Eagles Nest Hante: Appalachian Trail Trek Nantahalas

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Choice Camps Recommendation of Eagles Nest Hante: Appalachian Trail Trek Nantahalas

For more than 30 years, the Eagle’s Nest Hante program has challenged teenagers to push both mentally and physically to reach a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. By trekking through the wilderness, rock climbing, biking, and whitewater paddling in some of the world’s most beautiful natural environments, young people build confidence and self-esteem, learn invaluable leadership skills and form friendships that last a lifetime. For students looking for a strong connection to nature build through a fun wilderness adventure, Eagle’s Nest Hantes may be a great fit.

Trip Description

The A.T., as it’s called by hikers, is much more than just a path through the woods. From Katahdin, Maine, to Springer Mountain, Georgia, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail wanders the ridges and valleys of the Appalachian mountain ranges for more than 2,174 miles. It is a national scenic trail, part of the same national park system that includes Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Great Smoky Mountains. Its official name is the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. The Hante Program and Eagle’s Nest Camp has a long and intimate history with the Appalachian Trail. Hundreds of Eagle’s Nesters have taken to the trail and been introduced to the beauty and serenity of discovering the rhythmic life of backpacking on the AT. Of the many sections of the trail the Hante Program has trekked the North Carolina sections are by far our favorites. Beginning at the Little Tennessee River at Fontana Dam, and finishing near Bly Gap, North Carolina, this section exposes hikers to beautiful ridges, through open meadows of blooming mountain laurel, past refreshing mountain cascades, and down into the deep Nantahala Gorge. While in the lush Gorge the group will take advantage of the whitewater opportunity on the class III Nantahala River. After their full-day of rafting the group will set out and continue their adventure on the trail. There truly is nothing that compares to trekking almost 100 miles on the A.T.

Staff Overview

Groups of 14 campers are typically lead by head instructors who are at least 21 years old. All hante leaders are experienced in outdoor and international travel. Supporting staff members must be at least 18 years old and have completed one year of college.

Setting & Accommodations

Campers journey through the wilderness sleeping in tents and under the stars. Students learn how to establish base camps and build shelters.

Participants learn how to prepare food on a camp stove or campfire. Instructors teach students how to search for food and identify edible plants in the wild.

Safety Standards

All Eagle’s Nest staff members are First Aid and CPR certified. In addition, many hold Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responder certifications.

Eagle’s Nest Hantes is accredited by the American Camp Association and meets more than 300 safety standards set forth by the organization.