Vermont Humanities

Words in the Woods Events

Alison Prine reads poetry to a crowd of 40+ people in a park on a sunny day
Words in the Woods

Our seasonal “Words in the Woods” program allows Vermonters and visitors to enjoy our state’s natural beauty while listening to and reading literature in the outdoors. Vermont Humanities will cover park entries for the program so you can enjoy the full day at the park.

In 2026, we will host five Vermont poets in-person at different Vermont State Parks, plus a program in September at the new Mt. Philo summit pavilion. Join us in celebrating the legacy of poetry in beautiful settings by registering for a program this coming year!

Our signature Words in the Woods program was also featured in the Humanities = podcast by the Federation of State Humanities Councils. Featuring current Vermont Poet Laureate Bianca Stone, be sure to give it a listen to learn about the legacy of poetry in the Green Mountain State.

This program is supported by the Anne Commire Fund for Women in the Humanities.

Thanks for the support of the Vermont State Parks, the Vermont Arts Council,
and The Waterwheel Foundation.

VT State Parks logo that shows a drawing of green mountains and a pine tree above with water below with the agency name dividing the middle,

Upcoming Words in the Woods Events

Wooden picnic tables scattered in a clearing among the trees
Live Event

September 19

Words in the Woods: Eli Clare

11:00am | Mt. Philo State Park, Charlotte

White, disabled, and genderqueer, Eli Clare lives near Lake Champlain where he writes and proudly claims a penchant for rabble-rousing. He has written two books of essays– Exile and Pride: Disability, Queerness, and Liberation and the award-winning Brilliant Imperfection: Grappling with Cure–and a collection of poetry, The Marrow’s Telling: Words in Motion. His newest book, a mixed genre volume titled Unfurl: Survivals, Sorrows, and Dreaming, was released in September 2025.

By Jacob Pelletier | February 9, 2026

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Vermont Humanities*** May 13, 2022

A woman with gray hair wearing a blue shirt reads from a music stand in front of a seated crowd in a state park

Our seasonal “Words in the Woods” program allows Vermonters and visitors to enjoy our state’s natural beauty while listening to and reading literature in the outdoors.

Middle school students in costume on stage during Shakespeare play

Humanities Camps are filled with reading and writing projects, field trips, and outdoor activities.

Rep. John Lewis and Andrew Aydin with students in front of a schoolbus

We won a 2020 Schwartz Prize for best public humanities programming in the U.S. for Vermont Reads 2019: “March: Book One.”

African man in dark pants and shirt leading a group of children in a dance in a school gymnasium

We supported the Chandler Center for the Arts’ Global Connections Youth Outreach program, which highlights artists from around the world.

Woman raising her hand during a public event

Our free public events help bring the power of the humanities to communities across Vermont.