Choose Your Pace: A Hiking Adventure on the Appalachian Trail

Activity note: Inn check-in from 4:30 p.m. Remember to bring your name-tag (sent previously).

Afternoon: CHECK-IN: Hotel Room Check-in is available from 4:30 p.m. on. PROGRAM REGISTRATION: After you check in at the front desk and get settled into your room, join your fellow Road Scholars in the hospitality room to socialize until the Welcome Dinner begins. This is a Road Scholar Retreats program. Our programming at Retreat locations includes opportunities for light morning exercise, interaction with members of the local community, a farm-to-table meal, and evening entertainment. We will begin each day with an invigorating stretch session. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding

Dinner: At 7 p.m. we'll enjoy dinner at the Inn, where you'll have the opportunity to choose from a "American Home-style" themed buffet offering choices of salads and entrées (one of which will be vegetarian), plus vegetables, rice, potatoes, or pasta, fresh fruit, and coffee, tea (iced or hot), water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: ORIENTATION: After dinner the Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date Daily Schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities, and answer any questions you may have. CLASS: Next, we’ll have a class on hiking safety to prepare you for hiking on the Appalachian Trail, led by a trail expert. Following our Hiking Safety Class, we'll watch some video selections to see a glimpse onto the trails we will be hiking. This film clip captures the essence of this historic pathway, fascinating characters, beautiful scenery, and the small town America’s generosity of spirit Hikers will have the option of choosing between hikes of different levels of difficulty, organized into groups based on preference and ability. Indicated times are approximate.

Activity note: Three hiking options to choose from in Pennsylvania on The Appalachian Trail for today: Moderate Hike: a 3 mile hike with plenty of rest stops. Elevation gain is up to 600 feet. Moderately Challenging Hike: a 4.5 mile hike with several rest stops and rocky terrain with an elevation gain of 900 feet. Challenging Hike: a 6.5 mile hike with rocky terrain, a faster pace with less rest stops and an elevation gain of over 900 feet.

Breakfast: Breakfast will be in the Inn’s River Room restaurant. Enjoy your choice of hot and/or cold breakfast selections from fruit to home-made granola, pancakes or French toast, a variety of breakfast meats, an omelet station, and more. Before we depart for the trails, we'll make our own lunches at the Inn. A variety of breads, cheeses, meats, condiments, fruit, snacks and drinks will be available.

Morning: After a morning stretch our hikers will have the option of choosing between hikes of different levels of difficulty, organized into groups based on preference and ability. You can choose a 3, 4.5 or 6.5 plus mile hike, all offering beautiful views on The Appalachian Trail. Today we'll hike Mt. Minsi as an introduction to hiking on The Appalachian Trail. Our first hike will help you determine your comfort level hiking on the rocky terrain.

Lunch: We’ll stop at a scenic spot along the trail to have the lunches we made for ourselves this morning.

Afternoon: We will continue our hikes, with the leader pointing out unique aspects of the local environment.

Dinner: We'll enjoy dinner at the Inn, where you'll have the opportunity to enjoy our "Italian" themed buffet offering choices of salads and entrées (one of which will be vegetarian), plus vegetables, rice, potatoes, or pasta, fresh fruit, and coffee, tea (iced or hot), water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: We’ll gather for a historical presentation called "The River's Edge" about the local history. This lecture features fascinating stories and hundreds of historical photographs led by a local expert.

Activity note: We begin to explore New Jersey's section of the AT. The Moderate Hike will be a 3 mile hike with plenty of rest stops and similar terrain to yesterday's hike. Today's Moderately Challenging and Challenging Hikes will once again experience rocky terrain and gains of over 900 feet in elevation. The challenging hike will move at a faster pace, the 6 mile hike will be at a moderate pace.

Breakfast: Breakfast will be in the Inn’s River Room restaurant. Enjoy your choice of hot and/or cold breakfast selections from fruit to home-made granola, pancakes or French toast, a variety of breakfast meats, an omelet station, and more. Before we depart for the trails, we'll make our own lunches at the Inn. A variety of breads, cheeses, meats, condiments, fruit, snacks and drinks will be available.

Morning: Hikers will have the option of choosing between hikes of different levels of difficulty, organized into groups based on preference and ability. You can choose a 3, 6.8 or 9.5 mile hike, all offering beautiful views. Today, after our morning stretch, we all start at Camp Mohican and hike along The Appalachian Trail with our expert guides to a variety of beautiful views and destinations. The Moderate Hike will start at a popular AT crossroad. The Moderately Challenging Hike will head south on the AT to Raccoon Ridge, which has a 360 degree view! The Challenging Hike will head North on the AT to enjoy glorious views of New Jersey and New York on the way to Crater Lake.

Lunch: We’ll stop at a scenic spot along the trail to have the lunches we made for ourselves this morning.

Afternoon: We will continue our hikes, with the leader pointing out fascinating aspects of the local environment.

Dinner: Inn buffet. Tonight's Farm to Table meal will be presented by our Executive Chef.

Evening: The Shawnee Institute concert series, open to the public, presents a variety of performing groups throughout the year. In tonight’s concert, we’ll hear local musicians. This is a great opportunity for community engagement with the audience member and performers!

Activity note: Today's hike will be a nature walk for all. This hike will be 3 miles and offer moderately rocky terrain, elevation under 500 feet and a slower "learning" pace.

Breakfast: Breakfast will be in the Inn’s River Room restaurant. Enjoy your choice of hot and/or cold breakfast selections from fruit to home-made granola, pancakes or French toast, a variety of breakfast meats, an omelet station, and more.

Morning: We will begin the day with an invigorating stretch. Led by a biology professor/naturalist, this morning features a 3 mile nature walk around Lake Lenape and into the town of Delaware Water Gap, which is a thru-hiker favorite stop. On our scenic nature walk, we'll learn about edible vegetation, geology, wildlife and exquisite plant life, while observing ecosystems.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

Afternoon: Free Afternoon. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions. Late afternoon, join us for a 30 minute, interactive presentation about our commitment to "Leave No Trace" led by a local expert. Completion of this course qualifies you for certification in the program. The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort has many offerings, such as a Spa, Watercraft and Bicycle rentals, a Pontoon Boat Ride and productions at The Shawnee Playhouse. The concierge and group leader can both assist you in finalizing these plans.

Dinner: We'll enjoy dinner at the Inn, where you'll have the opportunity to choose from a "Mexican" themed buffet offering choices of salads and entrées (one of which will be vegetarian), plus coffee, tea (iced or hot), water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: Join us for a LIVE animal presentation with Kathy Uhler, director of The Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center! Gain insight to animal senses and the physical adaptations that allow them to survive. The Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center was founded in 1983 and incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1988. Licensed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the PWRC serves Monroe, Lehigh, Northampton, Wayne, Pike and Luzerne Counties. The facility takes in more than 2,400 animals annually including fawns, owls, hawks, falcons, eagles, squirrels, rabbits, songbirds, foxes raccoons, and bears.

Activity note: Today we'll offer 3 hiking groups: 3, 7 and 10 miles. The Moderate Hike will be 3 miles with a moderate gain. The Moderately Challenging Hike will be 7 miles with rocky terrain and 1000 feet of elevation gain, and the Challenging Hike will be 10 miles with rocky terrain and 1000 feet of elevation gain. Both the 7 and 10 mile hikes will visit the popular AT destination; Sunfish Pond.

Breakfast: Breakfast will be in the Inn’s River Room restaurant. Enjoy your choice of hot and/or cold breakfast selections from fruit to home-made granola, pancakes or French toast, a variety of breakfast meats, an omelet station, and more. Before we depart for the trails, we'll make our own lunches at the Inn. A variety of breads, cheeses, meats, condiments, fruit, snacks and drinks will be available.

Morning: Today is our last adventure as a group on The Appalachian Trail. Once again, after our morning stretch, you’ll have the option of breaking into one of three groups based on your preference: 3, 7 or 10 miles. Those venturing out on the 3 mile hike will be along part of the Dunnfield Creek Trail. The trail runs along the Dunnfield Creek which is a designated Wild Trout Stream, supporting a healthy population of native brook trout. The trail follows the stream through a mature hemlock and mixed hardwood ravine with numerous small cascades along the way. Those opting for the 7 or 10 mile hikes will venture to Sunfish Pond, a glacially carved lake and a highlight to the AT. It's a great sense of accomplishment reaching Sunfish Pond and usually a good opportunity to run into some thru-hikers along the way.

Lunch: We’ll stop at a scenic spot along the trail to have the lunches we made for ourselves this morning.

Afternoon: After lunch we'll wrap up our hike and return to the Inn for some down time before dinner.

Dinner: Our farewell dinner will be extra special! Enjoy a lovely evening with new Road Scholar friends.

Evening: We’ll gather for a presentation by a ranger from the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Program concludes after class.

Activity note: Check-out is by 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast: Breakfast will be in the Inn’s River Room restaurant. Enjoy your choice of hot and/or cold breakfast selections from fruit to home-made granola, pancakes or French toast, a variety of breakfast meats, an omelet station, and more.

Morning: After breakfast, the program will conclude. Checkout of rooms is by 11 a.m. We hope you have enjoyed your Road Scholar learning adventure and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!