About Us

Our Mission:

Common Ground provides experience-based programming to foster life-long exploration, learning and growth of youth and adults.

Our Vision:

Connected communities of empathetic individuals who are aware of the themselves, others and the environment.

Our Values:

Community

Adventure

Mindfulness

Creativity

Learning

Authenticity

Responsibility

Nature

Common Ground is a nonprofit organization that is home to summer day camps for youth, adult team-building programs, and custom-designed seminars. We have a top-rated zipline canopy tour open to the public, the proceeds from which are reinvested in our youth programs.

We are located on 30 wooded acres along the Vermilion River just 10 minutes west of Oberlin, Ohio.

Our Founder Rose Bator and Benefactor Dr. Cindy Nord

Common Ground was founded through the vision, passion and commitment of Rose Bator, an educator, spiritual counselor, writer, and consultant. As Founder and President Emeritus, Rose guided the organization from 1994 to 2005. She has been a presenter at the national and international forums on peace and justice, with a focus on issues affecting women and children.

Common Ground – The Cindy Nord Center for Renewal has grown into what it is today thanks in large part to the generosity and support of our benefactor, Dr. Cindy Nord. A child psychologist, author and community philanthropist, Dr. Nord lived for many years in Oberlin, Ohio and now resides in South Carolina, where she continues to support a wide range of community initiatives.

Dr. Cindy Nord and Rose Bator
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Common Ground is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering life-long exploration, learning, and growth for youth and adults through experience-based programming.

Every donation — no matter the size — makes a difference.

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