ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, November 3, 1995                   TAG: 9511030069
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

CHALLENGE GRANT GIVEN TO APPLE RIDGE

Roanoke's B. Wilson Porterfield Jr. foundation is challenging local industries and citizens to help with the care and feeding of children at Apple Ridge Farm, a motivational and educational camp and retreat in the hills of Floyd County.

Founded more than 20 years ago, Apple Ridge exposes young folks, particularly minorities, inner-city or socially disadvantaged children, to country living and learning. The camp targets at-risk children in the Roanoke Valley.

The $50,000 challenge grant will be used to build dormitories and feeding facilities for campers and to expand the camp's program.

One of Apple Ridge's goals is to help children establish a better self-image.

"Our program works," William S. Hubard, chairman of the non-profit organization, said in a news release.

Apple Ridge also announced a new partnership with the Science Museum of Western Virginia - an effort to get Roanoke third-graders to the country, too.

"Being that the science museum is landlocked, it's nice to have a partner with an off-site place we can go," said Linda Van Luik, the museum's education and program director.

Under the pilot program, third-graders from five city schools will visit the farm at least five times during the year.

"We're looking to get some inner-city kids out to the country, show them an appreciation for nature and their part in it," Van Luik said.

"Most of these kids spend most of their lives in city and don't have the opportunity to get out to the country."

The program, which also will teach children an awareness of the environment at their home schools, kicks off Nov. 11.

The Roanoke Regional Home Builders Association contributed $1,000 to the farm on Thursday,

Rick Whitney, president of the association, said he would make sure members knew of materials and labor needed by Apple Ridge to construct the dorm and classroom buildings.

Peter Lewis, a former teacher in Washington, D.C., bought the farm in Floyd in 1974.

He had envisioned a number of amenities for children on the property, along with an educational retreat and conference center.

Over the summers, more than 9,500 disadvantaged Roanoke children have visited Apple Ridge.

A few years ago, a lodge was dedicated at the site, containing classrooms and meeting space.

Those facilities are available to businesses and organizations for conferences or seminars as a way to boost the camp's income. 


 by CNB