The Highland Lodge is Celebrating the
Smith Family's 54th Year of Innkeeping

THE CROSS COUNTRY REPORT

I'm not going to erase our winter observations below because we are still deep in snow. We are closed because people living to the south of us are doing Spring things and not calling us for room reservations now, but they are thinking ahead and making reservations for Memorial Day Weekend and for the Summer. See you then!

Take a peek at the weather link below or call us between 8 AM and 10 PM for an up-to-the-minute snow report. We've got the snow! Weather in Greensboro

The Old Farmers' Almanac guarantees that we will continue having an excellent ski season. Call us now to reserve, and when you visit us you will quickly see why the Northeast Kingdom has been selected by the National Geographic Society as a geotourism destination! (For more info on this designation, visit travel the kingdom Call us for a reservation at (802) 533-2647.

We are closed until May 23: It's spring cleaning and project time, but we continue to answer phone calls and emails. Contact us from 9 am to 9 PM at (802) 533-2647, leave a message, and we will call you back. Email us anytime at highland.lodge@verizon.net .We check emails regularly and will get back to you soon!

Spontaneity Special: In effect whenever we are open! Reserve within 7 days of your stay and take 10% off the current rate. Call (802) 533-2647 to reserve.

June is a Wonderful Time to Visit: Consider starting your summer here! Romantic get-aways, family gatherings, college reunions, retreat and restoration are some of the many reasons people come when it' s a bit quieter, very green, and truly beautiful. Take advantage of our reduced rates, and call us for a reservation!

Greenest Month Get Away Package:
Enjoy the greening of summer, and an opportunity to restore yourself with a few days in the country!

•Two Nights’ Accommodations in a Room for two ($530) or Cottage ($550)—all Private Baths. Single Rate: $320 in Room, $340 in Cottage
•Two Sumptuous Candlelight Dinners and Two Full Breakfasts included
•Full Use of Facilities, including beach and boats, game room, hiking and walking trails
•Bicycle “rentals” for adults at no charge
•No Charge for Children 7 and under
•Children’s Nature Camp Programs are available on-site from June 17-20th and June 23-28th (extra charge—see listing on our website’s “Specials” Page)
•9% State Tax is Additional. All Gratuities are included.

This Package is Available from May 23 through June 26th. Please Call us at (802) 533-2647 or email highland.lodge@verizon.net to reserve.

Our acclaimed Morning Play Program with Snow Wakeman for 4-9 year-old lodge guests continues this summer, beginning in late June through late August. This program is included in the MAP rate and is offered for Lodge guests. Snow's first "class" of kids have now entered college, but she continues to meet new friends every year; parents tell us she's a big reason their kids so love the Highland Lodge!

As in past years, nature programs, open to Lodge guests and the public will take place at Highland Lodge.

Nature Programs with the Porter Brook Environmental Center at Highland Lodge--Early Summer 2008

June 18-20th (Weds-Fri) Critters and Communities Camp for 3-4 year-olds. Join us for a fun introductory camp that focuses on the discovery of three natural communities at Highland Lodge: the pine forest, the meadow, and the lower woods, with animal friends (puppets) leaving clues for us each day! We’ll also learn how to use our senses to explore nature! From 9-11:30 AM.Tuition: $75 ($50 Early Bird Special)

June 17-20th (Tues-Fri) All about Animals Camp for 4-9 year-olds: Come explore the world of birds, insects, mammals, and herps! Puppets and some live critters make this camp extra exciting! From 1-3:30 PM. Tuition $95 ($70 Early Bird Special)

June 23-June 28th (Mon-Fri) Earthkeepers™ Camp for 9-12 year-olds: An excellent introduction to ecology, Earthkeepers was offered for years at the Montshire Museum of Science Summer Program—now we are thrilled to bring this internationally-taught program to PBEC, with the help of Earthkeepers volunteers from Vermont, Washington state, and Pennsylvania. This exciting week involves immersion in nature, discovery of the secret meanings of the clues left by a mysterious character named E.M., hikes, Magic Spots,” and visits to the magical “E.M.’s lab.” By the end of the week, all campers will have earned 2 of
the 4 Earthkeeper keys which open real locks that disclose the identity of E.M., and an opportunity to work on earning the other 2 keys during the summer. From 9 to 4 PM.
Tuition: $160 includes keys and other Earthkeepers Materials. ($135 Early Bird Special) For more information on the Earthkeepers program, google “Earthkeepers program.”

June 30-July 3rd (Mon-Thurs) Nature in a Nutshell Camp for 4-7 year-olds: A “sampler” with hands-on learning about animals, plants, and homes and using crafts, puppetry, and sensory skills! We’ll use what we learn to guide us on the last day’s magical discovery tour! From 9 to 11:30 AM. Tuition: $95 ($70 Early Bird Special)

June 30-July 3rd (Mon-Thurs) Native Skills for 9-12 year-olds : local native skills expert Jeff Bickart teaches campers basic native, or primitive skills , including making fire without matches (flint & steel, bow drill, hand drill, etc.); making cordage (string, twine, rope) from wild plants; primitive hunting tools, basket making from native materials, and other skills. Jeff has taught primitive skills for 15+ years in a variety of settings, and is known for his technical expertise and engaging teaching style. From 1 to 5 PM. Tuition: $105 ($80 Early Bird Special)

June 30-July 3rd (Mon-Thurs) Plants in Particular Camp for 5-9 year-olds: Games, crafts, puppetry and a marvelous mysterious plant tour all help us understand the truly amazing food factory functions of the green friends all around us! From 1 to 4 PM $95 ($70 Early Bird Special)

For information on or to Register for these Programs, contact Anne at the Highland Lodge email address:highland.lodge@verizon.net.

Meals at Highland Lodge: We re-open for meals with dinner on Friday, May 23. Our summer/fall dining room hours are:

(*Special Holiday Monday lunches: Memorial Day (May 26) and Labor Day (September 1) 10% discount at lunch if you’re 65+ yrs. old OR if you walk, bicycle or canoe to the Lodge

(802) 533-2647

Memorial Day Weekend: Vermont Open Studios Event:
Come see the Northeast Kingdom during the greening season, and visit local artisans in their studios. There are over 20 participating artisans within 20 miles of the Highland Lodge. See www.vermontcrafts.com for information. Call us for a lodging reservation. We'll provide the Open Studios map.

Warbler Weekend with Bryan Pfeiffer: Friday, May 23 to Monday, May 26. For many years Bryan has opened us with this annual gathering of birders and warblers-- always a fun time and, as Bryan says: "It's about nature, and nurture." To sign up go to www.vermontbirdtours.com/register.html.

Spring '08 (May and June): Porter Brook Nature Programs and Day Camps right here at Highland Lodge! See the Listing Above, and Please call us for more information. This is our 10th year of nature programs.

Saturday June 21-25 2008 Medicinal Herb Workshop - Exploring the Science Behind the Folklore: For the third year, Highland Lodge hosts this three-day workshop focusing on botany, chemical makeup of plants, pharmacology, and uses of selected medicinal plants organized by disease state or body system. Taught by Wendell Combest, PhD, Professor of Pharmacology at the Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy of Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA, this is an academic and rigorous workshop and CEU credits are available. Tuition includes workshop fee, registration. double occupancy, lodging and all meals. To register, contact Highland Lodge at (802) 533-2647 or highland.lodge@verizon.net. The workshop begins with dinner on Saturday, and ends after lunch on Wednesday.

Friday, September 5-10: Quilt-Inn: Join quilter and author Judy B. Dales for top-notch instruction, good company, great food, and gorgeous quilts at Quilt Inn 2008. The next Quilt Inn Seminar will be held here again September 2008 from. Quilt Inn includes all meals, workshop, tax, service. $780.00 pp double occupancy; $805.00/pp single occupancy and is a wonderful opportunity to get inspired by your co-students' creativity, and instruction from one of the country's most accomplished quilters. For more information on the September 2008 seminars, contact us or Judy at jubda@aol.com.

Want to Know More About Winter at Highland Lodge? Read About us in the Boston Globe: Read a great article on the Highland Lodge's and Craftsbury Outdoor Center's Winter seasons written by Christina Tree, author of Vermont: An Explorer's Guide. Go to the link on our home page or ski page to read the article.

Thursday, March 13 - 16, 2008: Tara Jon Manning’s Mindful Knitting Retreat: For the fourth consecutive year, Highland Lodge will host author Tara Jon Manning, author of the Mindful Knitting, Compassionate Knitting, and Nature Babies books, for another unique Mindful Knitting. Enjoy a weekend of relaxation, inspiration, and of course, knitting as you explore the parallels of knitting and meditation. Retreat includes fantastic meals, yoga, outdoor activities, goody bag, copy of "Mindful Knitting: Inviting Contemplative Practice to the Craft," 3 nights' lodging and more! For more information call us at (802) 533-2647 or visit tarahandknitting.com. Featured guest Margaret Klein Wilson, author of "The Green Mountain Spinnery Knitting Book" and owner of Mostly Merino, will bring her fabulous fibers and expertise to the workshop. Sign up by contacting Highland Lodge at highland.lodge@verizon.net. March Dates for 2009 TBA.

Please Note, although we have a beautiful private beach on Caspian Lake, we do not have lakeside accommodations. Our beach and boathouse are a short walk (crossing the road and following the path through our woods), from our Lodge and cottages.

Driving Directions to Highland Lodge: Please use the directions on our "Driving Directions" Page, or call us for directions. Please note that on-line map program directions are inaccurate.