Opinion: From the heart: Building community with the next generation
Tucked away along the back roads of Marstons Mills on Shubael Pond is a sprawling expanse of nature — filled with woods, gardens and even outside classrooms. It is the campus of Fair Acres Country Day School — a place of learning, exploration and most of all, community.
A family-owned and -operated school, Fair Acres was originally a day camp founded by Cornelius Fair. In 1967, Chuck Larson, a professor at Northeastern University, had an opportunity to purchase the property from Mr. Fair, and that was a new beginning. While summering on the Cape, Chuck and his wife Carolyn ran the camp, including their three children in their venture.
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After the Larsons divorced in the mid ’80s, Carolyn took on more responsibility running the camp, and at the age of 50, returned to school for her teaching degree. By 1988, Fair Acres was no longer only a camp. It opened its doors with a school that offered a class for 3-year-olds, a pre-kindergarten and a kindergarten. At the core of Carolyn’s philosophy was a strong belief that children need to be active. Much of the school’s curriculum was built around physical activity and being engaged with nature.
Business passed from generation to generation
As the school grew it was natural that, having grown up at the camp, two of Carolyn’s now-adult children took on integral roles. Youngest son Curt’s social nature and business acuity working in the health club industry, Curt’s wife Jodi’s background in education, and oldest son Craig’s building expertise created the perfect mix. Fair Acres flourished and a second structure being built in 2000 to support the growth.
For 18 years, Carolyn poured her heart into building a school that became a trusted place where families were ensured the focus was on complete child development — academic, physical, emotional and social growth, while surrounded in the wonder of nature. Eventually, after becoming a grandmother, Carolyn recognized that she wanted more time with her grandchildren and she retired in 2005. Craig, Curt, and Jodi soon realized that with their varied strengths they could buy the school allowing the Larson family to continue their legacy.
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Time moves forward bringing change. Five years ago, Craig decided he was ready to move on, and Curt and Jodi bought his share of Fair Acres. Curt reflected that the bonus of being in business with his brother was that it brought them closer together.
As of today, Fair Acres has added another class for 3-year-olds, a second preschool room and a kindergarten. The Larsons are aware that the key to running a quality school is the staff — trying to find the right people and fit, then training and giving them the tools and support to succeed. Strong staffing with little turnover and keeping classroom size low has meant greater individualized attention.
The staff utilizes every inch of the eight-acre campus. In this unique setting, children problem-solve, communicate and make friends.
“Most of all, it’s not just curriculum, it’s understanding our story,” Curt said.
Traditions bring campers back each year
It is a story about building community. The philosophy of open communication among the staff trickles down to parents and children, creating a welcoming environment.
“There’s not too many situations we can’t solve when everyone feels a part of it,” Curt said.
Lisa McIntyre, summer camp director, reiterated the significance of that sense of community. She described the impact that being a part of Fair Acres has had in her life as she relives the experience she herself had at the camp growing up.
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As a seventh-grade teacher, she credits Fair Acres for teaching her how to be a leader and manage problems. Lisa said that campers keep coming back for the traditions. That allows her to see them grow and change, whether it’s as an athlete or an artist. She conveyed it perfectly: “Fair Acres builds an experience – they build a community.”
With multi-generations and multiple siblings passing through, Curt shared that as children get ready to leave Fair Acres, the greatest reward is to hear parents express what the experience meant to their child.
“They share that their child had a strong start. You don’t have to be a computer whiz at 5 years old to succeed,” Curt said. “It’s more important that you have a foundation.”
Keeping up with the pace of change in our world means the challenges are always there. What carries the school through is remaining steadfast to their philosophy and the belief that children are not machines, they are individuals who soak up what is around them in their daily lives.
Giving back to former students
A name familiar in Barnstable for many years, Fair Acres takes pride in supporting their students long after they have left the program. Each year scholarships are awarded to Barnstable High School graduates who attended the school years earlier. Curt treasures the opportunity to read through the applications and peek into the lives of those he knew in their formative years, discovering the direction of their journey.
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Curt never imagined he’d be involved with Fair Acres and education. After growing up at the camp, he now has the chance to keep his parents’ legacy alive. His emotion was clear as he conveyed what it means to raise his family there, including now his grandson, and have them experience every part of it.
“It can’t get any better than seeing children laugh and learn,” he said. “To see it all come together, that it still can happen in this world that is crazy, I am very grateful.”
Barbara Dunn lives in Marston Mills. She is a retired teacher in the Barnstable Public Schools District and a former School Committee member.
This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Opinion: Building community with the next generation in Marstons Mills
