Last spring our world was turned upside down, and Wake Robin’s maple sugaring operation was no exception. By mid-March 2020, residents were in the thick of boiling down gallons and gallons of sap that was collected from the property’s sugarbush. However, when the governor declared a State of Emergency and Wake Robin leadership instituted safety protocols for the campus, all activities had to cease. Residents understood the gravity of the situation, followed the state and community guidelines, and salvaged whatever maple syrup they had finished bottling.
A resident out on the trails to collect sap this March
There’s hope in the air this spring. Wake Robin remains Covid-free on campus and the majority of staff and residents are fully vaccinated. Activity groups are also prepared to operate safely. That’s because the Wake Robin Health and Resident Services department required every committee to submit a Covid-safety plan in order to resume their activities.
Getting instructions on the boiling process
The sugaring team adapted well. Sap collectors wore masks and kept a safe distance apart as they checked the 300 sap buckets in the lower and upper sugar bushes. Only a limited number of people could be present in the sugarhouse as boiling was under way. Through it all, residents were overjoyed to being back to what they love best. “Maple sugaring is truly a rite of spring at Wake Robin,” one resident said. “To get outdoors, to feel the changing of the seasons, and to taste the delicious syrup we made together, is very satisfying. We’re proud of what we do.”
The sugaring operation here gained attention beyond Wake Robin, when a local WCAX reporter came by and interviewed a couple of the maple sugaring leaders. You can watch the full segment here.
Behind the scenes with WCAX!
