Shenandoah University will play host to more than 1,000 hiking enthusiasts from across the country beginning Friday, July 17, through Friday, July 24, for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s 40th Biennial Conference, “Hiking Through History.” This fun, informative, and family-friendly event has something for everyone who loves the great outdoors.
The conference will offer a myriad of hiking opportunities, including themed hikes: history (70), nature (50) and photograph (15). It also features five sunset hikes and 70 unique and carefully selected guided hikes, some of which are offered up to four times, with many taken on the Appalachian Trail (AT).
The hikes take place not only on the AT, but on other beautiful trails in national and state parks and forests in Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia. Several hikes will conclude at a local restaurant or winery, and numerous hikes will include a time to swim. A team of family hiking specialists have also designed 30 hikes which, at five miles or less, are suitable for most families, plus 115 hikes, at nine miles or less, suitable for children aged eight years old or older.
In addition to these hikes, there will be 35 exciting excursions highlighting the beauty, culture, history, and opportunities for adventure that abound in the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding areas. These include trips to Washington, D.C.; Harpers Ferry, West Virginia; Gettysburg National Battlefield Park; Antietam Battlefield; the Appalachian Trail Museum; historic Front Royal, Virginia; the State Arboretum of Virginia; Rapidan Camp; as well as a scenic trail ride along the Potomac River; stargazing at Sky Meadows State Park; visits to local wineries; and trips along the C&O Canal.
“Hiking Through History” is also an opportunity to learn with exciting and informative workshops during the day on Saturday, July 18, through Monday, July 20, and also in the evening on Monday, July 20. There will also be a number of special activities such as classes in basic bicycle maintenance, first aid certification, a two-day wilderness first aid class, field workshops on traditional edged tools and rigging, and even classes on knitting hats and T-shirt design.
And, for the first time at an ATC Biennial Conference, there will be a two-day and four-day slack packing trip on the AT, with overnight stays in Potomac Appalachian Trail Club cabins and hostels. Additionally, each day there will be yoga classes to help participants limber up for the day’s activities or unwind after a long day on the trail.
Every evening, conference attendees will be delighted by stand-up comedy and quality bands performing every style of music from bluegrass and classic rock, to folk, country and pop. These concerts are free to conference attendees but are also open to the public for a $10 per person charge per concert (cash only). Shenandoah University students, staff and faculty can attend the entertainment for free by showing their Shenandoah University I.D. Each evening, conference attendees will also be able to attend informative and inspirational multimedia presentations on a wide range of topics.
In addition, the Appalachian Trail Parks & Outfitters Exhibition begins at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 17, in Shingleton Gymnasium, and runs until noon on Sunday, July 19. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, Mountain Club of Maryland and many other trail clubs will have exhibits, and representatives from local tourism bureaus, state and national parks, local outfitters, and other organizations involved with outdoor recreation will be on hand to provide information, services and products. A special Leave No Trace Youth Activities Center is designed for the children of conference attendees or those who are involved in youth outreach.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is a national not-for-profit corporation that is both a confederation of 31 local organizations assigned to maintain the AT and a membership organization with support from all 50 states and more than 15 other countries.
For more information, to view the conference promotional video, and to register, visit atc2015.org. The entire conference is open to the public; you do not need to be a member of ATC or any other trail/hiking club to attend.