High Country Forest Wild
High Country Forest Wild
an all-outdoors, forest learning center
ABOUT US
Located in West Jefferson and in Vilas, North Carolina on approximately 30-50 acres of forest, meadow, creeks, coves, ridges, and valleys, High Country Forest Wild is a nature-based, experiential educational program that encourages curiosity and exploration in an all-outdoors environment with supported risk-taking and emphasis on life skills.
WHY CHOOSE HIGH COUNTRY FOREST WILD?
High Country Forest Wild offers an all-outdoors environment, which encourages connections to the natural world, promotes physical activity and play, and stimulates kinesthetic learning and motor skills.
Children explore climbing trees, using metal tools, and building shelters and forts. Instructors help students assess risks and benefits so their decisions are informed.
Risk-taking builds independence, resilience, and self-esteem in young people that will improve their judgment as they grow. They learn about natural consequences through weather and clothing.
Children are allowed to get dirty and wet, but instructors, who are trained in wilderness medicine, are aware of potential hazards, like poison ivy, ticks, and hypothermia, and monitor students’ welfare to mitigate risk factors.
Students learn communication skills, group and individual problem-solving, and conflict resolution.