First Term, our Leaders-In-Training (LITs) returned to Camp Alleghany after completing one of the most demanding and formative components of their summer: a four-day, three-night backpacking expedition through the Spruce Knob loop. Located within the Monongahela National Forest, Spruce Knob rises to 4,863 feet, making it the highest point in West Virginia—and a breathtaking highland environment of wind-carved spruce trees, sweeping views, and alpine-like meadows.
To execute the backpacking trip, Camp Alleghany partners with Experience Learning, an outdoor education organization that provides expert guides for the journey. Alongside these guides and their Co-Heads—affectionately known as their “LIT Moms”—Julie Deacon and Coleman Poe, the girls carried everything they needed on their backs as they navigated miles of rugged trails, unpredictable weather, and challenging terrain.
The Journey
The LITs began their journey by setting up camp before summiting Spruce Knob on their first day—a rewarding ascent through varied terrain. They then continued along the Huckleberry Trail, navigating highland panoramas and dense woodland, before moving on to the remote and rugged terrain of the Seneca Creek Trail with its creek crossings. This route, which bookended the expedition with diverse ecosystems and conditions, offered not only a physical challenge but a comprehensive introduction to backcountry travel.
This backpacking trip was more than a physical challenge—it was a chance for these young women to navigate discomfort, fatigue, and uncertainty together. From encouraging one another on steep climbs to sharing quiet moments at their campsites at night, the LITs experienced what it truly means to rely on each other. That shared responsibility—showing up for the group while also managing their own needs—is a core principle of leadership, and one that sits at the center of our LIT program.
This value is exactly why this trip is placed at the very beginning of their summer. The backpacking experience is designed to strip leadership down to its essentials: trust, collaboration, communication, and resilience. It creates a shared starting point—one that grounds the group in purpose and connection before they take on more visible leadership roles back at camp. With this foundation in place, the LITs return not only with a sense of pride, but with the clarity, cohesion, and confidence they’ll need to lead throughout the term.
Back at Alleghany
Now back at Camp, the LITs are applying the lessons they gained on the trail to their leadership roles within the program. The backpacking trip laid a strong foundation in collaboration, resilience, and problem-solving—skills that are essential as they take on responsibilities within six committees charged with shaping key aspects of the LIT experience.
These roles go far beyond simply organizing events. The group is developing their ability to work together, manage complex tasks, adapt when plans change, and approach challenges thoughtfully. Through this process, they’re learning to take ownership, communicate clearly, and support one another—building leadership skills that will carry them not just through the summer, but beyond.
The hike was as demanding as it was rewarding, combining beautiful scenery with real physical challenges. Each day, the girls carried heavy backpacks filled with shared supplies—food, water, and tent materials—that tested their endurance. On the final night, a steady thunderstorm swept through their campsite, adding an unexpected challenge. Despite the difficult conditions, the group stayed focused and supported one another, returning to Camp with a collection of shared experiences and memories that have brought them closer together as a team.
What began on the trail—as a test of grit, initiative, and teamwork—is now being carried forward into every aspect of their LIT summer. While there’s still much more to learn and experience, the backpacking trip laid a solid foundation, setting the stage for these young women to grow into thoughtful and capable leaders throughout the summer.
