Daily Rhythm
Work Activities
The Triform Camphill youth guidance educational work activity program strives to offer each young adult a wide array of unique, vocational work experiences and activities. The rural character of the land, coupled with learning by doing, blend to create a positive and nurturing curriculum. As a result, the seven work areas (farm, garden, estate, home economics, weavery, bakery, and pottery) reflect the life and reality of the community.
Guided by full time volunteer coworkers who love what they are doing, the young adult absorbs their enthusiasm. Within each work area, Triform students will learn the connection and reality between work and their lives. For example, the vegetables grown in the garden, the bread baked at the bakery, the milk produced from Triform cows are brought to each home for the daily meals. Using a table runner woven in the weavery or bowls made in the pottery demonstrate the beauty and utility of craft work. Each work area has a purpose and through these purposes the young person becomes aware of their own purpose and contribution to life.
As students progress through Triform’s transitional program, they spend a semester as a student in each of the work areas during the mornings. At the end of the student period, the young person selects a work area in which to apprentice. During their apprenticeship, young adults develop an increased sense of confidence, competence, self-awareness, and responsibility as they become more deeply involved in their chosen work area.
The youth guidance work activities are intentionally conducted in beautiful spaces. The theory behind this fact is that natural environments positively influence the young people. Working in such natural environments creates a sense of order, peace, and beauty that is especially reassuring and therapeutic for young people with special needs. For example, the spacious weavery has lofty ceilings and bucolic views from all of its windows.
Afternoon Coursework
In the afternoons the curriculum shifts to a series of artistic courses, basic academic courses and individual tutoring which create the possibilities for self-knowledge, leading to adulthood. This artistic approach to learning enlivens the mind and helps the young adult find his or her way to interact in a living way with the world. The course work such as: drama, music, nature activities, spatial dynamics, speech work, water-color painting, crafts and eurythmy provide the individual with a group learning experience.
As an example of this artistic approach, each year the community comes together to create a play. This event gives each individual an opportunity to become part of the larger community, while recognizing their individual efforts. The experiential teaching methods are employed by all teachers within their classrooms.
Therapies
Supplementing the courses are a variety of therapies prescribed on an individualized basis. Eurythmy, therapeutic baths, rhythmical massage, singing and music therapy, therapeutic horseback riding, and counseling are offered by trained practitioners certified or licensed in each therapy.
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