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Our Program
CORE empowers youth through hands-on outdoor education, adventure, and service. Students progress through age-based groups and graduate upon high school completion, gaining advanced outdoor skills, building strong community bonds, and developing lifelong passions for adventure and environmental stewardship. Through weekly meetings, weekend trips, and summer wilderness expeditions, CORE nurtures future leaders, skilled outdoor enthusiasts, and dedicated environmental advocates who will positively impact their communities for years to come.
Weekend Adventures
With one to three weekend adventures each month from September through May, students have regular opportunities to explore, challenge themselves, and thrive in nature. CORE students—often joined by enthusiastic parents—venture across Western North Carolina for hands-on outdoor experiences such as:
rock climbing, bouldering, caving, canoeing, backpacking, camping, hiking, and more.
These adventures foster confidence, resilience, and connection, giving students meaningful opportunities to grow through exploration and shared challenge.
Weekly Meetings
Each week, CORE students gather for structured meetings with discussions, team-building, and hands-on lessons in outdoor skills, community service, and environmental education. Lessons include: Climbing, Rappelling, Prusiking, & belaying, identifying local fonta and flora, wilderness First Aid, Rigging tarps, wild crafting, cooking with a camp stoves, Leave No Trace principles, Mastering knots, leardership skill, & beyond!
Weekly meetings help students build friendships, skills, and a sense of stewardship, preparing them for exciting weekend trips.
Wilderness Expeditions
CORE students connect deeply with nature through extended wilderness adventures. Each year the teen group, the “Amphibians,” take a five-day spring break backpacking trip and a 10 to 20 day summer expedition, including backpacking in California’s Sierra Nevada, canoeing in Northern Canada, or rock climbing in Wyoming and Idaho. Our middle groups, the “Frogs and Salamanders,” join the 5 day spring break trip and go on a six-day local summer expedition.
These experiences build resilience, confidence, teamwork, and leadership, giving students the skills and courage to thrive both outdoors and in everyday life.
Community Service Projects
CORE service outings help students develop empathy, broaden perspectives, and understand their community’s social and environmental challenges. Activities include food packaging, trail maintenance, and recycling projects. By participating, students learn the impact of their actions, build responsibility, and contribute to their community—whether during a weekend trip or a weekly meeting.
"The CORE Pond" Youth Group Meeting Schedule
Newts
Boys ages 7 to 9
Thursday 4:30 to 5:45
Salamanders
Boys ages 10 to 12
Thursday 4:30 to 6:00
Tadpoles
Girls ages 7 to 9
Wednesday 4:30 to 5:45
Frogs
Girls ages 10 to 12
Wednesday 6:00 to 7:30
CORE facilitates five youth groups that meet weekly rotating between New Dimensions Charter School, Bigfoot Climbing Gym, and various “Special Meeting” spots.
Amphibians
Co-ed ages 13 to 18
Thursday 6:00 to 7:30
Tuition
Tuition is $150 for Tadpoles, Newts, and Siblings, and $180 for Frogs, Salamanders, and Amphibians from September to May. Each month's tuition grants access to a variety of valuable experiences and resources, including:
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Four educational meetings centered around environmental education, community service, or technical recreation skills.
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One to three thoughtfully organized weekend adventures.
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Transportation Support
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Equipment Lending
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Comprehensive program-wide insurance.
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Expert instruction and guidance from certified instructors.
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A sense of community and opportunities for interpersonal growth.
CORE is committed to making the program accessible and affordable for all families. Scholarships are available for students. For more information on our scholarship program, please reach out!
Want to Enroll a Student?
We invite anyone interested in CORE to contact us directly via email. Prospective families are encouraged to attend a weekly meeting to determine if CORE is the right fit before committing to join. New students can enroll at anytime! Spots fill up fast, so please reach out to secure a place in a group or on the waitlist.
MorgantonCORE@gmail.com
