I asked the refugee kids to pose for me at Pompanuck Farm. They had just gathered around the farm there to feed the fish and watch for tadpoles and frogs. Ali, their very beloved teacher and guide is at the right in the rear. To his left are Scott and Lisa Carrino and Dr. David Gandell of Pompanuck Farms.

Maria, who all of you know, is up front. Scott and Lisa Carrino are also the co-owners of the Round House Bakery And Cafe, moving shortly to its new home. They live for community.

I am determined to get these kids to Pompanuck Farm for a weekend retreat, they would just love it there. I’m going to talk to Scott and Lisa about what it would cost to get them there for a couple of days, it would be so meaningful to them. Pompanuck donated lunch, six or seven gourmet pizzas and Scott gave the kids a tour of the farm.

The kids were so happy and free there. The  Pompanuck Farm Institute has trails, ponds, yurts, comfortable rooms to stay in and a beautiful kitchen and woods to explore. If any group of people ever needed a retreat, it would be these kids. Ali, too, he works seven days a weeks for them.

This is the group that is going to the Great Escape Adventure Park in July, thanks to the generosity of Kimberly, a reader of the blog.

Scott and Lisa were thrilled to have the kids there and I am sure we can work something out. I’ll share this with you. I’ve never seen these kids so at ease and free as they were at Pompanuck today, this non-profit retreat center and farm is quite magical.  It is a place of great beauty and safety.