Blue Ridge Mountains Backpacking & Rock Climbing - Educators

Explore the fundamentals of experiential education while living, breathing and experiencing it. With other educators, you’ll participate in an expedition designed to challenge and inspire you. Backpacking through Pisgah National Forest introduces you to navigation, campcraft and wilderness ethics. One day of rock climbing or rappelling adds a day of thrill to an already unforgettable learning experience. Balancing the adventure of outdoor activities, instructors share insights into planning and executing your course and facilitate discussions on incorporating experiential education into your classroom.

The Southern Appalachians (which includes the Blue Ridge & Great Smoky mountain ranges) are some of the oldest mountains in the world. The lush, dense forests feature an incredible biodiversity of flora and fauna. Our courses here foster an appreciation of nature and environmental stewardship and often include an environmental service project. Amidst these highest mountains east of the Mississippi, rocky crags and granite outcroppings provide exceptional climbing opportunities. Creeks, streams and rivers criss-cross the region and cascade into waterfalls and whitewater rapids.

The Outward Bound Difference… On this course run by North Carolina Outward Bound School, students develop leadership, independence, decision-making and responsibility. Through challenge and adventure, you discover you are capable of more than you thought possible.

You’ll develop teamwork while working together to find your way through rhododendron thickets, set up camp, cook your own meals over a camp stove and learn Leave No Trace techniques to minimize your impact on the land. Slo is a time for reflection and rest at an individual campsite.

Successful completion of your course demands mastery of skills, trust, fitness, confidence, tenacity, leadership, initiative and compassion. No experience is necessary. You’ll leave course with newfound strength that can help you through everyday situations as well as the unknown challenges to come.

Educator’s courses give teachers a chance to be a student and participate in an exchange of experiences and ideas with other educators. You’ll return to the classroom refreshed, recharged and filled with new ideas for learning to apply in your classroom.

Region: North Carolina

Activities: backpacking, rock climbing or rappelling, discussions/workshops on experiential education, Leave No Trace

Dates	Days	Age	Focus	Location	Tuition	Course	Enroll
06/22/08 to 06/29/08	8	23+	Educators	Blue Ridge Mountains	$1395.00	NEE821