Location and Logistics

Location and Logistics

Our Campus

Our courses are located in Corinth, Vermont on 135 acres of forest and fields along the south branch of the Waits River. We have rustic camping facilities, outdoor classrooms and kitchen, as well as a central shop building with drinking water and a connection to the outside world if needed. 

 

Roots School

Public Transportation

By Plane

From Logan Airport, Boston, MA
Lebanon Municipal Airport serves the Upper Valley.
Cape Air (800-227-3247) connects to the Hanover/Lebanon area through New York and Boston.
 

By Train

Amtrak’s Vermonter service from Washington, DC and New York arrives daily in nearby White River Junction, VT. We can make arrangements to pick visitors up at White River Junction, VT.

By Bus

Megabus travels to Montpelier from Boston MA, New York NY, Hartford CT, Amherst, MA, and more.

Greyhound has a route that travels from Boston, through NH, to Montpelier, VT, up to Montreal, and back again.

Dartmouth Coach offers daily service from Boston’s South Station and Logan Airport, and occasionally from the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport to Hanover and Lebanon.

Stage Coach connects the people and places of Orange and North Windsor counties of Vermont

Pick Up

Getting to rural Vermont can have its challenges but we can make it happen. We do pick ups the night before most classes in Montpelier, VT, White River Junction, Vt, or Hanover, NH for $30. Pick ups must be pre-arranged and happen by 8:30 PM.

At the right times, Stage Coach can conviently take you from White River Junction to Bradford, an easy thirteen minutes from the school at which we will be happy to pick you up at no charge.

Directions To  192 Bear Notch Rd. Corinth VT 05033

Please note: This is not our mailing address.  Our mailing address is: 192 Bear Notch Rd. Bradford VT, 05033.
Be careful using GPS. 
 If you are coming up 91 from the south stay on 91 till exit 16! Often coming from the south on 91 it will have you get off before exit 16 and try crossing over from Vershire over Bear Notch Rd, where there is really a swamp and not a road. Please bring a copy of our directions with you.

From 89

Exit 7  Head South on Exit 7 0.4 mi
Merge onto Vt-62 E 4.4 mi
Turn Right onto North Main St. 0.5 mi
Slight Left onto Washington St. 1.2 mi
Continue onto Us-302 E/E Barre Rd 2.5 mi
At traffic circle, continue straight onto E Barre Rd. 0.4 mi
Continue onto Us-302 E/E Barre Rd/Orange Rd . 6.4 mi
Slight Right onto Vt-25 S 8.5 mi
Turn Right onto Brook Rd 4.3 mi
Left onto Goose Green Rd. 1.0 mi
Take the 1st Right onto Bear Notch Rd. 0.2 mi
Look for the Roots School sign at the first driveway on the right after the bridge. #192

From 91

If using GPS make sure to get off at EXIT 16

Take Exit 16
Turn west onto Vt-25 N 4.9 mi
Turn Left onto Chelsea Rd. 446 ft
Slight Right to stay on Chelsea Rd. 1.7 mi
Continue onto Goose Green Rd. 1.7 mi
Slight left onto Bear Notch Rd. 0.2 mi
Look for the Roots School sign at the first driveway on the right after the bridge. #192

The school’s driveway is the first right on Bear Notch Rd. Look for Roots School sign, set back off the road a little bit on the right.  After the bridge on the driveway there is a parking lot to the left, please park there and walk up the driveway till you see the classroom signs, follow these to right to the classroom where we will be waiting to complete registration and start up.

Do not rely solely on GPS.  To those relying on GPS systems, they have helped students as much as hindered them.  Please take a copy of our directions along with you if you plan on using one, or else risk coming in on the wrong side of Bear Notch Rd. and into a swamp.  We have pulled out more than one student after they have walked miles to get help.

Visiting Our Campus

Basic Gear for Classes

Please Check Your Confirmation Letter For Specific Gear Requirements For Your Course, This Is Just The Basic List That Applies To Almost All Courses.

  • Note Book and Pen
  • Weather appropriate clothing and footwear. This includes rain gear, and clothing that can get wet and/or dirty.
  • Water bottle; One liter at least.
  • A bandanna, or piece of fabric that can act as a blindfold

Overnight Classes

  • A insulate pad, therma-rest, or camping pad to elevate you off of the ground and keep you warm while you sleep.
  • A tent or tarp set up to keep you and your belongings dry.
  • A sturdy bag to hold your belongings and keep them dry
  • Mug or thermos
  • Toiletries
  • Sleeping bag that is rated for cold weather
  • Plate, bowl, and utensils. Please don’t forget this

 

What You May Want To Bring:

  • Camera-stills only, no videos
  • Snacks
  • A towel and bathing suit, if during the summer months
  • Tape recorder
  • Tools and materials pertaining to the class
  • Something to sit on when the ground is wet or covered in snow
  • If you bring insect repellent, we ask that it is DEET free. We have natural alternatives.

 Do NOT Bring The Following To Any Roots School Classes:

  • Fire Arms
  • Drugs
  • Fire works
  • Pets
A carving knife is a good item to have on hand for classes.  If you don’t own one and want to, we would recommend a 2”-5” blade, non-folding, and sharp.  We will have knives to borrow for the duration of the class.  If you would like to purchase one from us, we might have some Frost/Mora of Sweden knives for sale.
Please pack in a way that allows you to comfortably carry your gear to your campsite. When packing, make sure that you take care of your basic needs so as to focus on the class.  Furthermore, small comfort items such as snacks, extra extra socks, and so on can be the needed thing.

 

Camping And Overnight Classes

For the duration of the classes camping is provided. For students wishing to spend the night before or after course days in order for travel plans to work out, there is a small fee of $10 dollars a night per site. Camping facilities are rustic, limited to tent and tarp set up locations, and outdoor kitchen and outhouses. Parking is available for the duration of your course.

November 15 to April 15

COVID Note- No Indoor camping until further notice.

Winter Camping can be very demanding and intensive. It is not our intention for people to focus their attention on camping while at most of our courses, so students may sleep in the yurt during the colder months.  It is an open communal space so please plan accordingly. Perhaps best called indoor winter camping, there is ample room for folks to roll out a mat and sleeping bag. Please expect to help stock firewood if you are staying in the yurt. Classes where winter camping is required we will make it clear in the course description.  If you choose to come a day early or stay a night after a class to ease travel, we charge $20 for use of the yurt.

About The Land

The land has over a half a mile of river frontage and several streams, a beautiful varied forest, rambling topography, and plenty of wildlife. Many lessons in tracking may be found as whitetails, moose, black bear, fishers, bobcats, porcupine, coyotes, foxes, mink, ermine, snowshoe hare, wild turkey, and ruffled grouse, are seen and tracked. Often times we are also lucky enough to catch a hawk circling the pasture and to hear the barred owls calls in the darkness of night. The diversity of plants, trees, and animals make this an ideal place to study and grow.

Food

For most classes food is not provided. We have an outdoor kitchen with running water, a gas range, limit fridge access, freezer access for ice packs, coolers, and basic pots and pans. Please bring your own food and mess kits. Bring a one liter water bottle and stay hydrated.

Please bring snacks for yourself as being outdoor and learning new skills require extra calories!

For  specified overnight classes, some or all meals are provided and will be listed in the course description.  We seek to provide high quality food and full, well rounded meals.  Nearly all of the food we cook is local and/or organic, and prepared to be delicious.   Please make us aware of any special food needs in advance of the class when registering if meals are provided.  We can accommodate vegetarian, gluten free, egg free, pork free, and dairy free diets.  If you have other unique or intensive dietary restrictions, we may not be able to accommodate you, and would recommend you to both contact us and plan on bringing yourself extra food. We always recommend to all students to bring snacks to help keep you comfortable, focused, and happy with your brain and body sated.  

Course Enrollment Requirements And Cancellation Policy

All courses are filled on a first come first serve basis. The size of each class will be limited to a number that allows participants to receive an exceptional level of experience and education. Unless a class is specifically for children or families you must be at least 18 years old to attend all Roots School courses. If any person under 18 would like to attend a class please call Roots School and speak with us personally. Each student must sign a liability waiver prior to participation in a class. A non-refundable deposit is required with your registration form; the remaining balance will be due on the first day of the class. If you cancel your reservation for a class one month prior to the start of the course, you will be able to transfer the full amount of your deposit to another course. The transferable deposit may be applied toward the cost of another course within 12 months of the original course date. If Roots School is not notified of your cancellation one month prior to the class, you will be charged the full amount of your deposit.  For classes listed as a single payment, the payment will not be refunded if you cancel within two weeks of the class start date. Please allow two weeks for the office to process your registration form and deposit. Your reservation will be confirmed when you receive a letter with additional course information and registration confirmation.  

Payment

Please send in the registration form with a deposit or payment in full. Deposits vary according to the course and are listed on our website. Your deposit will be applied toward the cost of the course; the remaining balance will be due on the first day of the class. We accept cash, traveler’s checks, checks, money orders, and credit cards online only. Please make checks payable to Roots School LLC.

Payment Plans: Payment Plans are available by request for long term programs. 
Payment Plan Policy: Please know that if you sign up for a payment plan and drop out midway through the course you are still responsible for the remainder of your balance. If you do not complete your payments on schedule late fees will be assessed.  Please contact us if you would like to discuss a personal and flexible, payment plan
 
Refund Policy: Tuition minus the deposit is refundable up to one month before the beginning of the program. In the unlikely event that we have to cancel a course we will issue a full refund unless you prefer a credit for any course. If a course is canceled Roots School is not responsible for any additional cost due to the cancellation or date change.
COVID Exception: If we have to cancel a course due to Covid-19 and state restrictions we will reschedule the class. If you cannot attend the resheduled course a credit will be issued for the full amount.

Grants: Qualifying Vermont residents may apply for Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, (VSAC) Advancement Grants (Previously non-degree grants.) Be aware that VSAC begins its funding cycle in June and January of each year and awards grants on a first-come-first-serve basis while funds last. Please apply early!  Students who apply for VSAC grants are asked to submit a non-refundable deposit with your registration form. When the grant is issued at the start of the program, we will refund whatever amount of your deposit is in excess of the tuition.  VSAC application forms may be obtained from Vermont Student Assistance Corporation: 1-800-882-4166 or write P.O. Box 2000, Champlain Mill, Winooski, VT 05404-2601.

Privacy Statement

All personal and medical information included in the registration form is used only by Roots School. E-mail and mailing addresses are never shared or sold with any other organization and will only be used by Roots School LLC.

 

We look forward to a great class!