Six Days in Wild, Wet, & Wonderful West Virginia
- Matt D'Anieri
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
Last week, Wilderness Kids high schoolers completed the longest outing in Wilderness Kids' history: 6 full days of camping in wild, wonderful West Virginia! With the striking cliffs of Seneca Rocks as the backdrop, our group of 7 students and 2 trip leaders set up their tents at Seneca Shadows, which served as a basecamp for all the week's adventures.
First, the group took advantage of a clear sunny day to tube at “Big Bend”, a gentle and scenic section of the north fork of the south branch of the Potomac River. Students enjoyed relaxing and floating down the river together. They kept the fun in the water going with a stop at “Triangle Rock”, which has now become an all-time favorite swimming hole for Wilderness Kids. They were surprised to learn that both of these swimming spots are on the same Potomac River that runs through Alexandria! Some even joked about floating down the river all the way home. Perhaps that will be a different trip…though Great Falls could be a rough ride!
Left to Right: Tubing the scenic Potomac River, far from Old Town. Triangle Rock: one of Wilderness Kids' must-visit swimming holes; Dyland and Walter enjoy a moment in the cool waters. #WildKidsStrong.
The following day, students experienced the area’s incredibly diverse scenery up close. A drive through quiet, rolling farm country brought them to the Sinks of Gandy, where a stream flows underground through a cave in the hillside! The cool air and water inside the cave was a welcome relief from the hot sun outside. The group learned plenty of fun facts about the natural history of the land around them, with the help and guidance from Tim Boone, Wilderness Kids’ volunteer caving guide. Thanks Tim for taking the whole day to show us the Sinks of Gandy and sharing your knowledge!
Left to Right: Eimy and Adriana outside the entrance to the Sinks of Gandy. (Did we already say #WildKidsStrong??) The whole team preparing outside the caves.
Afterwards, the group traveled to Spruce Knob, the tallest mountain in West Virginia. From an elevation of 4,863 feet, the group experienced peaceful moments as they shared silence atop the observation tower, with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. In a place that gets so much rain that it technically qualifies as a rare inland temperate rainforest, the students were lucky enough to observe the wildlife of this special ecosystem under a bright, shining sun, as fog lifted off the ground.
Left to Right: Jai'len atop Spruce Knob; Eimy joins him with a smile; Adriana stands before a vista of ridge, after ridge, after ridge.
The next day brought more scenic driving, as well as biking, and even more time in the water. Students explored the Greenbrier Valley on two wheels, pedaling along the Greenbrier River. Afterwards, everyone cooled off in a nearby creek--that they leapt into from a tall rock! Student did a terrific job in supporting one another, helping each other to overcome fears as they stood atop the rock, on the edge. Like many activities that offer a challenge, the hardest part was the start. Peering over the edge was scary, but once the students felt the thrill of moving through the air and safely plunging into cool, clear water, they wanted to go again and again! Summer is for swimming, and Wilderness Kids is proud of how so many students have become more comfortable in the water this season.
On the last full day of the trip, students explored the Dolly Sods Wilderness, where they picked wild blueberries, climbed an old birch tree and tried to gain wisdom from it, and learned about more natural history up close. Traveling to the other side of the Sods, the group spent time at the scenic Douglas Falls on the Blackwater River. They enjoyed well-deserved silent reflection time, each student relaxing alone with their journal and the sounds of the river. Afterwards, we all reconnected for more swimming and jumping in!
Left to right: Adriana takes a leap of faith; and then watches from the water as Jai'len does the same. Trip Leader Shannon admires another act of faith: a towering Jenga structure built constructed in the campsite!
To celebrate all we had accomplished, staff took the students into the nearby town of Davis, a hub for many outdoor adventures, and launched them on a scavenger hunt around the town! Students worked together, read maps, and made decisions in order to reach every destination and find their hidden mystery bag. Eventually, they wound their way back to a picnic area, where trip leaders Matt and Shannon surprised them with hot grilled cheese sandwichews and ice cream! On a trip filled with delicious meals from breakfast burritos to pepperoni rolls, this was a perfect way to cap off a week of yummy and nourishing food while out camping.
A Wilderness Kids Trip is full of so many moments. Top row, left to right: Some crazy Uno happening in the campsite; beautiful wildflowers collected in Dolly Sods; when a climbing tree is found, it must be climbed; posing for a group photo in the midst of a scavenger hunt that took us to this burrito joint. Bottom row: 3 students discuss whether Dyland has the fire under control or not; Walter admires Dyland's cairn construction.
Overall, this trip exposed students to the best parts of nature that “The Mountain State” is all about: high peaks, deep and wild caves, unique ecosystems, and countless beautiful and powerful rivers connecting them all. Completing this long trip was also a major milestone for Wilderness Kids’ summer programming. Staff leaders were once again so proud of what their students accomplished, as 6 days camping is full of uncertainties and not always easy. Students cultivated skills in teamwork and resilience on this trip, which they will carry with them back to Alexandria and beyond. And the summer isn’t even over yet!
Comments