Join us for the fifth annual Weekend in Wise County in Virginia’s awe-inspiring Appalachian Mountains!
Hosted by the Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards and the Wise Energy for Virginia Coalition, we will gather October 12th through the 14th for a weekend of mountains, community, fun, and solidarity! We will draw inspiration from the gorgeous fall foliage and the experiences of coalfield activists who are working to save their mountains and way of life from destruction by way of mountaintop removal coal mining. Click here to register today!
What: 5th Annual Weekend in Wise County
Where: Appalachia Civic Center – Town of Appalachia in Wise County, VA [map]
When: October 12th-14th
Why: To learn about mountaintop removal coal mining and to experience the beauty and culture of Southwest Virginia
This webpage contains some basic information about where to go for the event, accommodations, food, and the schedule. Registration is required. Click here to register today!
If you have additional questions you can contact:
Whitney Byrd, coordinator Wise Energy for Virginia
email: Whitney@wiseenergyva.org
cell phone: (703) 928-5688
Cell phone service is limited in Appalachia. If you need to contact someone during the event call:
The Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards at (276) 565-6167
or
The Civic Center at (276) 565-3902
Cost:
We ask that individuals help fund the event at a sliding scale of $20 – $75 payable by cash or check (made out to the Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards) upon arrival. We are unable to take credit cards. A limited number of scholarships are also available.
When:
The Weekend in Wise County is from Friday evening on October 12th and goes until Sunday midday on October 14th.
Where to go:
Many of the events at the Weekend in Wise County are taking place at the Appalachia Civic Center in Appalachia, Va. Whenever you arrive this is a great place to report to find out what is going on.
Town of Appalachia Civic Center
142 Cold Springs Drive
Appalachia, Va 24216
Click here for a map
Phone: (276) 565-3902
Accommodations:
Hotel reservations can be made at a discounted rate of $40 per room per night at the Country Inn or $81 a night at the Comfort Inn (both only a 10 minute drive from the Town of Appalachia Civic Center). You must mention that you are part of the Weekend in Wise County event with the Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards to get the discount.
Country Inn ($40/night group rate)
627 Gilley Ave. E.
Big Stone Gap
Click here for a map
Phone: 276-523-0374
Comfort Inn ($81/night group rate)
1928 B Wildcat Rd
Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
Click here for a map
Phone: (276) 523-5911
If you are planning on camping for the weekend, we recommend Flag Rock Recreation Area near Norton, VA (click here for a map). Camping is available by first come first serve only for $15 per night. Campgrounds have bathhouses with hot showers. Call 276-679-0754 for more information.
An additional option is to stay at the Appalachia Civic Center (the event location). You may camp in the yard (the Civic Center borders National Forest), or you may also sleep inside on the floor (no cots available) with access to the bathrooms at the Civic Center. Staying at the Civic Center is $5 per night per person and can be arranged upon arrival.
Food:
Meals will be provided at the Civic Center and are covered in the cost to participate in the event. All meals will include vegetarian and meat options.
If you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, please let someone know when you check in upon arrival.
Schedule:
Friday:
4:00 p.m. Registration Begins
6:00-7:00 p.m. Dinner
7:00-7:30 p.m. Welcome Group Circle
7:30-7:45 p.m. Break
7:45-8:45 p.m. Evening Entertainment –Live local music by Strawberry Jam
Saturday:
8:00-9:00 a.m. Breakfast, announcements, circle
9:00-10:30 a.m. First workshop block (choose one)
1) Mountaintop Removal (MTR) 101
2) MTR 201: SMCRA and Citizens’ rights
3) The History of Southwest Virginia
4) The Coalfields Expressway
5) *Mountaintop removal site visit and coal camp tour (available during all blocks)
6) **Service project (9:00a.m.-12:15p.m. presentation on sustainable development, followed by service project at the Rrenew House garden)
10:30-10:45 a.m. Break
10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Second workshop block (choose one)
1) MTR 101
2) Health in the Coalfields (Studies and Surveys of the Health Impacts of MTR)
3) Biodiversity of the Southern Appalachians
4) Media Skills for Activists
5) *Mountaintop removal site visit and coal camp tour
6) **Service project continues
12:15-2:00 p.m. Lunch and Beehive Collective presentation of “True Cost of Coal”
2:00-2:15 p.m. Break
2:15-3:45 p.m. Third workshop block (choose one)
1) Bees in detail (in depth discussion with the Beehive Collective)
2) MTR 202: Clean Water and Enforcement
3) History of the Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards
4) *Mountaintop removal site visit and coal camp tour
3:45-4:00 p.m. Break
4:00-5:30 p.m. Citizens’ panel (We will hear from citizens living in local communities that are impacted by mountaintop removal)
5:30-6:00 p.m. Break
6:00-7:00 p.m. Dinner
7:00 p.m. and on: Evening Entertainment –Appalachian Flat Footing dance workshop, live local music by The Railsplitters and a Square Dance
Sunday:
8:00-9:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:00-10:00 a.m. “Faith and the Environment: A Conversation”
10:00-10:15 a.m. Break
10:15-11:00 a.m. Reflection and closing circle
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Pack up, clean up
