Father & Son Camp
July 9-12, 2025
Father and Son Camp is held annually at Turtle Island. It is an unusual opportunity in a profoundly unique place. It is a long weekend for father, sons, brothers, grandfathers, uncles, cousins and friends to stop the rapid pace of life for a few days to camp out on the only Appalachian Heritage farm of its kind. Together in the time-tested tradition of our ancestors, men and their young boys take time to reconnect together with their natural roots.
The camp begins with an introduction to the community at Turtle Island. An orientation to the campus includes meeting our domestic animals and getting acquainted with our traditional and historic facilities like barns, outhouses, composting areas, blacksmith forge, wood working center and playground. You will tour the handmade barns and agricultural structures, see the horse drawn carriages, mowers and wagons, smell the natural foods cooking over the open fire, taste and see the delights coming up in our gardens and get familiar with the wild edibles and medicinal plants found naturally occurring around the farm.
Taking time to listen, look and feel, the learning experiences and opportunities for personal growth occur on an exponential scale during 3 short days. Young boys walk away feeling excited and empowered after being trusted to handle a blade, a blacksmith hammer, a fire of their own design. Fathers walk away feeling relaxed, refreshed and renewed in the rare chance to be with their son in the sanctuary of wilderness, humbly together finding the secrets of nature and what wisdom it has to share. Father’s often find a new pride in their boy’s courage, confidence, and capability that their son displays here, and the boys greatly benefit from the role modeling and passing rite of being among capable men. We encourage all fathers, and all sons from all walks, traditions, cultures, philosophy and families to explore Turtle Island Preserve.
Family groups camp out in Adirondack huts, tipis and/or creatively hand-crafted natural shelters. Informative, hands-on classes are taught each morning and afternoon by the Turtle island residents and knowledgeable naturalists. Three hot meals each day are provided in our outdoor camp kitchen – Nacho Mamma’s Café. Our beautiful crystal clear creeks provide a refreshing chance to cool off and clean up, while evening programs such as guided night-walks or stories & music around the campfire conclude our days
Date/Time: July 9-12, 2025
Available Spaces: limited to 12 adults (no unchaperoned minors)
Cost: $425 per participant
Cancellations: non-refundable deposit (1/2 of total) is retained for all cancellations. Fee non refundable after July 1, 2025.
Road Conditions: 1.5 miles off-road gravel - watch the VIDEO
Location: 8 miles east of Boone, NC - Base Camp at Turtle Island Preserve is just 2 miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway - Bamboo Gap Exit
Schedule: participants arrive at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, July 9to get oriented and settled in. Three hot meals a day are served between class sessions. The camp ends after brunch on Saturday.
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Attention All Camp Visitors - Please Note:
WARNING: Under North Carolina Law, There Is No Liability For An Injury To Or Death Of A Participant In An Agritourism Activity Conducted At This Agritourism Location If Such Injury Or Death Results From The Inherent Risks Of The Agritourism Activity. Inherent Risks Of Agritourism Activities Include, Among Others, Risks Of Injury Inherent To Land, Equipment, And Animals, As Well As The Potential For You To Act In A Negligent Manner That May Contribute To Your Injury Or Death. You Are Assuming The Risk Of Participating In This Agritourism Activity.
WARNING: Under North Carolina Law, A Farm Animal Activity Sponsor Or Farm Animal Professional Is Not Liable For An Injury To Or The Death Of A Participant In Farm Animal Activities Resulting Exclusively From The Inherent Risks Of Farm Animal Activities. Chapter 99E Of The North Carolina General Statutes.