Travel through our nature preserve and see all it has to offer. An old-growth forest has so much beauty at all times of the year. Travel the split rock loop for an easy short hike with lots of sights to offer. Traverse the spicebush trails and see the enormous boulders laid between the mountains. For the seasoned or truly adventurous, take on the summit hike, our most strenuous! This trail climbs over 1000ft in approx. 1.25 miles! Guided hikes lead your group along the trail through amazing scenery and fantastic views. Proper footwear is recommended.

All distances and times are approximate:

• Split Rock /Spice Bush – EASY – 1 Mile – 1 Hour

• Upper and Lower Dogwood – Moderate – 1.25 Miles - 1 Hour

• Galax – Moderate – 1.25 Miles - 1 Hour

• Wintergreen – Strenuous – 1.75 Miles - 2 Hours

• Summit – Strenuous – 2.5 Miles – 3 Hours

• Summit and Greenbrier Sand Cave – Strenuous = 6 Hours including lunch on the trail

A true wilderness experience with no modern amenities.

With roots in Appalachian Culture, agriculture and art, this class is fun for all ages. Students learn about resourcefulness and how to turn corn husks into beautiful decorative flowers. (1.5 hours)

Students gather in our industrial woodshop to make a wooden mixing spoon. They learn to use hand and power tools safely and customize their spoons with carving knives, dremels and wood burners. Students leave this class appreciating the time and skill that go into wood working and have reported a feeling of accomplishment, turning a wooden blank into a finished functional product. (1.5 hours)

Students are simply provided space, materials and inspiration for this mixed media painting class. They use supplies such as paint, newspapers, decorative paper and ribbon etc. to create an original piece of art. This is a wonderful class, different from traditional structured workshops, where students are encouraged to explore creative freedom with no expectations or guidelines other than to create. (1.5 hours)

Food is more than just calories, it is foundational to connection and culture. In this experience, students will learn the stories and meaning attached to food and prepare a traditional dish to share with each other. (2 hours)

Plants are the basis for so many things, including products we use everyday. Students will learn about the properties of plants used in traditional medicine and make lip balm from beeswax and essential oils and natural insect repellent made from essential oils. (1.5 hours)