Recreation

Residents at Greenbrier Academy may engage in various activities. Competitive sports include: soccer, volleyball, softball, and basketball. In addition, girls are involved in high-adventure activities such as kayaking, whitewater rafting, snowboarding and skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and rappelling. All students work toward reaching a demonstrated level of competence that serves as a conduit so a passing amusement can become a life-long passion.

Dancing and Drumming

Greenbrier girls are immersed in vigorous recreation activities. Daily, they enjoy dance and indigenous drumming directed by professionals. Girls who are motivated can join the Greenbrier performance group and entertain audiences in venues like the Carnegie Hall built by Andrew Carnegie in Lewisburg, WV. They will build their own drums and learn challenging, centuries-old rhythms with multiple counter-rhythms. The multi-cultural dancing includes Latin dancing, African ceremonial dancing, and Cuban styles. Greenbrier girl drummers will provide many of the rhythms for dancers. More...

Outdoor Adventure

Outdoor adventure sports are not just a passing activity at Greenbrier. Students will go on weekly outdoor adventures like canoeing, kayaking, climbing and rappelling, skiing or snowboarding, and challenge courses. These adventures are led by full-time professionals with years of experience. Girls will be able to learn a life-long, enjoyable sport while developing competency and mastery. Many of these activities compliment the personal development goals inherent in the students' academic/therapeutic curriculum.

Competitive Sports

Soccer and softball are Greenbrier team sports. Girls who have skills in these sports can enjoy good competition and instruction without undue pressure to win. Learning to compete well without the shame of losing can free girls to really enjoy competitive sports.

Falconry

All girls will experience falconry, the sport of kings. They will learn the fundamentals of partnership with a bird of prey, how to care for a rather fragile predator, and how to build sensitive rapport. They will learn the responsibilities of reciprocal relationships, while thrilling to the speed and grace of an aerial hunter that can become like an extension of themselves. Some girls will qualify to join the falconry club, where they will work and train hard to become a licensed falconer—a rare occurrence in North America. Duane Zobrist, one of the top-three falconers in the United States, directs the Greenbrier Academy falconry program—he is one of a handful of masters who can “license” a falconer.

Italian Soda Bar

Greenbrier girls will be able to daily socialize and relax from their many activities at the Italian Soda Bar. Part of the historic Greenbrier facility, this recreation area has been converted from a classic bar frequented by the Washington, DC politicians during the Speakeasy and Prohibition days of the early 1900’s. The bar has been featured in a couple of Hollywood movies. With the beautiful wood carved bar itself and the relaxed setting, girls can enjoy a time to recoup from their busy schedules, drink an Italian soda and maybe watch a movie now and then.

Co-Ed Activities

Although Greenbrier girls will not live under the same roof with boys, they need co-ed activities. In collaboration with other schools in Virginia and West Virginia, co-ed dance/dinners and outdoor activities are planned. These supervised outings encourage male and female participants to enjoy one another respectfully and unselfishly. Greenbrier girls have opportunities to learn how to invite the opposite sex to view and treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve.