Eagle’s Nest Foundation is the nonprofit organization supporting Eagle’s Nest Camp, Hante Adventures, and The Outdoor Academy, a premier semester school in Western North Carolina serving high school sophomores and select juniors.

Our Mission:  Experiential education for young people, promoting the natural world and the betterment of human character.

For over 90 years Eagle’s Nest Foundation has been providing hands-on educational programs for young people at each developmental stage of childhood from age 6 to 17. The three programs, Eagle’s Nest Camp, The Outdoor Academy, and Hante Adventures, are intentionally designed to partner with each other, offering a progression of learning. Each program can also stand alone as a unique experience.  Our programs encourage participants’ connection to and responsible action within the natural world and build the understanding of self within community.

Our organization believes in the ideals of belonging, self-awareness, honesty and equality.  Eagle’s Nest is open to and inclusive of all races, colors, national origins, religions, sexual orientation, ages and disabling conditions.  We include people of all abilities on an individual basis with regard to our wilderness program in rugged terrain.

Eagle’s Nest Foundation Transcultural Commitment: Cognizant of societal inequalities, ENF is committed to attracting, welcoming, and serving people of diverse cultures, ethnicities, faiths, identities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Our community ethos fosters belonging, self-awareness, respect, honesty, empathy, inclusion, and equity. We strive to honor the perspectives and traditions of all members of our community.

Gender Inclusion: Eagle’s Nest Foundation is committed to creating a positive and inclusive learning environment that is sensitive and supportive of the gender identities of children, teens, and adults.  We teach and foster empathy and respect throughout our community. The ways in which we are able to programmatically address gender differences on our residential campus are constantly evolving, and our goal is to ensure all people feel safe and supported regardless of their gender identity or expression. While we do not yet have the capacity to provide gender neutral housing for our campers or students, we will work individually with each person and family, as best as we can, to continue safe, respectful, and meaningful participation in, or employment with, our programs.

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