ARTS & HISTORY TRACK I [Included]: Chattooga River Historical Stroll.
***SOLD OUT*** We will visit various archeological and historic sites along the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River, including Old Chattooga Cherokee Indian Town and both the Russell and Nicholson farmstead properties with local expert Joe Gatins. At each stop we will explore both on and off the trail and learn about the evolution of the properties from Native American times through the present. We will see parts of the Chattooga River and may even have a chance to go swimming! This is mostly flat terrain, with max of 3.5 miles of hiking, and a little car shuttling. Limit 15 people. Drive time from camp: 40 minutes. NOTE: This activity has been cancelled.
VINES & WINES TRACK [Included]: Winery Tour, Gourmet Lunch, and Vist Brasstown Bald. On this tour, we'll visit three family-owned local vineyards near camp. We'll start out day at Tiger Mountain Winery, where we'll sample up to nine of their award-winning wines. Then we will head to Persimmon Creek Vineyard for a gourmet lunch outdoors by a picturesque creek in the vineyards (Lunch will include Dates stuffed with Goat Cheese; Riesling Onion Soup (using vegetable broth) with Herbed Croutons, Rolls; veggie quiche of the day; fresh fruit, and Cookies). After lunch, a tour and tasting of their five local wines, we'll head to Crane Creek Vineyard for a tasting of their numerous wines sold under three different labels. On our return, we will drive up to Brasstown Bald -- the highest spot in GA for some amazing views and air conditioned interpretive center! Cost: $35 (includes tastings, gourmet lunch, admission to Brasstown Bald and transportation). Limit 15 people. Distance from Camp: 60 min. at furthest point of tour.
GORGEOUS GORGES TRACK I [Included]: Tallulah Gorge, Rabun Beach, and Angel/ Panther/ Minnehaha Falls.
BOAT & FLOAT TRACK I [Pre-Paid Add-On]: Run the Nantahala River in Duckies
BOAT & FLOAT TRACK II [Pre-Paid Add-On]: Flatwater paddle on Lake Tugalo in Kayaks
ADVENTURE TRACK I [Pre-Paid Add-On]: Rappelling This is the first time rappelling has been offered at the Mosaic International event. We will be going into scenic Nantahala National Forest outside of Highlands, NC, to meet our instructor, David Lindsay of Mountain Down, who has been teaching rappelling for 20 years to people from ages 5 to 80. Unlike rock climbing, rappelling is descending on a rope off of a hill. As David says, our minds tell us we're not supposed to be doing this, but getting over your fear of heights and enjoying the sensation of falling is one of the great challenges of this "mind game" sport. David will teach you the basic skills you need to know, give an overview of the equipment and technical aspects, all with safety in mind. You'll start off practicing on flat ground, move to a small slope and, when you're ready, work your way up to a 70-foot drop as you master the basic skill of bounding side-to-side down the hill. Cost: $68 (includes gear, instruction, and transportation). Must have at least 6 people to run this trip. Limit 12 people. Distance from Camp: 90 min.
MODERATE HIKE TRACK I [Included]: Hike to Becky Branch Falls and Martins Creek Falls on the Bartram Trail. Our easy-to-moderate 4-mile hike starts at Warwoman Dell, possibly named for Cherokee women who were allowed to fight in wars. From here we'll walk past an old fish hatchery, built in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps to access the Bartram Trail and ascend along Becky Branch. We'll enter the Warwoman Wildlife Management Area, climbing sharply along Becky Branch. Soon we'll reach Becky Branch Falls. This cascade makes an impressive drop, fed by the waters flowing off Raven Knob and Pinnacle Knob. Continuing on the trail for another 1.8 harder miles we will reach Martin Creek Falls, where we'll find an elaborate wooden deck to observe these beautiful falls -- a two-tiered cascade framed in rhododendron. The upper tier has a rocky fall and slide cascade, while the lower tier includes a delicate veil drop on the right and a curtain type drop on the left. We'll stay here for awhile and enjoy lunch by the falls. From here, we'll head back to complete the 4-mile hike but we'll stop along the way to refresh in Becky Branch creek. Elevation gain 360'. Limit 15 people. Distance from Camp: 45 min.
MODERATE HIKE TRACK II [Included]: Hike the Raven Cliffs Trail. Raven Cliffs Trail is a 5-mile out and back hike along Dodd Creek to the cliffs where the creek plunges through a narrow crack in the cliff. The trail is mostly easy walking through beautiful rhododendron and hemlock forests following the creek by numerous small waterfalls. The trail is a great trail for beginners since it does not contain any large inclines. The cliffs themselves rise 100 feet from the valley floor. A 40 foot waterspout shoots out from a cleft halfway through the cliff. Elevation gain 856'. Limit 15 people. Drive time from camp: 60 min. NOTE: This is a repeat of the Friday hike.
MODERATE HIKE TRACK III [Included]: Three Hikes in One - Pickens Nose, Albert Mountain and Big Laurel Falls ***SOLD OUT*** For those who want to see dramatic views, hike a short section of the Appalachian Trail and then cool off in a plunge-pool waterfall, this is your day. The first short hike to Pickens Nose will feature rock-slab overlooks and rock outcroppings like you've never seen before. From Mooney Gap, hike the AT for 1.8 miles to the Albert Mountain fire tower for outstanding 360° views. The last .3 mile before the summit is one of the steepest and most interesting rock scrambles in the Southern AT (there's a bypass option). For the last destination, the short, easy hike to Big Laurel Falls will allow some cooling off and waterfall enjoyment. Bring your camera! Total hiking distance for the day - 6.2 miles. Elevation gain 960'. Limit 15 people. Drive time from camp: 80 min. NOTE: This activity is now SOLD OUT and you can no longer register for it.
STRENUOUS HIKE TRACK I [Included]: James E. Edmonds Backcountry Hike. Come hike this 7.2 mile strenuous loop in Black Rock Mountain State Park to a scenic lunch spot on Lookoff Mountain overlooking the Little Tennessee Valley. The hike descends through a hardwood forest for the first mile or so before hooking up with the lively, sliding Taylor Creek at mile 2. Lots of colorful fungi abound in these moist woods. The path then climbs to Scruggs Knob and eventually to a rock slab outcropping on Lookoff Mountain -- a great lunch spot overlooking the Little Tennessee Valley below. The return path crosses Taylor Creek and Greasy Creek, and passes a small cascade at mile 6.1. The last 0.7 miles back up to the parking lot is the hike's toughest climb. Elevation gain 1300'. Limit 12 people. Distance from Camp: 30 min.
STRENUOUS HIKE TRACK II [Included]: Hike to Pinnacle on the Bartram Trail. This 7.5-mile hike follows the same path as the Becky Branch/Martin Creek hike above for the first two miles, but then climbs sharply up to Pinnacle Knob. We'll have lunch at Pinnacle while enjoying the views. The climb before the top is very steep, climbing 600' in 1/2 mile. On the way back down we'll stop at Martin Creek Falls, where we'll find an elaborate wooden deck to observe these beautiful falls -- a two-tiered cascade framed in rhododendron. The upper tier has a rocky fall and slide cascade, while the lower tier includes a delicate veil drop on the right and a curtain type drop on the left. We'll also visit Becky Branch Falls, and stop to play in the creek. Elevation gain 1440'. Limit 12 people. Distance from Camp: 45 min.
EASY HIKE TRACK I [Included]: Easy Hike and Waterfalls at Hemlock Falls. ***SOLD OUT*** Easy flat trail that follows rushing Moccasin Creek to a swimming hole under beautiful Hemlock Falls. The Hemlock Falls trail goes through a typical hardwood forest, with Moccasin Creek in sight most of the way. We will hike in a mile and relax, swim, and play in the water before heading back to camp. Optional visit to Lake Burton Fish Hatchery. Elevation change minimal. Limit 15 people. Drive time from camp: 30 minutes. NOTE: This is a repeat of the Friday afternoon activity of the same name. NOTE: This activity is now SOLD OUT and you can no longer register for it.
EASY HIKE TRACK II [Included]: 1.8-mi Nature/Photography Hike in Coleman River Scenic area. Highly scenic trail along Coleman River. The Coleman, a beautiful mountain stream, is bordered by room-sized boulders and wide enough to let the sun in. This hike follows the Coleman river to a series of cascades. Expect to see maidenhair fern, Indian cucumber-root, Vasey's trilium and showy orchis, as well as old growth hemlocks, Eastern white pines, sweet birch, rhododendron, and more. Plenty of places to dip, get your feet wet, and cool off along the way. Bring your cameras.... Elevation change minimal. Limit 15 people. Drive time from camp: 25 minutes. NOTE: This is a repeat of the Friday morning hike of the same name.
CAMP ACTIVITIES TRACK I [Included]: Odyssey Challenge Course. ***Cancelled*** It's not High Ropes. It's not Low Ropes. It's something completely different altogether! After some on-ground training, you'll embark in two groups of eight by climbing an inclined cargo net into the lower level, first treehouse. At each treehouse you'll navigate through either lower level or upper level linear challenges, finally disembarking from the course, thoroughly energized, via Zipline. Limit 16 people. NOTE: This activity has been Cancelled and you can no longer register for it.
CAMP ACTIVITIES TRACK II [Included]: Firebuilding Skills. Join Maryland Mosaic member, Scout Leader, and First-Aid instructor extraordinaire, Roger Marks, as he teaches us the basics of fire building. From starting a fire using a bow drill, hand drill, and flint and steel to building campfires and bonfires specific to the purpose at hand (boiling water, creating even heat for cooking, etc.), you will learn it all -- and get a chance to practice the skills you have learned. Limit 20 people
CAMP ACTIVITIES TRACK III [Included]: Boating/ Swimming in Camp. The waterfront at the lake will be open this morning for boating around the lake, swimming, sunning on the dock, and jumping on "the blob!" Unlimited.
CAMP ACTIVITIES TRACK IV [Included]: Sports and Fitness at Camp. There are gorgeous tennis courts, basketball courts, and other sporting fields available and open for your use. There's also a state-of-the-art air-conditioned fitness facility! Grab a partner, get a group together, hit some balls, shoot some hoops, or just work out on your own... then go cool off in the lake.... Unlimited.
ARTS & HISTORY TRACK II [Included]: Visit the Folk Pottery Museum. The Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia showcases the handcraft skills of one of the Souths premier grassroots art forms, and explores the historical importance and changing role of folk pottery in southern life. This weekend will be the one-year anniversary of this remarkable place. The museum is part of the Sautee-Nacoochee Center, which also houses a history museum and artist galleries, with plans to build a Heritage site and nature trail. We'll explore this complex. Limit 15 people. Drive time from camp: 40 minutes.
ADVENTURE TRACK II [Pre-Paid Add-On]: Segway Tour along Little Tennessee River. Looking for a different way to experience the outdoors? Join us as we glide along the Little Tennessee River Greenway and enjoy the beauty of the mountains, river, flora and fauna atop a Segway XT. Sightings of pileated woodpeckers, wild turkey and river otters are not uncommon. On this three hour tour, you will experience the Segway's capability in varied terrains. We will travel over paved pathways, gravel walkways, and shaded forest trails to visit various sights and paths along the river. Glide effortlessly up hills and gradually experience faster speeds as all riders will be given the opportunity to key up to the red key for a faster glide. Cost: $55 (includes Segway rental, safety gear, and instruction.) Limit 6 people. Drive time from camp: 60 minutes.
EASY HIKE TRACK I [Included]: Photography Hike to Waterfalls in Camp. The trailhead for one waterfall is across the street from camp! We'll hike in 15 minutes or so to the waterfall and see what we see along the way. Bring your camera. There is also another waterfall on camp property that we'll visit, and if there is still time, we'll explore other spots around camp and take photos as we go. Elevation change minimal. Limit 20 people.