Shared by Randy Motz, as Guest Blogger.

From Friday, July 17 until Friday, July 24, 2015 up to 1,200 hiking enthusiasts from across the country will converge on the beautiful campus of Shenandoah University to participate in the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s 40th Biennial Conference, “Hiking Through History.” This fun, informative, and family-friendly event has something for everyone who loves the great outdoors.

A hike to the Cullers Overlook is included as a conference option
Shenandoah River State Park

Guided Hikes

The conference includes 70 unique and carefully selected guided hikes Some of which are offered up to four times with many on the A.T.; a total of 180 hiking opportunities in all. In addition to amazing scenic areas, there will be 50 nature, 70 history, and 15 photography theme hikes, plus 5 sunset hikes. Many hikes showcase the Civil War, Revolutionary War, CCC construction and/or WWII POW camp sites. The hikes take place, not only on the Appalachian Trail, but on other beautiful trails in National and State parks and forests in Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and of course, Virginia. Several hikes will conclude at a local restaurant or winery, and there are numerous hikes where you can take a swim. A team of family hiking specialists have also designed 30 hikes suitable for most families that are 5 miles or less, plus 115 hikes suitable for most children 8 years and older that are 9 miles or less.

Exciting Excursions

In addition to all the hikes, there will be 35 exciting excursions scheduled that highlight the beauty, culture, history, and opportunities for adventure that abound in the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding areas. Trips to Washington, DC, Harpers Ferry, Gettysburg National Battlefield Park, Antietam Battlefield, the Appalachian Trail Museum, historic Front Royal, the Virginia Arboretum, Rapidan Camp, a scenic trail ride along the Potomac River, stargazing at Sky Meadows State Park, visits to local wineries, and trips along the C&O Canal offer many opportunities to experience all the area has to offer.

Workshops

“Hiking Through History” is also an opportunity to learn with exciting and informative workshops during the day on Saturday, July 18 through Monday, July 20, and also in the evening on Monday, July 20. Workshops are being offered in 11 different tracks, including, A.T. – The Trail, A.T. – The Communities, Creative Arts, Environment, Hiking and Backpacking Skills, History, Natural Wonders, Other Trails, Youth/Outreach, Trail Maintenance & Management, and Volunteer Leaders and Club Management. Experts in all these areas will provide valuable information and insight that will be beneficial to both you and your trail organization.

Special Activities

There will also be a number of special activities such as classes in basic bicycle maintenance, first aid certification, a two-day wilderness first aid class, field workshops on traditional edged tools and rigging, and even classes on knitting hats and T-shirt design. And, for the first time at an ATC Biennial Conference, there will be a two-day and four-day slack packing trip on the A.T., with overnight stays in PATC cabins and hostels. Additionally, each day there will be yoga classes to help you limber up for the day’s activities or unwind after a long day on the trail.

Entertainment

And as if the days of the conference we not full already, an amazing and diverse offering of entertainment concludes each day’s activities. Every evening, conference attendees will be delighted by stand-up comedy and quality bands performing every style of music from bluegrass and classic rock, to folk, country and pop. These concerts are free to conference attendees but are also open to the public for a $10.00/person charge per concert. (cash only) S.U. students, staff and faculty can attend the musical entertainment for free by showing their school I.D. And if music is not your cup of tea, each evening conference attendees will be able to attend informative and inspirational multimedia presentations on a wide range of topics.    

Exhibits

Beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 17 until Sunday, July 19, at 12:00 p.m., ATC, conference hosts, The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club and Mountain Club of Maryland, along with many other trail clubs from all up and down the A.T., will host exhibits in the Shingleton Gymnasium. Representatives from local tourism bureaus, state and national parks, local outfitters, as well as companies and organizations involved with the Appalachian Trail or outdoor recreation in general, will be on hand to provide valuable information, services, and products. There will also be a special Leave No Trace (LNT) Youth Activities Center for those who bring their children or are involved in youth outreach.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is a national not-for-profit corporation that is both a confederation of 31 local organizations assigned to maintain the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) and a membership organization with support from all 50 states and more than 15 other countries. 

Volunteers Needed

The conference organizers are still looking for volunteers to assist in numerous areas during the conference. If you would like to volunteer, there is a volunteer link on the conference website where you can view the areas where volunteers are needed and where you can download a Volunteer Sign-Up form that you can complete and email.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

Friday, July 17

1:00 PM to 10:00 PM – Check-in, Registration, and Exhibits open

7:30 PM – Opening Reception (free)

Saturday, July 18

8:00 AM to 6:00 PM – Check-in, Registration, and Exhibits open

Daytime – Hikes, Exhibits, Excursions, Workshops and Sunset Hikes

5:30 PM to 7:30 PM – Benton MacKaye and Life Member Dinner (by invitation)

7:30 PM – Pre-meeting Entertainment

8:00 PM – ATC Business Meeting (free)

Sunday, July 21

8:00 AM to 6:00 PM – Check-in, Registration, and Exhibits open (Exhibits close at Noon.)

Daytime – Hikes, Excursions, Workshops and Sunset Hikes

6:00 PM – ALDHA Reception (free)

8:00 PM – Entertainment

Monday, July 22

8:00 AM to 6:00 PM – Check-in and Registration

Daytime – Hikes, Excursions, and Workshops and Sunset Hikes

7:30 PM – Evening Workshops

8:00 PM – Entertainment and Presentations

Tuesday, July 23

8:00 AM to 6:00 PM – Check-in and Registration

Daytime – Hikes, Excursions and Sunset Hikes

6:00 PM – Volunteer Recognition Reception (by invitation)

8:00 PM – Entertainment and Presentations

Wednesday, July 24

8:00 AM to 6:00 PM – Check-in and Registration

Daytime – Hikes, Excursions and Sunset Hikes

8:00 PM – Entertainment and Presentations

Thursday, July 25

8:00 AM to 6:00 PM – Check-in and Registration

Daytime – Hikes and Excursions

8:00 PM – Entertainment and Presentations

Friday, July 26

8:00 AM – Conference Ends

8:00 AM to Noon – Check-out and Room Key Returns

Evening Programs

Friday, July 17

7:30 PM – 9:00 PM – Opening Reception

Saturday, July 18

7:30 PM – Music: Madeline MacNeil

8:00 PM – ATC Business Meeting

Sunday, July 19

8:00 PM – Comedy: “An Evening with George Burns” – Alan DeValerio

Monday, July 20

8:00 PM – Music: Gary Smallwood Band – Classic and Country Rock and Blues

8:00 PM – Presentation: “AT <60 – An Unsupported Thru-Hike in Record Time” – Mathew Kirk

8:00 PM – Presentation: “Pulaskis, Relos, and Hobnail Boots – A Pictorial History of Virginia’s Appalachian Trail” – Leonard Adkins

Tuesday, July 21

8:00 PM – Music: Drymill Road – Bluegrass

8:00 PM – Presentation: “Best Foot Forward” – Scotty “One Leg” Rogers

8:00 PM – Presentation: “The Gaucho Way – Exploring Wild and Remote Patagonia, Chile” – Tammy McCorkle

Wednesday, July 22

8:00 PM – Music: Wall and Frye – Classic Rock/Country/Folk

8:00 PM – Film: “The Ends of the Earth – Alaska’s Wild Peninsula” – John Grabowska

Thursday, July 25

8:00 PM – Music: Trilogy – Top 40 Tunes from the 60’s to the Present

8:00 PM – Presentation: “Raptors of the Shenandoah Valley” – Kent Knowles