Meet the Member M MEET THE MEMBER: GOOD EARTH
VILLAGE T he bluffs of Southeastern Minnesota are arguably an underrated hidden gem in Minnesota. From beautiful views to fascinating wildlife, this area is a great place to get outdoors, Nestled in the bluffs in Spring Valley, Minnesota is Good Earth Village, a full-service retreat center offering summer camps, leadership training, trails, events, and more.
Executive Director of Good Earth Village, Dianna Parks, provided us with some more information about Good Earth Village. Q : Tell us about Good Earth Village. What does your company offer to the Rochester region? A : Good Earth Village is one of the most special places in the world. We are located on 477 acres of beautiful forest and prairie at the edge of the bluffs. We offer year-round programming including summer camp, fall youth retreats, adult education, fun events, and worship opportunities. Additionally, we host secular and faith-based groups for retreats, meetings, family reunions, weddings, and more. Q: How did it start for Good Earth Village? A : There was a man named Hamm Muus who was an advocate for outdoor ministry. He approached a group of leaders in the region to consider starting a camp here. At first folks were skeptical - “You can’t have a camp without a lake!” - but Mr. Muus persisted. The Barr family donated much of the property and the first summer camp was hosted in 1971.
Good Earth Village offers year-round programming, including summer camp.
Q: Good Earth Village became a member of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce in 2001. What do you find valuable in your membership to the organization? A: The networks of people are incredibly valuable. We have built many relationships through Chamber events. Q: What is a unique fact people should know about Good Earth Village? A: You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy Good Earth Village! Our site is open to the public most days for hiking and fishing - we have a gorgeous trout stream on our property, Spring Valley Creek. Also, our facilities are available for rent, and we have a full-service kitchen. We host family groups, church groups, business meetings, holiday parties, weddings, graduation parties, large camping groups, gaming weekends, writing workshops…the list goes on and on. We are very inclusive, and have hosted a wide variety of groups and interests.
| Advantage Magazine 6
September 2022
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