Appalachian Odyssey : Adventure Links

Appalachian Odyssey Expedition

ACTIVITIES:

AGES: 13-16
COST: $1600

Back by popular demand! This teen adventure camp travels to renowned climbing, rafting, caving and backpacking areas of Appalachia. It all begins at Adventure Links Base Camp where we become acquainted with our teen expedition team through the Challenge Course. This includes numerous opportunities for problem-solving, group discussions, and activities that link experience and reflection. We journey to one of the most incredible areas of West Virginia, the New River Gorge, for climbing and white water rafting. We will stop for a day of caving adventure on our way. After our days on the rock and river, we hit the trail. Equipped with all we will need in our backpacks, we spend four days in the Cranberry Glades Wilderness where campers taste the adventure of living simply and absorbing the wisdom that the outdoors has to teach us. Off the trail, we take a day to rest, restock our fresh food supply and head north to Franklin. Here we experience the delicate life of the cave and are introduced to a completely new environment underground. Two weeks come to an end, but the memories remain alive as we return to Adventure Links for our closing ceremony and goodbyes.

Program Prep - Sunday, July 6th : Drop off at 11:00am
Location: Adventure Links Base Camp
As part of pre-trip preparation, necessary gear will be issued, the van loaded and we will prepare our camp for the night. This evening will be an introduction to tents, outdoor cooking and low impact camping skills. Parents, be sure your child has had lunch as only dinner will provided today.

Team Building - Monday, July 7th
Location: Adventure Links Base Camp - Paris, VA
We wake up at Adventure Links base camp and participate in a day of teambuilding on the team challenge course. Activities that encourage dialogue, exemplify leadership, and help to create unity amongst the expedition team are the highlight of the day.

Caving - Tuesday, July 8th
Location: Glade Cave - Franklin, WV
We leave base camp today for a caving adventure at Glade Cave near Harrisonburg, VA. This cave is known for its MUD! An incredible journey into the world beneath as we travel through tunnels, discover rooms, and learn about the ecology of the cave world.

Travel - Wednesday, July 9th
Location: New River Gorge - Fayetteville, WV
Today is a traveling day to the New River Gorge area where we will set up camp and prepare for our two day rafting trip on the New River with Rivermen, Inc.

Whitewater Rafting - Thursday, July 10th & 11th
Location:New River Gorge - Fayetteville, WV
Our first day on whitewater is in “duckies” or inflatable kayaks on the Upper New River experiencing ClassI-III. Thursday will find us on the Lower New River heading down as a group in rafts through wicked Class III-IV. We will be working with a reputable company licensed to provide an excellent rafting expedition on the exciting waters of the New River.

Rock Climbing - Saturday, July 12th
Location:New River Gorge - Fayetteville, WV
The New River Gorge is also known for its incredible climbing opportunities. We head to the rocks of the gorge today where we will spend the day climbing a variety of rock faces and learning about the world of the vertical. We will learn knots, belay techniques, climbing techniques and climbing site etiquette.

Backpacking - Sunday, July 13th-16th
Location: Cranberry Wilderness - Buckeye, WV
We begin our backpacking portion of the trip today. The morning will be spent getting final preparations made and assembling of all appropriate back country gear. The Cranberry Wilderness offers an incredible trail system where the participants will follow a loop trail for the next four days. After we hike out we travel to Franklin WV for some much needed relaxation.

Caving - Thursday, July 17th
Location: Franklin WV
We wake up today at one of our favorite camp sites, Jess Judy! We will spend the day spelunking and then traveling to Elizabeth Furnace.

Rock Climbing - Friday, July 18th
Location: Elizabeth's Furnace - Strasburg, WV
Today we go to Elizabeth’s Furnace and climb some of the different rock faces, cracks, and small overhangs. Tonight the group will head to Bear’s Den, a very special place to spend the group’s last night together in a final camp and debrief.

Closing Activities - Saturday, July 19th
Location: Adventure Links Base Camp - Paris, VA
Back at base camp, we will clean up and unpack from our expedition and prepare for the early afternoon parent pick-up at 12:30pm. Goodbyes and expedition tales highlight our afternoon.

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