Our 3rd Annual Washington II Washington trip is centered around a hike to the top of Seneca Rocks in the mountains of Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia. The forest itself has an interesting history– it wasn’t always filled with natural life thriving all around. At the turn of the century, the surrounding area had been severely overused due to expanding railroad lines and irresponsible logging around the area. This left the forest — and the now-popular Dolly Sods wilderness area — pretty barren. Luckily, the forest was designated as a National Forest in 1915; since then, the area has slowly transformed back into the beautiful, lush place it had been. The Monongahela National Forest is home to quite a few critters — black bear, wild turkey, deer, beaver, bobcat, fox, coyotes, weasels, and more. Hopefully we’ll see most of these (some, hopefully, at a very safe distance!); plus, we’ll give a special prize to the hiker who can spot one of the endangered species that call the forest home. Bonus points if it’s a flying squirrel!

Along the way, these kids will see animals they didn’t know existed, swim in fresh, crisp lake-water rather than the local pool, make their own S’mores as we all tell ghost stories around a campfire they’ve just learned to make, learn camping and wilderness skills, and, best of all, explore the Great Outdoors!

Want to help us to make it happen? Visit our fundraising page at IndieGoGo!

Here’s a look at our 2012 itinerary:

Tuesday, July 30

  • 6:00 – 9:00 pm — Pre-trip Bar-B-Q in D.C.

Wednesday, August 1

  • Leave D.C. around 10:00 a.m., driving in vans toward the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia.
  • Arrive late afternoon at Seneca Shadows Campground.
  • Evening Activity — Games, Campfire, and more.

Thursday, August 2

  • Morning Activity — Art Projects
  • Afternoon visit to a farm to play with goats, sheep, cows and chickens!
  • Evening Activity — Games, Lessons in Hiking Basics, and more.

Friday, August 3

  • Day hike to waterfalls and swimming hole.

Saturday, August 4

  • Hike to the top of Seneca Rocks!
  • Hang out, take pictures at the summit, and enjoy the view.
  • Closing Ceremony around the campfire, and present Hiker Awards.

Sunday, August 5

  • Drive back to Washington, D.C., with a couple of group stops along the way.

Help this trip become an ongoing reality! Even $1, $5, or $10 makes a difference.