Most Fortnight students come from the inner-city areas of the western Washington; for many, it is the first extended stay in a rural environment. In fact, a number of students are new to the Pacific Northwest altogether. They’re families have recently arrived from countries such as Mexico, Peru, Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Vietnam, and Samoa. We also have hosted students who grew up in the suburbs of King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties. Our philosophy, reflecting the larger Smoke Farm philosophy, is to bring people of diverse backgrounds together for work and play. Through personal contact we hope to break down the barriers of race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status. When you’re thirty feet up in a tree, a helping hand is a helping hand, regardless of its shape or color.
