Expert coaching, many disciplines, and the naturally wondrous playground known as the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The origin of the Christ School Outdoor Program can be traced back to the 1970s, and it really came into its own in the 1990s under Greenie Legend Leigh Harris. Today, the program is more adventurous and robust than ever.
Enjoy the above video feature, along with these descriptions of current programming from Outdoor Program Director and Dean of Residential Life Wesley Shelmire:
Kayaking
Christ School’s kayaking program is making waves as one of the premier high school programs in the nation. Beginners start on our campus lake and quickly progress to some of the Southeast’s most thrilling Class II, III, and IV rivers. Experienced paddlers take their skills to the next level, training on legendary whitewater across three states. Students paddle local rivers several times a week and spend weekends on unforgettable adventures to places like the Nantahala and the Ocoee, site of the 1996 Olympic events. From the French Broad to Wilson Creek to the iconic Green River, our boys experience the very best whitewater in America while building confidence, teamwork, and grit.
Climbing
Climbing at Christ School is more than a sport, it is a journey of strength and trust. Students begin on campus learning the essentials of knots, rope care, and belay communication, then test their skills on world-class rock just beyond our campus. Looking Glass Rock, Rumbling Bald, and Table Rock are only a few of the stunning destinations where our climbers train. With opportunities ranging from top roping to advanced lead climbing, boys learn to push their limits on vertical terrain. In the winter, our competitive indoor climbing team thrives at the Fiddlehead Gym, where students sharpen their skills and go head-to-head with top climbers from other schools.
Outdoor Living
The mountains of Western North Carolina are our classroom. Christ School students lace up their boots and head to the Appalachian Trail, the Great Smoky Mountains, Pisgah National Forest, and the tundra-like balds of the Shining Rock Wilderness. Along the way, they master the essentials of outdoor living — packing smart, layering right, and practicing leave-no-trace camping. The program also includes survival skills, fire building, and even shelter building projects. In the past two seasons, students built a full cabin out of logs harvested from our campus forest. Whether carrying their own gear into the backcountry, learning how to live off the land, or watching a sunrise from a mountain ridge, our students discover resilience, independence, and a deep respect for the natural world.
Mountain Biking
Christ School is a mountain biker’s dream. With 12 miles of private trails weaving across campus and access to some of the most renowned riding destinations in the Southeast, our program delivers excitement at every level. Boys learn the fundamentals of bike safety and maintenance before hitting trails that challenge their endurance and skill. Advanced riders can test themselves on legendary terrain in Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Forest, Bent Creek, and the famous Tsali Loops. Whether training for competition or just chasing the thrill of a fast descent, students ride farther and faster than they ever imagined.
Disc Golf
Disc golf at Christ School combines fun, focus, and fierce competition. Led by professional player Ken Tyburski, our students sharpen every part of their game; from long drives to pinpoint putting to the mental strategies that separate champions from the rest. With more than 500 acres of scenic land and our very own 8-hole course, Christ School is the perfect place to grow as both a player and a competitor.
Fly Fishing
Few schools can match Christ School’s access to world-class waters. Our fly-fishing program gives boys the chance to learn an art form that blends patience, precision, and a love of the outdoors. Students start with the basics of knots, casting, and fly selection before moving on to our campus lake and some of the best rivers in the country. From the Davidson and Mills to the East Fork of the French Broad and Wilson Creek, students experience the thrill of landing trout in pristine Appalachian streams just minutes from campus.