Cultivating action & empathy for people & planet
“I really enjoyed my time here and a lot of the mental aspects of the experience. Other than learning about sustainability, I just liked the tenderfoot aspect so much and the mentality of asking for help and trying to learn new things. I had a really insightful experience, as well as a much needed break from “real” life and I know that the students at your next program will also get so much from it!” – Spring Break Participant 2022
Program Dates
Session 1: March 4 – 10, 2023
Session 2: March 12 – 18, 2023
Program Cost: $250
Application Opens: October 15, 2022
Application Deadline: January 30, 2023
Interested in living more sustainably? Wonder how you can use sustainability in your career? Join a Tenderfoot study away program, and you’ll experience a lifestyle that is likely very different from your own without the high cost and COVID-related complications of traditional study abroad. With the guidance and expertise of our live-in staff, participants manage a garden, cook for each other, and work on sustainable building and maintenance projects. Students also spend time in group discussion exploring how sustainability is relevant to their own academic majors, professions, and communities.
(All times are in Eastern.)
Day One
10 am – 12 pm: Move-In
12:30 pm: Welcome Lunch
2 pm – 5 pm: Orientation & Tour
5 pm – 7 pm: Dinner
Day Two – Six
8 am: Breakfast
9 am – 12 pm: Crew Rotations*
12 pm – 2pm: Lunch & Break
2 pm – 5 pm: Sustainable Living Class (experiential & classroom activities)
5 pm – 7 pm: Dinner & Break
7 pm – : Reflection, Recreation, & Relaxation
Day Seven
10 am: Brunch
11:30 am: Wrap-up Reflection & Awards Session
12:30 – 4 pm: Optional Recreation & Relaxation – Check out by 4 pm.
*There are 3 service crews: Garden, Kitchen, & Infrastructure. Everyone will rotate through all three over the course of the week. The Garden Team tends the veggie beds, the Kitchen Team prepares lunch and dinner, and the Infrastructure Team works on building and/or maintenance projects.
What to Bring
What to Leave at Home
The $250 program fee covers all on-site expenses:
Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their own transportation to and from Tenderfoot. Participants arriving via the GoBus can arrange for Tenderfoot staff to pick you up at the bus stop located at Ohio University.
Questions? Email us at tenderfootlearninglab@gmail.com. Excited and ready to sign up? Apply here!