Transparent Pricing for Your Group Rental
We believe in straightforward, transparent pricing. Here's what it costs to rent The Mountain School's campus for your educational group, corporate retreat, or family gathering.
At The Mountain School, we set our rental prices to be accessible to a diverse range of groups while ensuring we can maintain our property and pay our staff fairly. Our rates are all-inclusive: lodging, meals, facilities, and coordinator support are included in the per-person fee.
Optional programming, extended access, and special requests are priced separately and clearly marked.
Choose Your Group Type
School Groups
per person / per night
What’s Included
- Overnight dormitory lodging with linens
- Three farm-to-table meals per day
- Library and five classroom spaces with AV equipment
- Dining hall, art studio, and outdoor gathering areas
- Access to the full 418-acre property, trails, farm, forest, and sugarbush
- Dedicated rental coordinator for planning and logistics
- On-site support during your stay
- Basic setup for tables, chairs, and meeting room configuration
- WiFi in all main buildings
Group: 15–50 people
Capacity: 42 beds + additional mattresses
Min stay: 1 night
Chaperone ratio: 1 adult per 8–10 students
Example Calculation
Corporate Retreats
per person / per night
What’s Included
- Two nights of dormitory lodging with linens
- Eight farm-to-table meals throughout your retreat
- Unlimited coffee, tea, and afternoon snacks
- Library meeting space with projector and audio
- Five classroom spaces with large displays
- Dining hall for large group sessions
- WiFi in all main buildings
- Access to 418 acres of trails, farm, and outdoor spaces
- Dedicated rental coordinator and on-site support
- Basic AV equipment and setup support for meeting rooms and meals
Group: 15–42 people
Min stay: 2 nights
Typical: Friday–Sunday or Saturday–Monday
Example Calculation
Family Gatherings
tailored to your needs
What Influences Cost
- Group size (15–50 people)
- Number of nights (1-night minimum)
- Meal plan flexibility and preferences
- Season and demand
- Additional programming or activities
- Special requests, decorations, and setup needs
30 people, 2 nights: about $200–250 per person total
45 people, 3 nights: about $550–650 per person total
Rough estimates only—contact us for accurate custom pricing.
To Get a Quote, Provide
Number of people including adults and children
Preferred dates or season
Meal needs and any special requests
What’s Included in All Rentals
Lodging
- Dormitory rooms with twin beds
- Linens (sheets, pillowcases, blankets)
- Towels and washcloths
- Basic toiletries (soap, shampoo)
- Shared bathrooms with hot showers
Meals
- Farm-to-table food prepared by our professional chefs
- Accommodation of most dietary restrictions with advance notice
- Buffet-style service
- Coffee, tea, and water available throughout the day
Facilities
- All meeting and classroom spaces
- Dining hall
- Library
- Art studio
- All outdoor gathering areas
Property Access
- Miles of hiking trails
- Working farm (supervised visits)
- Forest and sugarbush
- Library Hill and Garden Hill
Support
- Dedicated rental coordinator
- Planning assistance before your arrival
- On-site support during your stay
- Setup help for meetings and meals
Equipment
- Basic AV equipment (screens, projectors, speakers)
- Tables and chairs
- WiFi in main buildings
- Extension cords and basic office supplies
Bonfire
- Designated fire pit
- Firewood and equipment
- Safety supplies
What’s Not Included
Optional Programming
- All instructor-led workshops and activities
- See Experiences & Programming page for details
Alcohol (BYOB)
- You may bring your own beer, wine, or champagne
- Hard liquor requires licensed bartender
- Event insurance with alcohol addendum required
- We do not sell or provide alcohol
Transportation
- Getting to/from campus is your responsibility
- No shuttle service available
Off-Site Activities
- Excursions to nearby attractions
- Equipment rentals for activities not on campus
Specialized Equipment
- AV equipment beyond our standard offerings
- Specific technology or presentation tools
Decorations
- You may bring your own decorations
- We provide basic tables and chairs only
How Booking Works
Non-refundable deposit due at agreement signing to secure your dates
Second payment due with insurance, headcount, dietary info & menu
Final balance due with any permits acquired and last planning call
Initial Contact
Reach out with your dates, group size, and type of rental. We'll check availability and discuss whether our campus fits your needs.
Proposal & Site Visit
We create a custom proposal with pricing and suggested schedule. We strongly encourage a site visit (virtual tours available if needed).
Agreement & Deposit
- Sign rental agreement
- Sign liability waiver
- Pay 25% non-refundable deposit
- Your dates are now secured
Planning Phase
- 2–3 months before: Planning call to discuss details
- 1 month before: Second planning call for final logistics
Pre-Arrival Requirements (30 days before)
- Second payment: 50% of total cost
- Refundable security deposit: $1,000
- Certificate of insurance
- Final headcount and participant list
- Complete dietary restrictions and allergy information
- Menu selections finalized
Final Payment (2 weeks before)
- Final payment: Remaining 25% balance
- Any alcohol permits or fire permits acquired
- Final planning meeting or site visit completed
Your Rental
- Arrive and enjoy your experience
- Our staff handles logistics
- You focus on your group
Departure & Refund
- Check out by agreed departure time
- We inspect for damages
- Security deposit refunded within 10 business days (minus any damage costs)
What We Need from All Groups
Rental Agreement
Standard contract outlining terms, conditions, and responsibilities.
Liability Waiver
All adult participants sign waiver acknowledging risks and releasing The Mountain School from liability. Educational groups: one waiver signed by lead teacher/administrator covers the group.
Event Insurance
- Certificate of General Liability Insurance naming The Mountain School of Milton Academy as additional insured
- Minimum coverage: xxx
- Must be provided 30 days before arrival
- If bringing alcohol, insurance must include alcohol addendum
Participant Info & Menu Selections
- Complete list of all participants
- Names
- Emergency contact information
- Dietary restrictions and food allergies
- Any medical conditions staff should be aware of
- Final menu preferences confirmed 30 days before arrival
Cancellation, Damages & Alcohol
If You Need to Cancel
| Payment | Timing | Refund |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Deposit (25%) | Any time | Non-refundable |
| Second Payment (50%) | 60+ days before arrival | 50% refunded |
| 30–59 days before arrival | 25% refunded | |
| Less than 30 days before arrival | Non-refundable | |
| Final Payment (25%) | 14+ days before arrival | 100% refunded |
| Less than 14 days before arrival | Non-refundable | |
| Security Deposit | If rental is cancelled | Fully refundable |
Initial Deposit (25%): Non-refundable under all circumstances. This compensates us for holding your dates and turning away other potential groups.
Weather Cancellations: Vermont weather can be unpredictable. We do not issue refunds for weather-related cancellations as most activities can move indoors. In the event of a true emergency (state of emergency declared, roads impassable), we’ll work with you to reschedule or issue partial refunds.
We Strongly Recommend Travel Insurance: Purchase trip cancellation insurance to protect against unforeseen circumstances requiring cancellation.
Security Deposit & Damages
$1,000 Refundable Security Deposit
Required from all groups, paid 30 days before arrival.
What It Covers:
- Damage to buildings, furniture, or equipment beyond normal wear
- Excessive cleaning required after departure
- Lost or stolen items
- Violations of campus policies requiring additional staff time
Refund Process:
- We inspect campus after your departure
- Security deposit refunded within 10 business days
- If damages exceed $1,000, we invoice for additional costs
- We document any damages with photos and itemized costs
Normal Wear and Tear: We expect facilities to be used. Normal wear (scuff marks, minor spills cleaned up, reasonable mess) is not charged against deposit.
Bringing Alcohol to Campus
Alcohol is permitted at The Mountain School with proper insurance and responsible management.
Requirements:
- Event insurance must include alcohol liability addendum
- The Mountain School must be named as additional insured on alcohol coverage
- Group designates a responsible party for alcohol management
- Vermont laws regarding alcohol service must be followed
What’s Allowed:
- Beer, wine, and champagne: BYOB (bring your own)
- Hard liquor: Requires licensed/insured bartender
Vermont Special Event Permit: Some events may require a Special Event Permit from Vermont Division of Liquor Control. We can advise whether this applies to your group.
What We Provide:
- Basic glassware (wine glasses, beer glasses)
- Ice buckets and service items
- Refrigeration for keeping beverages cold
What We Don’t Provide:
- Alcohol itself
- Bartending services
- Specialty glassware beyond basics
Policies:
- Alcohol service to minors is illegal and not permitted
- Amplified music until 10:00 PM only
- Groups responsible for monitoring consumption
- Right to shut down service if policies are violated
Important Rules & Guidelines
Pets
Not allowed on campus due to our livestock. This is non-negotiable for animal health and safety.
Quiet Hours
10:00 PM – 8:00 AM. Amplified music must end by 10:00 PM.
Smoking
Permitted outdoors only, away from buildings. Dispose of cigarette butts properly. No smoking in any buildings or dormitories.
Kitchen Access
Our commercial kitchen is off-limits to all rental groups. Only our staff may work in the kitchen (licensing requirement).
Fires
- Only in designated fire pit area
- We provide firewood (outside firewood not permitted)
- Fires must be attended at all times
- We provide water buckets and safety equipment
- Group responsible for extinguishing completely
Areas Off-Limits
- Faculty residences
- Equipment storage areas
- Working farm areas during active operations
- Areas marked "Private" or "Staff Only"
Decorations & Setup
- You may bring decorations
- No nails, screws, or permanent adhesives
- Removable items only
- Group responsible for setup and takedown
- Leave spaces as you found them
Campus Stewardship
- Carry out trash from trails (Leave No Trace)
- Respect buildings and equipment
- Report any damage or maintenance issues immediately
- Leave dormitory rooms reasonably tidy
Common Questions About Pricing
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Our educational group rates are already significantly below market rates for comparable facilities. We price based on actual costs, not profit margins, so additional discounts aren't available. However, we're happy to work with groups on payment plans if needed.
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Final headcount is due 30 days before arrival. Small changes (1-2 people) can usually be accommodated. Larger changes may affect total cost. If your group size decreases significantly, minimum fees may apply.
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For educational groups and family gatherings, everyone counts equally in per-person pricing. Children under 3 who don't need a bed or meals can attend at no charge.
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We focus on overnight rentals and don't typically rent for day use only. Contact us if you have a specific need.
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No. Our commercial kitchen operates under health regulations that prohibit outside food service. All meals must be prepared by our staff. However, you're welcome to bring specific items like birthday cakes or special beverages.
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Tips are not expected but are appreciated by our kitchen and facilities staff if you feel the service merited it.
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Check or bank transfer for all payments. We do not accept credit cards for rental payments.
Ready to Plan Your Stay?
Explore pricing, accommodations, and availability for educational groups, corporate retreats, and family gatherings at the Mountain School.
Contact
(802) 685-4520
151 Mountain School Road
Vershire, Vermont 05079
Typical response time: within 1-2 business days