ABOUT WILDERNESS ADVENTURE AT EAGLE LANDING
ABOUT WAEL
Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing is an Adventure Camp, Conference and Retreat Center located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia.
Operating all year-round, our programs range from backpacking summer camps to weeklong school trips to gourmet dining events. We pride ourselves on offering fully customizable programs catered to the needs, goals and expectations of our guests.
HISTORY OF WAEL
Founded in 1990 by retired Marine Colonel Gene Nervo and his family, Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing began as a backpacking camp for ages 8-18. Over the past 25 years, the program has grown and is now a year round conference, adventure and retreat center in addition to a Summer Adventure Camp!
When Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing was founded in 1990, the only building on our Base Camp property was an 1800's era farmhouse--the original structure to our Main Lodge. Using similar construction, the remainder of the Main Lodge was built onto this farmhouse to create the large, inviting centerpiece of our facility. The Sly Lodge, Sneaky Cabin, Admin Building and all other structures were built throughout the years to complete our year-round Conference & Retreat center.
OUR MISSION
At Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing, we strive to provide a character-building educational experience that helps participants develop and improve their self-confidence, self-esteem, team-building skills, and leadership through adventure activities.
Our philosophy is to immerse participants in an environment that offers an opportunity to develop positive character and leadership traits, self-confidence, self-esteem, and teamwork. With careful instruction and positive encouragement from our experienced leaders and instructors, participants are motivated to face challenges that require both teamwork and individual effort. By achieving both group and personal goals, they develop strength, character, and confidence to carry with them throughout their lives.
MEET THE TEAM
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
At Wilderness Adventure, everyone from the directors who guide the ship to the year-round staff who lead different program areas and the seasonal crew of Group and Trip Leaders are deeply passionate about what they do. It's rare to find anyone at our organization who isn't enthusiastic and committed to their role.
Our story starts with The Colonel
THE COLONEL
The heart and soul of this operation is Gene Nervo, also known as The Colonel. He regularly reminds his young staff that his 35 years of experience in the Marine Corps and raising seven children have given him the wisdom and vision to bring life to a unique program like Wilderness Adventure.
After spending 15 years as a Boy Scout leader, he decided to use his retirement to build a place where anyone could experience the great outdoors. The Colonel built Wilderness Adventure's camp programs to emphasize his four principles of success: work ethic, communication skills, respect, and a positive attitude. These principles are the foundation of every good trip and the building blocks for character and confidence in every child.
