Thoreau College/Driftless Folk School

Thoreau College & the Driftless Folk School are two branches of a single grassroots educational non-profit offering place-based, community-oriented, hands-on education for adults, rooted in the beautiful Driftless Area of rural southwestern Wisconsin.

Thoreau College is a leader in an emerging international movement of microcolleges and inspired by the models of Deep Springs College, Waldorf education, the Scandinavian folk high schools, and the life of Henry David Thoreau. Founded in 2015, Thoreau College has offered gap year programs, short courses, fellowships, and residencies that combine academic, labor, community, nature, and the arts. Our programs rance in size from 5 to 15 students and generally include discussion based explorations of great books and ideas, hands on practical experience with farming, building, and food, shared community governance and celebrations, folk skills and fine arts including theater, singing, and crafts, and wilderness expeditions and solos. Since 2022, Thoreau College has also staged drama performances, including the annual Viroqua Shakespeare Festival in June.

The Driftless Folk School was founded in 2006 and offers hands-on classes in folk arts and crafts, homesteading skills, and nature observations for adults and families. These classes are generally one- or two-day one time offerings and DFS also stages barn dances, community singing events, and the annual Driftless Spoon Gathering each September.