Nicaragua Travel Log from FBRA Science Teacher Liddell Shannon Adventure Travel has been a passion of mine for many years. With the FBRA school schedule, I have the opportunity to play, learn, and grow alongside my students during the school year as well as have enriching experiences with my family during the summer. Last summer […]
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The BEST First Week of School Ever Our school year began last week with Induction Week, a five-day overnight experience based out of Camp Mondamin for Boys and Camp Green Cove for Girls. New students may have arrived on Monday morning with a bit of trepidation and uncertainty, but they departed on Friday with a whole new crew
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The 2024 alumni picnic on August 7 was a great chance for our alumni to connect with old friends and teachers. Alumni in attendance ranged from our most recent graduates, the Class of 2024, going back to the Class of 2018, many of whom are starting their junior year of college. Of course, no FBRA
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FBRA’s summer 2024 climbing trip was one for the books. Seven FBRA students and two instructors just returned from an amazing week of climbing in Kentucky’s beautiful Red River Gorge. It was a glorious week of challenge and triumph as our campers climbed to new heights, literally! Summer programs are an extension of our in-school
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The humble salamander is French Broad River Academy’s mascot. But why? What makes salamanders worthy of mascot status? Here are some salamander tidbits so that you’ll be in the know… Fact 1: Salamander Capital of the World According to the Highlands Biological Station, the Southern Appalachians is one of the most biologically diverse regions on
This year’s Salamander Adventure Camp was a blast! Each year, French Broad River Academy offers a completely free summer program to students from Woodfin Elementary School. We designed this day program to get kids outside all day. They enjoy playing in our wonderful mountain playground and learning about our flora, fauna, and geology. Instructors Liddell
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It’s official. Construction on the Woodfin Whitewater Wave and adjoining park expansion are slated to begin just days from now! The Town of Woodfin and the general contractor signed construction contracts on June 11, 2024. After years of planning, it’s finally GO TIME on Taylor’s Wave, located in Woodfin’s stretch of the French Broad River,
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By Felix Dowsley, FBRA Boys Program Director This essay first appeared on the website of The Mountain Tactical Institute. Every week, our school fields seventy two students and fourteen staff in an ever-rotating program of whitewater paddling, rock climbing, service work, and downhill skiing. I read every incident report and look for trends, hoping to
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FBRA graduation ceremonies are unique in that each graduating 8th grader addresses the audience, in contrast to having a valedictorian deliver the class address. The ceremonies offer a special time for our community to celebrate the achievements of our graduating 8th graders, to reflect upon the impact of three years in our program, and for
The Reason Our Staff Paddle By Will Yeiser, Executive Director and Co-Founder One of the many concepts that influenced the creation of the French Broad River Academy (FBRA) came from legendary climber, businessman, environmentalist, and founder of Patagonia, Inc. Yvon Chouinard. In his book “Let My People Go Surfing,” he outlines his business approach of
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