Blue Ridge Explorer

for 7th-9th graders

The Blue Ridge Mountains—tall and inviting—look down on deep valleys with rushing rivers, secluded backwoods and majestic old-growth forests. In this area of unlimited outdoor opportunities, in a small, spirited group (no more than 12 students or fewer than 2 leaders), we’ll hike, raft and kayak, as we explore the beauty of the Blue Ridge.

Our trip starts in Charlotte, North Carolina where we’ll meet and then van to the Pisgah National Forest. From here, we'll set out on an extended four-day backcountry hike through the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains. We’ll hike past mountain streams and over forested ridges—along the way we’ll visit Looking Glass Falls, an amazing natural waterslide.

Next, we’ll take a break from the trail and head to the Nantahala Outdoor Center to challenge ourselves on their Alpine Tower, a large climbing structure where, with instruction from N.O.C. guides, we’ll climb and rappel. In the afternoon, our guides will join us as we plunge into the Nantahala River in inflatable kayaks and navigate through Class II and III rapids. We’ll also enjoy a day of guided rafting on the scenic Chattooga River along the border of Georgia and South Carolina.

After our fun on the water, we’ll head to the mountains for a challenging hike to the summit of Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi. Here we’ll enjoy spectacular views of the Blue Ridge before returning to Charlotte to celebrate our accomplishments and time together on Blue Ridge Explorer, a life experience with value and resonance that extends far beyond the boundaries of a single summer.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Backpack the scenic Blue Ridge
• Climb the N.O.C. Alpine Tower
• Kayak the exciting Nantahala River
• Raft the Chattooga River
• Summit Mount Mitchell, the highest point in the East (6,684 feet)

GRADE

For students who will finish grades 7-9 in June 2008.  This summer we will have 3 groups.  Call us (800.458.0588) to check on current availability.

CHALLENGE LEVEL

Blue Ridge Explorer is rated 3 on a scale of 1- 10 (1 is easiest). Blue Ridge Explorer is geared toward students who want a taste of what a hiking trip is all about. We’ll average 5 miles a day on our backcountry section—a great opportunity to experience some time away from modern conveniences but also a backcountry hike of reasonable length for first-time backpackers. Our days in the water with the Nantahala Outdoor Center will offer a nice break from the trail and allow us to come together as a group.

Many Blue Ridge Explorer participants are first-timers on a trip like this—so few, if any, students come with prior experience. There is always a range of physical ability and fitness in each group. As long as you are motivated and reasonably fit, you will keep up just fine because the trip is designed to be a cooperative, non-competitive group activity where everyone contributes and helps one another.

START & END LOCATION

Starts and ends in Charlotte, North Carolina

2008 DATES & FEES

2 Weeks

Sunday, June 22 to Friday, July 4
Sunday, July 6 to Friday, July 18
Sunday, July 20 to Friday, August 1

$2695 (airfare not included)

APPLY TODAY

Most groups fill in January & February. To download an application, click here.

“The program was so excellent and well-managed from the top to the ground floor!” Terry Ross, Pacific Palisades, California

Itinerary

Trip Start

We will meet in Charlotte, North Carolina and then van to the Pisgah National Forest in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We’ll spend our first day checking over our gear, learning how to properly pack our backpacks, shopping for food for our backcountry hike and getting to know one another before heading out into the mountains.

Backcountry Hike in Pisgah National Forest

We’ll set out on an extended five-day backcountry hike in Pisgah National Forest that will take us past mountain streams and over forested ridges. On the trail we’ll practice our backcountry skills, focus on Leave No Trace principals and learn to set up camp in the backcountry. We’ll get into a good daily routine: waking early, eating breakfast, getting packed up and hitting the trail early to enjoy the morning’s cool temperatures and good weather. We’ll average about 5 miles a day, arriving at our backcountry destination in the afternoon in time to set up camp and relax in our beautiful surroundings before preparing dinner. Along the way we'll take a day hike to Looking Glass Falls, an amazing natural waterslide where we’ll have a chance to go swimming.

Nantahala Outdoor Center

Next we’ll take a break from the trail and head to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. The N.O.C. has offered group programs for over 30 years and our days with our N.O.C. guides are often a highlight of the trip! We’ll spend half a day challenging ourselves on their Alpine Tower, a large climbing structure where, with instruction from N.O.C. guides, we’ll climb and rappel. In the afternoon, our guides will join us as we plunge into the Nantahala River in inflatable kayaks and navigate through Class II and III rapids.

White Water Rafting

We’ll also head down to the scenic Chattooga River along the border of Georgia and South Carolina for a day of whitewater rafting. Our N.O.C. guides will take us down an exciting stretch of river where we will paddle through Class II and Class III rapids. We'll enjoy the beautiful scenery and hope to catch a glimpse of some wildlife. We’ll stop for lunch on a sandy beach and have a chance to swim before jumping back in our rafts for the final leg on the Chattooga.

Mount Mitchell

After our fun in the water, we’ll head to the mountains for a day hike to the summit of Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi at 6,684 feet. Our previous five-day backcountry will have prepared us for this challenging climb. We’ll start off early in the morning and hope to reach the summit before mid-day. Our efforts will be rewarded with a sense of accomplishment and spectacular views of North Carolina and the Blue Ridge Mountains!

Trip End

After our triumphant summit of Mount Mitchell, we’ll head back to Charlotte for our last night together to celebrate our two weeks in the Blue Ridge of North Carolina.

Supervision & Safety

Overland’s two leaders, a man and a woman, provide 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week supervision of the highest standard. Our leaders, while loving the outdoors and being experienced hikers, are dedicated, first and foremost, to making each student's experience with us a safe and enjoyable one. By creating a supportive and wholesome environment, our leaders help each student to feel comfortable and at home. In this kind of setting, friendships flourish and teamwork grows; challenges are welcomed and accomplishments are celebrated. For nearly 25 years, Overland's students have felt safe and secure in our talented and conscientious leaders’ hands.

On an Overland trip the group stays together all day: hiking together, playing games together, swimming together, and enjoying our evenings together. We get up early (usually before 7:00 a.m.), have full, active days, and head to bed soon after dark (typically between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m.).

We set high expectations for each student’s behavior—we expect respect and consideration for others, a positive attitude, and an eagerness to help make the trip a success in every way possible.

In every decision we make, safety comes first. We plan our trips carefully choosing hiking trails that make sense for the age and abilities of each group. We hike with care, with a leader at the front and a leader at the rear—and we take frequent rest stops. Since our first trips in 1985 our safety record has been superlative; it's no wonder, then, that Overland is one of the few organizations of its kind to earn accreditation by the American Camp Association.

For nearly 25 years our caring and competent leaders, our superlative supervision, our high expectations, and our commonsense approach to safety have made Overland the number one choice for summer trips.

Overland Leaders

In a world where strong leadership skills make the difference between the average and the exceptional, Overland recruits and trains only the best to be our leaders. Not only do these remarkable people capably lead our groups, they also offer our students the kind of role modeling for which Overland has long been recognized.  Bright, charismatic and accomplished, our leaders ensure the safety and well-being of every Overland student, and then they provide much, much more, inspiring our students to reach for their potential in every way. 

You won’t find a more dynamic and talented group of people than Overland’s leaders. Most Overland leaders have played varsity sports and many have captained their teams; they have served as student government officers, volunteered as peer counselors and directed campus organizations. They are high achievers who come to Overland with a lifetime of leadership experience—but just as importantly, they are warm, wonderful people who are eager to work with Overland’s students.

Overland’s leaders prepare carefully for the summer. We know of no other program that requires certification in First Aid, CPR and lifesaving—every Overland leader has all of these plus our own 10-day training program that focuses on safety, supervision and leadership. All of our efforts prepare Overland’s caring and committed leaders to create safe, supportive and valuable programs where each of our students can flourish.

Meet some of our spectacular returning leaders.

How We Put Our Groups Together

We have a number of important criteria for every group:

Size: Every Overland group is limited to 12 students.
Gender: Groups are coed; the male/female ratio is always carefully balanced (6:6, 7:5 or 8:4).
Friends: We allow two pairs of friends in a group (we never allow three or more friends to travel together). With a maximum of two pairs of friends there will always be space available for at least eight students to come on their own without a friend. Furthermore, if we enroll two pairs of friends in a group and both pairs are of one gender, we generally try to: (1) enroll three or four more students of that gender in that group, or (2) close the group to additional students of that gender.

“Hannah had an extremely positive experience with Overland. She was provided a safe atmosphere in which to challenge herself socially, emotionally and physically.” Beth Buckwalter, Fayetteville, New York

Leader Comments

Here's how a former Blue Ridge Explorer leader described this trip:

“A great beginner hiking trip. The mixture of hiking as well as rafting and a day at the N.O.C. provides plenty of variety and excitement for a two-week trip. The five-day backcountry was challenging, but it brought our group together right from the get-go. Our day of rafting on the Chattooga River was a highlight of the trip! Our guides were fantastic, the food was terrific and the rapids were thrilling! Hiking Mount Mitchell was a perfect ending to our two weeks in North Carolina. During our final night in Asheville we reminisced about beautiful sunsets, laughing in the rain, swimming in remote lakes and all the adventures we had together as a part of an amazing and fun team!”

“Both leaders were extremely competent as well as kind and really fun!” Leah Strelsin, Glencoe, Illinois

Trip Details

Getting To & From The Trip

Families are responsible for making travel arrangements to and from Charlotte, North Carolina. Overland’s leaders will be on hand at the airport to provide supervision and assistance at trip start and end.

Important Equipment

Please visit the Preparing & Packing page for a complete equipment list to help guide your trip preparations. Note that the main pieces of equipment needed for this trip are: a backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad and hiking boots.

Additional Costs

Transportation to and from program start/end location, spending money and personal gear are not included in the program fee. Overland provides group gear including tents and stoves; students provide all personal equipment (e.g., backpacks, boots, sleeping bags).

“My group was very enjoyable and a good size. The activities were well planned and very fun!” Scotty McElwee, Rye, New York

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