PROVIDING LIFE ENHANCING, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION EXPERIENCES FOR STUDENTS THROUGH RESIDENTIAL EDUCATION

 RESIDENTIAL EDUCATION

The primary function of BRDC revolves around education. We believe that hands-on activities in the field are the most powerful way to reach students. Our residential education programs are multi- day, multi-season, and even multi-year engagements. By providing long-term experiential learning, the opportunity for powerful impact on the region is greatly increased.

The facility features overnight accommodations for a maximum of 70 individuals. This includes a dining hall serviced by a commercial kitchen, a classroom, library with over 1500 books, dormitories, and auditorium. Students traveling from afar will participate in multi-day programming that covers a variety of natural history subjects. With the Center acting as a base camp, students will have the opportunity to prepare for excursions using a variety of resources including the library, meeting hall, and specimen collections. After field explorations to various regional natural assets, students will return to basecamp to document findings, reflect on the experiences, and share their discoveries with others. Interest-driven programming combined with experiential learning and a mentoring environment provide a powerful education lesson that develops independent, critical thinking skills.

Beyond providing this service to students, the Center will have the capacity to host a variety of events including regional conferences, weddings, fundraisers, and community programs. Each year BRDC hosts the Mount Rogers Naturalist Rally in every season. The Spring Naturalist Rally is now going on its 50th year and was originally founded at the Konnarock Girls Training School in the early 1970’s. Bringing this event back to this facility and combining it with overnight accommodations will double the impact.

Blue Ridge Discovery Center works with regional schools to provide residential education programs throughout the year. Through these overnight programs, we provide immersive, hands-on, and experiential activities to youth from 5th through 12th grade. Our renovated 17,000 sq ft Schoolhouse provides the perfect environment for nature education with all the comforts of home. Our programs consist of dendrology, herpetology, phenology, stream ecology, nature journaling, birding, and much more! Contact us if you are interested in having us partner with your school or work with your specific class through residential education.