PISGAH FOREST, NC (October 1, 2018) — The Cradle of Forestry in America invites the public to explore a re-created campsite of the early 1900’s during its “Camping in the Old Style” event, Saturday, October 13. A classic camping interpretive team known as the Acorn Patrol demonstrate the low-tech/high-skill approach as practiced in the outdoors during what some historians consider the Golden Age of Camping.
During this time in history, the Pisgah National Forest was in its infancy. City folk were discovering the joys of outdoor recreation. It was a time when camping meant sleeping under canvas and cooking over an open fire. Here in the wood smoke, surrounded by the outdoor gear of a by-gone day, the traditional skills of camping will be practiced in the Cradle of Forestry’s scenic setting in the corral along the Biltmore Campus Trail.
Along the Biltmore Campus Trail (paved 1-mile loop trail) visitors can see fires ignited by flint, steel and friction, old-style campfire cookery, four different styles of period shelters, and traditional camp tools in use. Each camper has expertise in various aspects of woodcraft, history, nature study, and welcomes interacting with visitors and questions from 9am to 5pm.
This event will also incorporate the annual Horace Kephart Days Celebration, where visitors can gather at 10:00 for opening remarks by Libby Kephart Hargrave and Tom Ray. “Camping in the Old Style” is inspired by Horace Kephart, author of Camping and Woodcraft, originally published in 1906. Kephart’s approach to enjoying the outdoors holds lessons for today’s modern campers.
Presentations will also include:
- 10:15 “Kep’s Desk” Tom Ray will give a presentation and demonstration of his replica of Kep’s desk.
- 11:30-12:15 Tom Johnson, “Appalachian Trail in the South.” Tom will speak about Horace Kephart, Paul Fink, Verne Rhoades, Arthur Perkins and others who worked tirelessly to establish the Appalachian Trail in the South.
- 2:00 – 3:30 Showing documentary film, “Horace Kephart – His Life and Legacy,” directed by Libby Kephart Hargrave. Special guest appearances in film by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan.
- Following the film there will be a meet and greet and opportunity to purchase a signed DVD.
Admission to the Cradle of Forestry is $6.00 regular admission and $3.00 for youth ages 4-12 and America the Beautiful and Golden Age pass holders. Admission is free for children under 4 and Friends of the Cradle Annual Pass holders. Admission includes the film, First in Forestry: Carl Alwin Schenck and the Biltmore Forest School, the Forest Discovery Center with 15 hands-on exhibits, scavenger hunts, the Adventure Zone, and historic cabins and antique equipment on two paved interpretive trails. Food is available for purchase at The Cafe at the Cradle, from 11am-3pm.
The Cradle is located in the Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, on US Highway 276, 6 miles north of Looking Glass Falls and 4 miles south of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Call 828-877-3130 or visit www.cradleofforestry.com for information about the Cradle of Forestry in America.