TrailRidge Mountain Camp - the Buladean Years - TrailRidge Mountain Camp

TrailRidge Mountain Camp -
the Buladean Years

Welcome to the website dedicated to those wonderful, but trying years, when TrailRidge Mountain Camp operated in Buladean, North Carolina. We were in Mitchell County across from 6,285 ft. Roan Mountain. Those were tough years and if you were a part of that history....we're glad you found this site. Anyone who was there in 1982 will remember having no cabins and torrential rain that summer. It was a muddy mess, but somehow or other we all survived to continue the next year and for another 15 after that.

This site is meant to rekindle friendships and bring back memories of the campers, counselors, support staff, and friends of TrailRidge from its first year in Buladean in 1982 until we vacated the property after the 1995 season as well as three additional years when we operated as a travel camp.

This site will be a work-in-progress. Eventually I will hope to have as much of the TrailRidge history posted as I can find. We have a lot of photos (but not the complete story), a lot of old newsletters, camper’s handbook, parents’ handbook, flyers, brochures, etc. I also want to include a list of all the campers, counselors, and staff members. If you were ever at TrailRidge and are willing to include your name (and maybe even your story), send it to me. Include the years you were at camp if you remember.

And help spread the word. Click the "like" us on facebook to be notified when new content is added and/or sign up using the RSS symbol on the blog page. And of course, please let any of your friends know about this site if they were once a part of TrailRidge Mountain Camp.

It was an adventure for sure. Thanks for being a part.

Mark & Bobbie Levin, founders and original directors

What's ahead...

We're pleased that so much of the TrailRidge history is currently being archived on this site. Thanks to David & Kim Broshar for allowing us to revisit some of the early history of our camp. There's a lot to come, so check back from time to time. And do send (hopefully digitally) things you would like to share.

If you see yourself in photos and wish to be listed, please email to tell us which photo gallery and which photo.

Do go back and read the blog posts. Feel free to comment.

Coming Up:

The camp video features we filmed some sessions.
Scanned newsletters.
Photos from some of the last three years as a travel camp (96-98).
And lots more...

Here at TrailRidge, in the mountains,
With our fire burning bright,
May this circle of new friendship,
Be a warm and shining light.

First verse from the TrailRidge camp song.

MindStretch Travel Adventures

In the meantime, you might be interested in knowing that Mark is still taking kids on trips each summer.
In fact, Ray Thompson from the earliest days of TrailRidge helps on those trips!
Click to check out MindStretch Travel Adventures.