CentennialFest



Celebrating 100 Years of Volunteers


We are excited to announce our 3rd annual Fest October 2-4, 2026. CentennialFest kicks off PATC’s 100th Anniversary (1927-2027). Save the date now for a fun weekend full of friends, new and old. CentennialFest will be held at Caroline Furnace in Fort Valley, situated in the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by the George Washington National Forest. Early bird $25 registration begins August 1st. Regular $30 registration begins August 14th. Registration closes September 18th. 


We will begin with training activities and hikes on Friday afternoon. Some possible offerings are First Aid, Hike Leader Training, and Trail Maintenance Techniques. New activities will be listed when confirmed. Bring your dinner to Moyer Lodge as club leaders present their Hawksbill and Service Awards, followed by another AT/PATC trivia contest with prizes, and a chance to meet members running for the Executive Committee (ExCom). Bring your camp chair and musical instruments for an evening campfire and a smile for the new friends you’re sure to meet.


Saturday we will offer an early morning hike. Day activities may include Women’s Trail Maintenance, GPS Basics, Introduction to Trail Patrol, Trail Maintenance Techniques, Using Hiking Apps, Hike Leader sessions, Trail Blazing, Cabin Work, Historical Lectures, Backpacking 101, and much more! Bring your drink and camp chair to Moyer Lodge for Happy Hour. Mills Kelly, PATC’s archivist, will tell stories about PATC’s history before top awards are presented to outstanding volunteers followed by dinner. And of course, the night can’t end without another evening around the campfire.


After you pack up Sunday morning, join a hike before you head home.


Saturday (6am-4pm) and Sunday (6am-10am) come to Moyer Lodge for a relaxed opportunity to enjoy coffee, tea and hot chocolate while chit chatting with other members. 


Bring your own food and drink in closed containers kept in your car (yes bears do exist) except for Saturday night BBQ, which is included in the registration price.

There are two large bathhouses (Cabin Village and Sukkah Village) with hot showers, flush toilets, and electricity. Bring your towel and toiletries.

Lodging, included in the registration price, will again be offered Friday and Saturday nights.


  • Cabin Village has 40 cabin beds in 8 cabins. Bring bedding and pillow. Think summer camp. Cabins have twin beds, electricity, one toilet and sink. Assume all genders. Must be 18 or over. 
  • Tents, hammocks and campers are allowed throughout Caroline Furnace except at Cabin Village.
  • Sukkah Village has several screened, non-electric cabins which are first come, first serve.


Here are pictures from 2024 TrailFest (add link) and 2025 VolunteerFest (add link). Check back as we update activities being offered. 

If you have suggestions for activities you’d like to offer, reach out to Iva Gillet at IGillet@PATC.net. Do consider volunteering to help us make this another successful fest by reaching out to Jean Stephens at JStephens@PATC.net. 



Below is an overview of this wonderful weekend.

TIME ACTIVITY FRIDAY OCT 2
12:30-5:00 Training First Aid, Hike Leader, Trail Maintenance
Hiking Hikes will be offered nearby during the day prior to checking in.
3:00-6:30 Check In Set up your sleeping space before eating the dinner you brought. Greet new and current friends.
Moyer Lodge
Elections/Social Meet members running for PATC's Executive Committee (ExCom)
Awards Club leaders present awards to their volunteers
AT/ PATC Trivia Form teams to test your skills with AT and PATC facts! Think sports bar trivia. Prizes to the winning team.  Meet new members, bring your dinner.
Campfire Bring your camp chair, refreshments, guitar or other musical instruments and meet someone new.
TIME ACTIVITY SATURDAY OCT 3
6:00-4:00 Let's Relax Enjoy coffee, tea, hot chocolate in Moyer Cafeteria & meet someone new
6:30-11:30 Check In
Moyer Lodge
7:00-4:00 Activities 1–3-hour activities throughout the day
4:30-5:30 Happy Hour Bring your camp chair and refreshments to hear our Archivist, Mills Kelly
5:30 Awards Ceremony Congratulate Appreciation, Youth, Honorary Membership, Lifetime Achievement, Honorary Life Member, Myron Avery Awards recipients
6:00 Dinner Moyer area if weather good; if rainy will need volunteers to help move to the Pavilion
7:00 Campfire Bring your camp chair, refreshments, guitar or other musical instruments and meet someone new.
TIME ACTIVITY SUNDAY OCT 4
6:00-10:00 Let's Relax Enjoy coffee, tea, hot chocolate in Moyer Cafeteria &pack up after breakfast
Hikes  Several hikes of various distances will be offered.
Before 10:00 Departure  Leave Caroline Furnace cleaner than when you arrived