If you know of an adult with developmental disabilities who has the health, strength, and ability to be a part of an active community where work, social,
and cultural events go hand in hand, then Camphill Village is a good possibility as a place to live. Members of our community happily make Camphill Village their home for years and do not plan to leave. They choose to live here and thrive in its rural setting within loving, family homes. We encourage lives of responsibility and independence among people who desire to contribute to a healthy, vibrant community through their work and enthusiasm.
We are licensed by OMRDD in the State of NY and, as such, have to meet requirements that are enumerated within our application.
Please download the Application, print it, fill out the Application and mail it to:
Camphill Village USA, Inc.
84 Camphill Road,
Copake, NY 12516
Attn: Admissions Committee
Download Application (pdf) | Download Application (Word Doc)
Answers to your frequently asked questions:
1. For whom is the Village suitable? The Village location is a very open, very rural setting in Copake, NY, Columbia County. We are a hard working community of 250 persons involved with farming, gardening, forestry and general estate work; a variety of craft workshops including candle making, woodworking, weaving, seed processing, and stained glass; food preparation in our bakery and café; and homemaking. We live together in extended family homes including long and short-term volunteers (co-workers) and special 
needs adults (villagers). Sometimes, our long-term co-workers have children living at home. Social and cultural opportunities are a central part of community life.
The Village is suitable for people who can thrive in an environment where people want to work, and have some ability, the health and strength to do so, want to be a part of a social and cultural community; and can grow in independence and responsibility. Our basic admissions criteria are that the individual can meet the needs of the community and the community can meet the needs of the individual. And of course, these needs are not static, but change over the course of time.
2. For whom is Camphill Village USA not suitable? Because of its physical layout, the open way we live together, our ratio of coworkers to villagers, there are certain people whose needs we cannot adequately meet and who would not be appropriately placed here; the Village is not suitable for people with profound physical disabilities. It is not suitable for people who have serious, chronic nursing needs. It is not suitable for people who need one-on-one attention, 24 hr/day care, or who need total physical care. We are also not able to meet the needs of people with a primary diagnosis of mental illness.
3. Do you have any vacancies? Yes, the Village is accepting new applicants and anticipates 20 openings between now and the beginning of 2012.
4. Do you keep a waiting list? Yes, the Village has a small waiting list. If your application is accepted, you will be added to this list.
5. How much does Camphill Village cost? Camphill Village USA does not have a fee – costs are covered by either State or Federal entitlements (40%) and by generous contributions (60%).
State or Federal Entitlement: Most villagers who join us are eligible for SSI /SSA payments at Congregate Care Level 3 funding ($1388 per month at a minimum); we request that that funding be sent directly to us. State and Federal entitlements represent only about 40% of our operating costs. We are grateful to generous donors who provide the balance.
Generous Donations: We ask friends, family or guardians, foundations, and corporations to contribute to the best of their ability and to undertake fundraising with us. A suggested contribution per year/per villager is $20,000, which is fully tax deductible. Some families cannot contribute and others provide generous funding. Income from bequests and donations held by the Camphill Village Copake Foundation provides annual support.
6. What is the admission procedure? Before the admissions process begins, we always welcome visitors and encourage potential applicants and their families to visit Camphill Village to tour our 650 acres. Tours are available for the general public on Tuesday or Thursdays at either 10:30 or 2:30. They begin at the Bluestone Office and are timed so that visitors can have lunch in our café. Please call (518) 329-7924 x 101 to reserve space on a tour. Lunch is $8 per person and is a nice way to become familiar with the site and the village lifestyle.
Your first step in the process is to complete the admission application. You can deliver it at the time of your visit, mail it, or e-mail it. When the Admissions Office receives and reviews the application, they will decide whether to arrange an admission interview.
The interview involves the whole family, the parents/guardians/social workers and one or two members of the admission committee while the prospective applicant has a personal tour and conversation with another committee member. Depending on the interests and abilities of the prospective villager, he or she may join some part of the conversation. Following the interview, the family joins a Village house for lunch. Usually, the interview and lunch takes a half day.
Within two weeks, following the interview, the admissions group will decide whether it is appropriate to invite the applicant back for a trial visit. If the applicant agrees, a trial visit will be scheduled within an existing home and extended family. The trial visit lasts four weeks, and may take from 2-7 months to schedule. When the trial visit is over, the person returns home. The admissions committee then reviews the trial visit and determines whether the applicant seems like a good fit for our community. If so, he or she will be 
invited to join us.
Throughout this process, we look for basic compatibility. We try to see what the strengths and needs of the individual are, and assess what our needs and capacities are. We look at what the individual may bring to the community in terms of sociability and human qualities as well as what he or she can offer and contribute to the Village’s work life. We assess the individual’s care and emotional support needs.
7. Is this a long-term placement? Placement in the Village lasts as long as the basic admission criteria are met: that the individual can meet the needs of the community, and that the community can meet the needs of the individual. There are many people who have made Camphill Village USA their home for more than 30 years, some for more than 40. There are others who have moved after a year or two. Health problems, behavioral changes, extensive care needs, or safety issues are some of the causes of dismissal from the Village.
Families are always welcome to call the Admissions Office and leave a message. For further information, clarification, or any other questions, please contact Kam Bellamy via phone at (518) 329-1988 or via e-mail, and a member of the Admissions committee will get back to you as soon as possible.
