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Join an 8-day immersive program along the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, partnering with the Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club. Engage in trail service, connect with thru-hikers, and explore themes of inclusivity in the outdoors. Camp at the historic Lewis Mountain Campground and learn from groups like Outdoor Afro and Latino Outdoors. Open to all experience levels, each day offers learning, service, and inspiration in a stunning natural setting.
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5/19/2025 to 5/26/2025
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When:
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May 19-26, 2025
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Where:
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Appalachian Trail & Shenandoah NP
Kalispell, Montana
United States
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Contact:
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NCHC Office
hello@nchchonors.org
(402) 472-9150
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Online registration is closed.
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« Go to Upcoming Event List
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Program Overview
Immerse yourself in the vibrant Appalachian Trail community with this 8-day program along the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park. Partnering with the Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club, participants will contribute to maintaining and improving the trail and its facilities, while engaging with thru-hikers on their inspiring journeys from Georgia to Maine. Daily activities will be complemented by readings and discussions on fostering inclusivity in outdoor spaces, offering a thoughtful lens on how diverse communities engage with nature. The group will camp at Lewis Mountain Campground, a historic site featured in The Green Book that provided safe lodging for African Americans during the segregation era. Special guests from outdoor affinity groups like Outdoor Afro, Latino Outdoors, and the Avarna Group will share insights and experiences, enriching the program's exploration of equity in the outdoors. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or new to camping and hiking, this program welcomes all skill levels. With service projects preparing the park for Memorial Day and opportunities to explore potential capstone topics, each day promises to be unique, meaningful, and full of discovery.
Registration Details
Program Size: 8-10 Students
NCHC Member Price: $750 (does not include airfare); Non-Member Price: $1500 (does not include airfare)
Registration Deadline: April 18, 2025
Tentative Itinerary
Arrival Day at the group hotel (Dulles Airport).
Blue Ridge Parkway Day
- Leave Dulles Airport drive south on the BRPA
- Lunch on the Parkway
- Camp at Devil’s Backbone Basecamp (w/ AT thru-hikers)
- Kathryn Herndon-Powell: Appalachian Trail Conservancy
- Workshop on AT’s Cooperative Management model
- Conversations with thru-hikers
- Heidi Crandall: Founder of Devil’s Backbone Basecamp
- Economic impact of the AT on local communities
- Reading, Writing & Reflection
- Dinner
- Evening Conversations
Appalachian Trail Work Day
- John & Trudy Phillips (NBATC) Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club A.T.
- Breakfast/Pack Lunch
- Trail work @ The Priest Shelter on the AT
- Reading, Writing & Reflection
- Dinner
- Evening Conversations
- Camp at Devil’s Backbone Basecamp
Skyline Drive, Shenandoah NP
- Breakfast
- Break camp
- Head north on Blue Ridge Parkway to Skyline Drive
- Lunch at Pocosin Cabin (Potomac AT Club)
- Setup camp at Lewis Mountain Campground
- NPS Staff: History of Lewis Mnt – Green book
- Reading, Writing & Reflection
- Dinner
- Thursday night programming at Big Meadows Lodge
Service Project Day with NPS
- Lewis Mountain Campground
- Breakfast / Pack lunch
- Meet up with Park Staff at Big Meadows
- Possible project (setting up Camp Rapidan for season)
- Reading, Writing & Reflection
- Dinner
- Evening Conversations
Challenge by Choice – Outdoor Afro - Appalachian Trail Hike
- Breakfast
- Break camp
- Outdoor Afro–DMV Event: Choose between 4, 8, 12 mile hike*
- The A.T. crosses Skyline drive numerous times which allows for this opportunity.
- Trail magic for thru hikers
- Setup camp @ Matthews Arm Campground
- Reading, Writing & Reflection
- Dinner
- Evening Conversations
Skyline Drive Day
- Breakfast
- Break camp
- Park Headquarters – conversation w/ Patrick Kenney, Superintendent
- Drive Skyline Drive north
- Lunch at overlook
- Skyland - Artists in Residence
- Setup camp - KOA Front Royal
- Reading, Writing, Relaxing
- Dinner
- Final Presentations
Departure Day (Dulles Airport)
- Breakfast
- Break camp / Pack Van
- Drive to Dulles 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 is the Director of Professional Development and National and International Scholarships for Virginia Tech's Honors College. She oversees the university process for many national and international level awards. Christina
has been a member of NCHC since 2007 and has served on the Board of Directors and as NCHC President in 2022. She served as the chair of NCHC Partners in the Parks in 2018 and has led eight Partners projects in Great Smoky Mountain
National Park, Washington D.C., Appalachian Trail in Harper's Ferry, Southwest Virginia, and Springer Mountain Georgia. Christina is the Faculty Advisor for the Outdoor Club at Virginia Tech which maintains 30 miles of the Appalachian
Trail near campus. She currently serves as Vice-Chair for the Central & SW Virginia Appalachian Trail Club Region. Her field of study is nutrition, biochemistry, and physiology. She loves sharing the unique and diverse AT community
and sharing that there are many ways to enjoy the trail beyond the iconic thru-hike. Sara Hodges is an Academic Advisor for the Honors College at James Madison University. A Harrisonburg native, Sara grew up right outside Shenandoah National Park, and considers it her NPS home. She is Wilderness First Aid certified and enjoys being overprepared for any outdoor activity. Sara is thrilled to be able to help introduce Shenandoah NP to others on this, her first Partners facilitation.
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