This past weekend marked the midway point for our Main Camp Session!
The first two weeks were a raving success. It’s evident that our four-week campers LOVE camp and appreciate the exclusive adventures packaged into the longer session.
On Friday, we were Main Camp Only.
After a late wake-up, the Main Campers embarked on the annual backyard hike to Eden Rock. At almost 5 miles round-trip, 1,550 feet of elevation gain, and a max elevation of 3,965 feet, this hike embodies the adventurous spirit of June and Main Camp sessions. The hike quickly became a proud accomplishment. One that left the campers saying “I can’t believe I just did that” or “this view was worth all the work.”
After the hike, we had lunch, enjoyed a well-deserved extended rest period, followed by a Main Camp exclusive free swim. Every year, the campers relish this time because it feels like “they own camp!” After dinner, we wound the day down with a relaxing movie night.
On Saturday, we were Main Camp Adventure Day.
A late wake-up and a hearty breakfast got campers ready for an epic day of adventuring. The Main Campers had their choice between four incredible trips: the WNC Nature Center, Caving, Tour de Waterfalls, and Turtleback/Rainbow Falls.
The Nature Center trip was specifically tailored to our younger campers.
Their group enjoyed a day learning about the incredible wildlife of Southern Appalachia, and the other animals who call the WNC Nature Center home. After making friends with black bears, wolves, otters, and red pandas, the group headed to Catawba Falls for views of the 100-foot cascade.
The Caving trip brought campers to Worley’s Cave in Eastern Tennessee, and introduce them to the world of Troglodytes.
Along the way, they were even introduced to Plato’s Allegory of the Cave. Worley’s Cave is unlike most commercially run caving operations in that it offers an authentic splunking experience. Campers will bring headlights and warm clothes and explore a cave with no lighting, handrails, or paved walkways. The majority of the cave follows an underground stream through 80+ foot caverns. The property owners claim to have mapped roughly 5.5 miles of passages, although we only explored about 2 miles of them.
The Tour de Waterfalls trip is exactly as it sounds – a tour of the many incredible waterfalls Pisgah National Forrest has to offer.
The first stop of the day was Graveyard Fields – a collection of small waterfalls and swimming pools high up on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The next stop was a 50-foot waterfall that trickles off an overhanging ledge called Moore’s Cove. Although there’s no swimming, campers can stand behind the waterfall and enjoy the incredible view. Right down the road is the Jewel of Pisgah, Looking Glass Falls. This iconic waterfall has been featured in multiple movies, and for good reason because it is breathtaking. The campers enjoyed the spray from the 60-foot falls and even swam in the cold pool below the waterfall. The final stop of the day was a two-for-one: French Broad Falls and Cathedral Falls, both located on the North Fork of the French Broad River.
The Turtleback/Rainbow Falls trip is tailored to our oldest campers and CITs.
This group headed to Gorges State Park for a 4-mile round trip to Turtleback Falls. This is a gradually sloped waterfall known for its 10-foot sliding drop into a deep swimming hole. It’s consistently a crowd favorite amongst the older campers! Along the hike, the group passed by an impressive 150-foot waterfall called Rainbow Falls.
After a day of adventuring, Main Campers returned to rest up before we welcomed the Two Week 3 campers!
– Justin Bennett
Program Director