2026 Annual Firefly Gathering, July 7-12
Transformative earthskills immersion in the Blue Ridge Mountains with 300+ hands on classes, nightly communal music, and intergenerational camping at Wild Human Preserve for skill building, nature connection, and community.
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Rugged primitive camping at Tryon International Equestrian Center for PrepperCamp 2026, centered on off grid living, hands on survival skills workshops, communal campfires, and austere overnight accommodations.

Rugged primitive camping at Tryon International Equestrian Center for PrepperCamp 2026, centered on off grid living, hands on survival skills workshops, communal campfires, and austere overnight accommodations.
Rugged primitive camping at Tryon International Equestrian Center for PrepperCamp 2026, centered on off grid living, hands on survival skills workshops, communal campfires, and austere overnight accommodations.

Overnight nature retreat focused on viewing rare Appalachian blue ghost fireflies, with guided night hikes and quiet low light forest immersion; camping style accommodations encourage stargazing and nocturnal wildlife observation.

Overnight nature retreat focused on viewing rare Appalachian blue ghost fireflies, with guided night hikes and quiet low light forest immersion; camping style accommodations encourage stargazing and nocturnal wildlife observation.
Overnight nature retreat focused on viewing rare Appalachian blue ghost fireflies, with guided night hikes and quiet low light forest immersion; camping style accommodations encourage stargazing and nocturnal wildlife observation.
Gentle morning yoga flows and guided hikes through spring wildflower meadows and forest bathing sessions near Hendersonville, combining nature therapy with restorative movement for a four day wellness retreat in April.
Gentle morning yoga flows and guided hikes through spring wildflower meadows and forest bathing sessions near Hendersonville, combining nature therapy with restorative movement for a four day wellness retreat in April.
Gentle morning yoga flows and guided hikes through spring wildflower meadows and forest bathing sessions near Hendersonville, combining nature therapy with restorative movement for a four day wellness retreat in April.

Hands-on Appalachian foraging instruction in the field, focusing on safe plant identification and ethical harvesting. Learn to spot seasonal wild edibles and build confidence navigating local woods and trails.

Hands-on Appalachian foraging instruction in the field, focusing on safe plant identification and ethical harvesting. Learn to spot seasonal wild edibles and build confidence navigating local woods and trails.
Hands-on Appalachian foraging instruction in the field, focusing on safe plant identification and ethical harvesting. Learn to spot seasonal wild edibles and build confidence navigating local woods and trails.

Weeklong creative retreat on a college campus with hands on workshops, jam sessions, and peer learning across multiple instruments and arts disciplines. Built around communal meals, late night picking circles, and skill building in a camp like setting.

Weeklong creative retreat on a college campus with hands on workshops, jam sessions, and peer learning across multiple instruments and arts disciplines. Built around communal meals, late night picking circles, and skill building in a camp like setting.
Weeklong creative retreat on a college campus with hands on workshops, jam sessions, and peer learning across multiple instruments and arts disciplines. Built around communal meals, late night picking circles, and skill building in a camp like setting.

Moonlit forest walk for quiet firefly viewing along shaded Blue Ridge trails, led by experienced guides; expect low light navigation, nocturnal wildlife sightings, and recommended headlamps and sturdy footwear for the night hike.

Moonlit forest walk for quiet firefly viewing along shaded Blue Ridge trails, led by experienced guides; expect low light navigation, nocturnal wildlife sightings, and recommended headlamps and sturdy footwear for the night hike.
Moonlit forest walk for quiet firefly viewing along shaded Blue Ridge trails, led by experienced guides; expect low light navigation, nocturnal wildlife sightings, and recommended headlamps and sturdy footwear for the night hike.

Hands-on STEM festival with interactive science demos and casual conversations with working scientists, set amid the trails and gardens of the NC Arboretum. A free, curiosity-driven day of nature exploration for all ages as part of the NC Science Festival.

Hands-on STEM festival with interactive science demos and casual conversations with working scientists, set amid the trails and gardens of the NC Arboretum. A free, curiosity-driven day of nature exploration for all ages as part of the NC Science Festival.
Hands-on STEM festival with interactive science demos and casual conversations with working scientists, set amid the trails and gardens of the NC Arboretum. A free, curiosity-driven day of nature exploration for all ages as part of the NC Science Festival.
Tactile, curiosity driven festival of invention with hands on workshops, robotics demos, 3D printing stations, and interactive maker booths for kids and adults exploring DIY electronics, crafts, and creative engineering.
Tactile, curiosity driven festival of invention with hands on workshops, robotics demos, 3D printing stations, and interactive maker booths for kids and adults exploring DIY electronics, crafts, and creative engineering.
Tactile, curiosity driven festival of invention with hands on workshops, robotics demos, 3D printing stations, and interactive maker booths for kids and adults exploring DIY electronics, crafts, and creative engineering.

Hands-on Appalachian folk singing with call and response melodies, rich harmonies, and regional storytelling traditions. Learn vocal techniques and song styles in a supportive group setting focused on Blue Ridge heritage and community singing.

Hands-on Appalachian folk singing with call and response melodies, rich harmonies, and regional storytelling traditions. Learn vocal techniques and song styles in a supportive group setting focused on Blue Ridge heritage and community singing.
Hands-on Appalachian folk singing with call and response melodies, rich harmonies, and regional storytelling traditions. Learn vocal techniques and song styles in a supportive group setting focused on Blue Ridge heritage and community singing.
Twilight guided naturalist walks through Blue Ridge woodlands to witness bioluminescent blue ghost fireflies and learn about nighttime ecology, with gentle night hikes suited to families, photographers, and curious naturalists.
Twilight guided naturalist walks through Blue Ridge woodlands to witness bioluminescent blue ghost fireflies and learn about nighttime ecology, with gentle night hikes suited to families, photographers, and curious naturalists.
Twilight guided naturalist walks through Blue Ridge woodlands to witness bioluminescent blue ghost fireflies and learn about nighttime ecology, with gentle night hikes suited to families, photographers, and curious naturalists.

Moonlit forest trek to glimpse bioluminescent blue ghost fireflies during a guided night hike, focusing on quiet, dim light viewing and naturalist interpretation of seasonal mating displays.

Moonlit forest trek to glimpse bioluminescent blue ghost fireflies during a guided night hike, focusing on quiet, dim light viewing and naturalist interpretation of seasonal mating displays.
Moonlit forest trek to glimpse bioluminescent blue ghost fireflies during a guided night hike, focusing on quiet, dim light viewing and naturalist interpretation of seasonal mating displays.

Sunlit outdoor festival celebrating local honey with tasting tables, beekeeping demos, and vendor booths on Highland Brewing's beer garden; family friendly activities and brewery beer pairings highlight Asheville's pollinator-focused foodways.

Sunlit outdoor festival celebrating local honey with tasting tables, beekeeping demos, and vendor booths on Highland Brewing's beer garden; family friendly activities and brewery beer pairings highlight Asheville's pollinator-focused foodways.
Sunlit outdoor festival celebrating local honey with tasting tables, beekeeping demos, and vendor booths on Highland Brewing's beer garden; family friendly activities and brewery beer pairings highlight Asheville's pollinator-focused foodways.

A fibershed heritage festival set on the Hickory Nut Gap farm, blending an artisan market with fiber crafts and hands-on demonstrations. Browse locally made textiles and goods while connecting with regional makers in an outdoor, community-forward setting.

A fibershed heritage festival set on the Hickory Nut Gap farm, blending an artisan market with fiber crafts and hands-on demonstrations. Browse locally made textiles and goods while connecting with regional makers in an outdoor, community-forward setting.
A fibershed heritage festival set on the Hickory Nut Gap farm, blending an artisan market with fiber crafts and hands-on demonstrations. Browse locally made textiles and goods while connecting with regional makers in an outdoor, community-forward setting.

Intensive daylong immersion teaching foundational herbalism: plant identification, sustainable foraging, and hands on apothecary skills like tinctures and salves, tailored for beginners seeking practical folk medicine know-how and community practice.

Intensive daylong immersion teaching foundational herbalism: plant identification, sustainable foraging, and hands on apothecary skills like tinctures and salves, tailored for beginners seeking practical folk medicine know-how and community practice.
Intensive daylong immersion teaching foundational herbalism: plant identification, sustainable foraging, and hands on apothecary skills like tinctures and salves, tailored for beginners seeking practical folk medicine know-how and community practice.
Autumn weekend retreat focused on mother-daughter bonding through cabin stays, campfire songs, guided nature hikes, hands-on crafts, and reflective workshops that encourage intergenerational connection and outdoor skills.
Autumn weekend retreat focused on mother-daughter bonding through cabin stays, campfire songs, guided nature hikes, hands-on crafts, and reflective workshops that encourage intergenerational connection and outdoor skills.
Autumn weekend retreat focused on mother-daughter bonding through cabin stays, campfire songs, guided nature hikes, hands-on crafts, and reflective workshops that encourage intergenerational connection and outdoor skills.

Hands on backyard herbalism workshop exploring seasonal medicinal herbs, foraging basics, and simple preparations like teas and tinctures. Participants learn plant identification, ethical harvesting, and DIY remedies in a casual community garden setting.

Hands on backyard herbalism workshop exploring seasonal medicinal herbs, foraging basics, and simple preparations like teas and tinctures. Participants learn plant identification, ethical harvesting, and DIY remedies in a casual community garden setting.
Hands on backyard herbalism workshop exploring seasonal medicinal herbs, foraging basics, and simple preparations like teas and tinctures. Participants learn plant identification, ethical harvesting, and DIY remedies in a casual community garden setting.

Hands on plant magic and herbalism workshop blending seasonal plant medicine, outdoor ritual, and nature based witchcraft practices; experiential immersion suited for beginners seeking forest based craft, ceremonial practice, and practical herbal skills.

Hands on plant magic and herbalism workshop blending seasonal plant medicine, outdoor ritual, and nature based witchcraft practices; experiential immersion suited for beginners seeking forest based craft, ceremonial practice, and practical herbal skills.
Hands on plant magic and herbalism workshop blending seasonal plant medicine, outdoor ritual, and nature based witchcraft practices; experiential immersion suited for beginners seeking forest based craft, ceremonial practice, and practical herbal skills.
Autumn weekend of overnight camping and practical outdoor skills workshops designed for fathers and sons, centered on campfire storytelling, trail activities, and guided bonding exercises to strengthen intergenerational connection.
Autumn weekend of overnight camping and practical outdoor skills workshops designed for fathers and sons, centered on campfire storytelling, trail activities, and guided bonding exercises to strengthen intergenerational connection.
Autumn weekend of overnight camping and practical outdoor skills workshops designed for fathers and sons, centered on campfire storytelling, trail activities, and guided bonding exercises to strengthen intergenerational connection.
Cozy small group weekend yoga retreat focused on restorative practices, gentle flows, and community connection in a meadow setting; suitable for all levels with multiple spring 2026 dates.
Cozy small group weekend yoga retreat focused on restorative practices, gentle flows, and community connection in a meadow setting; suitable for all levels with multiple spring 2026 dates.
Cozy small group weekend yoga retreat focused on restorative practices, gentle flows, and community connection in a meadow setting; suitable for all levels with multiple spring 2026 dates.

Practical educator training focused on environmental education methods, blending curriculum design with outdoor, place based activities. Ideal for teachers and facilitators seeking classroom ready tools for ecological literacy and field learning.

Practical educator training focused on environmental education methods, blending curriculum design with outdoor, place based activities. Ideal for teachers and facilitators seeking classroom ready tools for ecological literacy and field learning.
Practical educator training focused on environmental education methods, blending curriculum design with outdoor, place based activities. Ideal for teachers and facilitators seeking classroom ready tools for ecological literacy and field learning.