FBRA Blog
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 […]
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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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By Heath Alexander, 6th Grade Social Studies Teacher Sixth-graders from the FBRA Boys Program went to City Hall on Monday, May 13, 2024 to deliver letters to the Asheville City Council and Mayor on the topic of rebuilding the Malvern Hills pool, a community swimming pool in West Asheville that has been closed due to […]
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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 […]
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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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Step outside of Asheville With These Five Family-Friendly SUmmer Outdoor Destinations We all know that Asheville is a mecca for outdoor adventure. It’s easy to pack up the gear and be in the woods in no time. However, if you’re seeking some fresh territory, then check out these five family-friendly summer outdoor spots just an […]
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David Miller Brings Riverskate to FBRA This spring a small group of FBRA students participated in the groundbreaking RIVERSKATE Design + Build + Paddle. This marked the debut of the riverskate, the first stand-up paddleboard (SUP) designed for whitewater freestyle. Over three months, participants embarked on a journey from concept to creation. Starting with hand-shaped […]
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It’s been another active year of community service for French Broad River Academy students and staff. We are grateful to our many service partners around the region. They are doing such important work fighting for the environment, food insecurity, and social justice. Marshall Native Gardens Service Partners Recently in an article in the Citizen Times, […]
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