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Day 1 - Welcome to Camp.

Parents who drop their camper off by car will have an opportunity to meet our guides and program directors. Campers arriving by plane will be met at the Asheville, NC (AVL) airport and transported to camp (no additional charge).

Afternoon programs will include team building activities and group games like volleyball, tether ball and Ultimate Frisbee. After a hamburger cook-out, there will be an orientation and camp-fire program, followed by hot showers and our first camp out.

Day 2 - Day Hike and Rafting: Lower Nolichucky River

Today is an opportunity for campers and guides to get to know one another better.

After a continental breakfast, we'll go for a hike in the mountains, where we will learn the basics of keeping the group together, what to do if separated from the group, route finding and low impact, Leave No Trace ethics and techniques for the backcountry.

After lunch at base camp, we'll go rafting on a 6-mile section of the class 2 Lower Nolichucky River, adjacent to Camp. Many campers will want to try a self-paddled inflatable duck. The Lower Nolichucky River is a great introduction to rafting and offers a chance to swim and see wildlife, such as great blue herons, geese and deer, as well as spectacular rock formations.

After a hot dinner at Camp, we will play group games, followed by a campfire program, hot showers and camping.

Day 3 - Caving Trip: Worley's Cave

Today we will have an exciting, full day of caving in Worley's Cave - an underground experience you will never forget. This is an ideal cave to get introduced to the interesting and adventurous world of caving. Your parents never let you get this dirty! We will explore this non-commercial cave (no sidewalks or electricity) with helmets, headlamps and your imagination. Worley's cave formed in 200 million year old limestone and consists of over seven miles of large rooms and narrow passages. As you trek through the cave you will be introduced to the historical and geological significance of the caves as well as learn how they are a vital part of the ecosystem. Explore rooms like the Fairy's Ballroom, Tombstone, Giant's Causeway, and Thin Floor Room. You will be in awe of the cave. This is a fun adventure!

After a full and fun day of caving we will go for a swim, followed by a cookout and campfire program in the high mountains with awesome views. After, we will head for base camp for hot showers and a little rest and relaxation and camping.

Day 4 - Whitewater Rafting: French Broad River

We'll depart camp for a full day, 9 mile whitewater rafting trip on the French Broad River, through the heart of Pisgah National Forest.

The French Broad is older than the mountains in which it now finds itself and is the third oldest river in the world! During our rafting trip, we will take the leap at JUMP ROCK into a deep pool, swim at Swimmers Rapid and surf a few holes and rapids! The French Broad is the perfect first time whitewater rafting trip and has numerous class II and III rapids. Along the way, we will learn whitewater terminology, river dynamics and hydrology, paddling basics and simple, self-rescue techniques.

After rafting, we'll head to the high mountains in Pisgah National Forest for primitive camping with outstanding views! We will camp at elevations exceeding 5500 feet. Here we will learn how to build tarp shelters and cook pita pizzas over camp stoves. Group discussions for the evening will focus on processing the day's activity.

Days 5 - Swimming, Waterfalls and Sliding Rock

This morning we will depart for a 4 mile hike to elevations of 6000' in the area of Black Balsam Mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountain's Art Loeb Trail (Ranked # 2 of 10 Hikes to Big Alpine Views - Backpacker Magazine). Campers will take turns leading the group and route finding with map and compass. These treeless mountaintops draw people from afar due to their sweeping views and alpine-like appearance. Rows and rows of smoky blue mountains spread out before our eyes. It really feels as if we're on top of the world.

After our hike, we will go for a swim at nearby Sliding Rock and Looking Glass Falls. Looking Glass Falls is the most popular waterfall in Western North Carolina. The falls are 60 feet tall and campers may swim below in a large natural pool, as well as explore and walk behind the actual falls. Sliding Rock is a large, gentle sloping rock that forms a natural water slide that dumps into a pool at the bottom. Many campers vote Sliding Rock as a camp highpoint! This 150 foot natural water slide is not to be missed. Approximately 11,000 gallons per minute of cool mountain stream water propel campers across the smooth rock base of the falls. The fun of sliding down the watery rock face is rivaled only by watching those making the slide!

Late in the afternoon we will travel back to our campsite high in the mountains, where we will have a delicious dinner that we prepare ourselves.

Day 6 - Rock Climbing and Rappelling

Today we will go rock climbing! In ground school, we will learn the fundamentals of the climbing system - use and care of climbing equipment, commands and belay technique. Climbing is a challenge by choice activity. We will not push you too hard too soon. We will try beginner to intermediate routes from 30' to 100' in height followed by a rappel! After a day of climbing, everyone will be ready for a swim and then hot showers and an awesome final banquet and evening program back at Base Camp on the Nolichucky River.

Day 7 - Home!

Depart 9-10 AM from camp on the Nolichucky River. Campers flying from Asheville, NC should schedule a morning flight (after 8 AM but before 1:00 PM). 

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