Upcoming Events:
August 9, Summer Star Gazing:* Join us to learn about constellations and planets with astronomer Kevin Boles, of Morgan County Observatory in Berkeley Springs, WV. We will use star charts and an 8" reflector telescope to discover Jupiter & its moons, the Hercules star cluster, the ring nebula, the double star Albireo, the Moon & view the Perseid meteor shower. If you like, bring a telescope or a good pair of binoculars and a reclining lawn chair. Overnight tenting is also available. Venue: Niles Cabin, Friends Wilderness Center, 7:30 PM for dessert; 8:30 for star-gazing. Cost: $5 for dessert/$3 for kids (RSVP required); $10 donation for stargazing, family rates available. Confirm with Sheila Bach at FWC at snbach@earthlink.net or at 304-728-4820. After August 2, contact Lisa Payne by email at lightseeking1@verizon.net or 703-431-3920.
October 11: Poetry in the Trees. During this annual fall poetry gathering, participants will read their own or others’ works, or simply come to listen. Friends Wilderness Poet, Ron Weber, will facilitate. The event will run from 10:00 a.m. until mid-afternoon, as long as folks want to stay. Hiking before or after is optional. Bring a bag lunch. Confirm with Sheila Bach at 304--728-4820.
Past events:
Our annual Open House held May 17th
We thank our premier sponsor, River and Trails Outfitters (www.rivertrail.com), and also Beans in the Belfry in Brunswick, MD (www.beansinthebelfry.com), Four Seasons Books in Shepherdstown, WV (www.fourseasonsbooks.com) and Orion magazine.
Past events at the Center include:
- Gardening with Nature - Hike to Crescent Rock - Nature and Spirit in Poetry
- Night Sky Viewing - Women's Retreat - WV Sierra Club retreat
- a wedding - Hike to Shenandoah River - Night-time Insect Hunt
- Open House - Trail & Cabin Work Day
About Events at the Friends Wilderness Center
All who cherish nature are welcomed at the Center. Please read our Essential Information section in this web site for helpful information before coming out to the Friends Wilderness Center! All events typically are, or initially gather, at Niles Cabin, unless noted. Visitors should check in with Sheila Bach for directions, to confirm event and space availability, and for the latest road conditions if weather seems mischievous. Please try to RSVP with her at least two days in advance of your planned attendance. If a meal is offered with an event and you plan to eat with us, please register with Sheila in advance. For most events we suggest a $10 donation. For events that include a meal, we ask an additional contribution (unless otherwise noted for a particular event) Typical prices: Breakfast $5; Lunch $7; Dinner $10; take $2 off for children 6 years old and under. We usually offer a vegetarian option.
To inquire or register for an event, or to propose one, contact Sheila. A great way to get news of upcoming events is by subscribing to our email updates: you'll get no more than 10 a year. Just click on the Sign Up... feature in the left hand column. Please provide your name and email address; include your snail-mail address if you want to receive the free Footprints newsletter. Privacy: We will not share your subscriber information with anyone outside of the Center.
You can design or hold your own event at Friends Wilderness Center. We have had weddings, board, committee brainstorming sessions, staff getaways, poetry readings, night sky viewings, birding hikes, silent retreats, escapes for authors to write, and more. Inquire about your own event at the Center. We hope to see you here some day!
Below is Niles Cabin on two ponds on a drizzly spring day. Photo by Hannah Siegel©. Updated May 19, 2008.
