What they’re saying
Short testimonial from our volunteers & staff
From our workshops
“From the time that you drive down the 1 ½ mile entrance way to the preserve you instantly know you are in a wonderful, peaceful place. Upon your arrival at the meadow, you roll back a hundred years of time when you see the old barns, buildings, horses, outhouses and the beautiful stream flowing by. Also, the hospitality is at its best when you come here. Please put Turtle Island Preserve on your bucket list. I don’t know of any other place like this. Eustace has built this through hard work and dedication for us to enjoy.”
- Allen Wagner, Hickory, NC
“Thanks so much for providing this workshop! I was intimidated at first as a woman who typically does yoga, and heavy lifting is generally limited to picking up my toddler. I felt welcome and useful in this workshop, and I learned a lot about myself, fire, and metal in a really short period of time. I appreciated the hands-on learning, being able to ask a lot of questions, and having the chance to complete projects while also striking out on my own to try new things and learn more about smithing. I learned more about Turtle Island and the educational experience was one I wouldn't trade for anything else. And I felt powerful in the process!”
- Stephanie Langston
“I must say, that is a very unique place to visit and my experience was wonderful and very educational. You instantly get a feeling of family as soon as you arrive with the warm greetings from the staff. It is obvious through their actions that they are glad you are there and want you to get the most out of your time.”
- Allen Wagner, Hickory, NC
From Camp Visitors & Parents
"We loved our Turtle Island Adventure! It definitely exceeded all of our expectations and was truly a life-changing experience.”
- Gregg Turner, Father & Son Camp, Nashville, TN
“Thank you for letting Krystal come to camp this year. She is always telling us about something she learned or did. She was proud of herself. It is the beginning of something wonderful for her, a greater appreciation of nature and what life is about. She is more aware of a different way of living, not just T.V. and stuff from Walmart.”
- Peggy Holt, Camp Parent
"My son Brad Winter attended your camp many years ago. It remains one of the most positive experiences of his life."
- Ken Winter, Camp Parent
From Assorted guests
“Coming from Ireland, I had no idea what to expect from Turtle Island Preserve. It shared with me a world I didn't know existed or could exist. I found joy at the revelation of it. I considered myself an experienced outdoor educator and camp counselor and thought I had seen almost all that could be done to educate young people to the world surrounding them. I was once again joyful to find so many new and fresh models at Turtle Island. The Preserve by its very nature exceeds the status quo. I have worked as a camp counselor at many different summer camps and outdoor programs and I have yet to see a staff which minute to minute, day to day gives their passion and dedication towards expanding campers interactions with the natural world and with each other as does Turtle Islands staff. I have seen these campers learn in two weeks skills what it would take other programs many seasons to instruct. Not only this but it is my firm belief that in learning skills as simple as coaxing the fire out of two sticks young people can gain a confidence in interacting with their world that is both rare and precious nowadays. Turtle Island gifted me with a new view of the world and the education of young minds in a way I can never repay. Words cannot capture or convey the passion in which I would recommend and encourage to anyone the Turtle Island experience.”
- Jon Kean-Egan, Dublin, Ireland
“Thank you for asking me to be a part of your community. A special thanks to everybody for the time, wisdom, and guidance you are sharing with today's youth. It is just awesome that the children of today can experience your different lifestyle out of their comfort zones. Sometimes children can become overwhelming and test you to your limits, however YOU make a difference in their lives. On a personal level, Turtle Island has made an improvement in my relationship with my son Tristan. We now have a better understanding about each other and I owe it all to a 2 week long boy's camp a few years ago. Your efforts, values, and beliefs are not ignored by the youth you come in contact with. Please keep up the good work because today's youth needs it.”
- Scott Pearson, Camp Parent & Support staff, Nashville, TN
“Turtle Island was the highlight of my study abroad in the USA last year. You have created such an ideal place. I was really lucky and happy to visit Turtle Island. I still remember how beautiful it is, How I took care of the horses and how delicious the food was! Thank you again for having me.”
-Yohei Tokumori, Japan
From our Volunteers
“Coming to Turtle Island for the volunteer weekend was a challenging and rewarding experience. My partner Jon and I came to camp, work, explore, and eat good food! We were expecting a peaceful place, and I must admit that I was not disappointed. To me, there is peace in hard work and challenges. Working with Eustace and friends to build a stone retaining wall was some of the hardest labor I have done in a while! At the end of the day - we could see results of a wall well built, and I felt so proud! The meal of lasagna was probably the best I have ever had!
What I find so rewarding about the Turtle Island experience is that the learning and observation never ends. Eustace always offers a lesson in horses, or using primitive tools, or just how to live away from the mainstream, busy world that most are used to. I will return as much as I can in the future, because I want to learn more. I also want to live more simply, and I feel that I, too, can achieve this. It was a wonderful weekend. I took a great solo hike and found the calm that I needed by a beautiful mountain stream.”
- Blair, Charlotte, NC
“Thank you all for the incredible time I had at Turtle Island Preserve. I loved learning about the horses and TI in general. My spirit has been renewed.”
- Penny Rife, Maryland
From Educators & Students
“We can't thank you enough for the fantastic experience you provided for our group! Our kids were engaged and stimulated on so many levels - spiritually, physically, intellectually, and environmentally. It exceeded our goals as much as it exceeded the kid's expectations for fun. We're already planning our trip for next year!”
- Ginny Hunneke, Odyssey Community School
“The kids arrived back at school bubbling with joy and pride in their participation in the experience. I know 'camping out' was a first for many of the kids, as well as their parents, but they all were deeply moved and grateful for the opportunity."
- Michelle Reynolds, Asheville, NC
“We can’t thank you enough for the wonderful time we had this week! I wish you could be here now to hear the kids talk about their trip. As educators, we get the greatest satisfaction out of seeing kids learning and seeing the positive results of the process. The skills and lessons you taught them have made a real impact on their lives; that can be seen in all they do and say now… As I said before, we learn by your example. Thank you for setting that example.”
- Ken Morrison, Teacher at Burlington Day School, Burlington, NC
“Our nine day trip to Turtle Island was the most powerful and good experience I have ever seen a group of children share. The staff at Turtle Island Preserve are phenomenal people, willing to take on the challenge each child presents. I am ecstatic about the results of this fabulous program.”
- Smith Coleman, Teacher, Orange County, Virginia
“I miss Turtle Island. I wish I could be there now. If I was there now, I would be hiking up to the medicine wheel in my bare feet.”
-Sarah, 3rd grader, Paideia School, Atlanta, GA
“Our trip to Turtle Island was the highlight of our semester. It was a real eye opener and pulled together everything we had been working on.”
- Joan Woodworth, Professor, Appalachian State University
“I cannot describe the incredibly powerful experience you provided for me at your camp. In every aspect, your camp is more educational, powerful, and meaningful than any camp I have ever been to. I will never forget the experiences I had with the night walk, sleeping in our own tipis, learning to bead necklaces, building emergency shelters and most importantly, the challenge of polar-bearing at 6:30 in the morning in extremely cold water. These activities taught me to challenge myself and to reach my highest potential. I encountered many experiences, which I never thought I would do in my right mind. For example, plunging into the stream in October and going all of the way under was an incredible challenge.
Most importantly, I earned a deeper understanding and reverence for Mother Earth, her plants, animals, and children. I learned to respect and appreciate the Indian cultures and know the Earth. To me, the society in which I live, with its big factories and cities which are like putting the earth on slow-bake, is a greedy and uncivilized culture, where as many people say your society is uncivilized because you do not use modern toilets. They say your society is primitive, but I will speak out against that stereotype and challenge others to believe in my realization.
On my last day, I cried while walking to the bus to leave. Your camp touched my heart, and I want to thank you for that experience.”
— Adrian Moore, 9th grader, Durham Academy
“The Turtle Island Program is powerful in its simplicity, wonderful in its gentleness and as genuine an experience as one could hope to find We choose to begin our outdoor education program with a Turtle Island experience because of its gentle intensity and focus on natural surroundings mirror a way of thought and action we believe every child at Durham Academy should have.”
-Dave Gould, Director of Special Programs, Durham Academy