Boyscouts

Boy Scouts

“Building Tomorrows Leaders” – at ACE this fundamental concept can be brought to life and developed among the members of your Scout Troop.  For more than three decades, ACE’s Adventure Resort has been working hand-in-hand with Boy Scout Troops from all over the eastern half of the US.

Our certified Merit Badge Program has helped Scouts earn their badges in a unique setting.  All of the Boy Scouts fundamental concepts have been incorporated into our experiential adventures.

Every year troops return, making it an annual event of setting up camps for 4 or 5 days and really taking advantage of our 1,500-acre mountain hideaway.  Our Adventure Play Park, with the one-of-a-kind ACE Lake WaterPark, is the perfect setting for troops to explore and discovery how much fun the outdoors can really be.  In the past, we have worked with troops on trail building projects, environmental classrooms, water quality and habitat restoration - the opportunities for learning are endless.

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Give us a call.  We would love to talk to you about how ACE can help bring your ideas or projects to life in a fun, exciting and unique way.  On “our” honor – we will treat your kids like they are our own!

Merit Badge Programs

Whitewater Merit Badge:  2-Day Program

Journey through the “Grand Canyon of the East” in our unique Floating Classroom river adventure and learn a lot more than the basic whitewater skills necessary to earn your Merit Badge from our professional river guides!

Skills: Review whitewater equipment; terminology; paddling strokes; and the Scout (English) Gate.  Learn river communication and signals; whitewater buddy system and self-rescue.
Prerequisites: Canoe Merit Badge, CPR/First Aid, and the Kayaking BSA Award

Day 1 – We start out with an orientation bus ride to Prince Canyon (Upper New River).  Once we arrive at the river, we will spend time on the beach reviewing equipment, paddling strokes, and the Scout Gate. Then we launch onto some of “America’s Best Whitewater” - challenging Class II - III rapids in a self-bailing, open-deck, inflatable kayaks (fun-yaks - much more stable and responsive than canoes) to reinforce paddling techniques and river reading skills.  Prince Canyon is perfect for beginner and intermediate paddlers.  Our professional river guides will help you navigate the river, pulling over (eddy out) to practice skills and learn river dynamics.  All of our river trips are self-contained, fully supported with top of the line equipment – two-way radios; medical and river rescue kits are standard.  This is a full day of fun-filled river running.  By the end of our river trip scouts will be more than competent in the 10-13 skills necessary to earn their merit badge.  

- ACE covers skills 10-13 of the Whitewater Merit Badge. www.usscouts.org
- Instructors, equipment, lunch, and local transportation included.

Day 2 - After completing day one, your group will be ready to step up the challenge by rafting some of the East Coast’s premier whitewater on the Big Water Canyon (Lower New River)!  Each self-bailing raft will have a professional guide.  With a quick shuttle down to our private river beach access, we will prepare to depart on an unforgettable experience challenging Class II – IV+ rapids on the Lower New River in team rafts.  We will review the International Scale of River Difficulty, discuss Safety and Trip Dynamics, Scouting and push your Whitewater Reading skills – this majestic section of whitewater is why it is called the “Grand Canyon of the East.”

-ACE covers skills 4-13 of the Whitewater Merit Badge. www.usscouts.org
-Instructors, equipment, lunch, and local transportation included.

Whitewater Merit Badge Overnight Trip

For a truly unique variation of our Whitewater Merit Badge program, we offer an overnight trip on the river.  Day 1 & 2 is the same, but instead of returning to camp at night we will camp along the river at ACE’s private beach access (all of your gear will be transported to and from the river).  There is nothing like camping along a whispering river building campfires and enjoying the company of good friends.

Canoe Merit Badge - 1 Day

This program builds skills in canoe safety, equipment maintenance, and paddling maneuvers.

Review safety and common weather and water-related hazards to canoeing, and how to deal safely with each one.
Learn equipment and terminology related to canoeing.
Practice launch and land techniques in various circumstances, such as from a beach, dock, or pier with a companion and solo.
Learn various paddling techniques.
Practice exiting and entering the boat in deep water with a companion and solo.
Discuss types of canoeing such as olympic flatwater, outrigger, and whitewater.

-Prerequisites: CPR/First Aid, and BSA Swimmer Test.

-ACE covers skills 5-7 of the Canoe Merit Badge. www.usscouts.org

-Instructors, equipment, lunch, and local transportation included.

Canoe Merit Badge - 2 Day

Practice makes perfect, so build even more skills, and hone them in canoe safety, equipment maintenance, and paddling maneuvers in this 2 day course.

Discuss safety and common weather and water-related hazards to canoeing, and how to deal safely with each one.
Learn equipment and terminology related to canoeing.
Practice launch and land techniques in various circumstances, such as from a beach, dock, or pier with a companion and solo.
Learn various paddling techniques.
Practice exiting and entering the boat in deep water with a companion and solo.
Discuss types of canoeing such as olympic flatwater, outrigger, and whitewater.

-Prerequisites: CPR/First Aid, and BSA Swimmer Test.

-ACE covers skills 1-7 of the Canoe Merit Badge. www.usscouts.org

-Instructors, equipment, lunch, and local transportation included.

*The 1-day Canoe and 2-day Whitewater Merit Badges are most popular; however, ACE offers several options depending on the number of skills already completed for badge requirements.

Climbing Merit Badge:  2-Day Program

Our comprehensive “ground school” emphasizes the techniques required to be a safe, trustworthy top rope climber and belayer. 
-    Discuss types of climbing, rock faces and features, and evaluate a site for hazards
-    Review ropes, knots, fitting a harness, and equipment maintenance
-    Practice verbal signals and belaying, climbing, and rappelling techniques
-    Prerequisites: CPR/First Aid, working knowledge of knots
-    ACE covers skills 3-12 of the Climbing Merit Badge  www.usscouts.org
-    Instructors, equipment, lunch, and local transportation included

Girl Scout

Girl Scouts

The Girl Scouts concept of “Discover + Connect + Take Action = Leadership” are part of the fundamentals of our Teambuilding Programs and can be found in all of our adventures.

Many of our professional guides were Girl Scouts themselves and have shown their merit in these concepts, serving as distinctive leaders and positive role models for young ladies for decades. 

We can adapt all of our outdoor adventures to meet your groups’ unique needs and goals – we can help the girls discover their potential to excel as individuals, contribute to their communities, and participate thoughtfully in the world we share.  Whatever your goals are we can easily incorporate them into our programs – there is endless potential. 

At ACE Adventure Resort, you can “rough it or fluff it” when it comes to lodging – you can set up a tent under the stars, or you can camp in style and comfort with our clean and heated Bunkhouses, with their own bathroom and plenty of room to hang out - a favorite option for groups of all sizes.  We also offer hassle free meals at our comfortable lakeside dinning lodge or you can go it alone and do your own thing.  An adventure with ACE will provide your girls with an unforgettable, fun-filled experience that they will cherish and remember for a lifetime. 
-    Paddle, Pole, and Roll – flatwater
-    Paddle, Pole, and Roll – whitewater
-    Rolling Along – off-road cycling
-    High Adventure – ropes course and rock climbing

Find Out More

We invite you to learn more about ACE Adventure Resort and what we can help your group achieve.  Give us a call to discuss the possibilities.

Venturing

Venturing

Organized Venturing programs are popping up all over the country.  They are created for co-ed young adults between the ages of 14 and 20, who elect their own leaders and develop their own goals and fun-filled programs with an adult sponsor.  The purpose is to provide hands-on experiences that will affect the positive development of youth at a critical stage in their lives and prepare them to become responsible and caring adults.

Originally created as an outreach for the older Boyscouts and Girl Scouts, these programs have prospered and gotten really creative.  ACE has been working with these groups for years – our unique Adventure Play Park offers high adventure activities to provide unparalleled team-building opportunities, with new, meaningful experiences, practical leadership application and life-long memories for young adult crews.  ACE’s program allows your crew to exercise ethics-in-action by having them create “ethical controversies” and problem solving situations. 

Our private 1,500-acre mountain hideaway provides you the ideal venturing site: featuring rock climbing, mountain biking, high and low ropes course challenges, paintball, kayaking, whitewater rafting and so much more.  It is the only facility of its type on the East Coast, offering all these activities and amenities in one location, while utilizing our own dedicated, friendly and professional staff.  Whatever your goals, ACE can work them into our programs for an unforgettable and unique experience.

Find Out More

We invite you to learn more about ACE Adventure Resort and what we can help your group achieve.  Give us a call to discuss the possibilities.

School Programs

College & University Programs

Colleges and universities strive to instill concepts and skills that are intended for use far beyond the classroom walls.  Applicable abilities such as awareness, critical thinking, leadership, stress management, problem solving, value clarification and goal achievement that are necessities in today’s world can often be developed when they are experienced in a real life adventure environment.
Imagine the skills and transference that can be achieved after a day on a wild river with teambuilding opportunities around every bend.  Conquering the team challenges on a high ropes course can increase self-esteem and community spirit.  Because our canyon classroom offers the greatest variety of adventures, ACE can design a fresh, effective program for your students with long lasting results.

Freshmen Orientation - Academic Rewards - Leadership/Fellowship - Return/Retentivity - Adventure Based Physical Education

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We invite you to learn more about ACE Adventure Resort and what we can help your group achieve.  Give us a call to discuss the possibilities.

Junior High, High School, & College Field Trip Curriculums

Outdoor adventures are a great way to provide a fun, healthy and life enriching experience that can transform a group of diverse individuals into a close nit group of friends for a lifetime.

Life Science Course

The New River Gorge National River is home to a vast array of flora and fauna.  From lush riparian ecosystems up to the craggy canyon rim, the Gorge is as diverse as it is complex.  Our Life Science curriculum and field trip explore the natural elements and the community of plants, birds, and animals that make this unique environment their home.
Field Trip Options: Whitewater Rafting or Discovery Hiking
Day 1 - Evening Class, Day 2 - Field Trip

Earth Science Course

This educational adventure explores the ancient geological record of the world’s second oldest river.  The story of the changing geological processes that formed the New River Gorge will be revealed in the evening class and field trip.
Field Trip Options: Whitewater Rafting, Rock Climbing, or Discovery Hiking
Day 1 - Evening Class, Day 2 - Field Trip

Social Science Course

For generations, Native Americans used the New River as a transportation corridor.  Early explorers surveyed the rugged gorge hoping to connect cities of the East with a trade route to the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.  Coal barons came to extract the famous smokeless “black gold.”  And today, recreation has revitalized and reinvented the area.  Discover the rich historical and anthropological record of the New River Gorge, and take a lesson in man’s ability to adapt to a demanding environment.
Field Trip Options: Whitewater Rafting, Mountain Biking, or Discovery Hiking
Day 1 - Evening Class, Day 2 - Field Trip

Find Out More

We invite you to learn more about ACE Adventure Resort and what we can help your group achieve.  Give us a call to discuss the possibilities.

Athletic Teams

Athletic Teams

Successful athletic programs across the country have found out they must think outside the box when it comes to developing a “team” mentality!  They have learned that they can be more successful and benefit greatly from the shared experience of goal orientated outdoor teambuilding programs – a well organized program can change the demeanor, character and cohesion of a team.  The student athletes can benefit from increasing their ability to cooperate with a team, advocate for themselves, and bond and set goals with peers.  They will learn that every member of the team depends on, and is accountable to the other members of the team. 

It teaches shared leadership concepts, resolves trust issues and develops better communication skills that can takes weeks, if not months to instill in a regular training programs – it is time well spent.  It is a competitive edge unlike the daily practice field experience.  Each team has its own unique challenges and goals – ACE has the tools and resources to help set your team on the right path to success.  Whether you are working towards the championship or rewarding the team for winning the championship, ACE is the place!

Find Out More

We invite you to learn more about ACE Adventure Resort and what we can help your group achieve.  Give us a call to discuss the possibilities.

Youth Groups & YMCA

Youth Groups & YMCA’S

ACE has been a leader in positive youth development for more than three decades.  We utilize every tool available to us to keep today’s high-tech youths grounded.  We engage and empower them in new ways so that they can think for themselves and achieve success in a complicated world. 

Outdoor adventures is a great way to take a time-out and get away from busy life-styles and pressures young people face - to discover a whole new world of opportunities.  Through shared adventures, with problem-solving initiatives and challenges, individuals have a better chance to connect and experience personal growth.  It provides a way to discover new tools that they never knew they had - allowing them to be more resilient to today’s life-style options. 

Our trained facilitators will help guide your group to set goals, analyze impediments, and celebrate success – important life skills that your group can then take home and apply to their everyday life.  Whatever your goals are, ACE is ready to implement them in our exciting, unique and fun-filled programs.

Find Out More

We invite you to learn more about ACE Adventure Resort and what we can help your group achieve.  Give us a call to discuss the possibilities.