About WFC

WFC is an unaffiliated camp and conference center offering  summer hospitality, educational  social justice-related workshops and lectures, recreational hike and  bike outings, and creative opportunities for all ages near the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire.

MISSION

WFC promotes global 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 our shared humanity and the pursuit of justice.

Mind, body, and spirit can learn, relax, and play as you opt in to educational programs, recreational activities, and informal sharing throughout the day. Community sharing continues over meals prepared for you and yours.

Engage with a variety of people – a mix of visitors, staff and volunteers – as  folks engaged with the defining issues of our time gather and share experience and hope in a wilderness setting in the White Mountains.

You can vacation or bring your work retreat or get married in this place that prioritizes progressive politics, environmental harmony, offers opportunities for the enjoyment and understanding of nature, and models organic gardening.

WFC strives to create a culture beyond kindness and inclusivity, building respect and understanding among all peoples. Join in transformation for liberation from socially constructed lines and boxes of white supremacy, class, gender, sexuality, age, abilities, experience, nationality, ethnicity and beliefs.

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 war, prepare for peace” 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.

2020
The Kathryn ‘Kit’ Schmauch Conservation Easement established with Upper Saco Valley Land Trust to permanently protect nearly 400 acres of wilderness and green space.

2022

Octavia Driscoll become’s WFC’s Director.

Year Round Staff

Executive Director

Octavia Driscoll

Octavia comes to WFC from working at The New School’s College of Performing Arts in New York. There, as mainstage Director of Production Management, she provided a determined voice in conversations around equity and cultural change. Her Master’s degree in non-profit management, commitment to social justice, and intelligent good humor brought her to the fore from the many great candidates the Search Committee considered.

Personnel & Outreach Coordinator

Alice James

Alice studied Sustainable Agriculture and Community Development in college, while working at a justice-based retreat center during the summers the summers. She became enchanted with community living, and went on to hold leadership positions at many retreat centers. She joined World Fellowship as head cook during the summers of 2017 and 2018. During those seasons of hard work, not only did she ably oversee food services, she also contributed in important ways to building staff community and morale, working to create intersectional social justice-based policies and practices to make her fellow staff feel appreciated and heard.

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, Co-Chair
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
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.

Cal Truman
Ulster Park, NY

Molly Rose Kaufman, Co-Chair
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

Patricia Cantor Petrucelly, Treasurer/Clerk
Cambridge, MA

Since the early 1970’s World Fellowship has inspired me to work for social justice, to savor the natural environment, and to develop life-long friendships. I am now retired after over 40 years of public interest law practice in Massachusetts and am honored to give back by serving on the board of this unique and essential organization, particularly during these challenging times.  I look forward to working to ensure that WF continues for generations to come — and that I can share many more years there with children and grandchildren and the WF community of friends, artists, and dedicated activists.

Jacek Polubiec
NY

I have been coming to WFC for many years and both my daughters, Alex and April, practically grew up here. An educational leader who spent more than twenty years teaching and supervising urban schools, my primary interests revolve around teacher leadership, intrinsic motivation and educational innovation. I believe that educational leaders ought to be great listeners and systematic thinkers who ask great questions, and assure that the structures and procedures they put in place provide the necessary solutions.

Kait Thomson
NH

From New Hampshire and a graduate of UNH, I am a community organizer, performance artist and dog foster mom. My organizing work has primarily been within climate and reproductive rights – as the Coordinator of 350 New Hampshire I built the foundation of operations, volunteer-driven campaigns, and fundraising to my current position as the Northeast Regional Organizing Manager for NARAL Pro-Choice America. Outside of organizing I produce and perform in burlesque and cabaret shows throughout New England and also foster rescue dogs as they wait for their forever home.

Kait deeply cherishes the history of WFC and the commitment of our community to see it live on.

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

STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

Committees, which may include WFC community members, confer between  board meetings making recommendations for board decisions. The board defines the purpose and tasks for each committee. 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