Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have questions about attending courses at Yestermorrow?  We've compiled a handy list of Frequently Asked Questions for your reference below.

  • Can my family (or friend) stay with me in the dorm or cabin?

    Unfortunately, campus lodging (dorms, cabins and campsites) are for students only. Please contact us if you have questions - [email protected]

  • How many people share a dorm room or cabin?

    Our dorm rooms and cabins sleep 1-4 people, depending on the room. We do not guarantee single occupancy rooms. 

  • How do I get updates about a course I'm interested in?

    You can fill out the course inquiry form to receive updates on specific courses!

  • When should I arrive?

    Check in begins 1 hour before your course begins. A campus tour will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of class. Please arrive at least 20 minutes early to have time to check in and join the tour. 

    If you are staying on campus, your accommodations will be ready by 3pm on the day you check in. If you are staying on campus, and will be arriving outside of our normal office hours (8:30am to 5pm), please let us know in advance by emailing [email protected]. We are happy to leave a dorm room key and/or a campus map in an envelope outside our front door for late arrivals.

     

  • What should I bring?

    If you are taking a shop class or hands-on building course, please bring appropriate safety equipment (eye and ear protection) and sturdy work or hiking boots. Safety glasses and ear protection are available for sale in the Yestermorrow office. It is not necessary to go out and purchase tools before a class. In fact, it is better to try out the tools we have to allow you to make more informed purchasing decisions. 

    If you are taking a design class, please bring personal project information, site plans, articles, drawings, photos, clippings, or whatever else will assist you with the design process. If you are staying in one of our cabins or in our camping area, please bring a sleeping bag, pillow, towel, and flashlight or battery-powered lantern. We provide linens and towels for students staying in dormitory rooms. In general, a flashlight, a notebook, camera, rain gear, and comfortable clothing are recommended.

    We recommend all students bring multiple masks, so that they can switch them throughout the course if one were to get dirty or wet.

  • For whom are we building the class project?

    We work with local community groups as well as private clients to find the best possible project for each class. Our goal is always to provide the best learning opportunity and meet each courses' teaching goals - our clients are aware and supportive of this goal. If you are interested in becoming a client, please review our Become a Client FAQ and visit this page.

    Depending on the course, some project work may take place at the client's site, and we will provide transportation to and from the site. For more information, please visit our In the Community page.

  • What is the minimum age for a Yestermorrow course?

    Yestermorrow courses are designed for students 18 and older. We can make an exception for a student as young as 16 with instructor approval and an adult takes the course with them. 

  • What are my options for meals?

    For a reasonable cost, we offer 3 meals a day, 7 days a week cooked and served right here on campus.  Complete details can be found on the Meal Plan page.   There are also numerous restaurants (from pizza to 5-star) in the immediate vicinity and we offer a small self-service kitchen for students who want to prepare their own meals.

  • Why does my class have a materials fee?

    A materials fee, in addition to class tuition, pays for materials used by individual students in classes that have a personal project component. In essence, the fee enables students to purchase those materials, and bring their project home with them after the class.

  • Do you accept international students?

    Yes, all Yestermorrow programs are open to everyone. All courses are taught in English and students are expected to be able to understand and speak the language.

  • Can I visit Yestermorrow?

    We welcome visitors on campus while our office is open from 8:30-5 pm Monday through Friday. If you would like to plan an extended visit, please contact us to schedule a good time. 

    If you have questions about our campus or programming, please email [email protected] or call 802-496-5545

  • How do I get to Yestermorrow without a car?

    The nearest airport is Burlington International (BTV) which is about 50 minutes away. At the airport you can access all major car rental companies. You can also get cab service from the airport, bus station or train station to our campus. See our Directions and Travel Options page for more details.

    Please note - if you will need a return trip to the airport after your course is complete, it is important to schedule a taxi several days in advance. 

  • What is the surrounding area like?

    We are located in the Mad River Valley, in the geographic center of Vermont. We are about midway (2-3 miles) between two small villages, Warren and Waitsfield. Waitsfield is the Valley's commercial center, with grocery, natural food, hardware stores, restaurants, etc. Though rural, the area is a resort center with Sugarbush and Mad River Glen ski areas nearby, so there are quite a few amenities.

  • Do you sell gift certificates?

    Yestermorrow gift certificates are available in any denomination. You can purchase a gift certificate online, or give a call at 802-496-5545 to purchase over the phone. If desired, we can also print a formal gift certificate and mail to the recipient. 

  • Can I bring my dog?

    Students are not allowed to bring their dog or any other pets to campus. There are two local kennels and a doggie daycare nearby: Mad River Pet Inn and Lucky Dog Day Care & Boarding.

  • Do I need a car?

    Not necessarily, though it certainly simplifies things. Getting to and from the airport, or bus and train stations will require taxi service, but if you are staying on campus, you can be fairly self-sufficient once you are here (especially if you are on the full meal plan). There is also a free bus service throughout the Mad River Valley during the ski season, with a bus stop at the end of our driveway.

  • Can I get college credit for attending courses at Yestermorrow?

    Students can receive college credit for courses taken at Yestermorrow at the discretion of the receiving school.  We are happy to assist you in this process and can issue a Yestermorrow transcript or grade report, however we will need to know in advance that you plan to get credit for the course. See our Registration page for more details on credit options.

  • What is the course payment schedule, and what happens if I need to cancel?

    To hold your space in a class, we ask for a 20% non-refundable deposit when you register. The balance is due no later than thirty days prior to the course start date. 

    Please refer to our cancelation policy for more details. 

  • Do I have to have previous experience to enroll?

    No. Our students have a wide variety of backgrounds and expertise, including professionals, college students, homeowners and individuals looking for alternatives to traditional higher education.  Our small class sizes and the accessibility of our instructors allow for an individualized educational experience. The level of each course is indicated in the course description; most classes are open to all levels.

  • Can I pay for classes with my AmeriCorp Education Award?

    Recipients of an Americorps Education Award can apply those funds toward Yestermorrow course tuition, materials fee, lodging, and meal plan. Recipients must process their award through a Title IV institution. We are able to accept AmeriCorps Educational Awards for any Yestermorrow course through our academic partnership with Sterling College. Students using their AmeriCorp award, earn Continuing Education Units at a rate of $130/per unit. Generally, a weekend course is 1 unit, a one week course is 2 units, and a two week course is 5 units. This fee for CEUs is in addition to the Yestermorrow course tuition, materials fee, lodging, and meal plan, which can be covered by the student's AmeriCorps award.

    To use your AmeriCorps Education Award, you will first register online for the desired course and put down the required deposit. The deposit will be refunded to you once Yestermorrow receives payment from AmeriCorps. Please email us if you have registered for a course and intend to use your AmeriCorp Educational Award. 

    Please call our office at (802) 496-5545 for questions regarding the process of applying your Americorps award to Yestermorrow courses.

  • How far in advance should I register for a course?

    For most classes, we recommend registering 2-3 months in advance; although we will continue to accept registrations on a space-available basis until a class reaches its capacity (most classes have a maximum between 6 and 15 students). If the class you hope to take is full, we are happy to place you on a waiting list in case there is a cancellation. When there is space available, we will accept registrations up until the day before the class begins.

  • Will I be able to communicate with the outside world?

    Cell phone reception is limited here in the Mad River Valley, depending on your phone carrier. We have campus-wide wifi through a fiberoptic connection and two dedicated computers for students to use for checking email and printing documents.

  • Do I need to have health insurance to sign up for a class?

    Yes, students enrolled in courses involving hands-on site or shop work must have major medical insurance coverage in effect for the duration of the course.  All students must fill out an Emergency Contact Form and Hold Harmless Agreement prior to the course start.