The Twin County Community Foundation Sponsors Residential Education at BRDC

The Twin County Community Foundation (TCCF) continues to support Blue Ridge Discovery Center through grants to get students outside engaged in nature. These grants allow students to be fully immersed in the beauties and wonders of the outdoors through residential education programs at BRDC. Our programs engage students in nature in fully immersive outdoor activities.

This residential education program grant provided groups of students from Carroll County and Grayson County with experiential learning experiences that build lifelong skills and a passion for the outdoors. We provide overnight accommodations during the program and nutritious hot meals.

In 2021, the students participated in nature journaling, salamander surveys, seed experiments, macroinvertebrate studies, decomposition, phenology, dendrology, and highland games.

Thank you, Twin County Community Foundation, for your continued support! 

Get Outside on the New River Trail

Blue Ridge Discovery Center’s Get Outside Program connects families to nature through hands-on, active, outdoor natural history activities. This program includes observational hiking, an outdoor activity, and natural history education. Participants will get outside with their families to explore, discover, and share their experiences during a short hike along New River Trail in Galax, Va.

This Saturdays (February 13th), hike begins at 2:00 pm. Activities include a scavenger hunt and the chance to earn a BRDC patch. This program is FREE, but registration is required. (Includes all instruction, materials, and supplies.) Space is limited. Participants are responsible for face masks and reusable water bottles. Email lisa@blueridgediscoverycenter.org to be notified of future event dates or questions.

Supported by Twin County Community Foundation grant.

Get Outside This Weekend!

Blue Ridge Discovery Center’s Get Outside Program connects families to nature through hands-on, active, outdoor natural history activities. This program includes observational hiking, an outdoor activity, and natural history education. Participants will get outside with their families to explore, discover, and share their experiences during a short hike along Beaver Dam Creek Walking Trail in Hillsville, Va.

This Saturdays (January 30th), hike begins at 2:00 pm. Activities include a scavenger hunt and the chance to earn a BRDC patch. This program is FREE, but registration is required. (Includes all instruction, materials, and supplies.) Space is limited. Participants are responsible for face masks and reusable water bottles. Email lisa@blueridgediscoverycenter.org to be notified of future event dates or questions.

Supported by Twin County Community Foundation grant.

The Twin County Community Foundation Partners With BRDC for the 2021 Get Outside Program

The Twin County Community Foundation (TCCF) continues to support Blue Ridge Discovery Center through a grant to get families outside engaged in nature. The purpose of the Get Outside Program is to address the physical, mental, and cognitive health of youth and their families in Grayson and Carroll Counties and the City of Galax. Attendees will participate in a natural history activity while reaping the physical and mental benefits of time spent outside.

BRDC will provide sixteen educational outdoor hikes to include an enriching activity for youth and their families to various public locales throughout 2021. The main components of this program include: observational hiking, reflection, and a nature-focused activity. Through the Get Outside Program, we aim to promote physical and emotional well-being and instill a love for the place we call home. In meeting our mission to inspire others to discover new areas of interest, we can collectively help them live an active and healthy lifestyle.

The Get Outside Program kicks off on Friday, January 1st with the 2021 First Day Hike! Families are invited to join BRDC from 2:00-3:30 pm at Dannelly Park in Galax for this unique program in conjunction with the nationwide First Day Hike event. This program is FREE to participants! Click the button below to learn more and to register. Space is limited and registration is required.

Thank you, Twin County Community Foundation, for your continued support! 

Let the Students Go Outside!

"Teach 'real world' skills" ; from the Galax Gazette, July 11, 2010.

A letter from Lauren Kamoda of Hillsville:

"I’m a rising senior at Carroll County High School.

I’m 17 years old.

In my educational life, I have come to the realization that no one in the school system teaches you about real life.

You are taught to the Standards of Learning in every class. Then every once in a while you will have a teacher to tell you “This is something that you will use every day after you graduate.” Will you really?

I attended the Wytheville regional governor’s school for 10 days. I took a philosophy class with Liza Fields, and in that class I learned more in 10 days than my entire grades K-11 learning experience.

We took walks, hiked up Sandstone Mountain, had class discussions, and asked questions that can’t be asked in regular school.

My suggestions to improve the learning experience for the upcoming classes are as follows: let the students go outside!

We sit inside to learn about biology, when biology in its natural environment is outside!

Class discussions — everyone has an input, let them share it. It builds trust, respect, and confidence — all things you need in the "real world."

-Lauren Kamoda,

Hillsville

Direct source links:

-Newspaper e-article:

http://www.galaxgazette.com/content/teach-real-world-skills

-Scanned article: