Fall TrailFest
November 8-11, 2024
Caroline Furnace Camp + Retreat Center
TRAILFEST A RIP-ROARING SUCCESS
Over 250 club members convened at Caroline Furnace Camp, in Fort Valley, Virginia, November 8-11, for the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club’s first TrailFest. Participants attended workshops, took hikes, and worked on trails. Highlights included demonstrations of camping equipment and electronic tools, discussions on area history, work parties building steps, blazing and rerouting trails, and “cabin hops” – hiking among three PATC-owned cabins that represent the various types of PATC rental cabins.
The event brought members together in fellowship to camp, eat, attend activities, and enjoy the outdoors. Attendees made new friends from across the club. On Saturday night, they assembled to celebrate the club, its volunteers, its outgoing and incoming officers, and listen to a live band. Lee Congdon received the highest honor, the Myron Avery Award. The event was mostly outdoors. Despite that, many signed up and fortunately, the weather held.
We were successful because 100 volunteers stepped up to show how PATC pulls together to do whatever it takes. We are strongly considering a future TrailFest. Survey feedback is already in process and initial reactions are positive.
If you attended and have pictures to share use this link: TrailFest Media - Google Drive
