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Mountain Alliance Kicks Off Spring Semester on Thursday, Jan. 24, in Media Center at Watauga High

Group photo after backpacking trip in South Pisgah.
Group photo after backpacking trip in South Pisgah.

Jan. 7, 2013. Mountain Alliance, a nonprofit organization that has provided outdoor adventure and community service programs for high school age students in Watauga County for 22 years, will soon kick off its spring semester. Mountain Alliance had a very busy fall and organized 53 outings, which concluded with 107 student members. 

These after school and weekend trips are divided between outdoor adventures and community service outings including: backpacking, rock climbing, mountain biking, caving, preparing meals at the Hospitality House, trail building and more! We are looking forward to building on the momentum from the fall with a new calendar of exciting opportunities for our young people to get outside and explore the world around them while building a positive community of peers and mentors.

Group photo of Rolling Academy on a Boat in Gloucester, Mass.
Group photo of Rolling Academy on a Boat in Gloucester, Mass.

This spring 2013 semester Shelly Robinson will be transitioning into the Interim Executive Director position while Todd Nolt is on sabbatical. Shelly Robinson, an Appalachian State Recreation Management graduate began volunteering with the Mountain Alliance in 2007 by helping with the afterschool and weekend trips. That same year Shelly jumped on the opportunity to lead the Rolling Academy, a two-week leadership expedition that is held each summer.

“After the Rolling Academy, I was hooked!” Shelly says.

Shelly’s most recent role has been the Mountain Alliance’s Program Coordinator where she has worked for the last three years, planning: the student calendar, leading trips and mentoring both staff and students.

Shelly Robinson
Shelly Robinson

“I am excited to take on this new role and serve the students of Watauga County in a different capacity. Through working for The Mountain Alliance I have learned that we have an expansive network of support that I know will help and support the Mountain Alliance through this transition. My goal is to continue to promote and expand Mountain Alliance as a learning environment, where all students feel welcome and are free to be themselves. We are gearing up for the spring semester and are proud to offer a brand new calendar of exciting trips including, Alternative Spring Breaks, Youth Service Day and many outdoor adventures,” says Shelly.

The Mountain Alliance Spring Kick Off date is Thursday, Jan. 24, 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the media center at Watauga High School. Students will be given the spring calendar of events, permission slips and details for upcoming trips. Mountain Alliance is open to all high school age youth in Watauga County. All programs are free of cost to our students.

If you would like to find out more information about the programs Mountain Alliance offers or would like to get involved, or contribute in any way, please visit our website. www.mountainalliance.org.

Group photo after Alternative Spring Break Service Trip to Birmingham.
Group photo after Alternative Spring Break Service Trip to Birmingham.