This is my fourth year with my local parks and rec dept, working for a program called Challenge. We have kayaked, canoed, fished, hiked, rappelled, climbed, slacklined and zip-lined. It’s such a fun summer job!
But something I’m even MoRE excited about is my upcoming, very first art camp! I can’t wait to get started but it’s not for another two weeks. There is still plenty I have to do to get ready but I will start sharing pictures as soon as I can!
For now, here’s what I’ve been up to…
Two more weeks have already slipped by. One week was filled with sparkly tattoos, cinnamon rolls, and fun at the lake.
This past week involved Young Explorers, another round of hiking, canoeing, and archery, and a trip to the Fork Farm in Norwood. We finished it up with a weekend at the beach and some sun, sand, and seafood.
I can hear the minutes ticking by and I’m feeling conflicted! I’ve had a fantastic summer and I don’t want the fun and adventure to end but I’m also ready to see my kids and get back to making some art!
New adventure of the week:
Hiking three days on the Appalachian Trail. We took a group of 14 to hike from Roan Mtn to 19E – a road that the AT crosses. I think it was around 15 miles or so.
Last year, we hiked the Greyson Highlands. Something new for this year, for me, was that I left my tent at home. The day before I left for the trail, I went to REI and bought the ENO hammock shelter system. I loved it!
We stayed at Overmountain Shelter the first night and I was pretty chilly after a front moved in with some rain and much colder air. But I didn’t have to sleep on the floor with the mice and chipmunks so I was happy!
We camped at Doll Flats the second night and despite heavy rains and crazy winds, I still stayed dry and warm(thanks to some borrowed longjohn pants.) I might just be a hammock convert but I’ll need to spend a few more nights out in it before I decide for sure.
I loved how easy the set up went with the Atlas straps as well as the guardian bug net and the pro fly.
We saw some African Angora goats on Jane Bald. I was totally amazed by the beauty of Little Hump and Big Hump Mtns. And I got to see the Asa Gray Lily! It was really one of the most scenic trips I’ve ever been on. Amazing experience overall.
Check out some pictures!
I’m about 2.5 weeks into summer and its flying by! But I guess that’s what happens when you’re having a great time.
This will be my third summer working for a program within our Parks and Rec department called Challenge. Last week was the boys’ extended and we took them for a two night trip to Emerald Isle and we paddled from Hammocks Beach State Park over to Shark Tooth island. We were supposed to continue on to Bear Island but the wind was just too strong. The kids really enjoyed themselves though and found some awesome sharks teeth and shells!
This week is the girls short week and we are leaving today for the US National Whitewater Center and one night at Crowders Mtn. It’s a new trip for us so we are all looking forward to it but keeping our fingers crossed that we don’t get washed out at the campsite.
We’ve already climbed, rappelled, hiked, and paddled this week…
I hope you’re enjoying your summer adventures like I am! 🙂
Ah, the “fun summer job” got much harder this past week when we took a group of kids on the Appalachian Trail. We hiked the 36 miles from Massie Gap to Damascus, VA. It was SO HARD. But it was beautiful and I am glad I completed this item on my bucket list.
Pictures are coming…
Sunset/moonrise on top of Whitetop Mtn in VA. So beautiful.
Summer jobs. Most people hate them. I love mine! Working with the Parks & Rec Dept and the challenge program allows me to get kids outside and doing things I never had the courage to do as a kid. I barely have the courage to do some of our activities now! 🙂
We just finished our Pre-Challenge week for kids ages 7-9. We climbed, hiked, canoed, and spent the last day at the Fork Farm fishing, hiking, and meeting horses and hunting dogs. It was so much fun.
Tomorrow I will leave on another new adventure: hiking a small section of the Appalachian Trail. We will be hiking a little over 30miles from Greyson Highlands to Damascus. I am very excited about it but also very nervous. It’s only been THE hottest days of the year this week. Hoping for some cooler temps in the mountains of VA.
Here are a couple pictures from Pre-Challenge. Some of them are my students, which is cool to get to see them outside of the art room and pushing themselves in a different way!
tinyartroom 