YMCA Blue Ridge Campus at Black Mountain,
North Carolina
Sequestered
by a sea of towering evergreens, gurgling streams and a musky mountain road,
the YMCA’s Blue Ridge Assembly graces the eastern slopes of Black Mountain,
North Carolina. The lodging facility, tucked away in the center of the
mountain provides guests with a view encompassing valleys, wildflowers, ridges,
and all of Ashville. The abundant southern charm of the Assembly is
perhaps best appreciated from one of one hundred green wicker rocking chairs on
the front porch of the 19th century wooden
mansion named Lee Hall. The view of a euphoric sunrise splattered
with an array of warm pinks and oranges begins each day with a blissful tone
necessary to explore 1200 acres of woodland. These past two weeks attending the
YMCA’s most visited campus have given me a precious reminder of the natural
beauty of the South.
History
The YMCA
founded the Blue Ridge Assembly in 1906 thanks to the fervor of a YMCA member,
Dr. Willis Weatherford, who believed in his vision of a campus to serve the
students by enhancing spiritually through a natural setting. His experience
drives the “Blue Ridge Spirit” found on Black Mountain. After searching across
the country for a venue, the man climbed Black Mountain in hopes of finding an
open area to build upon. However, as fate would have it, he instead
climbed a tree and was at once mesmerized by the sight before him, yelling
“Eureka! I have found it!” Thus, the YMCA chose this exact place to build its
Blue Ridge Campus in order to allow visitors to feel engulfed in the “beauty of
America.” The Assembly is listed in the National Register of Historic Places
and serves over 30,000 visitors annually. Most of the guests are students
seeking the “Blue Ridge Spirit”. The Blue Ridge Spirit is the term used to
refer to the finding of ones spiritual home through the conferences held by the
nonprofits, schools, government units, churches, and human service
organizations at the Assembly. The assembly itself is a nonprofit, tax-exempt
conference and leadership-training center. The campus is owned by the YMCA and
serves as the primary location for the major conferences of the YMCAs in the
ten southeastern states.
Personal Testimonials
I asked other visitors
at the Conference on National Affairs being held at the YMCA Blue Ridge
Assembly their experiences with Blue Ridge and they responded:
“Atop a
mountain in the middle of North Carolina stands the incredible YMCA Blue Ridge
Assembly. I couldn’t help but smile at the sea of faces that glared at me while
there. Endorsing a mundane mentality was simply not in me when standing in such
a beautiful place feeling the Blue Ridge Spirit.”
“Looking back exactly a year ago, I had no idea of what I was getting myself into by going to the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, well I figured out that I was getting myself into one of the best things I have experienced. To any future visitors have fun and don't be afraid, and let the Blue Ridge Spirit hit you. Have a cheer wine for me! Maybe next year we can all share one.”
Sally Hansen,
California
“I loved the
rustic experience of attending Blue Ridge. I truly found a new appreciation for
the natural beauty of America’s southeastern coast. Although I was not a fan of
having no cell-phone service or Wi-Fi, the experience forced me to get to know
the people at the mountain without the interference of modern technology.”
My experience
was similar to Sally’s. Between the buffet-style fried southern cuisine,
plantation-themed architecture, forested surroundings, and wide streams, I felt
truly connected to our country’s history through the “blue ridge spirit”. At
first I had a difficult time understanding what the “blue ridge spirit” was. I
have been to many YMCA conference centers and each has its own personal charm
but Blue Ridge is one of the least technologically enhanced which stressed me
out because I could not use my cell-phone or computer. However, after spending
a day on campus I understood. The mission of Blue Ridge is for visitors to find
a spiritual connection to their home: the United States. I figured out that by
spending a week surrounded by colonial era buildings, eating traditional
American cuisine, and speaking only with the people around me let me become
rooted back to my American heritage. My newfound sense of patriotism was my
version of the “Blue Ridge Spirit”. On the other hand, having recently had my
gastrocnemius surgical impaired, constantly hiking the mountain between
facilities in order to eat during the summer when there is a high level of
humidity and heat was very difficult. I would recommend physically impaired
visitors to attend during spring when there is no snow, heat, or leaves, to
hamper transportation.
Campus Housing Options:
There are a variety of lodging experiences one can have
while visiting the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly. Your choice of housing is
dependent upon the type of experience you desire.
If you like air conditioning, private
baths, telephones, and double bed style hotel rooms the following facilities
would be appropriate.
On the other hand, if you do not mind humidity
and enjoy hiking without camping the non-air conditioned hotel-style facilities
would be more accustomed to your needs.
Weatherford Hall and Abbot Hall
If you are interested in a 19th
century plantation-style mansion for housing Lee Hall is the largest lodging
location on campus and is over one hundred years old. Unlike most renovated
facilities, Lee Hall has minimal electrical outlets and communal showering. I
stayed at Lee Hall for the social experience but there is no cafeteria or place
to eat in Lee Hall so I paid for meals at the Blue Ridge Center down the hill.
Lee Hall is similar to “the lawn” at University of Virginia because the appeal
of the dormitory is its colonial history with little renovation for
technological advancements.
Things
to Do:
Black
Mountain is known for its trails and lakes. I hiked the main trail leaving from
campus to the peak of the mountain, which takes on average 2-4 hours. The hike
entails barebacked rock climbing, pushing through evergreens, walking through
acres of yellow and pink wildflowers, and crossing narrow edges of cliffs with
dense woods. After profusely sweating, cutting my legs repeatedly, and stopping
at several of the wooden benches lining the trail, the sense of accomplishment
from reaching the peak of the Black Mountain was overwhelming. Standing at one
of the highest points of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains allowed me to
see Virginia, Tennessee, and western North Carolina. For the first time in my
life, I felt the interconnectedness of our divided states as one home, America.
There
are also less rigorous activities for visitors who wish to stay on campus.
There is an Olympic style swimming pool, tennis courts, art studios, and a lake
where one can swim or use a paddleboat. There are also plenty of open fields to
play games such a football, soccer, or even play ultimate Frisbee. I personally
enjoyed the sunrise yoga held on the great lawn in the center of campus. There
is one activity if you visit you should make your top priority: the fire of
friendship. In the summer the YMCA staff creates a giant bonfire on the fourth
of July with oak from the surrounding forest. As the fire burns at least twenty
feet high, the staff plays patriotic music and pieces of famous American
speeches such as “I had a dream” by Martin Luther King Jr. and “Tear down this
wall” by Ronald Reagan. That moment truly solidified my experience of feeling
“the Blue Ridge Spirit.”
If you choose to travel to a YMCA
conference center keep in mind the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly and remember one
thing-participate don’t anticipate. The “blue ridge spirit” means something
different to every person so allow yourself to have a vacation where you
surprise yourself. A vacation without any plans or schedules but merely
exploring. You can hike at any mountain and learn about American history in the
northeastern cities but Blue Ridge is unique in that here you experience a
connection between our country’s nature and history. Of course in order to feel
that connection you must remember sunscreen and bug spray. I never thought I
could feel attached to a conference center but the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly
opened my eyes to a new type of vacation.
Works Cited
"YMCA
Blue Ridge Assembly - Home." YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly - Home. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 8 June 2012. <http://www.blueridgeassembly.org/>.
Ingalls,
Sam, Donovan Hunsucker, and Sally Hansen. "Blue Ridge Personal
Testimonials." Personal interview. 6 June 2012.
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