from green to grit

Grit

This is what you've been working so hard for. This is where your skills will truly be measured. These adventures here will test your physical strength and your will power. If you're looking for something challenging then you came to the right place. If you're looking for a relaxing hike then head over to green.

sunset backpacker

Backpacking

When you come backpacking with us, it will be an adventure. This isn't for the young kids because this one will be rugged. Our backpacking adventures last seven days and will be a test of your stamina and your mental strength. In order to do this adventure you will have to perform a few tests in advance to see if you're capable of taking it on. When you're done backpacking with us you will have stories to tell for the rest of your life.

Family by the stream

Hiking

These hikes are more of a prep hike. If you don't want to do the backpacking trip that's fine, you can do these hikes. They will not be easy. They will be fast paced and will cover lots of ground. Our hikes in this section typically are around twenty miles and this is in one day.

Cooking with a stove

Dinner

These classes will assume that you already have done some cooking with your camp stove. We will talk about rationing and how to get the most out of your food. We will then cover what happens when you don't have food and what you can eat. In the end we will be sampling some of natures bounties and get to eat some the grubs.

Campfire in the woods

Fire

This is our guests' favorite. Who doesn't like to play with fire? With our teachers helping and a little persistence anyone can start a fire with a few basic items.

They will teach some of the old ways that everyone thinks of when starting a fire, such as flint and steel and some new ways too, like the magnesium sticks. When your done you will even be able to start a fire in wet conditions.

Thoughts

One of the most visited parks that we go to is Shenandoah National Park. This park is beautiful. The relaxing rolling hills and the easy hikes that lead you to aw inspiring overlooks.

Walking these trails you can just feel the age in these mountains, for they are one of the oldest in the world. Geologists say it was formed from way back in the Pangaea days.

The Appalachians used to be giants. Some say they were taller than Mount Everest. After all of the ice ages and erosion they have been whittled down to gentle, calm rolling mountains. Looking at the mountains is like gazing into an old mans face and seeing the care in his eyes and valleys in his forehead, and the Shenandoah River is like a stream of tears winding down his cheeks.

To me there's not a more relaxing of a place to just melt away all of your stress and aches from a long, hard days hike, than one of the overlooks out into one of the valleys.