North Carolina High Country Adventure
Seven Amazing Days close to home!
June 14- 20, 2026
Enrollment Is Ready to Go
Enrollment has opened. We are limiting this trip to 12 boys.
Click here for the application.
Enrollment has opened. We are limiting this trip to 12 boys.
Click here for the application.
If there's a miniature golf course in the area, we'll find it.
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It's been several years since we last explored this area of the North Carolina Mountains. We're ready to get back.
The NC High Country centers around the areas of Boone, Blowing Rock, and Banner Elk. But even before we get there, we'll be stopping off for our first adventure - a guided tour into Linville Caverns. Check over the activities on this page and then go to "more to know" for additional information about how the program works. We've picked high-interest activities that boys have enjoyed on past adventures...and as always we have added a few new twists. |
Note on Enrollment:
We're holding enrollment to a small and manageable number. If you're interested in grabbing a place, you should inquire or sign up now. There's always a chance someone will drop out, so we'll add you to the waitlist once enrollment is full.
Get ready for an amazing experience. Each day is totally different than any of the others.
Ask anyone who has been on a MindStretch Travel Adventures trip and you'll quickly realize that no two days are alike. That's one of the advantages of a travel camp. There is no routine. We don't even eat meals at the same time, and other than breakfast, our other meals are usually eaten at a different restaurant each time. We are no ordinary camp. Some of the differences include motel beds with private baths (as opposed to a cabin with 8 or more boys and a shared bath), a swimming pool (instead of a lake), and restaurants where you get to choose from the menu (instead of a mess hall). And instead of 250 boys, this trip will have
no more than a dozen. It adds up to a whole new experience.
no more than a dozen. It adds up to a whole new experience.
What will we do for fun?
Below you'll find some of the planned activities we'll be squeezing into our trip. There could always be changes. Sometimes weather will mean we have to switch something for another adventure...but usually what we list here will be the activities we'll be enjoying.
Hiking on Roan Mountain
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Roan Mountain is one of the premier mountains in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Roan High Knob reaches nearly 6,300 feet in elevation. The Appalachian Trail crosses over Roan. We're planning on hiking the entire width of the trail this coming year!
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Stopping at Bob's Dairyland after a Roan Mountain hike has been a tradition since 1982. Bob's is known for it's world-famous milkshakes. Start thinking about your favorite flavor now. You'll deserve one after climbing over the balds of Roan.
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Conquering the challenges of the Aerial Adventure Course
at High Gravity High Gravity in Blowing Rock is a thrill that you control. Boys take the ground school with trained instructors, and then climb at their own pace and own comfort levels over a multi-tiered course.
In addition to the elements in the sky, there's also an on-ground obstacle course you can play on. And if that's not enough, there's the "Big Swing." Get ready to scream! 
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This group of boys from the 2019 trip to High Gravity weren't interested in going any higher on the Big Swing, but you and two buddies might choose to take it to the max!
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Grandfather Mountain State Park and its Mile High Swinging Bridge
Grandfather Mountain State Park has a lot to offer and that's part of the reason it's one of North Carolina's most visited state parks. On the drive up to the top of the mountain, we'll pass a filming location for a running scene from the film, "Forrest Gump." At the top, we'll start by experiencing the new Interactive Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. We'll have lunch in the park cafe and then hike around the animal habitats. If we're lucky we'll see cougars, black bears, bald eagles, river otters, and elk.
But no visit to Grandfather is complete until you've walked across the Mile High Swinging Bridge. The 228-feet long bridge offers a 360-degree view. While the bridge is over an 80-feet chasm, it is indeed situated at over one-mile above sea level.
But no visit to Grandfather is complete until you've walked across the Mile High Swinging Bridge. The 228-feet long bridge offers a 360-degree view. While the bridge is over an 80-feet chasm, it is indeed situated at over one-mile above sea level.
We saw this pair of elk the last time we were at Grandfather Mountain.
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Leader Mr. Don on the far side of the Mile High Swinging Bridge making sure the boys don't jump off.
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Mystery Hill - One of North Carolina's Most Unique Attractions
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Unless you've experienced it, Mystery Hill is hard to explain.
You'll see yourself shrink or grow taller just by walking from one end of a mysterious room to another, you'll see balls roll uphill, you'll find yourself being pulled by gravity in the opposite direction. By the time you leave this place, you'll be scratching your head trying to figure out what just happened! But there's more. You'll get to try a little axe throwing and maybe even get to ride the mechanical bull. 
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Some of our other Adventures...
Is there time for anything else? Of course, what did you expect? Our unofficial motto has always been, "Every day is an adventure." That is definitely true in a MindStretch Travel Adventures program where every day is different. The next set of photos will give you an idea of more of what you can expect. You're going to love it.
You'll get to visit "The Candy Barrel," a separate part of the Mast General Store. You'll find it loaded with over 500 different candies.
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Try a game of checkers using bottle caps. This is inside the original Mast General Store in Valle Crucis. This store has been here in operation since 1883. It's on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Miniature Golf is one of those activities we'll throw in as a filler. We do spice up the game with some prize money...but it's all just for fun.
We'll be going tubing on the New River, which just so happens to be one of the oldest rivers in the world. Go figure!
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It's back to regular bowling this coming summer. In 2025, the boys experienced a whole different type of game. But hey...I think we understand ten pins a little better.
We're always looking to dish out some special treats. They usually have to be earned.
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You'll get to experience the thrills (at your own speed) at Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster in Banner Elk. This coaster can reach speeds of 27 mph.
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Boys have always enjoyed finding gemstones at a mine. The mine we'll visit used to be a real working mine. Now they call the place Emerald Village.
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We've never had a "pool" tournament before, but it's time to start. We'll be playing at a family-friendly billiards center.
Our hotel will have a pool. Swimming usually happens in late afternoons or early evenings when we're between other activities.
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Good food keeps us going. You get to choose what you want to eat, though your parents might have some suggestions on just how much junk food you can consume.
You're going to get to go deep inside Humpback Mountain as you venture into Linville Caverns with a guide.
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Can there be anything else?
Of course. For sure, boys will get a couple of opportunities to explore the shops in downtown Boone. We're planning to witness the actual "Blowing Rock." We'll take you to a grocery store to shop for some snacks to stock your hotel room fridge. And we always find other things to do. We're planning on breaking out of an escape room at Mysterium Escape Adventure. I can tell you, Papa Mark will need some smart boys to help him get out. Those kinds of places stump him! All of these activities are planned. Please note that things can change because of weather or other circumstances out of our control that might necessitate a change to something else. But for sure...you'll have fun. 
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We also provide some "chill" time.
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Click the links below to get started.