Interview With
Julia Boas
The owner and founder of our facility, Colonel Gene Nervo, learned a great deal about what develops a successful leader during his 35 years in the Marine Corp, 14 years as a scout leader and father of seven. After retiring he started his dream of developing his own program in 1990 and founded Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing.
Our 500 acre property in in New Castle, VA in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, completely surrounded by the National Forest on all sides. With miles of biking & hiking trails, a creek that wraps around the property, ponds for kayak training, and scenic overlooks it was a natural choice as our basecamp to prepare for adventure trips. We have since enhanced it with a climbing wall, cargo net, low & high ropes courses, dangling duos, zip lines and the latest in teambuilding and adventure elements.
During his career and lifetime Colonel Nervo developed his mantra for creating successful and well-balanced adults. Using his 4 principals of success; RESPECT, WORK ETHIC, COMMUNICATION SKILLS and a POSITIVE ATTITUDE leaders are able to give context and meaning to the participants on their trips. Our trips immerse participants in a wilderness environment which, when combined with adventure challenges, offers an opportunity to build positive character and leadership traits, self-confidence, self-esteem, and teamwork. All of these benefit derive inherently from the adventure activities & an all outdoor-style trip.
We also adhere closely to the philosophy of “challenge by choice”; where participants are encouraged, not forced, to do all of the activities. This philosophy allows participants to try new challenges in a supportive and caring environment, where they will be respected for their own thoughts, feelings and abilities. Challenge by choice does not mean that a participant can sit on the sideline and be an inactive member; it means they can choose at what level they are willing and able to participate. We encourage them to set high goals without the feel of pressure or self-doubt. By achieving personal goals, they develop strength, character, confidence that they can carry home with them and use in all aspects of their lives.
ROCK CLIMBING & RAPPELLING: Join our American Mountain Guide Certified staff at the rock climbing mecca known as the New River Gorge. Our challenge by choice mantra allows participants to choose their own goals, and reach them with the support of their guides and fellow trip members. Harnessing the abilities from beginners to the experienced, we are able to push all different levels with thousands of routes. HIGH ROPES COURSE: Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing has a unique adventure trail format, instead of the traditional “jungle gym” style, high ropes course. Participants will hike to the ridge on our 500 acre property and then experience a series of three harnessed elements to include our 150’ Indiana Jones style bridge, our double strand cables across a ravine and our pinnacle element the pole climb. LOW ELEMENT TEAMBUILDING: Our leaders facilitate group dynamics and develop skills such as leadership, teamwork, confidence, character, communication, respect, creativity and more. Our course is physical and fun and allows all of our trips to start with positivity and camaraderie. 900’ ZIP LINE: One of the longest consecutive and fastest zip lines in the US, and great end to a perfect adventure! OUTDOOR LIVING SKILLS: Skills such as fire by friction, how to perfectly pack your pack, cook food on a backpacking stove, rain proofing your equipment, knot tying, and so much more are all vital to any adventure trip. They are the foundation that everything else derives from, and give every participant the confidence they need to comfortably spend time in nature. BACKPACKING & ORIENTEERING: Learn map & compass skills and basic orienteering during our Classic Adventure programs. Our guides promote leadership and problem solving by allowing participants to find their own way throughout their journey. Orienteering develops a greater understanding for topography and natural surroundings, while instilling confidence and self-reliance. MOUNTAIN BIKING: Experience biking in a whole new way on the perfect trails of southwest Virginia. Learn how to safely navigate trails, perform basic bike maintenance and how to shred on single track. KAYAKING: All of our trips, that include kayaking, start with a training session in our flat water pond on base camp. Skills such as wet exits, bracing, paddling techniques, self-rescue, assisted rescue and practicing a roll are all covered. Then at the river before doing the big rapids (14 day trips only) participants also take a swift water rescues course learning how to move and swim in rapids, throw ropes to “save” their friends, and how to cross swift water as a group. Then we paddle through exciting white water up to Class III on the New & James Rivers. RAFTING: All of our specialty trips end with a thrilling day of rafting the Lower New River Gorge. The New River is actually one of the oldest rivers in the world full of rich history winding through the hills and cliffs of Appalachia. CAVING: Explore some of the last great unknown, by crawling into the belly of the mountains. We explore wild caves with highly trained guides, crawling, climbing and squeezing through underground boulders and streams. A natural and interesting way for campers to experience geology and the creation of formations. NATURAL WATERSLIDE: Another feature of our surrounding area is a beautiful waterslide and waterfall hike known as Roaring Run. Featured in the Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine as one of the best swimming holes in the south east on numerous occasions, it is a fun and happy day for all slip sliding and splashing in the falls. As a child grows and matures, there are many life experiences that contribute to their personal growth and later success. Attending camp is an experience that will contribute to a young person’s positive personal growth both mentally and physically. Trip style programs and environmental education are particularly honed for providing teachable moments and real life lessons that are easily tied to issues in their everyday life. When children at home don’t clean their room, they may get in trouble but it can be difficult for them to understand how the consequence is truly related. In the outdoors, when a child doesn’t put their tent up properly and it rains, they get wet. Their actions cause a direct consequence, which gives children responsibility and a new perspective on cause & effect. There are so many daily lessons like this “on the trail” including self-sufficiency, perseverance, confidence, teamwork and leadership. Our programs are designed for good kids who like challenges and have a curiosity about what they are capable of accomplishing.
ROCK CLIMBING & RAPPELLING: Join our American Mountain Guide Certified staff at the rock climbing mecca known as the New River Gorge. Our challenge by choice mantra allows participants to choose their own goals, and reach them with the support of their guides and fellow trip members. Harnessing the abilities from beginners to the experienced, we are able to push all different levels with thousands of routes. HIGH ROPES COURSE: Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing has a unique adventure trail format, instead of the traditional “jungle gym” style, high ropes course. Participants will hike to the ridge on our 500 acre property and then experience a series of three harnessed elements to include our 150’ Indiana Jones style bridge, our double strand cables across a ravine and our pinnacle element the pole climb. LOW ELEMENT TEAMBUILDING: Our leaders facilitate group dynamics and develop skills such as leadership, teamwork, confidence, character, communication, respect, creativity and more. Our course is physical and fun and allows all of our trips to start with positivity and camaraderie. 900’ ZIP LINE: One of the longest consecutive and fastest zip lines in the US, and great end to a perfect adventure! OUTDOOR LIVING SKILLS: Skills such as fire by friction, how to perfectly pack your pack, cook food on a backpacking stove, rain proofing your equipment, knot tying, and so much more are all vital to any adventure trip. They are the foundation that everything else derives from, and give every participant the confidence they need to comfortably spend time in nature. BACKPACKING & ORIENTEERING: Learn map & compass skills and basic orienteering during our Classic Adventure programs. Our guides promote leadership and problem solving by allowing participants to find their own way throughout their journey. Orienteering develops a greater understanding for topography and natural surroundings, while instilling confidence and self-reliance. MOUNTAIN BIKING: Experience biking in a whole new way on the perfect trails of southwest Virginia. Learn how to safely navigate trails, perform basic bike maintenance and how to shred on single track. KAYAKING: All of our trips, that include kayaking, start with a training session in our flat water pond on base camp. Skills such as wet exits, bracing, paddling techniques, self-rescue, assisted rescue and practicing a roll are all covered. Then at the river before doing the big rapids (14 day trips only) participants also take a swift water rescues course learning how to move and swim in rapids, throw ropes to “save” their friends, and how to cross swift water as a group. Then we paddle through exciting white water up to Class III on the New & James Rivers. RAFTING: All of our specialty trips end with a thrilling day of rafting the Lower New River Gorge. The New River is actually one of the oldest rivers in the world full of rich history winding through the hills and cliffs of Appalachia. CAVING: Explore some of the last great unknown, by crawling into the belly of the mountains. We explore wild caves with highly trained guides, crawling, climbing and squeezing through underground boulders and streams. A natural and interesting way for campers to experience geology and the creation of formations. NATURAL WATERSLIDE: Another feature of our surrounding area is a beautiful waterslide and waterfall hike known as Roaring Run. Featured in the Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine as one of the best swimming holes in the south east on numerous occasions, it is a fun and happy day for all slip sliding and splashing in the falls.
We offer 7 day & 14 day trips for ages 8-11, 11-13 and 14-17; a 28 Wilderness Leadership Course for ages 14-17 and a summer long apprenticeships for high school graduates (summer after high school). Our full priced tuition for a 7 day is $795, 14 day is $1,595, 14 day specialty trips are $1,695 and the 28 day course is $2,995. Join our mailing list for current discounts and specials.
Our staff goes through a rigorous 14-day and night training, that is one of the longest and most extensive in the industry. We also run a year round conference and retreat center which allows us to retain a highly trained nucleus of outdoor professionals. Our year round staff is college graduates, and our staff average age is much higher than traditional Summer Camps. They dedicate their lives both during and outside of work to responsibly promote the outdoor community. For us it is a way of life and a passion that we want to share with campers, and it shows. Our staff was voted in the top 25 Best Places to Work by Outside Magazine two years in a row.
As a child grows and matures, there are many life experiences that contribute to their personal growth and later success. Attending camp is an experience that will contribute to a young person’s positive personal growth both mentally and physically. Trip style programs and environmental education are particularly honed for providing teachable moments and real life lessons that are easily tied to issues in their everyday life. When children at home don’t clean their room, they may get in trouble but it can be difficult for them to understand how the consequence is truly related. In the outdoors, when a child doesn’t put their tent up properly and it rains, they get wet. Their actions cause a direct consequence, which gives children responsibility and a new perspective on cause & effect. There are so many daily lessons like this “on the trail” including self-sufficiency, perseverance, confidence, teamwork and leadership. Our programs are designed for good kids who like challenges and have a curiosity about what they are capable of accomplishing.
We allow enrollment all year long since we are a year round Conference, Retreat and Adventure Center. As long as a trip has a space then we allow registrations even the week before, however most trips will fill ~45 days prior to the trip. For the best discount register by November of the previous year and save 25% on any trip with our early bird special!
Our unique trip style program is the most prestigious adventure camp on the east coast. We are a local, family owned company that has a personal touch not offered by larger nationwide programs. However, we have grown to be a year-round Conference, Retreat & Adventure Center which allows us to have a highly trained nucleus of staff that are the best in the industry. WAEL has been running its adventure program since 1990 and has an immaculate safety record.
If you plan to register for any camp, remember that our trips are not like other summer programs. Outdoor education and wilderness experiences are an investment in your child’s future and build character. Our particular program has the highest trained staff in the industry and an impeccable safety record. Please contact former participants using the attached reference list to learn more about why people prefer Wilderness Adventure to other summer programs.
We allow enrollment all year long since we are a year round Conference, Retreat and Adventure Center. As long as a trip has a space then we allow registrations even the week before, however most trips will fill ~45 days prior to the trip. For the best discount register by November of the previous year and save 25% on any trip with our early bird special!
