John C. Ampbell Folk School, has anyone attended?

[Beeman]

https://www.folkschool.org/
Has anyone ever attended the John C. Campbell Folk School? Always wanted to but the tuition,room and board are a little high.

[mamakatinmd]

My sister in law went there this summer for rustic furniture making. She loved it.
She has a little rv that she rented a spot for. If you have any particular questions about it I would be happy to ask her.
Kat

[Ken Scharabok]

Over the years I've spoken to a good dozen folks who have attended at least one course there, mostly blacksmithing. At a person they have praised the school. Likely the leading crafts school in the East, perhaps all of the US.

Someone told me they have a type of work/study program. Say you work for them a week, you are allowed to attend a class with no tuition.

[Beeman]

Just saw that I missed the C in Campbell in the thread title.

I've read about the work study deal. I'm still employed so I really can't do it as it takes months. If I did get laid off it would be something I would look into.
They have a camp site but they charge over $200 per wk. to camp there, that's a little pricey. That's for a camper site, it's less for a tent site which I guess would work with a bigger tent and a cot. I guess bringing your own food is possible also as meals are another $200.

[TurnerHill]

You might consider Arrowmont, which is surrounded by cheap lodging and eating options.

http://www.arrowmont.org/

Of course, it is in Gatlinburg, which is pretty much the worst place on Earth. But I saw a student exhibition there, and they did some amazing work.

Edit: And now I see by your profile that you are in East Tennessee, and so likely know about the niceness of Arrowmont and the lousiness of Gatlinburg.

[Beeman]

I've visited Arrowmont and yes being in Gatlinburg is a draw back. My work doesn't work well for their class schedules but if something changes I'll look into it. There are plenty of places to stay close enough to Gatlinburg especially in the off season or I could actually commute.

[VERN in IL]

NOW that is what educations is to be!

IMO Society has placed WAAAaaaay to much emphasis on the "paper on the wall", creating a "armchair elitist" society of people criticizing those that actually DO IT.

I believe Roy Underhill has a similar program, the Woodwright's School.

[Beeman]

Originally Posted by VERN in IL

NOW that is what educations is to be!

IMO Society has placed WAAAaaaay to much emphasis on the "paper on the wall", creating a "armchair elitist" society of people criticizing those that actually DO IT.

I believe Roy Underhill has a similar program, the Woodwright's School.

Society has put too much emphasis on education only as a means to make a lot of money, this came from my 22 yo son. The catch phrase is Go to college so you get an education and make a lot of money.
Check out the history of the school, pretty amazing. It has unfortunately grown fancy and expensive with the times. The book they send you tells you all about how the classrooms are air conditioned and so will the new blacksmithing building.

[TedH71]

Try out this school in the Ozark mountains...http://www.ozarkfolkcenter.com/

[Beeman]

That looks interesting too. I'd say they have limited openings and the price is comparable To the John Campbell school.

What an economic boost to an area a school like this could be. Surprised more places don't look into starting something like this. I guess most of them would rather have a Pigeon Forge outlet mall resturant type tourist attraction especially for the sales tax money.

[mellba]

My friend went for a week last summer and she said that not only did she learn some interesting things, she also met lots of interesting people. She said the food was wonderful and that they had great musical programs at night and many local people came to them. Doubt that I'll ever go because the cost if too high for me.

[ErinP]

Originally Posted by TedH71

Try out this school in the Ozark mountains...http://www.ozarkfolkcenter.com/

And still further west...

The Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer
No room/board option, and the classes are usually just one or two day events. Canning, home crafts, metal working, etc.

[Natural Beauty Farm]

All I can say is if you ever get the chance, DO IT it was amazing I did work study and met some great people. The teachers are some of the top instructors in their fields and they are so down to earth.

[cc-rider]

I'd LOVE to go there sometime for the music classes, but like others said....way too pricey for me. So I'll just have to attend local classes instead.

What classes would you attend if you could afford to go?

[Beeman]

Now that is the tough question. They offer so much and I have many interests. Blacksmithing sounds great but I really don't need to get involved with another rough on your body hobby. Basketry,pottery and bread baking sound good along with some of the wood classes. The ultimate would be to be able to work there and earn classes. That would be the ultimate life to work at a place like that and have access to all of the people and equipment there.

[ChristyACB]

Originally Posted by TedH71

Try out this school in the Ozark mountains...http://www.ozarkfolkcenter.com/

OMG...that is something like 20 minutes from the place I bought in CV, Arkansas! Another good reason to retire there asap.

Thanks for the tip!

[TedH71]

Christy, I'm thinking of taking a honeymoon in the Ozarks but don't know of any decent B & B that will take a couple and two small children and still be reasonable on price. Am considering places where we can take our kids hiking......

[ChristyACB]

Originally Posted by TedH71

Christy, I'm thinking of taking a honeymoon in the Ozarks but don't know of any decent B & B that will take a couple and two small children and still be reasonable on price. Am considering places where we can take our kids hiking......

The Ozarks area is so huge and covers such a wide variety of history, terrain and lifestyles. I'm only familiar with that one small corner.

BUT...if you like that kind of thing, check out Mammoth Hot Springs. They still have the old springs hotel there and everything. It is a fairly good jumping off point for lots of other kinds of things to do too, in MO and AR. But...that is just one small corner of that whole area.