Gathering Ground is excited about building a pavilion that will serve as a site for our educational programs and as an outdoor classroom to augment the Island School’s experiential education. We are grateful to Washington Island Women’s Club and the Detroit Harbor Ladies Aid, both of which gave donations earmarked for the pavilion. The pavilion will provide much needed space for the following activities:

An outdoor classroom space for the Washington Island School available to the school on a fee-use basis. Gathering Ground is located next door to a school, and we are working with the school to join the two properties with a walking path through the woods for the purpose forest education and project-based learning. The pavilion would further these educational opportunities by providing an outdoor classroom space.

Programs hosted by Gathering Ground to fulfill its mission of education around sustainable agriculture and environmentalism. These programs include our “Potluck and Talk” series and other educational opportunities, internship meetings, covered lunch area for agricultural workers, farmers market and others.

Event space rentals for community gatherings on the Island. These events would provide a beautiful and environmentally-friendly space for community gatherings such as birthdays and family reunions and help generate funds for Gathering Ground’s missions and maintenance of the structure.

We are seeking to work with architects and designers who will be mindful of the environment as we build this structure.