D&E Woods Orientation: 35 Years
August 31 - September 2 (Labor Day Weekend)

The Woods Orientation program offers two options for students to choose from.

Both activities will take place within the Allegheny Highlands, an area of unsurpassed beauty. The knowledgeable, diverse, and spirited orientation staff will be sharing individual areas of expertise with students in their respective groups, so don't be surprised if you find yourself in the middle of an impromptu lesson on star gazing, wildflower or bird identification, cooking, etc. You will have the opportunity to sleep in tents or out under the stars. You will spend evenings relaxing around a campfire or chasing lightning bugs with upper-class guides, faculty, and staff.

The details

Everyone departs campus together on Friday at 1:00 p.m. and travels to The Mountain Institute's local 400-acre facility know as the Spruce Knob Mountain Center (SKMC). This amazing facility sits just off West Virginia's highest ridgeline on the remote shoulder of Spruce Knob Mountain in the heart of the Monongahela National Forest. A scrumptious dinner will be prepared in the full kitchen of the SKMC by staff of D&E's Graceland. After dinner the campfire will be lit and Jim Donovan, famed Rusted Root percussionist, will get the night moving with his Rhythmic Motivation: hand drumming workshop. At the end of the night we will crash under the glimmering light of the Milky Way.

In the morning everyone breaks camp and hits their respective trail with backpacks, tents, and sleeping bags (provided or bring your own). Each group of 8-12 students, 2 D&E faculty/staff, 2 upper-class student "Woods Guides", and 1 Mountain Institute staff member will travel 1 to 2 miles to set up a remote camp and then head out for their chosen adventure with only their day packs.

Option 1: Day hike to the Spruce Knob summit
This five-mile round trip hike will take you up to the top of the State's highest point. From the top you will enjoy lunch and the breath taking 360-degree Appalachian panorama. Afterward the group will hike back down to their remote camp for an evening of s'mores, conversation and relaxation.





Option 2: Day hike and cave exploration
At the culmination of this five-mile one-way hike (van ride back) participants will disappear into the 24/7 nightlife under Yokum's Knob. With only the light of the group's flashlights you will get to explore some of the vast caverns, amazing rock formations and camaraderie that draw numerous local and distant cavers to the area. Afterward the group will return to their remote campsite via a van ride and a short hike for an evening of s'mores, conversation and relaxation.

Though we will not be visiting a developed cave (with electric lighting, handrails and signs that tell you where you can and cannot go) Stillhouse Cave is well traveled by cavers of all ages. You'll love it!