Below is a list of our past 2019 excursions. We are working on our list for 2020 so check back later in the year. We do ask that you sign up prior to coming (by clicking below) so that we have ample enough time to find everyone a ride to the excursions. As always, if you can help offer rides, let us know.
Off-Campus
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SATURDAY
• Carl Sandburg Home, Jump Off Rock & St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church, listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, offers a unique perspective on prominent families in Southern and national history. Cost: Free to hike; $6 for tour of home; (Handicap Accessible, bring a quarter $0.25) CLICK TO SIGN UP Host: Susanne Hawkins • River Tubing down Green River (Seluda), Cost: $10 Host: Tangie Craft, Morgan Eigemann, Sandy Wright • Grandad's Apples N' Such Country Store & Bakery (Handicap Accessible, Free with exception of what you may spend). Select pre-picked fresh apples right off the tree from our assorted bins inside the store or the opportunity to pick your own from the orchard is available! More than 20 different varieties of apples that can be purchased pre-picked! You may mix and match your varieties. Apple Varieties / Ripening Schedule Inside the barn you will now find the bakery with plenty of new apple goodies! Try the apple cider doughnuts or have some ice cream! You can find delicious apple pies, carmel apples, fresh cider (made here) and cider slushies! Bakery Menu: CLICK TO SIGN UP Host: Missy Honeycutt • Apple Festival: Cost: Free, CLICK TO SIGN UP Host: Elyce Bender and Kris Stroud • 7-Mile Calm-Water Kayaking on the French Broad River (Third oldest river in the world); Asheville Outdoor Center, 521 Amboy Road, Asheville, NC *Reservations required prior to retreat; (Space is limited to 24 on the river. Once the kayaks are filled reservation is closed.) Bring your AOC Release Form, a backpack, waterproof or extra shoes, extra clothes, towel, water & money for dinner! YOU WILL NOT be able to sign up at the conference!! *YOU MUST CALL 800-849-1970 ASAP to secure your reservation & tell them: Saturday Singles Labor Day Retreat 1:00 trip, number of participants/age, & kayak. Filling out the excursion survey does NOT guarantee your reservation. Please ask about physical & weight restrictions. Prices: Adults, $43; (Military must show ID, $33.00); Prices include parking, shuttle, PFD, Equipment and river access fees at the center. *Mastercard, Visa, Discover, American Express and Apple Pay are accepted *Reservations are ONLY guaranteed with a credit card confirmation by an AOC staff member. All reservations require a form of payment to hold on file prior to the trip. *Cancelation Policy: We require a 24-hour notice of cancellation for any reason outside of weather in order to provide a 100% refund for your reservation. If someone makes a reservation and no shows, we will charge your card for the cost of the trip. In situations where weather becomes an issue, we accept cancellations up to the time of the trip and will refund 100%. As with other trips, if we do not hear from you or you do not show up as scheduled, you will be charged for the trip. Print & bring the form below to expedite your trip before check in. All participants must sign a release form. Please call if you cannot open this file, they can fax it, e-mail it. https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/bcd356_09da27e4408b427b97964afa934ecb39.pdf Hosts: John Popp & Amy Avery |
SUNDAY
• Cradle Forest Outdoor Center: (Handicap Accessible) Nestled in The Pisgah National Forest The Cradle of Forestry offers a snap shot of life at America's first school of Forestry along the Biltmore Campus Trail. Explore the interactive exhibits in The Forest Discovery Center then walk the 1.0-mile Biltmore Trail (Handicap Assessable-paved, benches along the trail) through the Biltmore Forest School’s rustic campus. A one-room schoolhouse, general store, cabins, blacksmith shop, and a garden provide opportunities to discuss life in the early 1900’s and forest resources. Glimpse the lives of the first American forestry students and the families who lived here. Cost: $6.00 Bring: walking shoes, water bottle, snack bar & gift shop will be open Hosts: Jamie Ferry and Lily Jenkins • Apple Festival: Cost: Free, CLICK TO SIGN UP Host: Dennis Cook and Cindy Burgess • Chimney Rock Village & Lake Lure Flowering Bridge: This excursion includes the quant Chimney Rock Village located in the center of Hickory Nut Gorge & positioned right along the Rocky Broad River. Next, a short drive to Lake Lure to visit the handicap assessable Flowering Bridge that has been designated as a “living 3D mural”, a National Wildlife Habitat and a Monarch Waystation. The gardens offer a Sensory Trail for the visually impaired, including a mobile phone audio tour. The marina, lake & the famous Lake Lure Inn are in walking distance. Bring: camera, walking shoes, money for incidentals & dinner. Host: Elaine Anderson • Hiking Pisgah National Forest: Looking Glass Falls is roadside with steps that lead down to the 60-foot waterfall. Moore Cove Falls is a hike with some incline crossing multiple streams/bridges to a 50-foot waterfall with access to the cave behind the falls. Bring: water/snack, backpack, waterproof or extra hiking shoes, a towel & money for dinner! Hosts: Davey Tucker & John Popp For more ideas including some things you can do on your own such as the Biltmore House and/or Grove Park Inn in Asheville, Once you arrive at the retreat, you will get a brochure and map of area attractions. http://www.bonclarken.org/nearbyattractions.html http://www.hendersonville.com/attractions/ I had the greatest time water tubing down the green river. I never laughed so much in my life. I also enjoyed going to the Apple Festival in Hendersonville. I heard some great music, ate some amazing food, did some shopping and of course ate some apples. I look forward to this retreat each year. |
On-Campus
You know sometimes the best excursions are simple. I went with a bunch of new and old friends hiking. I loved walking in the mountains and seeing God's beautiful creation. I also got a bit wet under the waterfall but hey, I am on vacation. |
Outdoor Pool: The pool is a central hub of activity during the summer. Guests of all ages enjoy the opportunity to swim and relax. Pool Saturday 1-5:00pm and Sunday, 2-5:00pm.
Hammocking: You are welcome to bring your hammock and hang it up at various locations through the campus. Bonclarken Lake: Enjoy kayaking, canoeing, paddle boating, a tranquil afternoon of fishing, walking around the half-mile trail, and a quiet picnic at the lakeside gazebo. Lake open on Saturday 1-5:00pm and Sunday 2-5:00pm. No outside water craft allowed. If you want to fish, you must bring your own equipment, catch and release, no license required. Athletic Fields/Courts: Available year-round on a first-come, first-served basis: The athletic fields provide ample space for all kinds of outdoor activities and field games including volleyball, soccer, and tennis. Disc Golf Course: Bonclarken’s 18-hole disc golf course travels through wooded areas, open fields, and across streams. As a great, low impact activity, the course is very popular with all ages. Birding: Bonclarken offers a variety of habitats including creeks, meadows, marshland, and wooded areas to observe birds and other wildlife. Click here for area birding information Gift Shop: A visit to the Bonclarken Gift Shop is a special trip indeed! Souvenirs and Bonclarken apparel items are available, as well as unique handmade items and gifts donated to Bonclarken by Women Ministries groups from Associate Reformed Presbyterian churches. Hours are posted in the office and vary from season to season. Hours: 11am-3pm, Saturday only. |
Near-by Attractions: http://www.hendersonville.com/attractions/
I'm grateful for Kris and the Singles Network Ministries for providing a way for single adults to be able to get together through different events throughout the year both here in the U.S and abroad. These events provide a way to meet other Christian singles, make new friends, and to serve each other through prayer and fellowship. I look forward each year to the Singles Labor Day retreat in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. I'm also grateful that Kris continues to follow God's calling for her and I know that this ministry will continue to grow and prosper. Looking forward to this year's labor day retreat!
—Cricket, Raleigh, NC