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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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5/29/2026 to 6/5/2026
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When:
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May 29 to June 5th, 2026
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Where:
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Shenandoah National Park & Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Virginia
United States
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Contact:
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NCHC Office
hello@nchchonors.org
(402) 472-9150
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« Go to Upcoming Event List
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Program Overview
This immersive program through Shenandoah National Park will engage with the Appalachian Trail community through service, learning, and adventure. Partnering with the Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club, participants will help maintain the trail.
The program includes discussions on inclusivity in outdoor spaces while camping at the historic Lewis Mountain Campground. Open to all experience levels, this program combines meaningful service, outdoor exploration, and the chance to uncover
new perspectives and potential capstone ideas.
Educational: Educational themes will be weaved into the readings, lectures, and discussions throughout the week on ecology, history, sociology, science, and leadership.
Stewardship: Trail maintenance projects with both Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club (NBATC) and the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC). We will discuss the cooperative management of the Appalachian Trail, a variety
of issues ((funding, currently proposed bills that affect national parks, staffing, government shut-downs, etc) and its many stakeholders.
Recreational: Hiking, Art, Watersports. We function on a premise of “Challenge by Choice” – while we want individuals to experience new activities, we do not want people to go beyond their physical abilities. Individuals
will be encouraged to discuss any concerns regarding planned recreational activities and work with project leads to adapt the experienceto their abilities.
Registration Details
Program Size: 8-12 Students, 2 Faculty
NCHC Member Price: $850 (does not include airfare); Non-Member Price: $1700 (does not include airfare)
Registration Deadline: April 24, 2026
Tentative Itinerary
Arrival Day at the group hotel (Dulles Airport).
Group hotel – reservations and hotel cost covered by program fee
Introductions/shared meal (camp cooking in parking lot)
- Groceries – ALDI - Charlottesville
- Camp at Devil’s Backbone Basecamp (w/ AT thru-hikers)
- Discussion of Cooperative Management of the A.T.
- Trail magic for thru hikers (Permethrin laundry line)
- Trailwork Orientation and Safety Talk with Natural Bridge AT Club
- Meet up with Outdoor Affinity Group partners
- Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club A.T. TRAILWORK DAY
- Camp at Devil’s Backbone Basecamp
- Afton Mountain, Blue Ridge Tunnel, Blue Ridge Parkway
- Skyline Drive, Shenandoah NP
- Set up camp at Lewis Mountain Campground
- NPS Interpretive Ranger, Karl Rand, History of Lewis Mnt
- SHEN Service project – Sheridan (Conservation Legacy Intern)
- Basecamp @ Lewis Mountain Campground
- Explore Big Meadows
- Citizen Scientist project with SNPT
- Byrd Visitor’s Center
- NPS Artists in Residence Program
- Bearfence sunset hike
- Basecamp @ Lewis Mountain Campground
- Drive Skyline Drive north
- Appalachian Trail Hike – Compton Peak
- Front Royal
- Shenandoah River State Park
- Visitor’s Center – ranger program and exhibits
- Day on the river – raft / canoe / kayak
- Time for presentation preparations
- Evening presentations
Departure Day (Dulles Airport)
- Break camp, final packing, drive to Dulles airport
- Schedule flights to depart 3:00 pm or later
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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