A walk through the woods became an afternoon of stories, discovery, and connection as Mountain Academy’s Jackson Campus welcomed 357 people to its Enchanted Forest. Many visited campus for the first time, joining school families, students, and staff for a Halloween celebration shaped by our community’s creativity and care.
Families arrived in costume and stepped through a handmade entrance gate onto the forest trail. Along the way, they met local animal characters brought to life by middle school students, parents, and staff. Through stories, songs, and science facts, each stop invited children to learn a little more about the creatures that share our surroundings. Small treasures gave young explorers something to carry home.
The trail itself reflected the efforts of Mountain Academy’s K–8 students, who helped prepare the path for younger children and their families to explore. The afternoon gave them an opportunity to see their work become something others could enjoy.
Beyond the trail, families gathered around fire pits to share chili, fall treats, and warm conversation. Children compared their discoveries while adults visited with friends and met new neighbors. What began as a nature walk became a chance to linger and connect.
That welcoming atmosphere took many hands to create. Volunteers painted signs, decorated the woods, built the entrance gate, prepared food, greeted families, and captured the afternoon in photographs. When attendance grew beyond expectations, the kitchen team doubled recipes to help feed the crowd. Others stayed afterward to fold chairs, move tables, and return campus to its everyday rhythm.
Enchanted Forest offered families a glimpse of our Jackson Campus while giving students a meaningful role in welcoming the wider community. We are grateful to everyone who helped bring the afternoon to life and to every family who joined us in the woods.