Before Registering:

If your institution IS a member of NCHC:
Unless you hold a current NCHC Institutional or Professional membership, you must sign up as a "Contact" to be affiliated with your institution and receive member pricing for event registration. Sign up as a Contact Here (may take up to 48 hours to approve)

If your institution is NOT a member of NCHC:
Please proceed as a "Guest". Members receive a 50% discount on all NCHC event registrations - contact the NCHC Office for more details on joining!

Mandatory Documentation

When you register, you will be required to turn in 3 forms stating your acknowledgement of NCHC policies as a participant of Partners in the Parks. To save you some time while registering, we recommend downloading these files now, digitally or physically signing them, and have them ready to be uploaded with your application.

• NCHC Student Participant Conduct Agreement
• NCHC Accident Waiver
• NCHC Participant Health Insurance Information
• NCHC Intent to Pay (If you are not paying by credit card upon registration)

Did you know the Appalachian Trail is a national park? If you didn’t, you are not alone. The Appalachian Trail (AT) is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, ranging from Maine to Georgia. This year’s Partners project will be situated at the southern end of the Trail. Amicalola Falls is a mecca for many hikers. The beginning of the approach trail to the top of Springer Mountain, the official start (mile 0.0) of this iconic long-distance trail. We’ll meet up in Atlanta, GA and we’ll drive up to Amicalola Falls in a group van. We’ll be camping at the State Park and connecting with the many partners that make the AT possible. We’ll do some trail work with the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club. We’ll Zoom in with the National Park Service AT headquarters based in Harpers’ Ferry, WV. We’ll spend time hiking on the AT and meeting day, section, and thru hikers. We’ll spend time with leaders from Outdoor Afro – Atlanta and discuss how outdoor spaces can be more inclusive and welcoming to a diverse community. A zipline experience is planned. We’ll have fun! We’ll eat well.  Anyone considering registering but have questions please feel free to reach out to the project lead, Christina McIntyre, cmcintyre@vt.edu. If you are lacking camping gear, gear can be provided without additional cost. 

Tentative Itinerary

It’s always tentative until it happens – due to the nature of these projects  adaptability is required

• May 23, 2023 Tuesday – TRAVEL DAY - ARRIVAL
  Participants arrive at Atlanta (ATL) airport. 
  Stay in Air B&B close to ATL 
  Outdoor Afro – Atlanta 
  
  
• May 24  Wednesday Amicalola Falls State Park
  Camp at Amicalola Falls State Park (group site)
  AT arch @ approach trail – walk falls stairs 
  Leave no Trace / ATC Next Generation Youth Council
  Built-in down time
  Group meal preparation
  Evening discussions with thru-hikers and ATC leadership
  
  
• May 25 Thursday Len Foote Hike Inn
  Break camp and backpack to Len Foote Hike Inn (4.3 miles)
  Built-in down time / Reading / Writing / Reflecting
  Family Style dinner at Hike Inn
  Evening educational program offered through Len Foote Hike Inn
  
  
• May 26 Friday Springer Mnt
  Hike to summit of Springer mountain (5.1 miles)
  Set up camp at Springer Mountain AT Shelter
  Reading / Writing / Reflection
  Built-in down time
  Group meal preparation
  Evening discussions with thru-hikers and ATC leadership
  
  
• May 27  Saturday Trailwork with Georgia Appalachian Trail Club
  Morning: Hike ~ 1 mile to the USFS trailhead
  Trailwork project with GATC 
  Set-up camp
  Zoom conversation with Wendy Jennsen, NPS Superintendent of Appalachian National Scenic Trail 
  Reading / Writing / Reflection
  Group meal preparation 
  
  
• May 28  Sunday Amicalola Falls S.P.
  Morning: Zip Lining with Outdoor Afro – Atlanta
  Afternoon: Conversation with Mr. Fabulous/Derick Lugo, author of The Unlikely Thru Hiker
  Reading / Writing / Reflection
  Group meal preparation 
  Evening – Final Presentations
  
  
• May 29  Monday
  Departure day – return to Atlanta, shuttle departing participants to ATL airport
  

If you have any questions regarding your trip specifically, please contact your trip facilitators listed below. They will be sending you more information regarding what to pack, and any supplies you may need for your trip.

Trip Facilitators

Christina McIntyre, Virginia Tech

Refunds

All requests for refunds MUST be submitted in writing to the national office and RECEIVED no later than thirty days in advance of the trip departure date. Please send to nchc@unl.edu.

• Received prior to 30 days before trip departure:          Full refund, less a $50 per person administrative fee
• Received within 30 days before trip departure:            No refunds granted