From

$1,099

/ person

Credits

Equivalent to 6 Credits (72 Hours)

See Dates and Pricing

Locations /

North Carolina

Weekend Overview

Your course snapshot

LOCATION

North Carolina

DURATION

4 days

FORMAT

In-Person

CREDITS

Equivalent to 6 Credits (72 Hours)

COURSE

Wilderness & Wellness

Spend four days surrounded by Blue Ridge Mountain views at YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly outside Asheville. North Carolina’s Wilderness & Wellness course blends outdoor adventure with hands-on learning, from hiking and high ropes to meditation and wellness practices. Designed for all fitness levels, the experience brings au pairs from around the world together through campfires, shared meals, and group activities. Connect with nature, make new friends, and earn 6 credits!

New Dates Coming Soon

Be the first to know when new course dates are announced.

Join our First to Know List!

North Carolina

Dates & Pricing

North Carolina Wilderness & Wellness

April 1 - 4, 2027

Registration closes March 26, but may sell out sooner

$1,099

Equivalent to 6 Credits (60/72 Hours)

Everything you need to know before your week on Oʻahu’s North Shore

Your Learning Journey

HOW IT WORKS • North Carolina isn't just 4 days, it's a complete course with online work before and after your trip.

1 BEFORE YOUR TRIP

Online Preparation

4 weeks before • ~35 hours

Due: 1 week before your trip

2 YOUR NORTH CAROLINA ADVENTURE

In-Person

37 hours In-Person

Mandatory Attendance

3 AFTER YOUR TRIP

Online Completion

4 Weeks to Complete • ~35 hours

Completion Letter: 5-7 business days after completion.

Logistics

Housing & getting to campus

HOUSING

Housing for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights is included in the course price at YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly Lodge in Black Mountain, North Carolina, just outside Asheville. Students will share rooms with 2–4 students per room, with bunk beds and private bathrooms. The lodge also offers common areas for gathering and relaxing.

Eight meals are included, from Thursday dinner through Sunday breakfast.

Travel Between Airport & Camp

A charter bus is provided to and from Asheville Airport (AVL). Please book your flight to arrive no later than 12:30 PM on Thursday. Students will meet our staff at the airport at 1:15 PM, and the bus will depart at 1:45 PM. Before continuing to camp, the bus will stop in Black Mountain, where students will have time to explore and shop.

The bus cannot wait for late arrivals. If your flight arrives later or you prefer to skip the Black Mountain visit, you must arrange your own transportation directly to camp. Required check-in begins at 3:45 PM on Thursday. APW will not cover the cost of independently arranged transportation.

On Sunday, the bus will return students to Asheville Airport by 1:45 PM. Please book your return flight for 3:30 PM or later.

If you need help finding flights that fit this schedule, contact your Program Coordinator.

North Carolina Course Details

What's included & course structure

ATTENDANCE STARTS

1:45 PM on Thursday

ATTENDANCE ENDS

1:45 PM on Sunday

ARRIVE BY

12:30 PM on Thursday

DEPART AFTER

3:30 PM on Sunday

PRICE INCLUDES

• 3 nights of housing (YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly)
• 8 meals (Thursday dinner through Sunday breakfast)
• Airport shuttle (charter bus to/from Asheville Airport)
• Equivalent to 6 credits | 60/72 hours

Wilderness & Wellness

Wilderness & Wellness moves your classroom outdoors, connecting hands-on adventure with personal well-being. Designed for every fitness level, this highly physical course has you testing your limits on a ropes course, zip line, and archery range, then unwinding through mindfulness and reflective wellness practices. Along the way, group hikes and shared camp experiences build genuine connection with nature and with your fellow au pairs. You'll leave with a new sense of balance, resilience, and wonder!

Au Pair Weekend Gives Back

When you join a course, you're part of something bigger. Au Pair Weekend donates to organizations that reflect the values woven into every weekend: environment, community, and culture.

Earth Island Institute

Environmental action & emerging leaders

National Art Education Association

Equitable access to arts education

Water 1st International

Clean water & sanitation worldwide

We also support a local charity in cities where we host our "Connect in the U.S." course, chosen by students during their Community Engagement class. Your presence helps decide where the donation goes.

Read Our Full Giving Story →

Meet the Team

The team behind your weekend

Robert

City Director

Jonathan

Instructor

Caitlin

Instructor

Kim

Program Coordinator

Reviews

What students are saying

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

"It was amazing to see how complete strangers became such close friends in the span of 4 days”

If you love nature, scenic hikes, team-building activities, ropes courses, zip-lining, and archery, or simply want to step outside your comfort zone, this course is 110% for you! We made such meaningful friendships that saying goodbye even brought some tears!

— Aimee E., South Africa

From

$1,099

/ person

Credits

Equivalent to 6 Credits (72 Hours)

Locations /

North Carolina

​

Weekend Overview

Your course snapshot

North Carolina

4 days

In-Person

Equivalent to 6 Credits (72 Hours)

Wilderness & Wellness

New Dates Coming Soon

Be the first to know when new course dates are announced.

Dates & Pricing

North Carolina Wilderness & Wellness

April 1 - 4, 2027

Registration closes March 26, but may sell out sooner

$1,099

Equivalent to 6 Credits (60/72 Hours)

Everything you need to know before your week on Oʻahu’s North Shore

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North Carolina Course Details

What's included & course structure

ATTENDANCE STARTS

1:45 PM on Thursday

ATTENDANCE ENDS

1:45 PM on Sunday

ARRIVE BY

12:30 PM on Thursday

DEPART AFTER

3:30 PM on Sunday

PRICE INCLUDES

Wilderness & Wellness

Meet the Team

The team behind your weekend

Robert

Jonathan

Caitlin

Kim

Reviews

What students are saying

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

"It was amazing to see how complete strangers became such close friends in the span of 4 days”