The most unique aspect of Camp Elk Shoals is the pristine environment that exists at this campground on the banks of the South Fork of the New River (which happens to be the second oldest river in the world)! Having a good time at our camp usually means doing something river related....be it swimming, fishing, tubing, kayaking, canoeing, or relaxing on our beautiful beach.
Many of the activites you can do in the river are free...but some require equipment (that you can either bring with you, or rent from an outside vendor). Obviously wading and swimming are free, as is fishing (but make sure you have a fishing permit....unless you are fishing with a bobble and worm) ...and there is no charge for utilizing our beautiful beach area. However, if you want to go tubing or canoeing, then you either need to bring these with you, or go to an outside vendor such as New River Outfitters (in West Jefferson) or Zaloos Canoes (which is right down NC 16 from us), or River Girl Fishing Co. (in Todd, NC). |
Enjoying yourself on our 350 acre campus is very simple. The first choice you need to make is whether you want to be by yourself or not. If that is your desire, then hiking (either along the river, or up some of our many trails) comes to mind.
We have a flat trail that follows the river for out 1/2 mile (just upriver from the camp-sites). You can view the beautiful wild flowers while walking on the edge of our pristine forest. This trail serves 3 purposes: to get to our two Primitive Cmp Sites, to allow you (and anyone else) to walk along the river, and also to connect you with a couple of our trails that lead up into our forest (and come out at the top of the mountain). Enjoying our beach requires merely a towel or folding chair (to be on)....and possibly a good book to read. |
If you are with a group of people, then you can still hike (just described), or there are several "team" oriented activities you can participate in. Besides the 2 "well known" games of volleyball and kickball (played on our recreational field), you can play basketball (on the court adjacent to the Stafford Lodge). If you want to do something different, you can utilize our low elements course (but this requres making reservations ahead of time....so we can have a supervisor with you).
There now are 8 of these elements (some being fairly "simple" to "master"...and some being VERY CHALLENGING (both strangth-wise, and mentally)! They are... * the islands * the balance beams * the nitro crossing * the spider web * the see-saw * the marriage walk *the wall * the trust fall Click here ( * ) to make reservations for a supervisor. |
Using these require prior reservations so that an Elk Shoals Supervisor can be with the participants.
And....lest we not forget....just being around friends and/or family is fun in itself. Whether you are enjoying a bon-fire (weather permitting), or eating together (either inside or outisde), or camping (or "sleeping" out in the woods in one of our Adirondacks)...the fellowship enjoyed at Camp Elk Shoals creates a lot of life-long memories. And, for some reason, eating in the mountains (either what you just cooked...or enjoying some of the delicious meals prepared (with advance notice) by the Camp is just a lot more fun when you are accompanied by others! |
There are PLENTY of local attractions near Camp Elk Shoals to keep you VERY occupied (and the most magnificent of these....the beautifully scenery...is absolutley free of charge)! (One of the best ways to view this is to get on the Blue Ridge Parkway or go to the Mount Jefferson state park ...which is just outisde of downtown West Jefferson...and both of which are free of charge)! For more information, click here ( * ). |
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