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WILD GUYde Adventures 2012 Overnight Camping Trips

This summer, WILD GUYde Adventures is leading two overnight adventures for young guys and girls (age 11 through high school).  Fathers/mothers/mentors (older brother or sister, uncle or aunt, club leader) are also invited, though the kids may attend alone. 

June 1-2 The Hiking Campout will take place at Brandywine, WV.  We’ll meet at 5 PM at the National Forest Campground, cook and camp for the night, and then wake Saturday to hike the Sawmill Trail.  While hiking, we will learn about outdoor navigation and orienteering, and also have a conversation about outdoor safety and backcountry first aid.   We will return to the campground by lunchtime, and we might have time to jump in the lake!  

June 8-9 is Fat Tire Weekend.  This beginner mountain-biking trip will start at the Hone Quarry NFS Campground with camping on Friday night, and then biking (dirt road and trail) to the Slate Springs Waterfall on Saturday morning.  Along the way, we’ll learn a little about trail bike maintenance, and also consider outdoor safety and backcountry first aid.  The brave-hearted can jump in the swimming hole – some of the coldest water you’ve ever been in!  We will return to the campground by lunchtime.  

 

Hiking Campout (June 1-2, 2012)

Fat Tire Weekend (June 8-9, 2012)

 

 

Directions

Brandywine Campground is 30 mins. west of Harrisonburg along Rt. 33.  Travel up over the mountain and cross the state line.  On the WV side, as the twisting mountain road gives way to a straight runout near the bottom, look for the NFS sign pointing you to turn in to the lake and campground on the left.  If you pass Fat Boys Pork Palace in the town of Brandywine, you have gone too far!

 

Hone Quarry Campground is 20 minutes southwest of Harrisonburg.  Travel west on Rt. 33, and turn left (south) on Rt. 613.  Follow this through the town of Ottobine as it turns into Rt. 257.  Continue past the Briery Branch Church of the Brethren, turning right at the 257 Grocery.  3 miles later, turn right at the Hone Quarry - National Forest Recreation Area sign on to FR 62, and drive for 1 ½ miles.  Pass a stone pavilion on the left (picnic area); the campground will be on the left ¼ mile later.

 

Bring

·        Outdoor clothing

·        Hiking footwear

·        Sleeping bag/ground pad

·        Plastic bowl, cup, and spoon

·        Water bottles or hydration pack (1 qt. minimum)

·        Toiletries (toothbrush, etc.)

·        Flashlight or headlamp

·        Swim suit, small towel

·        Water shoes (old sneakers, aqua shoes, or sandals with a heel strap)

·        Whistle on a lanyard

·        Hiking pack (book bag style)

·        *Prescription meds

·        *Campground games (Frisbee, hacky sack)

·        *Sunglasses

·        *Portable musical instrument (harmonica, guitar)

·        Each camper will also be asked to bring an item or two for the group food menu

·        *Pocketknife, compass

·        *Tent (bring your own if you want, or we will supply)

·        *Camera

·        *Nature identification guides (plants, insects, birds)

·        *Binoculars

 

*Optional items

·        Outdoor clothing

·        Biking and camp footwear

·        Sleeping bag/ground pad

·        Plastic bowl, cup, and spoon

·        Biker bottles or hydration packs (1 qt. minimum)

·        Toiletries (toothbrush, etc.)

·        Flashlight or headlamp

·        Swim suit, small towel

·        Water shoes (old sneakers, aqua shoes, or sandals with a heel strap)

·        A fat-tire bike with multiple gears and adequate brakes; suspension not required

·        Bike helmet

·        Whistle on a lanyard

·        Backpack (book bag style) or fanny pack

·        *Prescription meds

·        *Campground games (Frisbee, hacky sack)

·        *Sunglasses/security band

·        *Portable musical instrument (harmonica, guitar)

·        Each camper will also be asked to bring an item or two for the group food menu

·        *Bike repair tools, pump, spare tube

·        *Pocketknife, compass

·        *Tent (bring your own if you want, or we will supply)

·        *Camera

 

*Optional items

Leave at home

iPODs, MP3 players, blackberries and PDA’s, cell phones, laptops, radios, fixed blade knives or other weapons, unnecessary jewelry, alcohol, fireworks, tobacco products, non-prescription drugs, work-related reading material

Cost

$50 per person

 

Questions

Call or email Lester Zook at (540) 433-1637 or lester@wildguyde.com.  You may also visit www.wildguyde.com

 

To Register

Visit www.wildguyde.com and print off a Medical Form and a Participant Agreement, fill them out, and mail them with payment to WGA, 1047 Stuart St., Harrisonburg, VA 22802.  75% refund for cancellations up to 7 days prior; no refund thereafter.

 

Finally, who are these  WILD GUYdes?

Lester R. Zook is a professor at EMU, and director of the Outdoor Ministry program there.  He has been leading wilderness adventures for college students and camp groups for the past 20 years.  He is a Wilderness First Responder, and is a certified member of the American Mountain Guides Association (Single Pitch Instructor).  He and his wife Robin have four children, attend Weavers Mennonite Church, and have home-schooled their children through elementary school. Ethan Zook has been a camp counselor and adventure leader at numerous camps.  He is a Red Cross Lifeguard, a Virginia EMT-B, and a member of Rockingham-Augusta Search and Rescue.  Aaron Zook is a climber, caver and paddler, a Red Cross Lifeguard, and has been through Wilderness First Aid. WGA is a permitee with the George Washington and Monongahela National Forests, and is an equal opportunity provider and employer.  WGA is a member of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce, the National Speleological Society, and the Access Fund.