Calendar of Events

• ONSITE | Thursday, December 21, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. | $24 Adult Non-Member (Arboretum member discount applies!) Pre-registration Required.

  Celebrate the Solstice on an afternoon “awe” walk through the Arboretum forest. Photographer Susan Patrice and writer Rebecca Caldwell invite you to listen to the land, take in the light and share a poetry of place. Participants will be encouraged to pause along the way to discover and photograph the beauty in the winter landscape guided by Susan. A selection of poetry read by Rebecca will encourage reflecting on this season of transition and dormancy. Yet, for many of us, this landscape inspires a generative opening in the year’s cycles. We begin to make room for the creative work we’ve put on hold for too long. Like the poet Mary Oliver’s white-eyed wind bird, we feel a stirring and a restlessness when we might otherwise want to sleep: “He has an idea, and slowly it unfolds …” Come see what ideas are awaiting an invitation. All levels of experience are welcome. Bring yourself and a phone or any kind of photographic equipment if you like. Included is a set of prompts you can take for further wintertime journal writing and imaging.

  Pre-register for this small-group experience through the form linked below and staff will  be in touch to finalize registration and payment.

Join Conserving Carolina on December 21 at 7:00 pm to celebrate the longest night of the year with a winter solstice walk to Hooker Falls in DuPont State Recreational Forest.

The stroll will be along a quarter-mile trail to the base of Hooker Falls. In the dark of night we will create soft moonlight by shining flashlights upon the falls…and enjoy a quiet moment to celebrate the return of the sun to the northern hemisphere.

Pre-registration is required. Please RSVP at conservingcarolina.org/calendar. There is no charge for this event.

Your child is welcome between 8-4 pm, they will need to bring their own lunch. The cost is $70 per day – only 18 spots are available – registration is open on our website!
Happens on the following Dates:
Dec 26, 2023, 8:00am to 4:00pm EST
Dec 27, 2023, 8:00am to 4:00pm EST
Dec 28, 2023, 8:00am to 4:00pm EST
Dec 29, 2023, 8:00am to 4:00pm EST

Does the holiday hustle and bustle leave your wellness schedule in the cold? Pump up the volume and get moving with others as you start the day in the Stephens-Lee gym!

FREE | Ages 5+ (under 16 must be with an adult)
December 18-22 and December 27-29 from 8:30-9:30am

Spend time on the trails walked by Carl Sandburg. Walk around a lake, past his home, by the goat barn, and over the rock where Sandburg often wrote his poetry. Then walk a short distance to visit the quaint shops of the village of Flat Rock. Go by the rock for which the village is named and past the Flat Rock Playhouse (the official NC State Playhouse).

This is a hilly walk; many will want walking poles. A portion of the trail has roots and other tripping hazards. Tennis shoes will be fine for most; if it has rained that day there is one slick place, so be sure your shoes have good tread. Bring a protein snack and water bottle.

The group will gather in the main parking lot at the entrance to the Sandburg property. There are restrooms near the beginning of the walk and near the Sandburg house.

Celebrate the holiday season as Tweetsie Railroad transforms into a winter wonderland for Tweetsie Christmas on November 24, 25, 26, December 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, & 30!

Closed Thanksgiving Eve, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.

Tweetsie Christmas offers holiday activities the whole family will love, including a 20-minute nighttime train ride in an open-air car behind one of the park’s historic steam locomotives on a three-mile route lined with over 1 million Christmas lights, a heartwarming, toe-tapping, live Christmas variety show, kid-friendly amusement rides, meetings with Santa in his Gingerbread House filled with candied furnishings, and roasting s’mores over an outdoor fire.

Join us for an inspiring and uplifting 2-hour workshop to kickstart your New Year with purpose and creativity! Get ready to manifest your dreams and set powerful intentions through the art of vision boarding.

Begin with a guided meditation to tap into your inner desires and aspirations for the upcoming year.

Engage in thought-provoking activities and discussions to help clarify your vision and goals. Share your aspirations with like-minded individuals and gain valuable insights.

Get creative with fun materials and build a vision board that aligns with your goals.

We’ll supply all the materials you need – from magazines and scissors to boards and glue. Feel free to bring personal items that hold special meaning to you.

Enjoy light refreshments, fostering a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for creativity and connection.

Kick off the year with a focus on health and wellness at our event featuring SAVOR Shrub Bitters. Join us for a class and tasting session with SAVOR owner Kat, who will showcase the aperitif-inspired fruit-forward bitters and discuss the health benefits of ingredients. Learn to craft cocktails and mocktails, and discover the joy of making mixers and bitters for health. SAVOR’s unique flavors shine in classic drinks, adding a twist to your favorites. Kat, a herbalism expert, created these bitters with a commitment to joyful self-care, emphasizing the importance of savoring the moment. Cheers to a vibrant and nourishing start to the year!

Wondering what Holotropic Breathwork is, how it’s different from other forms of breathwork, or how it can be helpful? Let’s chat! I’m hosting a low-key event for anyone who may have interest in learning more or networking around this powerful sacred medicine. The intention of our gathering is to get acquainted, share experiences, information and build safe community for those who may wish to engage in a Holotropic Workshop which is being offered February 10, 2024. During our Meet and Greet, I will offer a brief history of Holotropic breathwork (developed by Dr. Stanislav Grof and Christina Grof) as a natural approach to induced altered states of consciousness for healing and personal growth. I will also share a little of my own experience that makes me eager to share this sacred medicine with others. I encourage you to bring your questions with you!

Attending this Meet and Greet does not in any way obligate you to attend the workshop on February 10th.

Want more info: https://www.seasonschange.xyz/holotropic-workshop

Zoom links will be sent out once you have RSVP’d. See you soon!