Highland Days
Spend some time at Highland this spring, with scheduled events on three special Saturdays! Enjoy an onsite open house, volunteer opportunities, and activities for all ages on April 30, May 7, and May 14, 2022.
Highland Days activities will include:
Volunteer service projects
Help prepare Highland for a summer of serving campers and guests by checking a project off of our to-do list! Each Saturday during Highland Days, we'll have a major area of focus (listed below) for projects that families and individuals can work on, as well as some additional projects that may require a more specialized skillset. If you have special skills in electrical work, carpentry, or similar, please note that when you sign up so we can put your skills to good use!
Anyone who participates in a morning (9am-12 noon) and/or an afternoon (1pm-4pm) of volunteering will be treated to a free lunch at Sassafras Pavilion.
April 30 - Cleaning the Tabernacle area: Spring clean the Tab and BBQ pit, process firewood, mulch playgrounds, etc., as skills and group size allow
May 7 - Upper Highland projects: Prepare flowerbeds by Red Oak Lodge and Mountain View Retreat Center, rebuild campsites, mulch playgrounds, etc., as skills and group size allow
May 14 - Preparing the lower grounds area: Process firewood, clean up grounds and cabin areas, tidy the tree line area by 259, etc., as skills and group size allow
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Birdwatching walks
Join experienced local birders for a birdwatching walk around Highland. This is the peak migration season, so there should be plenty of birds to see and hear. Each walk will begin at approximately 8am, with participants gathering at the Tabernacle.
Bring binoculars if you have them!
Please sign up in advance so we can plan for your participation.
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Lunch at Sassafras Pavilion
While you're here for Highland Days activities, we will offer a simple, delicious lunch for you to enjoy. On each Saturday during Highland Days, the noon meal will be served from the summer kitchen, with seating available in Sassafras Pavilion or the surrounding area.
The menu for these lunches includes your choice of sandwich (turkey/bacon/avocado club, homemade apple-pecan chicken salad, or homemade chickpea salad) plus fresh fruit, chips, a cookie, and a beverage. You'll be asked to make your sandwich selection when you sign up.
Lunches will be prepared and packaged ahead of time, so that you may pick up your meal and eat when and where you like. Lunches for those participating in the birdwatching walks will be ready for pickup by 11am, so birders can eat as soon as their walk is over. All other lunches will be ready for pickup between 12 noon and 1pm.
Anyone who participates in a morning and/or an afternoon of volunteering will get their lunch for free! Otherwise, lunch pricing is $10 for adults and $6 for children under 12.
Please sign up in advance so we can prepare your food in advance.
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Tours of the summer camp area
If you've never been to Highland before, or have a friend who might enjoy a summer camp experience, it can be helpful to tour the grounds and learn more about what camp will be like. Dean Williams, our summer camp director, will be available to give tours and answer questions by appointment on each Saturday of Highland Days. He will also be at Sassafras Pavilion for lunchtimes and in the youth office when not giving a tour, if anyone just wants to chat!
Tours of Green Valley House
The renovations to Green Valley House are nearing completion, and the building is well on its way to becoming housing for Highland staff and volunteers! Anyone who is interested in seeing how the new living spaces are shaping up is invited to come for a tour. Tour times are available by appointment each Saturday during Highland Days.
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Hikes and disc golf
Come enjoy a pleasant hike on Highland grounds! The perimeter trail and all other trails on Highland's property are always available.
All are welcome to play a round or two on Highland's 9-hole disc golf course! Each hole has two tee locations, one easier and one harder, so people with varying skill levels can enjoy playing together. The course starts and ends in the Upper Highland Campground area, and loops around Mountain View Retreat Center. Bring your own discs, or stop by the main office to borrow a set to play with!
Hikers and disc golfers may sign up in advance, but are only required to sign up if also participating in service projects, lunch, or other scheduled activities.
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