This was a wonderful group of people to share time with! Many thanks to all of them for a really pleasurable week.

We so enjoyed this trip. Getting acquainted with the Appalachian Trail and pushing our hiking capabilities. Good companionship and lots to learn. Stewart added his expertise and knowledge of the Civil War battles. We heard speakers who were through hikers. Sign up and find out how "Pop Tart" got his name. Excellent guides throughout

Five family members are still talking to each other after this hike. It is as stated challenging, but if you take your time you can do it. We would like to thank the entire staff at Shepard Springs for making our stay enjoyable. A special thanks to Stewart for logging in many volunteer hours to provide us with transportation, history lessons and a few laughs. We are already looking for another Road Scholar trip for 2013.

This was our first Road Scholar program and it was great! Shepherd Springs did a wonderful job so we could focus on our challenging hikes without worry. The hikes themselves WERE challenging with rocks and tree roots and hills making for a good workout. Our sturdy boots became our best friends.

Great program. We would do it again. I was very grateful I had sturdy, comfortable, well broken-in hiking boots and hiking poles. These were definitely challenging hikes, but well worth it. Shepherd Springs did a great job coordinating the program.

For anyone thinking about hiking the Appalachian Trail or just wanting to get a taste of the experience this trip is a must. Having hiked the Grand Canyon, Mount Mitchell, Pike's Peak and Kilimanjaro last year, I found this to be an entirely different experience. I am now hooked on being a section hiker and plan to hike in all 14 states. Five down and Nine to go. Mike Hagearty, Atlanta

This is an excellent hiking program. Shepherd's Spring is a very good facility with clean, comfortable rooms, good food, and many acres of beautiful grounds. The hikes are definitely as advertised -- challenging with many rocky sections and steep ascents and descents. It is good to have hiking poles and to carry plenty of water. We did hike in heavy rain one day so be prepared with adequate rain gear. Meeting and getting to know the other participants is always one of the highlights of a Road Scholar program, and our group had a lot of fun together during the week. In addition to the daily hiking, the program does an excellent job of communicating the culture of the Appalachian Trail by having "thru-hikers" as evening speakers, arranging with AT "Ridge Runners" to be trail guides, providing a tour of an AT hikers' hostel, eating our packed lunch each day at a trail shelter, and visiting the the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters in Harpers Ferry at the end of the last hike. The program does include a half day touring and walking at the Antietam National Battlefield, but it would be good to plan an extra day on your own if you want to explore the area in more depth. One highlight of the program was our final evening enjoying an informal gathering of local musicians who gather and play music of the Appalachian area in a nearby general store. The program schedule kept us busy from breakfast at 7:30 right up until the end of the evening program. So bring your energy and love of hiking! I have posted a Blog of our week at emknesper.blogspot.com. You are also welcome to email me at emknesper@gmail.com if you have questions. Happy hiking!

This program is excellent and I recommend it and I would do it again. We did experience unexpected delights and difficulties. I am sure the difficulties will be addressed and corrrected making this hiking program an even more outstanding experience. The hiking is rewarding but can be strenuous. We had very hot, humid weather that added to the adventure and made the participant group more cohesive. Participants should consider adding a personal day at the front or end of the program to better experience the Antietam National Battlefield.

This program is extremely well organized and well run. The hikes are challenging, as advertized. Be advised that there is very little viewing on these hikes - they are through the woods on the AT.

The staff has their act together. On our trip, a woman fell and had to be taken off the trail and to the hospital. The guide and conference center staff coordinated to get her out quickly and for the rest of us to continue the hike.

The conference center is very quiet and pleasant. Food is plentiful and very good. The staff works very hard for everyone to have a rewarding experience. We liked that we were kept busy from early morning until about 9:00 PM daily. The excursion to hear the mountain music is wonderful.

I loved the hikes,even the steep, rocky ascents and descents; the time of year (spring emerging from winter); the well thought out schedule; the food (and the ample opportunities to bond with fellow hikers during meals); the opportunities to build friendships through conversations in the vans riding to and from hikes, and through conversations while hiking; the facility that housed the program, which provided so well for our needs, but wisely minimized the distractions of television, internet, and newspapers; the dedication and dependability of all the leaders and volunteers who looked out for our welfare; the astute combination of the physical challenges of the hiking with the educational, cultural, and psychological explorations during the evening program; the inclusion of four states in the hiking plan; the opportunity to explore Harpers Ferry; the enhancement of our appreciation of the entire Appalachian Trail, the Conservancy, and thru-hiking; and perhaps most of all, the wonderful group of people who assembled to experience this program together. This was my first Road Scholars program, and I prepared for and looked forward to it for four months. I arrived with high expectations of the program and of myself. The program exceeded my expectations, and I am very happy with what I personally accomplished.

Great experience - well run, interesting speakers, and a good overview of the Appalachian Trail. Take the "challenging" rating seriously; sections of the Trail (especially the part known as the Rollercoaster) will have your knees crying out for mercy.

We were visiting USA from Australia and this tour gave a great intro to the Appalachian trail, a challenge while being well supported, fantastic organisation, well balanced physical and intellectual pursuit and opportunity to meet like minded people. Highly recommended