🌊🚣♀️🌞A group of BCS middle school girls cheered as they conquered the last whitewater section of the Nantahala River before reaching the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) on June 25.
Though many got soaked on the rafting trip, they swapped exciting stories during lunch and laughed with new friends. It was another fun-filled day during their On Track camp, a partnership between Buncombe County Schools and the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office (BCSO). School resource officers (SROs) pick middle schoolers to attend the camp, and they bond with the students through career fairs, community service projects, and outdoor adventures.
“It is a fun and exciting nine-day camp full of leadership development skills that empowers them to make good choices,” explained BCSO Sgt. Will Fisher. “They also learn team building skills. For example, they get to go whitewater rafting at the NOC. They also get to experience the high ropes course, which helped many of them overcome their fear of heights. At the end of the nine-day camp, the students go through a graduation ceremony where their families and friends can enjoy a dinner and congratulate them on their achievements.”
The girls’ camp took students to DuPont State Forest, Sliding Rock, and the Nantahala Outdoor Center last month. Some saw High Falls for the first time, and as they walked through the forest or paddled in a whitewater raft, the girls strengthened their sense of teamwork and their love of nature.