Wildacres Spring 2025

April 28 - May 1, 2025

  • Enjoy 3 nights in a Blue Ridge Parkway Mountaintop Resort with 75 of your Senior Scholar friends!
  • Engaging lectures by Meg Johnson and Joe Kendrick, discussing music therapy and how music impacts society.
  • Waterfalls, hiking paths, fresh air, local entertainers, 8 home-style, all-you-can-eat meals!

Relaxing days of learning, reflection, fellowship, laughter, entertainment, solitude, sharing and hiking at this beautiful 1,400 acre wilderness retreat near the Blue Ridge Parkway in the spectacular mountains of western North Carolina.

Organizers: Kristan Smith and Steve Lauer

DETAILS

The 2025 cost for members includes lodging, meals and social hour.

  • $305/person (double occupancy)*
  • Scholarships are available

Senior Scholars would like for everyone who is interested in the Wildacres Retreat to be able to attend.  With the increase in prices all around, this may be a stretch for some. If you would like to have financial help covering the costs (25%, 50%, or 100%), please send your request to Jeanne Smith (jesmith8412@gmail.com) or Jim Renger (jimrenger@gmail.com). Your request will be kept confidential.

The Wildacres Scholarship Fund was set up several years ago with donations from members to ensure that all Senior Scholars can participate in the retreats.

*Note: Only double rooms are available this year.
If you would like help in finding a roommate, please indicate this on the registration form.

Your request for a special room assignment will be taken into consideration. Street access and handicap rooms due to physical requirements will be addressed.  Other requests will be considered only if there is availability after accommodating physical needs.

This Year's Speakers

Music Therapy: The Science, the Singing and Everything in Between

Speaker: Meg Johnson, Music Therapy Director at Queens University

How Music Impacts Society

Speaker: Joe Kendrick, Director of Programming & Operations, WNCW

Reservations now open!

Helpful Links:

Need to get more information?

Please send us an email at: Wildacres

Past Wildacres Retreat Photo Albums