Discovery Trips
Discovery Difficulty Ratings
Gentle: Level terrain.
Moderate: Slight elevation change, some stairs, some physical exertion required.
Required Equipment for Discovery Trips
It is recommended that you wear sturdy shoes and bring a quart of water and rain gear for all Discovery trips. Helmets are required for horseback riding and will be provided.
- 501: Under the Wisdom Tree — The Blue Ridge: Punctuated Evolution of a Mountain RangeLimit 99
Those rocks in the Blue Ridge are old, really old. Surprisingly, the mountain that we see may not be so ancient. The Blue Ridge that we see today east of Radford has been squished, baked, buried, exhumed, uplifted, and eroded. You can see the evidence in the topographic wrinkles, reflecting the punctuated evolution of the Blue Ridge. - 502: Under the Wisdom Tree — Is it Soil or Dirt?Limit 99
Anyone trying to be successful needs to be “well grounded” – but what’s in the actual ground? When we walk on the grass or a trail at SUUSI, what are we trampling with our feet? There’s an extraordinary amount of science – and a lot of lore – that explains what stuff to grow, how to grow the right stuff, and how to grow that stuff right. - 503: Under the Wisdom Tree — Things That Slither and CrawlLimit 99
Snakes are fascinating. Turtles are fun. Earthworms – well, everyone should dig ‘em. Come discover what’s moving around us, with and without legs. They see the world from a different angle, so if we “walk a mile in their moccasins” we can broaden our perspective as well. - 504: Under the Wisdom Tree — Spiders, 'Skeeters, and StingersLimit 99
There’s a place in the choir for all of god’s creatures. When we get into their space, sometimes they defend themselves. At other times – hey, they gotta eat too. Sometimes, even us. Learn about the critters that we love to hate before you swat ‘em again. - 510: Monday Forest Bathing Limit 14
Start the week with an early morning reverent immersion in the forest. Enjoy the silent mindfulness practice of Forest Bathing. It’s the perfect opportunity to center yourself and begin your SUUSI week energized by the coolness of the early morning in slow movement, silent meditation, and acute observation of the forest flora and fauna. Drive Time: 20 mins.
- 511: Mushroom ForayLimit 14
Join us for a hunt! We will start with on campus with a short informational session on fungi facts and then we will foray into the wild to learn about the areas most hospitable for their growth. It is likely we will locate and harvest some edible ones. 20 minute drive time. - 520: Horseback Ride MondayLimit 8
Ride on breathtaking trails that pass through landscapes from dense forest to windswept ridge tops. Just 5 minutes from campus, Winterfrost Farms is a non-profit horse rescue that offers a 500-acre home to 60 horses. The horses are fostered at Winterfrost until they can be adopted to a forever home. The Ride-A-Rescue horseback riding program was started to help support the rescue horses, as part of their rehabilitation. Ride-a-Rescue trail rides use only healthy rescue horses eager and ready to work. All proceeds go to the care of the horses. 10-minute drive time. Long pants are recommended. Helmets are required to ride and will be provided. - 521: The Berry Patch (Family Friendly)Limit 14
We’re going berry-pickin! This trip takes us to 3 Birds Berry Farm in Blacksburg, featuring “local, unsprayed goodness” in the form of blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. The farm is owned and operated by a family that describes itself as passionate about berries. The experience is sure to be friendly, fun, and down-to-earth. We’ll take a short tour of the farm and then pick all the raspberries and blackberries you and your SUUSI friends can eat! Prices are $3/pint or $20/gallon, prices may vary (pint containers are provided, and gallon containers are available for purchase). Enjoy the fruits of summer - and bring the kids! This is one of the few nature trips featuring a “comfort station” on site, but they suggest you bring what comforts you like while picking, such as water, hats, bug spray, etc. 20 20-minute drive time. Closed-toe shoes required; it is a working farm. - 522: Sélu Nature Conservancy: A TourLimit 14
Sélu Nature Conservancy is named for the mythical Cherokee "grandmother corn-spirit." We'll be led on a tour of the ancestral farmhouse that John Bowles donated to Radford University. The tour of the replicated 1930s homestead provides an intimate connection with the era as we see and hear what life was like for a typical 1930s family. We'll hear the hum and crackle of a restored antique radio and recordings of music, commercials, and speeches families would have listened to in their homes as we tour the farmhouse. We'll have time to explore the grounds and John's Laughing Place walking trail, which overlooks a stunning vista of the Little River below. 20-minute drive. - 523: Foraging (Family Friendly)Limit 14
Can’t get enough foraging? Jennifer Sanders will lead us around (or near) the campus to seek forageable plants to identify. We’ll end with a taste of something foraged. Jenni started foraging over a decade ago and still geeks out over all the weeds to eat! - 524: Swimming at Randolph Park (Family Friendly)Limit 14
Join us as we explore the Evelyn Alexander Water Park at Randolph Park in Dublin, boasting a water purifying system that eliminates red eyes, green hair, itchy skin, and faded suits. It features eight lanes, a 38-foot-long water slide, walk-in access to heated water, spray toys and water drops, shaded swimming, a bath house, and more. Bring money for concessions if desired. 30-minute drive time. - 525: Creating SUUSI Campfire Memories (Family Friendly)Limit 28
There’s nothing like a campfire circle for creating community! Join us for a campfire on the Sélu Nature Conservancy grounds. Bring your songs and stories as we let the fun (and marshmallow roasting) happen. Bring the kids! Children under 8 riding in a car or van must have a car seat or booster seat. Please bring it to the Nature Tent/Office 15 minutes before departure.
Drive Time: 20 min one-way. - 526: Long Way Brewing Limit 14
Long Way Brewing started with a vision: to bring a local craft brewery to Radford's West End, revitalizing the area. After much research and setbacks, an old Seventh Day Adventist church became the chosen location. Amidst brainstorming names and logos, “Long Way" was chosen for its regional significance. However, as the journey progressed, "Long Way" came to symbolize the challenging path from idea to pint glass for a small craft brewery. A member of the staff will be available to meet with us and share their story, including their relationship with the Radford Fairlawn Daily Bread. It's trivia night, so bring your thinking caps! Come and enjoy one of the many beers on tap! 10-minute drive time. Food truck on site. Bring ID and money for food, brews, and rounding up for Radford Fairlawn Daily Bread. - 530: Herb Farm Tour and Herbal Lunch Limit 14
Join us for this perennial favorite. Just over an hour's drive from campus is Beagle Ridge Garden and Herb Farm in Wytheville, with 14 theme display gardens showcasing herb and perennial collections. We will stroll through the gardens, eat lunch, watch the hummingbirds feast on the flowers, and visit the “Flying Flowers” butterfly conservatory. Time permitting, individuals may walk one of the many trails on the property or visit the fish pond. The shop contains herbal soaps, lotions, bath gels, and plants. Required: sturdy shoes and drinking water. Lunch and butterfly admission fee included in price. Recommended: extra money for the store. 75-minute one-way drive time. - 531: Historic SmithfieldLimit 14
Smithfield is on the National Register of Historic Places, the Virginia Landmarks Register, and is a member of The New River Heritage Coalition. Today, Historic Smithfield uses the complex histories of the region's indigenous peoples, the Preston Family, and the enslaved community to inform their present and future, seeking to inspire a new generation of Americans through the stories and values of all who lived at Smithfield. We will have a guided tour of the historic grounds, the medicinal garden, and some of the buildings; we will enjoy a picnic lunch on the grounds. Bring money for the gift shop if you would like souvenirs - and maybe a hat since we will be outside in the gardens a good bit of the time. 30-minute drive. - 532: Sunset Horseback RideLimit 8
We'll ride into the Sunset! Join us for a twilight experience. See full description from 520, Horseback Riding Monday. - 533: Creating SUUSI Campfire MemoriesLimit 28
Join us for a campfire on the grounds of Sélu Nature Conservancy. Bring your songs and stories as we just let the fun happen. There's nothing like a campfire circle for creating community. This is an adult event – look for the child-friendly campfire on Tuesday evening. 20-minute drive. - 540: Forest Bathing ThursdayLimit 14
Refresh in the middle of the week with a deep, sensory immersion in the forest. Enjoy the outdoor mindfulness practice of Forest Bathing on a relatively flat trail where we can commune with the living earth. Learn how to walk like a fox, listen like a deer, and see like an owl. We will spend the morning in slow movement, silent meditation, and acute observation of the forest flora and fauna. Drive Time: 25 mins. - 541: Chateau Morrisette WineryLimit 14
After a scenic drive to the Blue Ridge Parkway, we’ll visit the winery for a guided tour and wine tasting (included in cost). 60-minute drive. Recommended: eat lunch on campus before leaving; bring extra money for wine or gifts. Bring ID. - 542: Glencoe Mansion Museum - Family FriendlyLimit 14
Join us for an afternoon of Radford history.The Glencoe Mansion Museum allows you to explore the history of Radford and beyond from the early Native Americans to the present with engaging and informative exhibits. We will have a guided tour of the Wharton family's home and learn about their role in Southwest Virginia’s post-Civil War development. We will also learn of frontier heroine Mary Draper Ingles' well-known story of being taken into Native American captivity and, along with one other woman, walking over 400 miles to return home. Mary Draper Ingles’ extraordinary story is not an isolated event but part of a larger narrative of empire and development. We'll also visit the Mary Ingles Draper Statue and the New River Train Observatory adjacent to the museum. There will be time to visit the museum gift shop. 10-minute drive. - 543: Dixie Caverns (Family Friendly)Limit 14
A caving trip, easy enough for everyone. This is your opportunity to see a cave while avoiding all the mud and hard work of wild cave trips. The cavern is well-lit and has walkways with many small steps. It’s cool inside; you may wish to bring a light jacket. Great for families or those wanting to explore in comfort. Children must be accompanied by an adult and must register for this trip. The environment is moist, and surfaces are slippery. Caving equipment is not needed, but sturdy, slip-resistant shoes are required. The drive is 35 minutes one way. Required: car seat or booster seat for children under 8. - 550: Bridges and PhotographyLimit 14
Explore some of the area's historical bridges at a pace that welcomes and allows for stopping for photography. We'll start with a visit to Clover Hollow and nearby Link Farm covered bridges and enjoy a picnic lunch by the creek. We'll do a drive-under of the Wilson Creek Bridge, part of the Smart Road Project, as we head to the Battle of New River Civil War Bridge along the New River in Radford. If time allows, we will explore the New River Train bridge.