Spring Break in the Forest
Students in the Garden Club traveled to the southeast for a spring break of camping, hiking, exploring, gardening, and getting inspired by regenerative living practices.
Their expedition was supported by a Student Scholarship and Travel Award from the Center for Environment & Society. They cooked most of their own meals from scratch, swam in a lake and the Atlantic Ocean, and spent long evenings conversing and singing with environmentally-oriented travelers by firelight. Many animals were encountered along the way including frogs, anoles, turtles, spiders, and numerous species of birds.
Jo led a hike through a meandering stream to a beautiful waterfall at Alta Mons.
The entrance to the Hostel in the Forest.
A map of the Hostel helped to orient the group around the site.
Each morning the students cooked breakfast from scratch, and by evening they were joined by fellow travelers for dinner.
An encounter with goats and chickens.
Helping to work in the Hostel gardens.
The group replaced bolting brassicas with fresh plugs.
Signs marked the plantings around the garden.
Rachel prepares a meal in the community kitchen.
The path to the lodging featured one of the many wooden boardwalks that kept forest trails accessible.
Our Washington College group stayed in the Corral, the downstairs of the Art Lodge.
The student lodging in the Corral was open to the wooded landscape.
A bridge leads visitors to the glass house in the forest.
The glass house featured murals on the floor representing diverse cultural connections to the divine.
Jo enjoys some hammock time outside the glass house.
Jess discovers the most comfortable meditation cushion.
Rachel demonstrates how to do an inversion.
The glass yoga studio offered a serene place to relax and just be.
Jess and Emma choose spices for lunch.
A quinoa salad with fresh vegetables made for a satisfying meal.
A lone swing by the lake presented a peaceful spot to repose.
The chickens, ducks, and goats enjoyed a variety of objects for play and shelter.
One of the main buildings at the hostel.
Beautiful artwork was found everywhere at the Hostel in the Forest.
The group visited the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island.
Checking out the rescued sea turtles.
A visit to the driftwood beach on Jekyll Island.
Looking for alligators (unsuccessfully).
The lake at the Hostel in the Forest.
Stopping for lunch in Savannah on the trip home.
A visit to the Raleigh City Farm presented many examples of signage and practices that could inspire similar efforts on campus.
The view from the campsite in Raleigh, NC.
The Virginia Living Museum reframed many of the elements encountered earlier in the trip.
Turtles bask on a floating island.
Jo communicates with an alligator.
Simple seating functions for gatherings and presentations.
Signage provided explanation and education of important practices.
Trellises offer an example of how to use vertical space.
Structures that emphasize natural curves and light create welcoming environments.
Students enjoyed a dusk swim while camping at Virginia Beach on the final night before returning to campus.