Virginia
Hiking Scenic Southwest Virginia
Program No. 22828RJ
Lace up your hiking boots and venture into the striking scenery of Southwest Virginia on a hiking adventure that includes Appalachian culture, music and more.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
5 days
4 nights
What's Included
11 meals (
4B, 3L, 4D
)
1 expert-led lecture
3 expert-led field trips
2 performances
An experienced Group Leader
4 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Abingdon, VA
Meals:
D
Stay:
Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center
Activity Note
Check-in from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Dinner:
In the 4-H Center Dining Hall, we’ll have a buffet dinner.
Evening:
Orientation: 7:00 p.m. in the lower level of the Dickenson Conference Center. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date daily schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities, and answer any questions you may have. We will review COVID-19 protocols and will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and requirements throughout the program. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Pinnacle Nature Preserve Hike, Nature Talk, Performance
Location:
Abingdon, VA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center
Activity Note
This hike at the Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve will be appropriate for all levels.
Breakfast:
In the 4-H Center Dining Hall, choose what you like from the breakfast buffet. We will also make our own bag lunches.
Morning:
Our first hike will be at the Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve in Russell County, Virginia. Located at the confluence of the Clinch River and Big Cedar Creek, the preserve's namesake and centerpiece is the Pinnacle, a dolomite formation rising 400 feet (120 m) above the creek.
Lunch:
At a scenic spot on the trail, we’ll have the bag lunches we made for ourselves this morning.
Afternoon:
We will shuttle back to the 4-H Center with some time to freshen up and relax. Later in the afternoon, we’ll gather in the downstairs level conference room for a nature talk given by a local expert.
Dinner:
Dining Hall buffet.
Evening:
We’ll be joined by local musicians for a concert exclusively for our Road Scholar group.
Day
3
Creeper Trail Hike, Free Time, Barter Theater
Location:
Abingdon, VA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center
Activity Note
Hiking approx. 5-mile walk on a well-groomed, cinder trail with gradual elevation changes.
Breakfast:
Dining Hall buffet. We will also make our own bag lunches.
Morning:
After breakfast we’ll depart for our 5 mile hike along the Virginia Creeper Trail from Abingdon to Watauga section. The paths on the Virginia Creeper Trail are through cool forests, stone cliff outcrops, alongside creeks, and over historic wooden railroad trestles.
Lunch:
At a scenic spot on the trail, we’ll have the bag lunches we made for ourselves this morning.
Afternoon:
Return to the 4-H Center for some free time to rest and get ready for evening activities.
Dinner:
Dining Hall buffet.
Evening:
We will ride in to Abingdon and attend a professional theater performance at the renowned Barter Theatre, the State Theater of Virginia. Our program was planned far in advance when details of performances were not available. When confirmed, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment. Founded in 1933 during the Great Depression, it was called the Barter Theatre because so few people had money to spare and could pay the equivalent of 40 cents in bartered goods for admission. Today, it is one of the few remaining professional resident repertory theaters in the U.S. operating year-round.
Day
4
Channels Hike, Farewell Dinner
Location:
Abingdon, VA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center
Activity Note
This hike will be approximately 6 miles in the Channels Natural Area Preserve.
Breakfast:
In the 4-H Center Dining Hall, choose what you like from the breakfast buffet. We will also make our own bag lunches.
Morning:
The first hike will be at the Channels Natural Area Preserve located in Rosedale, Virginia. Walk among the boulders and through the stone mazes tucked in the nearly 5,000 acre Channels State Forest.
Lunch:
At a scenic spot on the trail, we’ll have the bag lunches we made for ourselves this morning.
Afternoon:
Returning to the 4-H Center, the remainder of the afternoon is free. You might like to take a walk around the grounds, go into downtown Abingdon, read a book, or just relax.
Dinner:
We’ll gather in the Dining Hall for our Farewell Dinner.
Evening:
Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning. Enjoy a free evening of relaxation before your departure.
Day
5
Program Concludes
Location:
Abingdon, VA
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Check-out 10:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
Dining Hall buffet. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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