The History of the Eagle's Nest Foundation

1927

Mrs. Oppenheimer (Bailey) purchases Eagle’s Nest Camp and moves it from Eagle’s Nest Mountain, Haywood County, NC to our current site in the Little River Valley. The program was only for girls and closed due to WWII.

1945

Dr. Alex and Hannah Waite purchase Eagle’s Nest and open camp for boys and girls the summer of 1945 with the war still ongoing in the Pacific.

1946

Polio outbreak in Florida causes quarantine for the entire camp for two weeks.

1950

Charter as a 501c3 educational, charitable organization with John D’Albora as President.

1968

Carolina’s Camp for Children with Diabetes opens with help from Duke University on the Eagle’s Nest campus. This partnership with the American Diabetes Associations of North and South Carolina and Georgia ran until 1984.

1973

Hante has its first Adventure on the Appalachian Trail.

1977

Helen Valentine Waite becomes director of Eagle’s Nest Camp and Dr. Alex Waite retires.

1980’s

“Off Season” programs for adults including yoga retreats, bike treks, canoe adventures.

1992

Birch Tree Programs providing transformational experiences for school groups officially opens and runs until 1999.

1993

Eagle’s Nest Camp becomes Eagle’s Nest Foundation overseeing Camp, Hante, The Outdoor Academy and Birch Tree.

1994

The Outdoor Academy officially opens with thanks to the vision of Helen Waite. Ted Wesemann is founding Head of School.

1995

The first OA students matriculate

 2000

Noni Waite-Kucera becomes Executive Director of Eagle’s Nest Foundation

2001

Eagle’s Nest purchases 125 acres from P.H. Glatfelter Company including the horse pasture and most of the watershed.

2002

The Traditional Arts Center (Wayah and Cheoah) opens thanks to the generous donors of the Roots and Wings Campaign.

2012

Eagle’s Nest celebrates 85 years!

2016

Protected in perpetuity:  Eagle’s Nest places 76% of its land – 143 acres- under a conservation easement