Every January ONEHOPE goes on a company retreat to reflect on the past year, set goals, and brainstorm new ways to increase our impact. For our 2019 all-hands, we were grateful to execute our planning, breakout sessions, wine tasting, and dinners at our private estate and vineyard in the heart of Napa Valley. After a great week of bonding and strategizing, we ended the trip with the best activity of all: volunteering. This year we headed into the forest of Enchanted Hills Camp to help repair some of the damage from the Napa fires.
About Enchanted Hills Camp
Enchanted Hills Camp is an incredible retreat for the blind and visually impaired. Located in breathtaking Mt. Vedeer, this camp provides unforgettable opportunities for kids, teens, adults, and families to grow and learn together. From archery and woodworking, to music lessons and arts & crafts, Enchanted Hills allows the blind and visually impaired to enjoy a range of experiences in a fun and accessible way.
Photo credit: LightHouse
In October of 2017, Enchanted Hills Camp fell victim to the wine country wildfires which destroyed half of the structures and cabins on the property. Since insurance only covers a portion of the repairs, Enchanted Hills Camp has relied on the donations and kindness of the community to help restore their facilities.
Our Time at Enchanted Hills Camp
After driving the beautiful, scenic route to Mt. Vedeer, we finally arrived at Enchanted Hills Camp. The first thing we noticed after stepping out of the vans was the overwhelming size and awe-inspiring beauty of the property itself. With over 300 acres of land surrounded by redwoods and greenery, it is truly spectacular.
Once we settled in and went over the safety and orientation from the friendly staff, we were ready to get our hands dirty and help repair the facilities.
Splitting up into groups, we were able to take on a number of projects around the camp. These included painting the art barn, removing furniture from a smoke-damaged building, clearing debris and fallen branches from the forest fire, building a sensory path for the blind, sanding rowboats, and more.
We worked together in teams to tackle these tasks and felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and accomplishment for what we were able to finish. After a day of learning, working, laughing, making new friends (animals included), and growing as a company, it was time to head home.
How You Can Help
Enchanted Hills Camp is truly a magical place that we look forward to returning to in the near future. If you’re looking for a way to get involved and help restore this retreat, there are plenty of ways you can help!
- Like their page on Facebook and share it with friends to help spread the word
- Purchase an item from their Amazon Wishlist
- Make a donation online to help rebuild Enchanted Hills Camp
- Volunteer at Enchanted Hills Camp or Lighthouse for the blind and visually impaired
- Host a wine tasting and support the Camp with your 10% donation
Cheers,
The ONEHOPE Wine Team
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