THE MOUNTAIN TRAIL OUTDOOR SCHOOL

MAKING A DISCOVERY

Making a discovery

The Mountain Trail Outdoor School (MTOS) is sponsored by Kanuga Conferences, Inc. MTOS is a residential environmental and outdoor education program, working with groups of 10 to 135 from schools, churches, nonprofit organizations and businesses. Our curriculum for schools covers third grade through ninth grade, but can be easily modified for older students. Classes take place with participants in small field groups of 12-14 students each. Programs range from two to five days and include meals and lodging. Currently weekday and weekend programs take place fall through spring.

Here's what students, teachers and parents are saying about MTOS.

Curriculum

A CLASS LEARNS IN AN OUTDOOR CLASSROOM

A class learns in an outdoor classroom

The MTOS curriculum combines natural science study, community building activities and adventure based activities. To increase effectiveness, we do not offer a standard program, rather we work with you (teacher/administrator/parent) to meet your goals and expectations. Thus we hope to be a part of your program, complementing the classroom.

Our instruction can meet your objectives in science, social studies, language arts, physical education and even mathematics. Review our Program and Planning Guide.PDF For more details about the classes, click here.

Our 1,400 Acre Mountain Campus

Located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, our classroom is 1,400 acres of peaks, valleys, coves, streams and lakes with over 10 miles of hiking trails.

Southern Appalachia is a unique ecosystem. Its distinct but varying climate and geology allow many types of forests to flourish here. These mountains are very diverse, containing the greatest number of tree species in North America.

Facilities include a Project Adventure low and high ropes course, several rock outcroppings for rock climbing, an indoor climbing wall, a 50-foot climbing tower and many athletic fields. If needed, an indoor gymnasium, dozens of classrooms and many covered activity pavilions are available. Lodging is comfortable and the food service is managed by Sodexho.

Mission Statement

The Mountain Trail Outdoor School offers programs which provide youth and adults the chance to experience positive community, grow physically and mentally, improve self-confidence and increase awareness and stewardship of our natural environment. The MTOS uses environmental and outdoor/adventure education to teach and inspire youth and adults to care for the environment around them, both the natural and human resources.

Instructors/Supervision

Courses take place outside and are activity oriented. Instructors are college graduates or interns experienced in working with youth outdoors. In addition to extensive training, many instructors have been classroom teachers and camp counselors. Free time and cabin time are supervised by the teachers and chaperones accompanying your group (one adult comes free for every 10 students). Along with our instructors, teachers or adults from your school also will be with each field group. Outdoor activities have inherent risk, so all activities are carefully planned and staff-supervised for safety.

Read about our curriculum.