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Join the Blue Ridge Mountain Club for their Harvest Celebration and Awetumn Camp-Out Sept. 28-29

Aug. 22, 2012. This fall, the Blue Ridge Mountain Club (BRMC) will be venturing into the Unbelievably Great Outdoors for some wilderness camping at the most awesome time of year. Be adventurous and camp-out, or glamp-out with Blue Ridge Mountain Club (BRMC) members along Laurel Creek, where they’ll have campfires burning, s’mores melting and fantastic fall activities for the whole family.

The main base will be the Laurel Creek camp where you can take hikes, fish, tell stories, look at the stars, cook-out and feast.

This year, the camping experience will be somewhat different from previous years. In 2010 and 2011, the camp site was within close proximity to Watson Gap Pavilion and Park, rest rooms and running water. The 2012 experience will be somewhat more primitive with a stronger connection to the outdoors, yet with all the comfort and service you have come to expect from previous camping excursions. The 2012 camp site will be adjacent to Laurel Creek, near the trailhead to the Blue Hole. While the base camp will not be adjacent to the creature comforts offered by the Watson Gap Pavilion, you will have ready access to port-a-johns, wash stations, water, food and shelter. Cooking and picnic tents will be erected for protection in the event of poor weather. BRMC will reserve one of the cottages for showers during the day. 

Here are a couple camping options for the weekend: 

Glamping Package: Canvas tents are available with cots, pillows, foam pads, down comforters, camping tables and fire-pits and BRMC will have your campsite set up and ready to go when you arrive. Two and four person tent options are available. Glamping space is limited and will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.

The cost for glamping will be $200 which will cover tent rental and setup, activities and meals and beverages for the weekend for two adults; additional guests will be $50 ($35 for children) per person to cover the cost of meals for the weekend.

The Equipped Camper: Bring your own tent, sleeping bag and other camping gear and set up your own camp-site along Laurel Creek: $65 per person ($35 for Children) this will cover the cost of activities and meals and beverages for the weekend.

This will be a community effort and everyone will pitch in to cook meals, clean up and break down camp at the end of the weekend. 

Friday, Sept. 28

5 p.m.: Arrive at Laurel Creek to Unload Gear and Set-Up Camp

6:30 p.m.: Camping Cocktails

7 p.m. : BBQ Camp Dinner – Hotdogs, Hamburgers

8:30 p.m.: Campfire Games and S’mores 

Saturday, Sept. 29

8 a.m. – 10 a.m.: Country Breakfast and Cleanup

10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: Free Time (Fly Fishing Instruction on Laurel Creek)

11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Lunch preparation, Lunch, Cleanup

2 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Coyote Club Program (TBD)

4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Free Time (Shower)

6:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.: Cocktails and Dinner Preparation

7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.: Dinner and Cleanup

8:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.: Campfire Games and S’mores

10 p.m.: Stargazing

Sunday, Sept. 30

8 a.m. – 10 a.m. – Continental Breakfast and Break Down Camp

Bring your friends and family to the Harvest Celebration Camp-Out. For questions about this and other BRMC events, email or call BRMC Outbound Coordinator Harrison Herbst at 828-295-8667 x5916.