PLAN YOUR VISIT TO SMIRKUS CAMP

Once you’ve dropped your camper off, you’ll want to make a vacation of it! Stay at the lakeside Highland Lodge just down the road from camp, in any number of Greensboro’s charming cottages and homes, or in a B&B, inn, or a cabin in a neighboring Northeast Kingdom town.

ABOUT GREENSBORO
Smirkus Camp is located in Greensboro, VT, population 770. Nestled in the Northeast Kingdom, which Yankee Magazine calls “the second favorite romantic getaway and the third favorite family getaway in New England.” Greensboro and its idyllic Lake Caspian has brought summer residents to its shores for generations and nourished its year-round residents with its stunning beauty.

Around the pristine glacial lake, cabins and summer homes come alive in the warmer months with swimming, kayaking and canoeing, family barbecues, long walks on dirt roads, and bike rides around the water.
View of the Lake Caspian from Highland Lodge

A Highland Lodge cabin and the view of Lake Caspian.

While your kids are learning new skills at camp, parents can enjoy Caspian Lake, canoes, kayaks, and walking trails, just a few miles from Hill Farmstead Brewery.

In the center of town, stop by The Willey’s Store, Greensboro’s own 100+ year old, family-owned, traditional Vermont country store. Walk in wearing your Smirkus Camp t-shirt and get a free coffee! Willey’s has everything you or your camper might need – a replacement toothbrush, rubber rain boots, and local maple syrup and cheeses! Across the street, you’ll find Cassie’s Corner Ice Cream and the Miller’s Thumb Gallery. Just down the road, stop by the beautiful and historic Greensboro Barn!

Hazendale Farm Stand is one of the original organic farms in the Northeast Kingdom. Head there for some organic fruit, veggies, local meat, cheese, bread, and other gourmet offerings. Please note, Hazendale’s Farm Stand is undergoing renovations and will be closed for the 2015 season, but don’t worry, you can still find their produce at Willey’s!

The list of cultural organizations, concert programs and unique activities that call Greensboro home are too lengthy to list, but include the Mountain View Country ClubGreensboro Arts Alliance & Residency, the Craftsbury Chamber Players, Caspian Monday Music, and more. Visit the Greensboro Association’s calendar for a full listing of all the events and activities throughout the summer.

 

ARTISANAL GREENSBORO

Greensboro is also home to two world-renowned, award-winning artisanal food and beverage producers!

Jasper Hill Farm, winners of the World’s Best Unpasteurized Cheese at the 2014 World Cheese Awards in London, are just around the corner! While Jasper Hill Farm does not offer tours, you can purchase their incredible artisanal cheese at both Hazendale Farm Stand and at Willey’s.

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Hill Farmstead brewery  has been named “2015 Best Brewery in the World, as well as Best Brewery in the United States and Vermont, by RateBeer, the world’s largest beer review and rating website.” Located on a farm with gorgeous fields and rolling hills surrounding it, the brewery draws tourists from all over the world, offering tastings and sales of the hard-to-find beer.

 

SURROUNDING TOWNS
The Northeast Kingdom encompasses 55 towns. Check out this fantastic SMARTPHONE APP for more information than we can store in one clown car. Glover, Craftsbury and Hardwick are about 15-20 minutes from Greensboro. Montpelier is 45-50 minutes south.

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HARDWICK 

The nearby town of Hardwick, an old granite town, is the commercial center of this rural farming region, and has become the nexus of the incredible sustainable agriculture movement happening all around it. Services like laundry and automotive, as well as restaurants, and some shopping are available. Some great spots to try for food are Positive Pie, Vermont Lifestyle Company’s Concept Store and Restaurant, or have an English Cream tea at the Tea Garden Cafe at Perennial Pleasures.

GLOVER 

North of Greensboro, a visit to Glover will bring you to the home of a Vermont cultural gem, the Bread & Puppet Theater. With shows on Sundays throughout the summer, and a museum-barn full of their giant, dreamy papier-mache puppets, you will experience the magic of a bona fide Vermont treasure. Afterward, head over to Parker Pie Company for incredible pizza, Vermont beer, and live music in an old country store.

CRAFTSBURY 

Craftsbury is just a few short miles north of Greensboro and houses Sterling College. It is also home to Pete’s Greens Farm Stand, an honor-based cash farm stand offering organic produce, breads, local meat, grains, breads and more. Craftsbury’s Village Market is an excellent source of delicious sandwiches and food, plus locally made goods. Craftsbury is home to a number of fairs and festivals, including the Antiques and Uniques Festival, as well as Craftsbury Old Home Day.

MONTPELIER 

Montpelier VT, ranked the #1 Best Small Town in America, is Vermont’s capital city and can be found a short 35 miles south of Greensboro. Visit Montpelier for a number of foodie farm-to-table restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, movie theaters, and bakeries. As the hub of the central Vermont region, Montpelier’s farmer’s market is the largest and arguably the most festive. Come experience the incredible community spirit in our capital city!

 

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

 

A clown car full of thanks to our friends on the Smirkus Greensboro Advisory Committee for the invaluable guidance and recommendations that made this webpage possible!