to support World Fellowship’s Second Century. I’m proud to be a part of the leadership that supports our unique and vital niche in this crazy world, atop our little piece of Eden. One of my favorite spots at WFC is on the esker, reached through the trail in the Chocorua Birches land.

Gina Bilander, Buildings, and Grounds Task Force Chair
Cambridge, MA

World Fellowship is my community and second home. I am a photographer. I hope to share with guests that take my photo workshops WF’s unique history and great natural beauty, and bring to the board what I learn from them about their experiences here and how they want to see WF continue to evolve. As chair of Buildings & Grounds Task Force, I have a special commitment to sustaining our land and buildings as we also move forward with new structures that will welcome and meet the needs of our diverse community. One of my favorite places at WF is the front lawn early in the morning, watching Mt. Chocorua change colors as the sun rises and people come to Lloyd Lodge.

Manu Mei-Singh
Trenton, NJ

I am very lucky and happy to be part of the World Fellowship community and to support its sustainability, growth, hospitality and enjoyment for all by being a board member. At WF, I enjoy conversing with folks, swimming at Whitton Pond and enjoying the many evening activities — from Fun Night to the radical talks about social justice. But more often than not, you’ll find me doing handstands on the front lawn.

Cal Truman
Newmarket, NH

Molly Kaufman
Orange, NJ

Jim Greene
Jamaica Plain, MA

I bring my long-haul commitment to love, justice, hospitality and human rights to the WFC board in a spirit of welcoming new faces and wise elders, cherished friends and merry pranksters to find solidarity in our struggles by encouraging new visions, lifting up new voices and adding new tunes to the People’s Songbook as we discern who, and how we need to be in these trying times. My favorite spot at WFC might be jumping into Whitton Pond after hiking Chocorua, or the lawn near the big rock after supper when the murmur of conversations ripples out in the evening and I can lean on the peace post and gaze across Chocorua’s jagged peak as the sun goes down. I also love the Lloyd Lodge library whenever people gather to listen, learn, gab or guide each other through the issues or ideas of the day.

Jody Lally
Brookline, MA

Alex Melman, Co-chair
Madison, WI

I have been going to WFC since I was a little kid and love to gather there each summer with three generations of my extended family. I work as a web developer, designer, and organizer based in Madison, WI. For several summers, I was a staff member at WFC. I bring my enthusiasm for community-building and big-picture thinking to our work. When I am on-site, I love to get in a canoe and search for blueberries and pitcher plants in the back pond.

Mars van Grunsven
Brooklyn, NY

I bring my experience as a journalist who focuses on social activism and my get-things-done- mentality to the WFC board, in hopes of serving the WF community and expanding its reach. My favorite spot at WF is the lawn in front of the Main Lodge and its view of Mount Chocorua, best observed with friends and a glass of wine at hand.

Co-Directors serve as Ex-Officio members of the board.

STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

Committees, which may include WFC community members, meet by conference call between face-to-face board meetings. The board defines the purpose and tasks for each committee. Committees make recommendations to the board for decisions. A co-director serves on each committee. Board members serve on at least one committee or task force.

Finance

Works to ensure sound financial management of World Fellowship Center.

Governance

Attends to matters of the Board’s functioning. This includes Nominations functions.

Development

The Development Committee works to invite and support community collaboration in fulfilling our mission, including raising necessary funds and supporting relationships with the community of supporters and friends.

Task Forces:
Buildings and Grounds
Outreach
Events
Transition Task Force

Contact the Board of the World Fellowship Center through office @ worldfellowship.org