August 8, 2006
Guides enjoyed a fantastic dinner in Shenandoah thanks to the Voith's before arising early for a hike in Whiteoak Canyon. The trip left before sunrise at 5:15 am from Skyland lodge and returned early. The very fit family packed a lot into a day and we were happy to help.
Kayaks await while a water fight challenge engulfs campers.
Frederick area youth spent three days in team competition and beating the heat 1,500 feet high on Maryland’s Catoctin Mountains. They stayed cool in the mountain streams, ponds, kayaking Cunningham Lake, and camping at an environmental education center. Competitions were modeled after TV's Survivor and enjoyed by all. The food was good, the friendships great, and the competition fierce.
Nine girls from Frederick, county schools (Md) met each other for a week of extraordinary firsts! The trip started with an introduction to rock-climbing, rappelling, and swimming in the mountain stream. The first campfire and night out were followed by a day of canoeing, swimming and watching Great Blue Herons and Eagles! The next five days were spent bonding in and with the wilderness, learning backcountry ethics, and front country life lessons. The group refreshed themselves in Shenandoah National Park's brook waterslides and holes as they backpacked up three of its highest peaks! Many animals crossed paths with the girls including, a beautiful two-tone rattlesnake, deer, squirrels, chipmunks, turkey, and four black bear! A once in a lifetime view occurred on the summit of Old Rag mountain as the girls watched a yearling bear walk down and across a very exposed section of rock before climbing over a boulder and disappearing in the brush. Amazing!
