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Who, What, When, Where, Why for Mountain Spirit Institute

Who

Mountain Spirit Institute currently consists of five diverse board of directors, program directors and an executive director who is also the founder. Board members not only guide the organization but run programs, and help in fundraising and development. MSI is based on a circular organzational chart rather than a pyramid. Individuals step into the organization wheel and participate for a day or a lifetime.

What

MSI is dedicated to empowering and impelling a diverse range of participants into value forming experiences by facilitating one's connection to self, each other and the environment. We're a hybrid, a cross between an experiential wilderness program, and a holistic learning center, with a continuum of elements from both experiential education and spiritual development. Some programs are solely wilderness or foreign based, while others are workshop based, but both have their roots in our unique mission.

When

Programs under Mountain Spirit Insitute's name were first introduced and run in 1998 immediately after the founder finished guiding for Alpine Ascents International and Outward Bound. MSI was incorporated and insured in 1995 as a 501-c-3 under IRS code, and as a Charitable educational organization under New Hampshire's Charitable Trust Division.

Where

MSI is corporately "based" in Sunapee, New Hampshire, however we are a "mobile concept organization" rather than facility based. In other words, participants arrive at a trailhead, in the Cusco airport, Queenstown New Zealand, or at a leased facility such as the Blue Water Farm in Andover NH, or the Homestead in Midway, Utah. We are incorporated in New Hampshire but have board members from Utah, Colorado and New Hampshire. At various times we run programs in the Alps, Utah, Peru, New Zealand and New Hampshire.

Why

The founder of Mountain Spirit Institute is a product of two things: Many years living and working in the mountains and alpine backcountry. He is also a product of instructor training and leadership in experiential edcucation inspired by Kurt Hahn, the founder of Outward Bound.
Last Child in the Woods author Richard Louv states that recent generations suffer from Nature Deficit Disorder, a term he coined in his book. MSI addresses this and other important issues of our time by getting people outside, away from technology and/or in touch with themselves, others and the environment.

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Story Tips and Ideas

  • Nature Deficit Disorder and MSI's mission in experiential education
  • Sustainable Communities Program; communication skills vital to sustainability
  • Spirit and a Sense of Place in the Wilderness
  • A Cutting Edge Hybrid Organization blending Experiential Ed and Holistic Learning
  • The Sunapee SunFest Event: Holistic Health and Sustainability Festival
  • Shamanism with Theo Paredes, PhD
  • Peruvian Music in the USA, why this music reaches the soul
  • Peruvian Band Chimu's to visit USA from Cusco, Fall 2008
  • American Culture and Its Discontents
  • Sustainabile Tourism
  • MSI's Founder, A Journey through the Mountains
  • Opening Mountain Spirit New Zealand: www.mtnspirit.co.nz

Interview List

  • Randy Richards, Founder: MSI History and Philosophy, Speaks Enlish, German, French, Spanish and some Quechua.
  • Bob Stremba, PhD: Vice President, and Chair of Adventure Education Fort Lewis College, Colorado: Nature Deficit Disorder and Outdoor Education
  • Cindy Heath, Board Member
  • Guillermo Seminario, USA/NZ/Peruvian Music Exchange, and Peru in general, Speaks Spanish, Quechua and English.

Media Contact :
Dexter Randall Richards, Founder, Executive Director
D.R. Richards has a background with United Press International as a wire services stringer, a freelance and ski photographer. His images have appeared in People, Outside, and other publications. He has written for a few local newspapers in New Hampshire. If you would like assistance in constructing an article, please let contact him.

PHONE: 603.763.2668 (Wordwide)
EMAIL: info@mtnspirit.org
WEB: www.mtnspirit.org
FAX: 206.984.0962

Mountain Spirit Institute (New Zealand)
 PO Box 29
Kingston 9748
NZ
TEL: 011-64-022-780-2338


Mountain Spirit Institute (Peru)
c/o South American Explorers Club
Mountain Spirit Institute
Apartado 500, Cusco, Peru

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Si desea información sobre nuestra organización, póngase en contacto con nosotros. El director habla francés, alemán y español. Aunque su gramática no es grande, su conversación son adecuados. Por favor llámenos al 1-603-763-2668, o envíe un correo electrónico randy@mtnspirit.org

Wenn Sie Informationen über unsere Organisation, wenden Sie sich bitte an uns. Der Direktor spricht Französisch, Deutsch und Spanisch. Obwohl seine Grammatik ist nicht sehr groß, sein Gespräch Fähigkeiten angemessen sind. Bitte rufen Sie uns an unter 1-603-763-2668, oder per E-Mail randy@mtnspirit.org

Si vous souhaitez des informations sur notre organisation, s'il vous plaît contactez-nous. Le directeur parle français, allemand et espagnol. Bien que sa grammaire n'est pas grande, sa conversation, sont adéquats. S'il vous plaît appelez-nous au 1-603-763-2668 ou par courriel randy@mtnspirit.org

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