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DO I NEED PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE?

No. We will teach you all the skills that you'll need; however, it is essential that you be committed to the course you choose. We believe in "challenge by choice," which means we will not push you further than you are ready in activities like rock climbing.

HOW HARD IS THE COURSE?

Adventure camp is both fun and challenging, but age appropriate. It is also all outdoors. Just bring a good attitude and willingness to spend time outdoors trying new activities!

WHAT IS THE RATIO OF BOYS to GIRLS?

Every group is different. We do not allow cliques or groups of boys or girls to dominate the dynamics of the group. Everyone has an equal chance to participate and we encourage everyone to interact with different team members regardless of gender. There are both male and female guides on every program. In the event that there is only one boy or girl on a program we will call and discuss options with you.

WHICH PROGRAM IS FOR ME?

No experience is needed for any of our programs so you are free to choose the best one for you! We reccomend the longer programs for a more complete experience.

WILL I BE SAFE?

Your safety is our number one priority. Our instructor guides are well qualified to lead all aspects of your program and we have an excellent safety record.

WHAT WILL I LEARN

Most of all, you will learn about yourself. You will grow more confident, self-reliant and independent. Through working with others, you'll learn the value of teamwork. And you'll learn a lot about the outdoors, nature and outdoor adventure skills. We cook our meals together every night so yo will learn to cook!

WHERE DO I SLEEP?

We will be camping every night in tents and in tarps for backpacking trips.

WHAT ABOUT SHOWERS AND LAUNDRY?

We will do laundry on BR 2. Showers are available throughout the course for all programs, except for when we are backpacking or camping in the high mountains.

WHAT DO WE EAT?

We hear over and over that our food is GREAT! Example. Breakfast: pancakes, loaded omelets, fruit danish, assorted berry muffins, oatmeal, assorted cold cereals, granola, assorted fresh fruit. Lunch: PB & jelly, bagels, cheese, tuna, cold cuts, hummus, cheese, crackers, summer sausage, assorted fresh fruit, chips, cookies. Dinner: pita pizzas, pasta and rice dishes, macaroni and cheese, hamburgers, chicken burritos, loaded cheese quesadillas, jambalaya, fresh fruit, vegetables and salad. Dessert: cheese cake, cookies and chocolate. Snacks: trail mix, gorp, granola bars and fruit. Vegetarian alternatives are not a problem.

WHO ARE MY GUIDES

We're glad you asked! We are extremely proud of the high quality people who guide with us each summer. All strive to teach, coach and motivate teens to grow and learn from their experiences with us. They are a great group of people who will help ensure that you will have lots of fun and adventure this summer!

There are always at least 3 guides with a group, 94:1 RATIO), in addition to trip specialists, such as rafting, climbing or caving guides. All are supervised by our program director John Hardy, aka "Tex" and camp directors Richard and Jeanne Dulworth.

The trip leader is at least 21 years old and an upperclassmen or recent college graduate. They are experienced and have advanced certifications and first aid training (Wilderness First Responder, WFR or Wilderness First Aid, WFA or equivalent, and CPR), gained through guiding and/or working with summer programs and/or participation in wilderness leadership programs like National Outdoor Leadership School, Outward Bound and College Outdoor Leadership Degree Programs.

Assistant trip leaders are at least 19, will have finished a year or two of college, and typically have attended summer camp programs with extensive wilderness components. In addition, they have solid personal outdoor experience, as well as demonstrated experience in working with kids, in addition to having participated in our pre-camp clinics and training programs. Assistant trip leaders are trained in first aid and CPR.

About Mountain Adventure Guides

Founded in 1999, MAG is well qualified to guide and instruct all activities that we lead. You can count on us to provide your child with high quality guides and equipment. In addition to our adventure camps for teens, MAG owns whitewater rafting outposts on the French Broad and Nolichucky Rivers (dba 1-866-USA-Raft). MAG also guides rock climbing, caving and backpacking trips in Western North Carolina and east TN for all experience levels throughout the year. Our clients include summer camps, scouts, youth groups and families on vacation.

MAG holds commercial guide and outfitter licenses with the United States Forest Service.

About MAG Camp Directors

Richard Dulworth has many years of outdoor adventure experience and first guided professionally in 1983. A graduate of Hampden-Sydney College, Richard has worked as an ACA Certified Whitewater Instructor, as well as a whitewater rafting, rock climbing and backpacking guide, instructor trainer and consultant. He has served as a backpacking Trip Leader for the Sierra Club, Director of Wilderness Challenge Programs for Camps Kahdalea/Chosatonga, and as River Manager for USA Raft, Inc. Richard's wife, Jeanne Goins Dulworth, manages our Adventure Camp programs each summer. In 2003, Jeanne was recognized as one of the top ten outdoors' persons of the year by "Hooked on the Outdoors Magazine!" In her "off season", Jeanne teaches graduate and undergraduate Social Work at a nearby University. She placed second in the 2007 Chancellor’s award for Excellence in Teaching.

HOW LONG HAS MAG BEEN DOING THIS?

Richard and Jeanne Dulworth founded Mountain Adventure Guides in 1999. Richard was a camper in the area throughout the 70's and first guided in the area in 1983. He has managed adventure camp programs and whitewater rafting companies since 1994. Jeanne is a Professor of Social Work at Western Carolina University and manages camp each summer.

CAN I BRING A FRIEND?

Most students will not know anyone before the course begins. If you bring a friend, we will insist that you both put effort into building new relationships with the rest of the group or you'll miss out on one of the best parts of camp - making new friends!

WHAT IS THE CAMPER TO GUIDE RATIO

There are always at least two guides with a group, in addition to program specialists. Our camper to staff ratio is usually 4:1 but not less than 6:1.

IS MAG ACCREDITED?

Mountain Adventure Guides is a professional outfitter and guide service. MAG guide and program standards exceed by a wide margin the minimum standards set by leading camp accreditation associations. MAG routinely guides "accredited camps", "Y" camps and "scout camps" for rock climbing and whitewater rafting each season. As a professional outfitter and guide service, we are fully insured and hold permits with the U.S. Forest Service - Pisgah and Appalachian Ranger districts.

ARE THERE DISCOUNTS

Immediate families with more than one child will receive $100 for an 18 day camper, $75 for a two week session and $50 for a one week session for all siblings after the first child.  A full deposit must be paid for each child and each session.

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING? 

You will need appropriate clothing for an active adventure in the mountains and a few pieces of personal gear, but MAG provides all major program gear, including a high quality backpack, tarps, tents and all technical gear. We will be hiking and camping above 6000 feet in elevation and it can become windy, chilly and wet! Make sure rain gear is waterproof, not water resistant. Everything brought to camp must be marked plainly with camper's name. What to Bring

Are there "troubled teens" at your camp?

No. Camp is fun, challenging and exciting. It is not a therapeutic or rehabilitation program for troubled kids. MAG is not a "Wilderness Program" for at risk kids.

PROGRAM STARTING POINT AND TRAVEL TO CAMP

Students who arrive meet us between 2:00 and 3:00 at the day camp begins with departure the last day of camp between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM.

We meet students who travel by air at the Asheville, North Carolina airport. The abbreviation is AVL.

Please schedule your arrival at the Asheville airport for late morning or early afternoon (we realize that most campers will not be able to arrive until afternoon).

The ideal time for Asheville, NC airport departure is 9:00 AM to 12:00. Please, no 6:00 AM or early morning flights from Asheville.

Asheville airlines have strict rules regarding rules for unaccompanied minors (15 y/o or under). Please check with your airline for rules and/or additional fees.   

How do I register for camp?

REGISTRATION

Newsletter - receive occasional emails with information regarding our programs, seasonal specials and discounts.

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