“Explorers are given a wide range of art media and topics to delve into. Students will be introduced to various media and methods all with an underlying goal of sparking imagination, creativity, and learning through theme exploration like family, portraiture, underwater, fantasy worlds, nature, and animals, masks, and more.”
Jan 6th-Mar 21st. Ages 3-5 years.
No Dance Experience Necessary!
Are you and your little one ready for some time together outside of the house?
“It’s only natural that dancing calms babies. Their whole uterine existence was a moving experience. Babies crave movement after birth because to them it is the norm. Being still disconcerts babies. They don’t understand it and it frightens them. Movement relaxes them.” ~ Dr. William Sears, MD, American pediatrician, author of more than 30 parenting books
Taught by Mrs. Cynthia (occasionally wearing her baby, a bichon frise puppy named Quincy Nathaniel Phipps)
Babywearing Ballet is a 45 minute class for mom and baby to spend with each other dancing, toning, bonding and meeting other new moms! In this Ballet class you will begin by warming up at the ballet barre with plies, tendus and degages then move to center floor work including upper body port de bras, positions and choreography all while wearing your little one! No sitter needed! You will enjoy a low impact-toning workout while your baby gets to experience all of your movements, rocking motions, soothing classical music and time close to you. The conclusion of class will be spent on the floor on mats with baby out of the carrier. Here we will focus on the core, stretch and enjoy mingling with other moms and babies.
***This is a very easy going class for babies of all ages. Newborn (once you are released by your doctor for activity) up to any babywearing age! We understand new little ones will need to be nursed, fed and changed, feel free to stop and do this at any time. The older ones that are already toddling on their own may not want to be up for the full 45 minutes, feel free to let them out so they can dance and explore themselves.
Babywearers: Gym clothes such as leggings or yoga pants are best. Wear ballet shoes or toe socks with grips (either can be purchased for around $15). Bare feet are also fine although some ballet moves may be a little more difficult. A bottle of water is highly recommended. Bring a blanket or towel for the end of class when we lay baby on the mat while we stretch and engage our core.
Babies: Bring baby fed and dressed in layers, as they can get warm while being worn.
Baby Carrier: A comfy and secure baby carrier with support for baby and mom is highly recommended.
Hands on activities – sample classes – demos
Fun for the whole family!
Camp times: 9am-4pm (may include one overnight – see camp descriptions below)
Before Care: Available from 8:00 am – 9:00 am for an additional fee.
After Care: Available from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm for an additional fee.
DIFFERENT THEME EACH WEEK:
Merit Badge Challenge Camp (June 20-24)
Join registered Merit Badge Counselor and Eagle Scout Jonathan Marchal in completing four badges in the great outdoors at the Arboretum! We’ll focus each day on a new ecology badge, including Reptile and Amphibian Study, Insect Study, Plant Study and Forestry merit badges. Activities will include observing reptiles and amphibians in their habitats, photographing insects and uploading observations for use by scientists and learning about the trees and forest plants that call our region home. Scouts should accomplish Reptile and Amphibian Merit Badge requirement 8 prior to the session. Don’t miss this opportunity for summer advancement!
Price: $250; Camp times: 9am-4pm
Did you know that some of the greatest naturalists in history, such as Charles Darwin and John James Audubon, were also accomplished artists? Using the lush forests and meandering streams within the Arboretum as inspiration, cultivate your skills of observation and artistry of the natural world. Produce original pieces, such as illustrations, paintings, sculptures, and photographs, and see first-hand the day-to-day life of a working artist as we travel to studios and galleries in Western North Carolina!
Price: $275; Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm
Advanced Mountain Sports (July 25-29)
Get out and get active for this fun-filled week of outdoor adventure! Learn to play disc golf, hike some of the best trails our mountains have to offer and head down to the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education for a fly fishing class before fishing one of the top 100 trout streams in the country. We’ll also spend a day doing high-flying adventure activities at the US National Whitewater Center. Participants will choose their own adventure at the center and select from challenge courses, zip lines, climbing, kayaking, war canoes and eco trekking. Finally they’ll go on a night hike and gather around a campfire to share stories from the week on an overnight camp out. Our most action packed week of Discovery Camp yet!
Price: $350; Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm and one overnight
Wildlife Trek for Girls (August 8-12)
Girls in rising 6-8th grade are invited to join us to meet field scientists and research the incredible diversity of wildlife and habitats of the Southern Appalachians. We’ll go on hikes around the Arboretum grounds and visit local wildlife viewing hotspots. We will also take a day trip to Pisgah National Forest to learn about the ways these scientists help wildlife populations as we explore careers in natural resources. We will camp out at the Arboretum on Thursday evening to observe nocturnal wildlife and habitats at night. *This camp session is available free of cost for those who qualify. Participants must complete an application to be considered for inclusion.
Price: $275; Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm
Cancellation Policy:
Each registration is a firm commitment to attend. Each program is held to a $25.00 non-refundable registration fee regardless of any other factors. The only exclusions are for ‘before or after care’ and conflicts that arise from changing school schedules. A 50% refund is allowable if a cancellation occurs between 30-11 days prior to the first day of the session. No refund will be offered for sessions cancelled 10 days or less prior to the first day of the session. Registrations are not transferable to other individuals.
Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm (may include one overnight-see below)
Before Care: Available from 8:00 am – 9:00 am for an additional fee.
After Care: Available from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm for an additional fee.
DIFFERENT THEME EACH WEEK:
Mountain Sports Camp (June 19-23)
Get out and get active for this fun-filled week of outdoor adventure! Head down to the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education for a fly fishing class, spend the day tubing down the French Broad River, and try your hand at disc golf. Learn a bit about bike safety and tune-up basics with staff from Motion Makers before we embark on a mountain bike trek along the Arboretum’s forested trails.*Participants are required to bring a bike and helmet in good working order and be able to confidently ride on gravel roads in order to participate in biking activities.
Price: $270; Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm
Outdoor Explorations (June 26-30)
Come along with us to discover the natural wonders of Western North Carolina! Explore the Davidson River and visit the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education to learn about aquatic wildlife habitats. Spend a day exploring the unique plants and animals that live in high elevations. Take in a day at Great Smoky Mountains National Park helping biologists study wildlife populations. All these great explorations, plus an overnight camping trip at Lake Powhatan on Thursday evening, add up to an amazing week of discovery and adventure!
Price: $300; Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm and one overnight
Wilderness Explorers (July 10-14)
Sign up for Wilderness Explorers to learn essential outdoor skills such as, Leave No Trace principles, backcountry navigation, and backcountry camping! Purify water, cook outdoors, make a shelter, and learn to read maps and use a compass to accomplish an orienteering course. You’ll experience heightened senses during awareness games that will help you master the art of observation. At the end of the week, your skills will be put to the test in an overnight camping trip in the beautiful forest at the Arboretum.
Price: $260; Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm and one overnight
Heritage Adventure Camp (July 17-21)
An adventure in history will come alive as we explore the skills, crafts and games used by pioneers and Native Americans in our area. Track animals through the woods, practice traditional weaving methods and learn how people lived off the land. Spend an evening around the campfire and enjoy our favorite nighttime games and activities. Camouflage, stalking and hunting games are all included in this exciting week of adventure!
Price: $260; Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm and one overnight
Girls in Science (July 31-August 4)
In this camp we’ll break away from the idea of lab coats and beakers to get outside for hands-on exploration. The group will take field trips to local research centers and get to participate in field studies in and around the Arboretum. Girls will have a chance to investigate some of the many sciences of western North Carolina and meet female professionals in these different areas.
Price: $245; Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm
A Natural Artist (August 14-18)
Many artists have found inspiration in nature, and through journaling, sketching, and painting, you’ll have a chance to commune with a multitude of animals and plants in the national forest. Take a hike on a trail to sketch a mountain vista and observe live animals to inspire the artist within you. Get in touch with your creative side as you create paper, make art with materials you find in the woods, pattern a t-shirt, and even work with clay. Make an original masterpiece every day!
Price: $245; Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm
Cancellation Policy:
Each registration is a firm commitment to attend. Each program is held to a $25.00 non-refundable registration fee regardless of any other factors. The only exclusions are for ‘before or after care’ and conflicts that arise from changing school schedules. A 50% refund is allowable if a cancellation occurs between 30-11 days prior to the first day of the session. No refund will be offered for sessions cancelled 10 days or less prior to the first day of the session. Registrations are not transferable to other individuals.
Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm
DIFFERENT THEME EACH WEEK:
Before Care: Available from 8:00 am – 9:00 am for an additional fee.
After Care: Available from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm for an additional fee.
Junior Mountaineers (June 19-23)
This camp offers all sorts of outdoor skills, games and activities like making shelters out of found materials and learning how to use a map while on a hike. Use teamwork to create camp gadgets and play outdoor games. Gain essential survival skills while learning the basics of using a compass, setting up a tent and planning a day hike. Get ready for a week of outdoor fun!
Price: $225; Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm
Aquatic Adventures (June 26-30)
Discover the diversity of aquatic life in our natural environment. Use microscopes to observe tiny single-celled critters, fish for splashing trout, and enjoy a trip to Lake Powhatan. Explore aquatic wonders on creek walks, pond investigations and a special salamander safari. Learn to use kick nets and dip nets to capture and observe a variety of life; and most importantly, learn how to protect our amazing aquatic habitats.
Price: $225; Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm
Nature’s Superheroes (July 3-7)
Ever notice how many superheroes and heroines get their powers from nature and wildlife? Join our “Creature Crew” as we build sidekicks, choose our own secret identities and learn about animals that have their own super powers. We’ll head outside to observe animals, do good nature deeds for our environment, and complete our own special comic coloring book. Be sure to get in on the adventure!
Price: $225; Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm
The rich environment of our forest and valleys provide a natural classroom for examining the heritage of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Games, music and local history are a fascinating and playful part of a guided discovery in this culturally diverse area. Learn to identify wildflowers as well as medicinal and edible plants used by settlers. Practice scouting skills, candle making, and other techniques used by settlers and natives to live off the land.
Price: $225; Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm
Beautiful mountain views and crystal streams will provide amazing inspiration as you paint, sketch and mold your own creations. Explore the picture perfect details of the world around you while in search of insects, salamanders, birds and more. Get in touch with your inner artist as you create art with materials you find in nature. Make an original masterpiece every day!
Price: $225; Camp times: 9am-4pm
Advanced Nature Rangers (July 31-August 4)
Join our Nature Ranger team! Learn all about the animals that live in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, how to spot them and where they live. Observe salamanders, insects and fish as you explore Bent Creek. Scout for tracks and other wildlife signs as you explore the homes of lizards, birds and mammals. Special wildlife mysteries will put you to the test as you examine evidence left behind by creatures of the forest. You never know what animals we may encounter!
Price: $225; Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm
Active Adventurers (August 14-18)
Get “unplugged” and have fun outside this summer with a different outdoor, active adventure every day! Spend your days hiking the Arboretum trails, exploring the creeks, and playing outdoor games. Make friends, have fun, and challenge yourself as we explore the trails and woodlands of the Arboretum. We’ll even hunt for treasures using a GPS device. Don’t miss out on this week of fun and adventure in the great outdoors!
Price: $225; Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm
Cancellation Policy:
Each registration is a firm commitment to attend. Each program is held to a $25.00 non-refundable registration fee regardless of any other factors. The only exclusions are for ‘before or after care’ and conflicts that arise from changing school schedules. A 50% refund is allowable if a cancellation occurs between 30-11 days prior to the first day of the session. No refund will be offered for sessions cancelled 10 days or less prior to the first day of the session. Registrations are not transferable to other individuals.
Camp times: 9 am to 4 pm
DIFFERENT THEME EACH WEEK:
Before Care: Available from 8:00 am – 9:00 am for an additional fee.
After Care: Available from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm for an additional fee.
Explore the world of creative play in the great outdoors! Throughout the week we will make whimsical crafts from found objects, play imaginative games, and design and build fairy houses or gnome huts from natural items. To end the week, we’ll head to the creek for water play and exploration!
Price: $225; Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm
Come with us as we learn how to protect and cherish some of the most amazing things on earth. As a little Nature Ranger you will play outdoor games, go on hikes, make crafts from recycled items, and even meet a grown up Park Ranger! If you love hunting for animals and exploring woodlands, meadows and streams- this camp is for you!
Price: $225; Camp times: 9 am to 4 pm
Little Mountaineers (July 3-7)
Embark on an outdoor adventure every day as a little mountaineer. Meet a new friend as we learn how to get ready for a hike, discover how to read trail maps, and explore the trails and woodlands of the Arboretum on age-appropriate excursions. Don’t miss out on this week of fun in the great outdoors!
Price: $225; Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm
Join us as we explore the natural beauty of the great outdoors and become friends of the environment! We’ll learn more about the three R’s – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle and ways we can be more “green”! We’ll turn trash into treasure as we make crafts from recyclable materials. Celebrate Earth Day everyday as you make cool art, new friends and a difference while hiking, splashing in the creek and playing fun games!
Price: $225; Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm
Creeks and ponds and puddles, oh my! Come along as we visit the many aquatic habitats found in our forests and along our trails. We’ll use nets and magnifying lenses in search of fish, salamanders, dragonflies and other animals. There’s no telling what sort of water critters we’ll encounter! Water games and crafts will serve as a great way to cool off this summer!
Price: $225; Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm
Fur, Feathers, and Scales (August 7-11)
Wildlife abounds at the Arboretum! Join us for a wild encounter as we explore streams, woodlands, and gardens in search of lizards, chipmunks and songbirds. Wildlife crafts, games and stories, along with live animal demonstrations, guarantee a wild week for all!
Price: $225; Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm
Arboretum Adventures (August 14-18)
Join us as we explore all the amazing classic camp adventures waiting for you at the Arboretum. Bring your friends and meet new ones as we hike in search of critters, splash in creeks, harvest vegetables from the children’s garden, and play games outside. You’ll even make a special souvenir to remember the fun!
Price: $225; Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm
Cancellation Policy:
Each registration is a firm commitment to attend. Each program is held to a $25.00 non-refundable registration fee regardless of any other factors. The only exclusions are for ‘before or after care’ and conflicts that arise from changing school schedules. A 50% refund is allowable if a cancellation occurs between 30-11 days prior to the first day of the session. No refund will be offered for sessions cancelled 10 days or less prior to the first day of the session. Registrations are not transferable to other individuals.
Camp Times: 9:30 to 12:30pm
DIFFERENT THEME EACH WEEK:
Curious Critters (June 12-16)
Our forests, pond and fields are home to many amazing animals. Come along to discover these critters as we enjoy short hikes, meet real live animals, make crafts and listen to stories. Bring your curiosity along with you; there are lots of animals to encounter at the Arboretum!
Price: $105, Camp times: 9:30am to 12:30pm
Forest Friends (June 26-30)
Our forests are home to a world of whimsy and creative play! Each day we will learn a new story about a forest friend, make fun crafts from natural items, and explore the wonders of nature. We’ll end the week building our own fairy houses and gnome homes in the forest!
Price: $105, Camp times: 9:30am to 12:30pm
Join us as we explore the many different types of animal homes we have at the Arboretum. Look for lizards in the garden, hunt for butterflies and birds in a field, and even examine insects found in the creek! Come prepared each day for a short hike as we investigate who lives where at the Arboretum.
Price: $105, Camp times: 9:30am to 12:30pm
Gone Buggy (August 7-11)Come see through the eyes of an insect as we learn how they live, what they eat and how special they are. Go on hikes to discover the smallest and largest bugs you can find. Fun-filled stories will help children explore how bugs get along with the rest of the world.
Price: $105, Camp times: 9:30am to 12:30pm
Cancellation Policy:
Each registration is a firm commitment to attend. Each program is held to a $25.00 non-refundable registration fee regardless of any other factors. The only exclusions are for ‘before or after care’ and conflicts that arise from changing school schedules. A 50% refund is allowable if a cancellation occurs between 30-11 days prior to the first day of the session. No refund will be offered for sessions cancelled 10 days or less prior to the first day of the session. Registrations are not transferable to other individuals.
Join Noble Cider and Girls on the Run of WNC on Sunday, March 1st from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm for the 5th Annual Chili Cookoff. Come early, as chili usually runs out within the first hour.
Taster? Ticket prices are $10 per person. This event sales out every year.
Chili master? $15 Registration.
Categories will be Traditional, Vegetarian, and Most Creative. Click the link provided to purchase tickets.
All proceeds will go directly to the Girls on the Run of WNC scholarship fund. GOTR of WNC fundraises more than $84,000 in scholarships annually, supporting over 50% of our participants who need financial assistance to participate in this life-changing program. Noble Cider will also donate a percentage of sales throughout the day!
COME HUNGRY, and we look forward to a delicious competition!
“Join us as we work together in order to make a real difference in the lives of rescued farmed animals here at the sanctuary. We have several ongoing projects and tasks to work on. There’s never a shortage of things to do here! And you need no special skills to be a big help. The animals (and their human caretakers) will certainly appreciate you putting your compassion into action in this very helpful way.
Everyone 10 years and older is welcome to join us at our Volunteer Work Days!
*** BE SURE TO COMPLETE THE VOLUNTEER APPLICATION/WAIVER FORM AT THE LINK ABOVE AND BRING WITH YOU WHEN YOU COME OR SEND TO THEM IN ADVANCE ***
Please wear appropriate work clothes and layers for the heat/cold, work gloves and muck boots. And bring along a water bottle so you may keep hydrated as you work. Please do NOT wear dangling jewelry. Plan to arrive ON TIME so that we may get started on time and continue uninterrupted.”
Please RSVP IN ADVANCE at their Facebook event listing.
***In the event of bad winter weather, please check with them to make sure this event is still on.***
Due to the fact that many of their animals are fearful of dogs, they ask that you please refrain from bringing along your animal companions to this event. Thank you.
**E-mail them at kaylaw@fcfsanctuary.org for driving directions to the sanctuary, more info and if interested in carpooling *** DO NOT TRUST GPS AS IT OFTEN GETS PEOPLE LOST***