Every February, as winter settles in and the promise of spring feels distant, Gould Farm shakes off the chill with a tradition that defies the dreariness of the season—the Winter Olympics. A weeklong event that mixes play, creativity, and the spirit of collaboration, the Olympics have become an annual antidote to the winter blues, a way to pass the time while deepening our connection to each other and the land we steward.
These Winter Olympics have been a fixture at Gould Farm for years, and like any well-loved tradition, they continue to evolve while retaining their original charm. The goal has always been the same: provide a chance for community members to break out of their usual routines, step into something a little more playful, and experience the collaborative magic that makes this place so unique. Sure, we could just muddle through the cold until spring, but instead, we lean into the winter months with purpose—and more than a little whimsy.
Here are some examples of past olympic events and the team that hosted:
Funnelator Team Target Extravaganza (Residential Team)
Greenhouse Relay (Garden Team)
Bakery Relay (Harvest Barn)
Pig Bucket Bowling (Farm Team)
Nuts and Bolts Challenge (Auto Shop)
Plumbing Puzzle (Maintenance Team)
Main House Scavenger Hunt (Administration Team)
Wood Splitting (F & G)
Pancake Production (Roadside)
Spaghetti and Marshmallow Tower Building
Goat Relay Race
Slingshot Water Balloon Toss
Ping Pong Tournament (Residential)
Three-Legged Race (Kitchen)
Lower Campus Relay (Farm, Bakery, Garden, Maintenance)
What sets these Olympics apart is the way they bring together the different work teams in a meaningful, often hilarious, way. At Gould Farm, we’re all doing important work—whether it’s farming, cooking, maintaining buildings, or supporting our guests. But the Olympics break down those walls, allowing us to see beyond our usual roles and experience the ingenuity and passion of other teams. One day, you’re running goats through a relay race; the next, you’re making pancakes at Roadside or building spaghetti towers. It’s a chance to step into someone else’s shoes—if only for a few hours—and experience firsthand the work they do, but with a playful twist.
In the end, the Winter Olympics aren’t just about passing the time or waiting for spring—they’re about creating joy in the here and now. By taking the time to celebrate each other, we transform the winter doldrums into something worth looking forward to. And as we look to the days ahead, the warmth of these shared moments will carry us through until the first buds of spring begin to bloom.