Discovery Day Camp
31 kids had a fun-filled week of exploration as part of BRDC's Discovery Day Camp. From splashing in the water and examining what lives in a mountain stream, learning to use a map and compass, studying birds, bugs, flowers and rocks, nature arts and crafts, fun games and songs, to the age old pastime of dropping handcrafted vessels into the creek, exploring the Blue Ridge has never been so much fun!
31 kids had a fun-filled week of exploration as part of BRDC's Discovery Day Camp.
From splashing in the water and examining what lives in a mountain stream, learning to use a map and compass, studying birds, bugs, flowers and rocks, nature arts and crafts, fun games and songs, to the age old pastime of dropping handcrafted vessels into the creek, exploring the Blue Ridge has never been so much fun!
Even the rainy Friday at camp, didn't stop these campers from having fun outdoors.
This Discovery Day Camp is funded through generous volunteer support and donations to provide interest-driven and hands-on educational opportunities for regional youth. BRDC would like to thank Nima Crotwell for the generous donation that helped make this week of exploration and discovery possible!
Announcing 6 Camp Scholarships in partnership with Friends of Mount Rogers!
BRDC is seeking applicants for six full scholarships ($795 value) to our Discovery Camp, July 31 - August 5, Ages 9-12 or 13-15. Location: Base Camp, Troutdale, VA
BRDC is seeking applicants for six full scholarships ($795 value) to our Discovery Camp, July 31 - August 5, Ages 9-12 or 13-15. Location: Base Camp, Troutdale, VA
The Rudolph and Louise Tilson Scholarship Fund was generously provided by The Friends of Mount Rogers in support of youth exploration of the Mount Rogers area. Rudolph Tilson absolutely loved Grayson county and the Mount Rogers area, and was an active Boy Scout leader, avid camper, and outdoorsman his whole life.
The Friends of Mount Rogers is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the appreciation and enjoyment of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area by supporting it and its heritage through education, cooperation, financial assistance, and volunteer service. For more information, visit: www.friendsofmountrogers.org
The scholarships are available for the under-served youth in Grayson, Carroll, Galax, Ashe, Alleghany, Smyth and Washington counties. Qualifications include demonstrated financial need and residence within the core focus area.
To apply for the scholarship, please fill out the following form and mail to Blue Ridge Discovery Center: Scholarship Application Form
The scholarship application will be open until July 1st, 2017. On July 5th, BRDC will notify the recipients of the scholarships!
For more information on the Camp, visit http://blueridgediscoverycenter.org/discoverycamp/
To learn more about the scholarship contact info@blueridgediscoverycenter.org or call 276.293.1232
Birding Adventure in the High Country
6 kids went on a gravity-defying adventure in the high country participating in BRDC’s inaugural Ornithology Camp. For four days and three nights, the kids camped out and honed their ornithology skills, searching for bird species that inhabit the diverse appalachian ecosystems of southwest Virginia.
12 kids went on a gravity-defying adventure in the high country participating in BRDC’s inaugural Ornithology Camp in honor of William Roberts. For four days and three nights, the kids camped out and honed their ornithology skills, searching for bird species that inhabit the diverse Appalachian ecosystems of southwest Virginia.
Each morning the campers woke bright and early before leaving base camp to search for birds. They explored the region's prime birding spots including Cox's Chapel Low Water Bridge, Rural Retreat Lake, New River State Park, Fairwood Valley, Elk Garden, and Whitetop Mountain. They found a wide range of birds and logged a total of 80 species by the end of camp! When they weren’t actively searching for birds, the campers learned valuable birding and naturalist skills from guides Allen Boynton, Scott Jackson-Ricketts, Ashley Peele, Joyce Roberts and Aaron Floyd. They learned how to keep a naturlist's journal, how to use a guidebook and how to be good stewards to birds and other fauna and flora that are part of the Blue Ridge.
Everyone enjoyed many other activities, like searching for crayfish in the creek, playing stickball, and telling stories around the campfire after a long day of birding.
At the conclusion of camp, the campers gathered together in a circle and discussed what they had enjoyed most. The highlights included seeing bald eagles and their nest, observing an oriole pair, hearing a hermit thrush and making lots of new friends. On the drive back from camp, the campers excitedly talked about coming back next year!
Ornithology Camp Bird List:
Herons:
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Waterfowl:
Canada Goose
Raptors:
Bald Eagle
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Turkey Vulture
Black Vulture
Shorebirds:
Spotted Sandpiper
Killdeer
Pigeon-like:
Mourning Dove
Swifts and Hummingbirds:
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Woodpeckers:
Red -bellied Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Flycatchers:
Eastern Wood Pewee
Eastern Phoebe
Acadian Flycatcher
Willow Flycatcher
Great-crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Vireos:
Red-eyed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Jays, Crows, Ravens:
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Swallows:
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Chimney Swift
Chickadees, Nuthatches:
Carolina Chickadee
House Wren
Carolina Wren
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Tufted Titmouse
Thrushes:
Catbird
Mockingbird
American Robin
Veery
Brown Thrasher
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
Cedar Waxwing
Eastern Blue Bird
Warblers:
Louisiana Waterthrush
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Northern Parula
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Yellow Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Black-throated Blue
Black-throated Green
Canada Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Tanagers:
Scarlet Tanager
Indigo Bunting
Northern Cardinal
Sparrows and Juncos:
Dark-eyed Junco
Song Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Eastern Meadowlark
Blackbirds, Orioles:
Red Winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Baltimore Oriole
Orchard Oriole
Common Grackle
European Starling
Finches:
American Goldfinch
80 Species!
Travel Down the Rapids of the New
New River Expedition: Wed-Sat, July 19-22 for ages 12-15. Want to experience a true river expedition? Join our crew and travel down the rapids of the New River while pitching camp on remote islands!
New River Expedition
Wed-Sat, July 19-22
4 days / 3 nights
Ages 12-15
Location: New River, VA & NC
Want to experience a true river expedition? Join our crew and travel down the rapids of the New River while pitching camp on remote islands! This canoe expedition is a chance to build leadership skills and learn potential life-long enriching hobbies. Along the way you will learn about water safety while exploring the riches of the riparian corridor...snorkeling for hellbenders, fly fishing for smallmouth bass, studying riparian ecology, conducting water quality tests, and collecting data on aquatic macro-invertebrates.
There is no grander journey than pushing off from shore in a canoe on a one-way trip to wherever the current carries you. Get ready to take a leap into the water!
Summit Day Camp
Seven students from Summit School in Winston-Salem, NC were able to get a firsthand perspective into the wonders of the Blue Ridge during a week of exploration lead by the Blue Ridge Discovery Center.
Seven students from Summit School in Winston-Salem, NC were able to get a firsthand perspective into the wonders of the Blue Ridge during a week of exploration lead by the Blue Ridge Discovery Center.
With activities such as fly fishing, snorkeling a small Appalachian stream, kayaking in the New River, catching butterflies, birding and summiting Stone Mountain, the group was able to experience several of the ecological wonders of the Blue Ridge. Emphasizing curiosity based learning, the day camp focused on skills to become a naturalist within an immersive setting.
Wilderness Backpacking Camp June 27-July 1
One of the most rewarding opportunities of the summer is discovering more of the Blue Ridge in the company of exceptional guides on this multi-day backpacking expedition. On the trail, you’ll observe and document the wildlife we encounter along the way, including unique birds, trees, plants, insects, mushrooms, salamanders, and many others.
Tue-Sat, June 27-July 1
5 days / 4 nights
Ages 13-17
Location: Mount Rogers, VA
SIGN-UP
One of the most rewarding opportunities of the summer is discovering more of the Blue Ridge in the company of exceptional guides on this multi-day backpacking expedition. On the trail, you’ll observe and document the wildlife we encounter along the way, including unique birds, trees, plants, insects, mushrooms, salamanders, and many others.
Learn new wilderness skills including meal preparation, orienteering, primitive technology and fire building! Join us on this journey through the highest mountains of the Blue Ridge and experience moss laden spruce-fir forests, shrub balds, and the best vistas in the East! (Backpacks, tents and sleeping pads provided).
Visit blueridgediscoverycenter.org/wildernessbackpacking, call 276.293.1232, or email info@blueridgediscoverycenter.org for more information.
Still time to apply for an Ornithology Camp Scholarship!
BRDC's Ornithology Camp, for kids ages 9-12, offers 4 days and 3 nights all about birds: eagles, warblers, herons, wrens, woodpeckers, owls, thrushes and more!! The camp, which is funded through the William Roberts Memorial Fund and volunteer support, runs Wednesday-Saturday, June 7-10, and includes all meals and snacks.
BRDC's Ornithology Camp, for kids ages 9-12, offers 4 days and 3 nights all about birds: eagles, warblers, herons, wrens, woodpeckers, owls, thrushes and more!! The camp, which is funded through the William Roberts Memorial Fund and volunteer support, runs Wednesday-Saturday, June 7-10, and includes all meals and snacks.
From the crack of dawn to the moonlit night, participants will join our expert guides and learn all about the fascinating world of birds. While honing your skills, you will participate in citizen science projects and learn field ecology. Campers will have opportunities to take their birding skills to the next level, meet other young people with similar interests, explore careers in birding and ornithology, and of course, learn about the bird life and natural history of the Blue Ridge! (Binoculars and spotting scopes provided)
The William Roberts Memorial Fund honors BRDC's most principled birder and outdoor enthusiast, and advances his contagious interest in birds, flight, the majesty of raptors, seasonal surprises of migration, and his boundless curiosity. We invite young people to immerse themselves in the art of bird study through the guidance of BRDC’s pool of experienced birders. The Ornithology camp provides an opportunity for young explorers to experience the many facets ornithology through a variety of hands-on learning activities and field trips.
Participation is awarded through a need and/or merit Based scholarship application. To apply please view our Scholarship Application.
Women's Fly Fishing Weekend
Fri-Sun, Apr 21-23
3 days / 2 nights
Experienced and beginner fly fishers welcome!
This weekend will provide participants with an intense hands-on introduction to the sport of fly fishing.
Fri-Sun, Apr 21-23
3 days / 2 nights
Experienced and beginner fly fishers welcome!
This weekend will provide participants with an intense hands-on introduction to the sport of fly fishing. A variety of subjects will be covered in an easy to follow fashion, including fly fishing ethics, knot tying, fly tying, fly selection, casting and reading water. You will walk away with an abundance of knowledge, confidence and skills necessary to head out on your own and catch fish.
Beyond learning the techniques, you will enjoy the camaraderie of campfire fish tales and our cotton-walled tent accommodations. Join us and experience the best fishing that the Blue Ridge has to offer from the native brook trout to smallmouth bass!
Check Out BRDC's Summer Camp Lineup!
Check out our great line-up of Summer Camps for 2017!
Our camps are led by highly skilled guides who understand how to develop curiosity, foster autonomy and be model citizens. Adventure is not the end, but rather a gateway to developing deeper connections with your surroundings. The farther you push the closer you get to discovery.
Discounted camp rates with family membership- Join Today!
Check out our great line-up of Summer Camps for 2017!
Our camps are led by highly skilled guides who understand how to develop curiosity, foster autonomy and be model citizens. Adventure is not the end, but rather a gateway to developing deeper connections with your surroundings. The farther you push the closer you get to discovery.
Discounted camp rates with family membership- Join Today!
2016 Camp Slideshow
Blue Ridge Discovery Center offers a wide variety of camps aimed at connecting the next generation to the Blue Ridge mountains and rivers.
DISCOVERY CAMPS
Discover what makes the Blue Ridge such a special place, from salamanders to astronomy, butterflies, botany, birds, fish and more!
Discovery Day Camp
June 26-30, Ages 5-8 & 9-12
Discovery Camp
July 31-August 5, Ages 9-12 & 13-15
SKILL CAMPS
Explore new skills, expand your knowledge, and discover the Blue Ridge.
Ornithology Camp
June 7-10, Ages 9-12
Pioneering
June 12-17, Ages 12-15
Primitive Technology
June 19-24, Ages 12-15
Natural History Illustration
July 12-15, Ages 13-17
Archaeology Camp
July 17-22, Ages 13-17
Fly Fishing
July 24-29, Ages 12-15
Advanced Fly Fishing Weekend
August 11-13, Ages 13-17
JOURNEYS
One of the most rewarding opportunities of the summer is discovering more of the Blue Ridge in the company of our exceptional guides.
Wilderness Backpacking
June 26-July1, Ages 13-17
New River Expedition
July 19-22, Ages 12-15
FAMILY WEEKENDS
Surround your family with the magic of the mountains as you explore, discover and share together.
Family Discovery Weekend
September 29-October 1
Fly Fishing Weekend
September 15-17
ADULT CAMPS
An intense hands-on introduction to a variety of Natural History topics.
Women’s Fly Fishing Weekend
Friday-Sunday, April 21-23
GUIDING SERVICES
BRDC offers a variety of guiding services focused on the Blue Ridge including: Fly Fishing, Mushrooms & Edible Wild Plants, Birding and more. Contact Us for more information
"Now I know the secret of making the best person; it is to grow in the open air and eat and sleep with the earth” ~ Walt Whitman
The creation of an Ornithology Camp in honor of William Roberts
Blue Ridge Discovery Center, in gratitude and honor of our recently departed and most principled birder and outdoor enthusiast, would like to advance his contagious interest in birds, flight, majesty of raptors, seasonal surprises of migration, and his boundless curiosity.
We believe that the best way to share his love of birds is to create an Ornithology Camp supported by a scholarship fund in his name.
William assisting youth with the spotting scope.
A scholarship sponsored Ornithology Camp
Over the past five years William Roberts served on the Blue Ridge Discovery Center Board of Directors. He guided us calmly through many difficult challenges with his wisdom and steady hand while also taking the time to inspire youth as a guide and instill in them a deep love of nature.
Blue Ridge Discovery Center, in gratitude and honor of our recently departed and most principled birder and outdoor enthusiast, would like to advance his contagious interest in birds, flight, majesty of raptors, seasonal surprises of migration, and his boundless curiosity.
We believe that the best way to share his love of birds is to create an Ornithology Camp supported by a scholarship fund in his name, with the goal of inviting young people to immerse themselves in the art of bird study through the guidance of BRDC’s pool of experienced birders. The camp will provide an opportunity for young explorers to experience the many facets ornithology through a variety of hands-on learning activities and field trips.
The power of birding as an engagement tool and a gateway into the relationships within an ecosystem is bounded only by getting the binoculars into the hands of our youth. Please consider a donation in his honor and sponsor a kid for this unique opportunity.
The scholarship fund will be known as: The William Roberts Ornithology Camp for Young Birders
Mount Rogers Wilderness Camp
We finished off summer camp season by heading up the mountain and exploring the habitats of Mount Rogers with a basecamp at the Scales on Pine Mountain. Unfortunately we timed it with a massive system that brought three days of solid rain!!
We finished off summer camp season by heading up the mountain and exploring the habitats of Mount Rogers with a basecamp at the Scales on Pine Mountain. Unfortunately we timed it with a massive system that brought three days of solid rain!!
After picking up the crew, the caravan of 4x4's crawled up the trail battling sheets of rain and a boulder covered road. When we arrived at the top 45 minutes later, it became abundantly clear that the rain had set in and our first task was to build some shelter. We all slipped on rain gear and started laying out our 16' wooden poles, making lashings and marking the corners of our tent shelter. A short time later we proudly huddled under our canvas tarp to get out of the rain!
The first exploration of the trip was to check out the headwaters of Big Wilson Creek. The kids put on their wetsuits at camp since it was raining and down the trail we went. Fellow campers at Scales gave us some strange looks for sporting snorkel masks on top of the mountain! The kids insisted on getting to some holes deep enough to swim in so we hiked downstream until we came to a large plunge pool that was over six feet deep. The water was already dingy from the rain so observation was limited but the kids explored the edges of the pool and the falls. We tried our hand at seining for fish and came up with a small wild rainbow trout in the bubbles of a water fall. Max found an old beat up fly that still had monofilament attached to the hook and sure enough Zeke pulled out a small native drifting it through the current by hand! We also found lots of crayfish and even one that was munching on the head of a salamander. On the hike back we took a short detour to check out the Fraiser Fir Seed Plot and the Appalachian Bog of Sullivan Swamp. Lisa's ever delicious Walking Tacos were waiting for us at camp upon return. (Day 1: 3 miles)
Day 2. The camp awoke to heavy rains and but by 10am it had transitioned to a drizzle and then to a continuous cloud mist. After studying the maps the campers packed their day packs and slipped on rain gear and out into the weather we went. From the Scales basecamp we hiked west across the Southern Appalachian Shrub Balds of Pine Mountain and into Lewis Fork Wilderness in search of natural wonders. Even though the mist was thick, butterflies surfaced on multiple occasions including common wood nymphs and american coppers. During our snack break Max was convinced he saw a large black animal sauntering through the woods, so out came the binoculars and we went in hot pursuit hoping for a glimpse at a black bear. About a hundred yards away we found our subject, a massive black dog being put back on the leash by some hikers.
Entering Lewis Fork the forest canopy protected us from the rain pouring down. While we worked our way deeper into the woods we found a huge black-bellied salamander, lots of red-backed salamanders, a dusky species and and one tiny pygmy salamander along the trails. Hiking through the High Elevation Cove Forest we came across a grove of massive red spruce trees that warrant future measurement for a possible state record! Nearing the end of the forest trail we became enchanted by what appeared to be a roar of wind from the ridge but upon further inspection we found a rather large creek running under the boulder field we were crossing. The rocks had a typical forest growing on top of it, so very disguised until you found an opening between the rocks to peer into. Returning to camp we picked a gallon of blackberries for the following night's dessert. (Day 2: 8 miles)
As the cooks prepped for a dutch oven lasagna dinner we did journal illustrations of observations along the trail. That evening we were joined by Christy and Ed from Friends of Mount Rogers who had sponsored four scholarship kids to the camp! The rain continued coming down so we circled under our shelter and got out the flint knapping kits. After giving a whack at some local rhyolite we had found along the trail, we moved on to more workable chert to produce some arrowheads with antler billets. As night fell it was cold and wet, so we built a small charcoal fire in the middle of our shelter and got out a deck of cards to play the ever fun game of assassin.
Day 3: We kicked off the following morning with wild blueberry pancakes and bacon. After reviewing the maps, we packed our daypacks and set off for the highest point in Virginia: Mount Rogers. Throughout the day we went from hot, to drenched, to cold, to hot again three times! In between the waves of rain butterflies abounded and the birds sang their bright songs. In one short cycle the kids caught three species of fritillary: Meadow, Variegated and Aphrodite! Other butterflies included common wood nymph, red-spotted purple, pearl crescent, eastern-tailed blue, american copper, clouded sulphur and eastern tiger-swallowtail.
As we ascended the trail the spruce-fir dome of Mount Rogers loomed in the clouds ahead. After climbing on some outcrops we entered into the red spruce and fraiser fir zone at around 5,400' in elevation. The trail was wet and muddy and alternated between meadows, laurel thickets and spruce trees. Along the way we spotted high elevation breeding birds including golden-crowned kinglets, dark-eyed juncos, magnolia warbler, black-capped chickadee, cedar waxwings, common ravens, common yellowthroat, hairy woodpecker and heard the enchanting songs of the hermit thrush and veery. The magnolia warbler was especially cooperative, gleaning insects from the blackberries only a few feet away. Over Wilburn Ridge we spotted a soaring broad-winged hawk. Entering the enchanting spruce forest near the peak astounded all of the hikers.
Although we did not need any more emphasis, the moss laden branches illustrated just how wet it is at 5,729' in elevation. Happy with their accomplishment of reaching the highest point in Virginia, the kids parked it for a snack, mended blisters and soaked up the dense forest. The return hike featured the standard pony fare and a report of a black bear from hikers heading the other way. With endlessly wet feet and many miles behind us we stopped frequently to patch up blisters on worn feet. Returning to camp the kids beamed with the accomplishment of having the highest peak of Virginia in their bag! (Day 3: 10 miles)
At basecamp we did a fire building session for coals to cook our dutch oven blackberry cobbler. (I don't recall what was for dinner...) While the fire cooked down we finished some arrowheads and made cordage from dried dogs bane. After dinner wrapped up we kicked up a game of ultimate frisbee until darkness prohibited us to continue. The last evening of the camp finally brought crystal clear skies. We set up the spotting scope and watched the moon fall behind the ridge, counted the moons of Jupiter and looked in awe at the rings of Saturn. As we sat around the campfire a neighboring cowboy wailed a sad trail tune and the coyotes took up chorus on the surrounding ridge tops. The camper's eyes got as wide and bright as the stars above. Resisting sleep hour, the kids talked us into another round of assassin, but this time we played with a deck of bird cards with the menacing golden-crowned kinglet as the killer!
Basecamp at Scales
Day 4: The last morning we chowed on a Mountain Man Breakfast (hash browns, bacon, eggs and cheese in the dutch oven) then compiled a comprehensive species list of the camp on the whiteboard and in journals: all the birds, butterflies, mammals, salamanders, fish, insects, rocks and habitats we visited! The kids broke camp and we headed down the mountain in our 4x4 caravan to conclude one awesome year of Blue Ridge Discovery Center Summer Camps!
Many thanks to the Friends of Mount Rogers for making this camp happen by providing four vital scholarships. Their support allowed a group of local kids to explore one of the most amazing habitats in the world that just happens to be right in their backyards. Also thank you to the US Forest Service for allowing us to explore these fantastic lands!
Impromtu Fly Fishing Camp!
At the request of a couple of campers from a previous camp we put together another Fly Fishing Camp to end the summer. Shortened by a day, it became an action packed three day initiation by fire. On the ride to camp we all agreed to treat this as an intensive course rather than the typical shenanigans of a summer camp. The result was one seriously focused group of kids.
At the request of a couple of campers from a previous camp we put together another Fly Fishing Camp to end the summer. Shortened by a day, it became an action packed three day initiation by fire. On the ride to camp we all agreed to treat this as an intensive course rather than the typical shenanigans of a summer camp. The result was one seriously focused group of kids.
We began the camp by squirming into wetsuits to snorkel the cold waters of Fox Creek. Learning to fish from the perspective of a fish can really change the way one approaches the hobby. We all lined up in our super hero outfits and crawled up the creek, imagination immersed in the underwater world. Along the way we observed the reds of big mouth chubs, hog suckers nestled in the substrate, darters in the riffles, and sculpin peaking their heads out between rocks. We saw white suckers, red-eyes, rainbow trout, brown trout and shiners. The most exciting part was a small shady run below a set of rapids where a variety of species darted about the water currents. Swimming across a deep pool we spooked up two 18" rainbow trout to the excitement of the inner fisherman in us all.
After some field casting lessons and sustenance we headed to the farm ponds for experience on how to set the hook, land and release the fish. As we got on the water heavy bands of rain crossed over us. Although the kids didn't mind one iota, the fish shut down. Once the rain passed the bluegill and largemouth bass returned as hungry as ever. One massive bass in particular was relentless with bluegill that we retrieved. With the fishing biting, we stayed until the light faded away. Only the promise of s'mores took them off the water. After a brief journaling session the camp went silent for the night.
The kids awoke at 6:30am and immediately went to the fly tying desk while breakfast sizzled on the grill. With a long day ahead on the river, we needed some fresh ammo for the trip. Everyone tied their best version of a leggy popper designed to be a cross between a dragonfly, frog and a minnow. This big buggy creature is a classic "terrestrial" used for smallmouth on the New River during the heat of summer.
While we ferried the raft trailers downriver the kids got a lesson in casting in moving water. Jane's first cast produced a smallmouth! The pride that she had in catching a fish with a fly she had tied was priceless. Down the river we headed, with the kids learning the ins and outs of casting from a raft, including not casting over the boat, not casting simultaneously and not trying to be Brad Pitt with twenty false casts! The day was hot and the fishing was slow but the fishermen were determined! Ultimately they brought four fish to the boat but missed a dozen more.
To cool off from the hot day we leaped into the swimming hole, again and again and again until our stomachs growled for dinner. Upon returning to camp out came the headlamps and bobbins to tie flies for the next day's adventure. They learned a streamer pattern, a never sink dry fly and a giant stonefly.
The next morning the kids were up knocking on the door of the counselors tent ready to keep tying! After breakfast we had a relay contest to learn the life cycles of three major families of aquatic insects that trout eat: mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies.
With a bit of rain from the previous night Fox Creek was primed for chucking streamers so we headed to the house pool to try our hand at those 18" rainbows. After each kid took a shot, the counselors each tried their hand but all struck out so we moped back to camp and packed away the western style gear.
After a quick lesson on Tenkara Fly Fishing we packed the cruiser and headed up the mountain to the high elevation plunge pools of Wilson Creek. The kids tied on their never-sink caddis flies and practiced the art of stealth fly fishing. A series of missed strikes, tree snags and tangles ensued before they landed a native southern Appalachian brook trout and a wild rainbow trout! The brookie in its spawning colors was identified as "the most beautiful fish in the world". Their pride soared in the success of their tiny creations as fish after fish mistook it for the real mccoy. Navigating the boulder filled creek proved to be as entertaining as fly casting and the kids took some time to marvel in the unique landscape and continuous white noise of the plunge pools.
The camp finished with an ice cream sundae bar provided by Charlotte Hanes at the day camp site. After gorging our taste buds we had a little time to spare so we got out the seine and surveyed Saddle Creek for aquatic macroinvertebrates. In the net we saw a fish version of a sundae bar - stoneflies, hellgrammites, caddisflies, mayflies, midges, crayfish and minnows...
Upon graduation of the beginners course these kids were ready for the intermediate level but they will have to wait till summer to enroll!
Explorers Adventure Camp II
Campers had a very hot week of outdoor fun! Saddle Creek conditioned the air and provided the kids with several creek related programs and the occasional and unscheduled full immersion.
Campers had a very hot week of outdoor fun! Saddle Creek conditioned the air and provided the kids with several creek related programs and the occasional and unscheduled full immersion.
The week began with a bird walk and a snake show. Claire Gleason once again shared her famous corn snake, Sylvester, which we compared to a black rat snake provided by BRDC.
Rick Cavey helped our campers learn to tie knots and lash together what became a Native American kitchen. One day the campers visited Rick and Jen's Wagon Wheel Farm to harvest veggies for our noon soup, cooked over a fire, completing the outdoor kitchen experience.
Ellie and Roald Kirby brought two art projects to camp, along with some tall tales and a woodland hike. Jane Floyd helped the kids create, from found natural objects, small sculptures of their own design. Lisa Benish led a snorkeling adventure in the New River, where the campers discovered a decaying Muskellunge much to their amusement and our disgust.
Among other programs we set up a moth sheet for morning examinations, captured and identified aquatic invertebrates, dissected owl pellets, searched for and identified several species of salamanders, caught and released many crayfish (including females with egg masses attached), participated in two treasure hunts, played a variety of games and documented our discoveries and experiences in personal journals.
For our grand finale, Charlotte Hanes and Kim Lawson brought ice cream and fixings to share.
Many thanks to Heidi Breedlove, Susan and Claire Gleason, Carol Broderson, the Caveys, the Kirbys, Lisa, Kim, Charlotte and the Old Hickory Council, Boy Scouts of America, for use of their property.
New River Expedition- Summer Fun!
There is no grander journey than pushing off from shore in a boat on a one-way trip to wherever the current carries you! On July 14, intrepid explorers from throughout the region did just that. Launching our kayaks and canoes from the King's Creek access along the South Fork of the New River, we began a four day journey down the currents of the New. With the guides paddling the canoes full of gear, the kids were free to explore the river at their own pace.
There is no grander journey than pushing off from shore in a boat on a one-way trip to wherever the current carries you!
On July 14, intrepid explorers from throughout the region did just that. Launching our kayaks and canoes from the King's Creek access along the South Fork of the New River, we began a four day journey down the currents of the New. With the guides paddling the canoes full of gear, the kids were free to explore the river at their own pace. After navigating our first class II rapid we made our way to the forks of the New where the North and South branches meet. With the flow of the river a bit stronger we made quick work of getting to Alleghany Access where we pitched camp for the next two nights.
We began the second day with fly casting lessons in the field beside camp and took the new found skills to the water where the kids casted poppers towards smallmouth bass to no avail. The group then gathered in the water for some freshwater snorkeling up the river. After lunch and some ultimate frisbee we went on a mushroom foray along the trail and came back with a sack full of chanterelles! With the recent rain and heat we found a seeming endless variety of mushrooms along the path including a number of boletus, old man of the woods, chicken of the woods, and cinnabar chanterelles. Taking a break from the trail the kids searched for salamanders in an adjacent creek and watched a northern water snake eat a large minnow with the tail flapping as it went down.
While the chanterelles simmered on the stove, we launched the kayaks for a skills challenge in the deep hole by Big Rock. With a tennis ball as the "bomb" we played "battleship" on the open seas. Boats crisscrossed the river in a furry until the lone survivor was left. After returning to camp and wolfing dinner we alternated between ultimate frisbee and dives into the river. Oreo smores came out for dessert and when night set in we strapped on headlamps and went on an owl prowl in the pines. Needless to say, everyone slept like rocks the second night.
Anxious to hit the river the crew packed up their gear with efficiency the third day and off we went down the river. After crossing into Virginia the paddlers navigated boulder fields and islands with ease. With their new found confidence they left our mule, Vincent, in their wake! The big challenge of the day came with the portage around Field's Dam where the crew worked together to overcome knee high mud, steep banks and rocks to get all of the gear and boats around the dam safely.
Downriver we took a short break to marvel at the massive nest made by bald eagles at the head of an island. After some games and a snack, the raft of kayaks made their way with ease to our second camping destination: a series of secluded islands on river bank left. The kayaks shot through a secret passage gated by an overhanging tree and beached on the sands of an island that was all ours. The group studied some butterflies, strung up a laundry line, pitched camp and gathered rocks for a fire circle. After we got all settled, we headed up the creek cut donning snorkeling masks. They found many of the usual suspects, but as we arrived at the main channel up popped Jack with the exclamation that he had found a hellbender! Everyone looked at him skeptically but didn't openly question the assertion because he was clearly carrying something... and sure enough it was a baby hellbender! Initial excitement turned to awe as everyone clamored to get a look. We placed it in the photarium for clear views of its beady eyes, long claws and flattened tail.
Later that night, around the campfire, the pirates of the island had a vote to name the island they had staked as theirs. The results came in with consensus for Hell's Isle, short for Hellbender's Island. The group explored Hell's Isle up and down, finding a massive four trunked sycamore tree and rock outcrops that protected the camp area from floods.
The last day brought the final camp break down and a slow paddle on a burning hot day that included lots of swimming and a challenging Class II rapids at the end. We finished the expedition with a dip in the "pool" before exiting the river at Cox's Chapel low water bridge and returning to society.
Seeking Scholarship Applicants for Camp
BRDC is seeking applicants for full scholarships ($450 value) to our Mount Rogers Wilderness Camp. The scholarships were provided by The Friends of Mount Rogers National Recreation in support of youth exploration of the Mount Rogers area.
BRDC is seeking applicants for full scholarships ($450 value) to our Mount Rogers Wilderness Camp.
The Rudolph and Louise Tilson Scholarship Fund was generously provided by The Friends of Mount Rogers in support of youth exploration of the Mount Rogers area. Rudolph Tilson absolutely loved Grayson county and the Mount Rogers area, and was an active Boy Scout leader, avid camper, and outdoorsman his whole life.
The Friends of Mount Rogers is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the appreciation and enjoyment of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area by supporting it and its heritage through education, cooperation, financial assistance, and volunteer service. For more information, visit: www.friendsofmountrogers.org
The scholarships are available for the under-served youth in our core focus region including the counties of Grayson, Ashe, Allegheny, Carroll, Smyth, Wythe and Washington along with the City of Galax. Qualifications include demonstrated financial need and residence within the core focus area.
To apply for the scholarship, please fill out the following form and mail to Blue Ridge Discovery Center: Scholarship Application Form
The scholarship application will be open until July 22nd, 2016. On July 25th, BRDC will notify the recipients of the scholarship!
For more information on the Camp, visit http://blueridgediscoverycenter.org/mount-rogers-wilderness-experience/
To learn more about the scholarship contact info@blueridgediscoverycenter.org or call 276.293.1232
Blue Ridge Explorers Overnight Camp
Fourteen intrepid explorers joined BRDC for four days and three nights of adventure packed fun during the Blue Ridge Explorers Camp. We kayaked, hike Whitetop Mountain, and swam in the New River, but most importantly we learned what it means to be a Naturalist.
Fourteen intrepid explorers joined BRDC for four days and three nights of adventure packed fun during the Blue Ridge Explorers Camp.
Camp began with a Naturalist Journaling lesson to set the tone but then shifted to serious leisure with "Hammocking 101" by Joe Flowers.
Attention quickly turned to the river where we set minnow traps and did some snorkeling with Lisa Benish.
The day finished with a little Appalachian heritage lesson and a friendly competition of classic Highland's games. With a little time left after dinner we hiked to the ridge to play games, watch the sunset and catch fireflies.
That night, the skies cleared and the stars sparkled. We got out the 60x birding scope and studied the moons of jupiter. We could see Jupiter's red lines but we were all stunned at how well we could see the ring around Saturn.
Is it an Osprey or a Bald Eagle?
The second day kicked off with a birding hike where we studied the riparian corridor of the New River. Ultimately the camp observed or heard over thirty species of birds. The most surprising find though was a gnarly male hellgrammite resting in the grass.
Male Adult Dobsonfly (Hellgrammite)
Upon return to camp, Joe Flowers led a basic compass navigation course and tree climbing lesson.
That afternoon we loaded into kayaks and headed for the river! The kids led a 3 hr paddle down the New, seeing a Bald Eagle nest, lighting a spark fire on an island to dry off, and discovering a Mallard nest in the weeds. They also ditched their boats and navigated the rapids on their backs to get some wet time.
After dinner it was time for some local old time tunes around the campfire! The Yates family band tuned up their instruments along the river and picked the evening away with the kids joining in the chorus! Dessert featured the camp favorite: campfire grilled banana boats!
As night approached, so did massive thunderstorms from West Virginia. The camp battened down the hatches and weathered the worst of it in the vehicles. Half the kids were enthralled by the display of lighting and thunder, the other half were terrified. They all survived the night and we let them sleep in a bit the second morning.
We began Friday with an exploration of the mixed hardwood forest where we found lots of salamanders. Drew's sharp eyes even spotted a tiny spring peeper on a leaf!
The hot and sunny day called for a swim in the river, but this time we put on life jackets and headed for Field's Dam where they kids leaned into the water gushing over the dam, floated down the rapids and leaped off the rocks. Instead of walking back to camp we floated like a big human raft downriver. At the exit Caroline found a dragonfly that had just hatched out of it's case!
Not having had enough, we packed the cars with a picnic dinner and hit the road to the second highest peak in Virginia: Whitetop Mountain. Hiking down to Buzzard's Rock we studied 1 billion year old Cranberry Gneiss, marveled at the grassland balds, searched for salamanders along the woodland slope, filled up our canteens in a spring, slipped into the fern laden spruce forest and watched the sunset from the most beautiful vista in the east!
Even after a day like that, the kids were not done. When we got back to camp they rolled their sleeping bags out on the grass to watch the stars, then begged to get the scope back out. After studying the usual suspects we turned our sights towards satellites. Reece was able to locate the international space station and two of us got to view it very clearly through the scope!
After a peaceful night's sleep the camp woke to a foggy morning and a Bald Eagle sitting on a snag across the river. After some coal baked apples for breakfast we headed out and Amelia and Caroline led us to some rocky slopes and wetland bottoms for exploration.
The camp finished up with one last swim in the river and a little bit of fly fishing. At lunch, Joe demonstrated the most traditional form of fire building: friction fire with a bow string. To put a nice cap on a great camp a bald eagle did one final soar over camp to say goodbye and the kids charged up the hill to their parents as full of energy as ever!
Explorers Adventure Day Camp I
BRDC's first week of Explorers Adventure Day Camp offered a variety of opportunities for kids to investigate mud and weeds, ponds, woodlands, creeks and river- five days of nature exploration and wonder.
BRDC's first week of Explorers Adventure Day Camp offered a variety of opportunities for kids to investigate mud and weeds, ponds, woodlands, creeks and river- five days of nature exploration and wonder.
The week began with a walk to the New River’s edge for birding. The campers were encouraged to listen for songs and calls before using sight and binoculars, and were rewarded with Baltimore Orioles, Indigo Buntings, Rough-winged Swallows, Eastern Kingbirds, Song Sparrows, and a huge family of Canada Geese with many goslings.
An orienteering program gave the campers a quick study of compass skills. as the kids constructed large scale models of compasses on the ground to emphasize north, east, south and west. Later in the week, the campers expanded on this lesson with a compass directed walk in the woods where they discovered a 24 year old box turtle, and hunted for salamanders.
The kids learned Tenkara, the traditional Japanese method of fly-fishing, ideal for mountain streams and similar to the simple cane pole. Campers were given instructions on how to cast, then headed to a nearby pond. Using artificial flies, the kids were all given a chance to fish, and all were successful in bringing in at least two blue-gills each. Groups rotated between fishing and an insect/butterfly hunt in the fields around the pond. White-spotted Skipper, Great-spangled Fritillary, Sulfers, and Pearl Crescent were some of their discoveries.
A chilly morning didn't stop the campers from getting into the Saddle Creek to look for aquatic invertebrates. The critters were keyed out in field guides, and listed in the campers' journals. Stone flies, caddis flies, mayflies, and damsel flies were identified along with our usual catch of crayfish.
Mid-week, the campers learned knots and lashing skills and put them into practice by constructing a version of Leonardo Da Vinci’s self supporting bridge out of sweet birch trunks and branches.
The campers studied different species of mushrooms, hiked to a rock shelter cave, constructed and tested creek rafts, explored owl pellets, learned about the art of fire-building, practiced primitive skills such as flint knapping with a deer antler and basket making, conducted hands-on experiments in geology, learned to identify wildflowers, and explored the creek fresh water snorkeling.
Recognizing the huge interest in salamanders, the campers rounded out the week with a salamander hunt. Aaron Floyd, BRDC’s executive director, joined in the hunt and helped the kids identify their catch, which included Blue Ridge Two Lined, Black Bellied, and Dusky salamanders.
Special thanks to Lisa Benish, Heidi Breedlove, Carol Broderson, Rick Cavey, Ken Crouse, Roald and Ellie Kirby, Fred Newcomb, Joe Flowers, Scott Jackson-Ricketts and all of the BRDC staff and volunteers who helped to make our first week of camp a great success!
Recap of the Explorer’s Adventure Camp (August 3rd-5th, 2015)
For years people have requested that we provide some kind of camp for kids and this year things all fell into place at last. BRDC’s goals behind this camp, aligned with our mission, were to connect kids with nature through immersion, give them the opportunity to learn potentially life long enriching hobbies, and teach them 21st century skills including problem solving and critical thinking through interest-driven activities.
For years people have requested that we provide some kind of camp for kids and this year things all fell into place at last. BRDC’s goals behind this camp, aligned with our mission, were to connect kids with nature through immersion, give them the opportunity to learn potentially life long enriching hobbies, and teach them 21st century skills including problem solving and critical thinking through interest-driven activities. Along with that we provided opportunities for kids to self-direct some of their learning opportunities and have fun.
Adventures we had, exploring we did, and the food was great. Seventeen kids descended upon the camp on a sunny Monday morning, arriving with large expectations matching their wide-eyed enthusiasm. From ages 8 through 12, more 8 and 9 year olds and more girls, the kids were given a brief orientation including making their own name buttons and listening to a quick description of their first day’s agenda. Grabbing binoculars and field guides, we set out for the river to spy on birds. Along the way, we stalked a wood thrush, and heard a variety of bird song from Carolina wren to Northern cardinal. Down on the river’s edge, cedar waxwings, downy woodpeckers, American robins, an Eastern kingbird and American goldfinches gave everyone the binocular challenge. Aaron Floyd set up his spotting scope to aid in close-up inspections.
We learned early on that kids need to refuel on a regular schedule, and fortunately we were prepared. So before our next program, apples, bananas, granola and fruit bars were consumed along with cool water…our staple thirst quencher. Then it was time for Fishbugs, a long BRDC tradition that kids love. Tables were set with collection jars, ice trays for sorting, and keyed field guides. Scrambling in Saddle Creek, nets in hand, we inspected the riffles, turned over stones, and collected a menagerie of aquatic critters including many stone flies, a few mayflies, caddisflies, snails, two or three crayfish and one salamander. Kids wrote down their finds, along with the birds, in their field notebooks, some taking a brave stab at sketching.
Heidi Breedlove primed the fire for a hotdog roast, so lunch was next. Lining up 17 kids around a fire pit was at least as challenging as getting all of the relish and condiments on the dogs, but everyone was well-fed and soon ready for the afternoon’s signature camp adventure program.
Rick Cavey designed this mapping/treasure hunt specifically for this age group and this summer camp, and spent quite a bit of preparatory time in the woods around the camp grounds preparing what became a thematic thread running through the entire three days. Monday’s exploration was first given to establishing three teams. Names chosen were Ravenous Raccoon’s Adventure Camp, Butterflies/Bees, and Dolphins/Eagles. The campers then created team flags by painting elaborate logos on white cloth and tying them to poles. They then set up team camp zones complete with three separate pop-up tents, followed by learning session on the basics of a compass, pacing distance, and reading a map.
As happened all three days, we offered free time and game time, giving the kids a chance to run around, play in the increasingly popular creek, and take quiet moments in their individual camp zones.
Tuesday dawned another perfect clear sky blue. The big event for the morning was a hike to a fish pond on the adjacent River Ridge Cattle Company property where Aaron and Brent Breedlove were waiting and ready for the big fishing event. Rotating through the three teams (while Scott Jackson-Ricketts, Fred Newcomb, and Claire and Susan Gleason offered field insect investigations), Aaron, Brent and Brenda Bonk took charge of the fishing event. Each kid tried their hand at fly fishing with poppers for bluegill. They semi-successfully avoided trees and tall grasses to launch the dragon fly imitations out onto the farm pond. Enough bluegill were caught to add a tasty treat to the lunch well earned.
Back at camp, Brent and Heidi fried up pans of fish and chicken for those who weren’t that excited about fish. We also offered fresh boiled potatoes, onions, chopped cucumbers, and other goodies including two crayfish harvested in Saddle Creek.
Immediately after lunch, while Rick was preparing for his increasingly complex adventure treasure hunt, Claire brought out her famous corn snake, Sylvester, for a close encounter with a most accommodating reptile. Some of the kids had never before felt comfortable around a snake, and one of Claire’s personal missions is to help people deal with their irrational herp fears.
Another rotation strategy emerged with Rick expanding on his mapping quest, requiring the team theme. The off trail kids were treated to special guest ‘Old Timer’ (Roald Kirby), who along with Scott, traded stories about and identification of trees around the camp. Weaving scary and informative tall tales, Old Timer and Scott talked about the history of tree nut and lumber harvest, the successional changes that occurred with the decline of American chestnut, and pointed out leaf structure that aids in tree ID.
Meanwhile, the treasure hunting kids moved deeper into the forest in search of clues instructed by their maps and compasses, eventually arriving at treasures promised. Tuesday’s goodies included a BRDC patch and a magnifying glass. Sites were defined by natural settings such as a moss covered rock with a small tree growing out of a deep fissure in the rock.
Snorkeling, promised and delivered, was Wednesday’s highly anticipated event. Leading up to it, however, was a morning of tracking exercises along the New River’s mudflats and Fred’s geology program.
In the mud, kids were able to ID raccoon, deer, shorebird, possibly rabbit, goose and insect tracks that were mostly laid down within the last 24 hours. While inspecting the confluence of Saddle Creek and the New, along the creek’s banks were many holes built by perhaps a variety of animals. We discussed who and what might have made those holes, including rodents, birds, reptiles and crayfish. Scott explained that more than likely birds would be kingfishers and swallows, reptiles (not likely) snakes, and pointed out that crayfish typically burrow on flat land with their signature piles of mud piled around their holes. While looking at the holes, one rodent too fast for any of us to ID, ran into one.
Prior to Fred’s geology session, Scott passed out paper and art tools, giving suggestions on how to go about documenting their camp experience. Field guides were available for inspiration, along with encouragement to describe the camp zones and surrounding area with personal maps. Every camper jumped at this opportunity and produced some amazing graphics.
Fred was ready with rock sample kits and tools such as nails and magnets to offer the kids a chance to experiment on their own. Sitting around the fire pit, he passed the samples around, while detailing deep earth history and entertaining a plethora of questions. Fred is a high school teacher, and commented on how much more inquisitive this younger group was than his high school kids. Also, quite amazingly, many of these young folks had retained recent geology lessons and were quite capable of keeping up. Wednesday’s lunch was an efficient sandwich event, with plenty of veggies to go with the ham and cheese staples.
Drum roll: Aaron and Rick’s snorkeling event. Retired Navy diver Rick taught all of the participants the proper technique to snorkel including how to clear a snorkel and keep the mask from fogging up. With snorkels and life vests the kids searched over rock crevices, riffles, plant beds and the mouth of Saddle Creek for fish and aquatic life. Several kids at first expressed a lack of interest in participating in this program…fear of bumping their heads into rocks, biting fish, ‘weird things’…but when push came to shove, not only did nearly everyone jump into the water, but most were exhilarated by the experience. One girl saw a sunken boat! We took advantage of the low water in the New, stayed close to shore, and provided 2 in-water guides and 1 ready on shore. None of these kids will ever forget that experience.
For our last day’s grand finale, Rick moved his teams, one by one, back into the woods for their most challenging treasure hunt. Using only heading and distance clues the explorers navigated through the woods independently to the final treasure of the week, an Audubon field guide to our region...a real and lasting treasure. Rotating, again, back at camp, Heidi provided games, Fred continued with his geology course, and free time in the creek was an option. Fred’s final teaching lesson was an identification demonstration of river stones through the process of busting them apart with a small sledge hammer. The kids fanned out in the creek, picking up interesting rocks and then lined up to discover what hidden clues were soon to be revealed.
Through Aaron’s and Rick’s efforts, certificates of achievement were offered, with most parents and/or guardians present, and an overview of our camp’s three days was celebrated. Accolades go to all of the kids first, their families, BRDC’s amazing volunteers, and various property owners who allowed us to tromp around the premises with will.
An overview of Blue Ridge Discovery Center’s first camp experience gives us energy to move this ideal community service forward. Our fine group of guides and program designers brought kids into the outdoors creatively and intimately. We offered a studied variety of the connections between people and the living others of our shared Blue Ridge Ecoregion…and the kids loved it. Stay with us as we develop our Young Explorer’s Club, definitively an extension of camp, but a year round opportunity to continue with the basic idea of growing that connection. And, most importantly, we all learned together!
Blue Ridge Discovery Center is grateful to the Raven Knob Boy Scout Council for the opportunity to hold our first summer camp at the Tommy Cox camp grounds along Saddle Creek near its confluence with the New River in Grayson County. We also wish to express our appreciation for the support of Keith Bobbitt, director of Raven Knob.
Further thanks to the volunteers:
Rick Cavey (Secretary, BRDC)
Heidi Breedlove
Brent Breedlove
Susan Gleason
Claire Gleason
Brenda Bonk (President, BRDC)
Fred Newcomb
Roald Kirby (Board member, BRDC)
And a special thanks to Brantley Ivey, who mowed the camp, trails, and through River Ridge Cattle Company offered other support along with Charlotte Hanes.
Explorer Adventure Camp Photo Gallery
The 1st Annual Explorers Adventure Camp documented in photos.
Camp Adventure Photo Gallery:
Completion Certificate Awards!
