Founded In Truth · Sukkot 2026 · Encounter

Sukkot 2026 · Encounter

Springmaid Mountain Retreat · Sept 25 to Oct 3
2171 Henredon Road, Spruce Pine, NC

Schedule

Friday, Sept 25Arrival
4pmCheck-inGo straight to your assigned site or cabin.Spend the afternoon setting up. Dinner on your own.
7pmOpening CeremonyPavilion parking lot.Bring a chair. Please don't park in the gravel lot.
9:30pmTeen Fire & S'mores TeensPavilion fire pit
Saturday, Sept 26Day 1 · Shabbat

Encounter devotional: Feast of Tabernacles and encountering God.

8amCoffee at the Pavilion
11amPraise & Worship and Main TeachingPavilion
2pmTevilah / BaptismIn the living waters of the pond by the office.Wear dark clothing.
4pmSukkot Assassin begins Teens
6 to 7pmFIT InBetweens Campfire HangoutPavilion fire pit
7pmTeen Worship Night Teens
Sunday, Sept 27Day 2

Encounter devotional: God is Creator.

8amCoffee at the Pavilion
9amMidrashPavilion · Facilitated by Dan Bush
10amFamily / Kids Games
3pmMarketplace & CoffeePavilion
4pmTeen Karaoke TeensOutside the Pavilion
8pmLadies NightPavilion
Monday, Sept 28Day 3

Encounter devotional: God as Father.

8amCoffee at the Pavilion
9amMidrashPavilion · Facilitated by Dan Bush
11amTeen Class Teens
6pmTeen Dinner Teens
Tuesday, Sept 29Day 4

Encounter devotional: God is Teacher.

8amCoffee at the Pavilion
9amMidrashPavilion · Facilitated by Dan Bush
10amFamily / Kids Games
11amTeen Class Teens
6pmTeen Infection Game (Tag) Teens
8pmFellas NightPavilion
Wednesday, Sept 30Day 5

Encounter devotional: God is Provider.

8amCoffee at the Pavilion
9amMidrashPavilion · Facilitated by Dan Bush
11amTeen Class Teens
8pmWorship Under The Stars
Thursday, Oct 1Day 6

Encounter devotional: God as Source of All Comfort.

8amCoffee at the Pavilion
9amMidrashPavilion · Facilitated by Dan Bush
10amFamily / Kids Games
2pmBreakout"Lost in Translation: Learning to Speak Love"
7pmFIT Games
Friday, Oct 2Day 7

Encounter devotional: God as Protector.

8amCoffee at the Pavilion
9amMidrashPavilion · Facilitated by Dan Bush
7pmTeen Dinner Teens
Saturday, Oct 3Day 8 · Departure

Encounter devotional: God.

8amSimchat Torah CeremonyPavilion
11amDeparture
TEXT FOR TOWEL EXCHANGE
OR TRASH PICK & YOUR CABIN OR SITE NUMBER

Nearby

Emergency: Blue Ridge Regional Hospital

125 Hospital Dr, Spruce Pine, NC 28777

Nearest CVS, 12121 S 226 Hwy, Spruce Pine, NC 28777 9am to 7pm

Nearest 24 Hour, 1504 NE 2nd St, Hickory, NC
63 miles away · 828-322-3037

Walmart Supercenter

2514 Halltown Road, Spruce Pine, NC 28777
6am to 11pm. Delivery available.

Waterworx Laundry and Dogwash

6550 NC-226, Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Open 24/7. 5 miles away. Free Wi-Fi.

Camp Info

Golf Carts: Electric Only

Per property management: no gas-powered scooters, golf carts, or bikes.

Cell Service & Maps

You'll be in the mountains and cell service is patchy. Download offline maps for the Spruce Pine area before you arrive.

Verizon and US Cellular have the best signal. Otherwise, cellular is lacking.

Wi-Fi & Staying in Touch

Starlink Wi-Fi is available at every cabin and at the camping (tent and RV) area.

Consider walkie-talkies for your family.

Bring

  • Flashlights and camping chairs
  • Your own coffee mug (coffee at the Pavilion each morning)
  • A river tube, or buy one for $5 at the office

Tent & RV Campers

  • Firewood bundles: $7 at the Camp Office
  • Coin laundry in the newly built shower house. Bring quarters.
  • Bring your own towels for showering

Camp Decorum

Pets

Keep pets leashed. Pets should not be brought into cabins or buildings (select cabins are pet-friendly). Please manage barking, especially at night and around the horses. Pick up after your pet on roads and trails.

Tevilah (Baptism)

After Shabbat service. No sign-up, just line up. Wear darker clothing and join the fellowship at the mikvah location announced at service. Photography encouraged.

Modesty

Modesty matters, in speech and attire. Please dress responsibly. Examples of improper dress: tight-fitting or overly revealing clothing, short shorts, short dresses or skirts, midriffs, belly shirts, halter tops.

Swimwear: one-piece or well-covered two-piece. No bikinis, no cheeky bottoms.

Campsites

Insects: the ground may already have residents such as ants. Consider a bag of insect-repellent granules to put down before you set up.

Wildlife: October is generally past peak season, but stay alert.

  • Black bears may still be foraging before winter. Store food securely in containers or locked vehicles, never leave food unattended, and be noisy, they prefer to avoid people.
  • Deer and turkeys are shy but may appear in clearings near dawn or dusk.
  • Bobcats are reclusive; you may see tracks.
  • Hawks and owls overhead; bats at dusk.
  • Rattlesnakes are less active in the cool, but watch near logs and rocky slopes when hiking.

Quiet hours: quieter at 10pm, very quiet after midnight. No dog barking.

Bunkhouse

The bunkhouse and its facilities are not open for public use.

On-site Activities

Horseback Riding

  • Ages 8 and up
  • $70 per rider · 8 to 10 riders per trail ride
Register for a ride

Swimming

  • Pond in front of the Main Office
  • North Toe River
  • Swimwear: one-piece or well-covered two-piece. No bikinis, no cheeky bottoms.

Tubing on the River

  • New since 2025. Two river access points with signs
  • The river is about knee deep
  • Water is usually in the 60s. State samples on this stretch in late September have run 62 to 72 degrees
  • Tubes can be purchased for $5 at the office, or bring your own

Fishing

  • Several stocked ponds on the property
  • Pond fishing is free for those staying on site
  • Caught trout are $5 each and must be kept. Pay for trout here
  • River fishing requires a NC fishing license (available online)

Hiking

  • On-site waterfall
  • Multiple trails

Day Trips

Blue Ridge Parkway. Split-rail fences, old farmsteads, mountain meadows and scenic overlooks. Hop on for a scenic drive, take a picnic to an overlook. Linville Falls is 30 minutes; Blowing Rock 90 minutes.

Gem Mountain Gemstone Mine · right here in Spruce Pine
One of North Carolina's most enjoyable attractions. Find treasures that last a lifetime.
The Orchard at Altapass · 10 min
Off the Parkway at MM328; open through October. Storytelling, easy trails, live local music, crafts and apples.
Riverside Park · 10 min
Downtown Spruce Pine on the North Toe River. Beach area for swimming, fishing, picnics; paved river trails and a playground.
Chestoa Overlook · 10 min
MM320 on the Parkway; flat, easy loop with great views of Table Rock across the gorge.
Linville Falls · 20 min
Easy-to-moderate hike from the Visitors Center with several views of the falls (strenuous option to the Plunge Basin).
Grassy Creek Falls · 20 min
Off the Parkway at Little Switzerland; moderate 2-mile hike to little-known falls.
Tom's Creek Falls · 30 min
80-foot waterfall in Pisgah National Forest; easy one-mile hike.
Penland School of Crafts · 30 min
National craft-education center: clay, glass, iron, textiles, wood and more; gallery and information center.
Crabtree Falls · 30 min
MM339; moderate 1-mile hike to the falls (2.5-mile loop is more strenuous).
Upper Creek Falls · 30 min
Off NC181; moderate hike, swimming holes and a natural waterslide at the lower falls only. Do not climb the rocks at the upper falls.
Flat Rock Loop · 30 min
MM308; easy 3/4-mile loop with outstanding views from rock outcroppings.
Wilson Creek Wilderness Area · 30 to 45 min
Trails, falls and swimming holes off Forest Service Road 464 (long gravel road).
Beacon Heights · 35 min
MM305; moderate 2-mile hike with incredible views from Rocky Top.
Linn Cove Viaduct · 40 min
MM304; the iconic Parkway bridge. Park at the Visitors Center for trailheads in either direction (moderate to strenuous).
Grandfather Mountain · 45 min
$22 per adult (discounts for seniors and kids): mile-high swinging bridge, wildlife habitats, museum, trails. Free access via the very difficult Profile Trail.
Roaring Fork Falls · 45 min
Off NC80; easy 2-mile hike past historic buildings to a beautiful waterfall.
Mount Mitchell State Park · 45 to 50 min
MM355; highest peak east of the Mississippi at 6,684 ft. Free trails of varying length and difficulty.
Roan Mountain State Park · 45 to 50 min
On the TN/NC border on the Appalachian Trail; easy hike with 360° views, go as far as you like.
Elk River Falls · 45 to 50 min
Off NC194; easy hike, huge swimming hole at the base. Do not jump from the top and don't swim in high or swift water. People have died here even though you'll see others jumping. Don't do it.
Craggy Gardens · 50 min
MM364; multiple trails, gorgeous views, access to the Mountains-to-Sea trail.
Loafers Glory Rafting and Tubing · Bakersville
River excursions for ages 4 and up. Bring the whole family.

Maps

Springmaid Mountain Retreat property map: cabins 1 to 8, ponds, river access, Pavilion, Main Office
Property map: cabins, ponds, Pavilion, Main Office. Tap to open full size.
Springmaid Mountain trail map, May 2026: horse and hike trails with distances
Trail map (May 2026) from springmaidmountain.com. Tap to open full size.
Directions map: Spruce Pine, Blue Ridge Hospital, Walmart, Altapass and the Main Office on Henredon Road
Getting around: Spruce Pine, the hospital, Walmart and the Main Office. Tap to open full size.