Friends Wilderness Center: Contact Us

To Contact or Visit Us:

We recommend

that anyone intending a visit us contact us at least two days in advance if possible. This gives us enough time to respond to your email or call, get you directions, etc. You can register for most of our events by email. We usually respond to all emails within 48 hours. On rare occasions, some events are cancelled due to inclement weather. Registering ahead then enables us to both know you’re planning to come out and to tell you of possible event changes. If you do decide not to come out for a stay or an event at which you’re expected, please cancel with us in advance.

Directions:

Contact Us for getting directions. Verify directions with the Resident Manager, who knows the best routes! Recently, on-line mapping services have improved the accuracy of their routes to our location. We will be working with the online mapping services to give them additional information.

Here are MapQuest directions to Friends Wilderness Center from Inwood, WV (at Interstate 81); Charles Town, West Virginia; Leesburg, Virginia (near Dulles Airport; Frederick, Maryland; and Rockville, Maryland.

West Virginia State Highway 9 and Virginia State Highway 9 join each other.
From both directions, the turn from State Highway 9 onto Mission Road is well marked.
From this turn, pay careful attention to your car's trip meter or odometer.
Regularly verify your position with the directions.
Note: You will stay on Mission Road as it turns Right at the gates for FLOC and Retreat Center.
Note: After the sharp left turn onto Christ Church Road, you will shortly see the Green Gate at the start of Friends Way.
Note: After turning right onto Friends Way, at a sharp bend in the road you will drive through a usually shallow stream (Krishna Brook).

Directions to the Treehouse begin with directions to Niles Cabin listed above.
After you go through the green gate, go 0.1 mile to the sign post.
Bear to the left, going towards Treehouse and Yurt.
You are now on Friends Trail which is blaze marked by blue plastic diamonds.
About a mile later, a small parking area is on the left. On the back left of this parking area starts a trail blaze marked with blue plastic ribbons.
This leads you up to the Yurt, Treehouse, and Fire Circle.
Extra parking is in Hunters Field meadow at Wedding Walk on your left shortly after the start of Friends Trail.

Note: Past the Fire Circle about a mile up the hill along Friends Way are the springs which are the headwaters of Krishna Brook. A short walk from the trail is a bench for rewarding, relaxing view.
A further walk from the springs the Perimeter Trail crosses Friends Trail. Going left the trail leads you to the Ridge to River Trail uphill from Grand Blvd. Then walk along Grand Blvd crossing Krishna Brook to rejoin Friends Way. Congratulations on completing this Loop Trail!

Cell phones

are not reliable out here so do not depend on being able to call. When its possible to get a tower, Sprint and AT&T get ok reception; Verizon's reception is poor to nil. Often, a text message will get through when a voice call will not. There is a land line phone in Niles Cabin.

We hope

these tips are helpful and we welcome any questions, ideas, or feedback you may have! Comments can also be sent to Paul Slattery, Board Clerk, at pdslattery@gmail.com. Have a nurturing, fulfilling, safe, enjoyable experience! Questions? Call Sheila Bach, Resident Manager at 304-728-4820 or email her at center@friendswilderness.org

How Do We Keep It So Affordable?

We have no endowment that underwrites our programs or offerings. We rely on memberships, donations, special gifts, visitor fees, sponsorships, and events income to meet our operating expenses. Your support is most welcome by donating financially and by volunteering skills and time. Contact Us if you are interested in making a special contribution, such as, a legacy gift, a donation to honor someone, or for some other special purpose.