A Philosophy.
A Story.
A Place.
A People.
We run free, accessible, camps year-round; supporting people with disabilities, cancer, and traumatic brain injuries, along with Veterans, people in recovery, and ever-expanding kindred groups. At the heart of it, Zeno is a philosophy, a story, a place, and most importantly, a people.
“We all know that the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts. So it is with our Zeno community. Our diversity is the very thing that gives us strength and cohesiveness.”
– Jess Munyon, Zeno community member and advocate
A Philosophy
Everything we do is guided by the same core principles of belonging. Belonging is a human right. Disability itself is not a problem that requires fixing; rather it is society and its pervasive exclusion of people with disabilities that needs to change. This applies to all our groups.
Zeno is Free.
Camps are free for everyone who attends. We don’t label people as “counselors,” “staff,” or “campers,” in our world, everyone is a participant. This removes social hierarchy from our communities and creates an environment where everyone is valued.
Service as Currency.
Here we take care of each other together. We’re a community of people who move, speak, think, dance, ski, sing, swim, and perform in creatively unique ways. We hold each other to high expectations and everyone contributes.
Shared History.
People are welcomed back again and again, because we understand the significance of lifelong friendships. At Zeno, we believe everybody deserves a community to grow with and look forward to.
MAKE IT MATTER.
Everything we do matters, everything is collaborative, and everything is creative. Each camp has a focused project that unifies the group. We take on big projects, and in the end, everyone is a part of something bigger than themselves.
A Story
Zeno is….. Where dishwashing turns into dance parties
Zeno’s history runs deep, the dream of this place took form over decades, guided by the relationships in this growing community of creators, athletes, OT’s, filmmakers, friends, and family.
We had grown up attending camps and our four personal histories came together while starting the Cheshire Project in 2005. Each year we would gather a group of friends in Venice, CA, living together while filming an original movie.
In the fall of 2008, with the backing of an amazing group of likeminded people, we purchased a property high in the hills of Lincoln, Vermont and started building our forever home. In the summer of 2009 we held our first month-long summer camp, bringing together the whole community of friends, with and without disabilities, we had met over the years.
Overtime we realized the Zeno model worked to create a society without margins for everyone and we started bringing together other populations for weeks of adventure, creativity, and community building.
~ Ila, Peter, Vanessa, and Will.
“The ripple effect of Zeno is perhaps what we are most proud of. And paradoxically, what is most elusive. We will never know how many millions of people watched Best Summer Ever, came to our plays, or saw us in a parade… and had a shift. We are in the business of making people’s lives more fulfilling. The impact is in the worlds they create and the people they touch beyond Zeno.”
— Will Halby, Founder/Director
A PLAce
Zeno is…. a 200 foot water slide
In 2008, Zeno purchased a 60-acre mountain-top parcel in Lincoln, Vermont, — which became our beautiful home, with views of the Green Mountains, the Adirondacks, and Lake Champlain.
We hit the ground running and started with the construction of six adaptive treehouses and yurts. Over time, we added a pond and sauna house, and repurposed an 1850s Vermont barn into an accessible theater.
Driven by the growth of our programs and the desire to host more camps year round; in 2023, we embarked on an epic renovation and expansion project. Our aim is to maximize the impact of this facility and build it to last forever.
Zeno’s Property Map
Below the theater lives a two-story costume closet and workshop where we create parade floats, sets, and backdrops for our productions.
“Zeno has been built by the collective enthusiasm of thousands of people. Every inch of the camp and every corner of our mission is the result of folks doing what they can. Sometimes it’s writing a check. Sometimes it’s driving a nail. Sometimes It’s giving good advice. Sometimes it’s making a connection.”
– Vanessa Halby, Founder/Director
a People
Zeno is… Merv and Paul celebrating 25 years of friendship over a beer.
Meet Our Team
Ila Halby
Founder & Director
(She/her)
Peter Halby
Founder & Director
(He/him)
Vanessa Halby
Founder & Director
(She/her)
Will Halby
Founder & Director
Grace Morrissey
Communications Director
(They/them)
Ben Campbell
Care Director
(He/him)
Ian Freeman
Content Creator & Dance Marathon Assistant (He/him)
Amber Davey
Cancer & TBI Camp Director (She/her)
Our Board
Lawrence Carter Long
Jill Collins
Karina Deyko
Lucy “Goose” deKooning Villeneuve
Corby Reese
Our Community Spotlight:
Meet a few of our participants, cooks, donors, and friends, in the Zeno community.
A.J. Murray
A.J. Disabled advocate, media consultant, model, foodie. Beloved member of the Zeno community for 12 years. A.J. performed in Zeno’s feature, “Best Summer Ever,” and in “Becoming Bulletproof,” a documentary about Zeno’s pioneering work in adaptive filmmaking. He also participates in advocacy work, speaking about disability in the media. He’s just released a new podcast called “Acting UP with AJ and Crew”.
Available on all streaming services here.
“At camp, I feel dignity, significance, and purpose.”
Jeremy Vest
Jeremy has been a part of the greater Zeno
community for 25 years. He is the drummer for every musical, and has starred in countless films and productions. If you have been to camp you have no doubt met Jeremy. Check out his acting in the 2016 original Zeno western of “Bulletproof Jackson”.
“Some of my most favorite memories happen when I’m with these amazing people I call family.” ~ on reflection of West Coast Camp 2023
“I hope that they are inspired and excited and leave the movie theater singing and dancing along to every song.”
Jeff Pechter
Jeff is our longest and most loyal donor. He describes Zeno as his favorite charity. The dining room at Zeno is named “El Jeffe” in his honor.
“Many of us are used to supporting good causes, but few of us have the chance to underwrite and help shape projects that have the potential to transform our society. Zeno is a radical model in giving, where vision, passion for change, and financial commitment are linked with ongoing involvement.”
Merv Devine
Meerissa is a long-time Zeno friend who has been to camps in all seasons. She is passionate about theatre, art and making sure everyone at Zeno has the best time possible.
“Zeno is like a co-op for community and lifelong friendships – no membership is required and the currency is contributing in whatever ways everyone is able. We are all committed to making it last… I love Zeno!”
Barb Leggett
Barb is a semi-retired nurse, wife, mom, and Nan to 5 beautiful grandchildren! She met the Halbys at the local Family Practice office where she was working. The timing was “perfect” when they asked if she would like to join the fun as one of their nurses and a new friend at Zeno Mountain Farm, she happily agreed! She says she was hooked from day one!
“ZMF fills my already full heart over the top! I am grateful to be a small part of this beautiful community!”
Jake Waltuck
Jacob Waltuck has been coming to Zeno Mountain Farm in Vermont since 2010. At Zeno, he engages in fun activities with his comrades, helps his friends, and stars in films and shows, including Best Summer Ever. Jacob’s favorite parts are not just the plays and films, but also the nurses, the meals, and the dance parties. Zeno is his second family – a special community everyone needs. He affectionately calls it “Vermont’s Camelot” because of its code of chivalry and honor.