Reconnect to your
natural roots.

Outdoor education programming for youth, adults, and families.

Youth Summer Camps

Adult Workshops

Custom Programs

  • If you’re debating on whether or not you should go to this camp, I can assure you that come summer of every year, Buffalo Cove will be the highlight.

    Lylah, camper (and now staff member!)

  • Nathan’s creativity and ingenuity in crafting lessons in a wilderness setting that perfectly complement and extend my lessons in the classroom is nothing short of genius.

    Kelly Lynn, teacher

  • Since 1st grade, Buffalo Cove has truly been a home away from home. There is really no better place for the nature lover, the thrill seeker, or someone wanting to be a part of a strong and loving community.

    Galen, camper

  • When the kids walk out of the woods when camp is over, they bring an energy and confidence that is palpable. I am grateful Buffalo Cove taught my kids to believe in and trust themselves.

    Shari, parent

  • [Our children] experienced and practiced empathy, vulnerability, accountability, respect, compassion and hard work. They embraced fear, laughed, cried and danced. They developed a deeper sense of themselves in the process, while having loads of fun and building priceless memories.

    Elli and Gary, parents

About
Buffalo Cove

In 1995, Berta Blecke and Nathan Roark put their heads together to create an opportunity for inner-city, foster children to travel to the mountains of North Carolina and experience the power of being immersed in the natural world. In 2000, Buffalo Cove Outdoor Education Center (BCOEC) was created to secure this experience for children in years to come.

Over the years, Buffalo Cove has grown to offer a wide variety of youth and adult classes and camps in outdoor education and adventure, but the mission still remains the same. We are dedicated to providing a quality experience, furthering individual growth, promoting positive community participation, and fostering connection with family and the natural world.

We believe that quality, outdoor education is more important now than ever. Our children are inheriting an Earth that is in far worse shape than the planet our parents were born into. Getting kids outside, learning, and playing in community with each other is imperative. Study after study has shown how our children’s interpersonal and human relationship skills are suffering due to a lack of prolonged and positive personal human interaction. Buffalo Cove puts a tremendous amount of energy towards developing these “people” skills and building community while developing outdoor skills and appreciation for nature.

Getting things together to head to the Rivercane Earthskills Rendezvous for a few days. Teaching traditional archery and blending & flowing with your surroundings. Should be lots of fun. As always, looking forward to connecting with old friends,
5th graders from @tworiverscommunityschool got a top of the line education from the wind and rain last week. They tried their hand at survival shelters, wet wood fires, and …. Frankly…. just a lot of learning around staying warm and dry
A little treat from our valley at Basecamp!! #wildfood #springedibles #buffalocovecamp
Wildness- it’s what’s for supper! Some Deer backstrap with a good dose of fresh spring greens in the form of young Wood Nettles and Branch Lettuce…… sautés nicely in Bear Oil! My favorite way to wake up the blood fr
Grabbing the last bit of freezing weather for a river trip. Moving from rain to wind and plummeting temps in a riverine environment to test your systems and skills in hypothermia prevention! Always a treat to sleep alongside a beautiful river…