This episode of Off the Gravel Road invites listeners into the joyful, curious, and surprisingly profound world of two young campers—Charlotte and Eleanor—who attended Cow Camp at TL Storer. The conversation begins with host Robb Ellis setting the scene: TL Storer is a place where children from the local community gather for day camp activities like fishing, hiking, and arts and crafts. But this year brought something new and transformative—a focus on cows, soil, and the interconnectedness of land stewardship.

Charlotte and Eleanor are introduced as special guests, ages eight and nine, respectively. Both spent part of their summer learning about cows, soil, and outdoor life at Cow Camp. Their personalities immediately shine through—playful, direct, and refreshingly candid.

When asked about their favorite things learned at camp, Eleanor highlights archery—an activity that gave her both skill and confidence. Charlotte, meanwhile, emphasizes learning about soil. While archery connects to personal development and physical activity, soil opens up the realm of ecological systems and interdependence. Charlotte noted that soil is 'mushy,' while Eleanor observed that it looks like 'chocolate cake,' both aligning with childlike wonder and ecological truths.

When asked how they might explain soil’s importance to a friend or sibling, Charlotte says simply, 'You’re gonna learn a lot.' Eleanor adds that kids should 'come here all the time.' Both statements underscore the value of hands-on experiences—education not delivered through lectures but lived through fun, curiosity, and play.

The conversation broadens to include school and extracurricular life. Both girls are excited to return to school, each with favorite aspects—Charlotte enjoys meeting teachers, while Eleanor loves gym. They also share excitement about their involvement in jiu-jitsu, proudly noting their new belt levels.

The girls share stories about their pets, ranging from lifelong chihuahuas to cats that dislike everyone. Eleanor recalls having a fish, while Charlotte introduces listeners to her dogs Ben and Biff. They also speak fondly of Oscar, the library cat, and describe their love of reading, including Harry Potter and other story time books.

The conversation closes with a reminder: caring for the land can be simple and fun. The girls’ voices bring authenticity to this message. They have dug in soil, laughed at manure, learned about microbes, and felt the responsibility of stewardship—all without losing the joy of play.

The episode ends with gratitude to the Storer Ranchers 4-H Club, which meets monthly at TL Storer and is currently undertaking restoration projects like rebuilding a 1968 Oliver tractor and a 1971 Ford FE motor. These details tie the children’s experiences to a broader network of youth programs, trades education, and intergenerational community engagement.

1. Soil as Foundation of Life – Their discovery mirrors scientific discussions of soil texture and organic matter.
2. Livestock and Regenerative Agriculture – Their recognition of grazing and manuring aligns with adaptive grazing principles.
3. Youth Education Through Experience – They embody John Dewey’s philosophy that education is not preparation for life but life itself.
4. Community Anchors: Libraries and Camps – The library and TL Storer serve as spaces for curiosity and belonging.
5. Building Future Citizens – Their ideas about picking up trash and saving animals highlight early civic values.

What happens when a school district runs out of money just days before the first bell? In Claremont, NH, families are finding out the hard way. Facing a $1–5 million deficit, the school board cut 19 newly hired teachers and paraprofessionals before they even started, saving $1.8 million but leaving educators and students reeling.

And Claremont isn’t alone. Pittsfield overspent its budget by $1.9 million. Timberlane and Merrimack Valley slashed millions more. Behind these headlines lies a deeper story: the rising cost of special education and a broken funding model that leans too heavily on local property taxes.

In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, we explore:

• Why IEP numbers are climbing — with more kids being identified for autism, ADHD, and other needs than ever before.
• The cost difference: IEP students average $31,000 per year in services compared to $18,700 for non-IEP students, with the state covering only 17%.
• A clear message: we’re not anti-IEP. Every child deserves support. The challenge is giving schools the resources without breaking everything else.
• How property-poor towns like Claremont, Pittsfield, and Berlin face the hardest trade-offs.

But it’s not all crisis. We highlight solutions already happening here in New Hampshire:

• Forest school models that are spreading across the U.S., helping kids focus, cooperate, and thrive outdoors.
• Local programs like SOAR After-School, NH Farm Kids Daycare, Barn in the Woods, and the OWL Program at Barnstead Elementary, giving students hands-on learning rooted in community and land.
• And we hear from youth voices. Will, one of our own, explains adaptive grazing in plain English — showing how cattle, soil, and kids can all grow stronger together.

We close with Will’s reminder:

🎧 Stay tuned for a future episode where you’ll hear directly from Charlie and Eleanor, two local kids who spent their summer outdoors at TL Storer.

Off The Gravel Road: Introduction and Community Programs

In the inaugural episode of Off The Gravel Road, host Robb Ellis introduces himself and shares his journey from Los Angeles to New England, where he now spearheads various community programs. Rob details the impactful initiatives such as the SOAR afterschool program, Outdoor Wilderness Learning (OWL), the National Safe Tractor Machinery Operation Program, and Cow Camp. These programs focus on teaching hands-on skills, conservation, soil health, and fostering a sense of resilience and discovery in young people. The episode also touches on the history of the Theodore Lyman Store Scout Reservation and its transformation into a hub for youth development and land stewardship.

00:00 Welcome to Off The Gravel Road
00:58 Meet Your Host: Robb Ellis
02:05 Introducing Our Youth Programs
06:17 The Importance of Soil Health
07:33 Reviving the Legacy of Teal Store Scout Reservation
10:10 Hands-On Learning at Store Ranch
12:06 The Magic of Cow Camp
15:14 The Role of Goats in Land Management
17:46 Conclusion and Future Episodes