 Founded to Serve |
 Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc. |
| Founded to Serve |
Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc. |
A conference center offering its facilities to nonprofit groups which conduct educational or cultural programs and seminars. It is a true retreat, undisturbed by through traffic or noises of the city. In 1946, it was dedicated by I.D. and Madolyn Blumenthal, of Charlotte, NC, to the improvement of human relations and interfaith dialogue. Since 1972, Wildacres has operated as a public foundation.  Wildacres is situated on 1400 acres at an elevation of 3,300 feet atop a mountain called Pompey's Knob, near the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is halfway between Asheville and Blowing Rock in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. The primary support of Wildacres comes from its own resources and The Blumenthal Foundation. Wildacres receives gifts from individuals, businesses and foundations interested in the philosophy and programs that are held there. Among the many groups using the facilities are music and art master classes, religious and interfaith groups, mineral and lapidary societies, medical, social science, natural sciences, academic, environmental and senior citizens groups. All groups must be nonprofit and have planned educational programs. Each
group plans its own program
and furnishes
its director and staff. Wildacres supplements the programs with the aid
of its staff and equipment and some recreational equipment, including
scenic
nature trails, There are two lodges, a dining hall building, a library and auditorium, a mineral and lapidary workshop and a pottery studio. All buildings are heated. Meals are served family style. All sleeping rooms have private baths and have either two twin beds or one double and one twin bed. There is a spacious lobby and several large and small meeting rooms. When weather permits, the patio can also be used for assemblies. Wildacres has a lending and reference library and gem and mineral displays.
Points of interest in the area include the North Carolina Mineral Museum, Mineral and Gem Mines, Blue Ridge Parkway Scenic Overlooks, Crabtree and Linville Falls on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Grandfather Mountain, two 18 hole golf courses and tennis nearby, and Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Rockies. Wildacres
is about 3 miles from
the Little
Switzerland post office. Nearest towns are Spruce Pine and Marion, NC.
Access is available from the Blue Ridge Parkway at Gooch Gap, located
between
mileposts 336 and 337. Distance from Charlotte is about 112 miles.
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One
of the unique facets of the Southeast Federation of
Mineralogical Societies is the Workshop
Program, which offers members the opportunity to gather for week-long,
hands-on seminars taught by experienced instructors. Whether you are a
newcomer
to the lapidary arts and want to learn the basics, or whether
you’re an old
hand who wants to learn something new or move on to the next level, the
Workshop Program has something for you.
We look forward to seeing you in 2008.
2008
WORKSHOP DATES
Wildacres
Retreat (www.wildacres.org)
is a
privately owned conference center nestled in the Anyone
belonging to an SFMS club will be given
priority. Student
under 18 are welcome,
but must be accompanied by a responsible adult and must have approval
from the
workshop director and the instructor to attend an adult class. Members of other AFMS
regional federations may
attend on a space available basis.
Anyone
not affiliated with AFMS may attend by paying an
additional fee of
$50. First-time
workshop attendees and those
taking a class for the first time will receive priority.
Applications
from
members of SFMS clubs will be accepted beginning February 1, 2008.
Applications from other regional federations and the
public at large
will be accepted beginning April 1, 2008.
Your club membership dues must be current and your
club’s dues to the
Federation must also be paid before you will be accepted as an SFMS
member. All instructors
for our workshop program are volunteers. They may charge a
materials fee for their
classes, but are not otherwise compensated for their time and effort. For additional information about our instructors, please
visit www.amfed.org/sfms
WORKSHOP
STAFF:
Education Chair: Email sfmsedchair@gmail.com |
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The Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc. Send e-mail to: sfms@amfed.org | |
horseshoes, ping pong, volley ball, basketball and a canteen. Wildacres
is not a holiday resort and does not cater to the traveling public.
Only
group reservations are accepted with a maximum of 120 people. Small
groups
can be accommodated at the same time. Due to health regulations, no
pets
are allowed. 
All
facilities at Wildacres are designed in an attempt to blend the graces
of modern life with the beauty of the wilderness." Facilities can be
reserved
for one to seven night periods from mid April through October.