Deborah DeLisle, Founder and Executive Director from Hot Springs, NC, watched as Hurricane Helene swept through and devastated her town. Days later, she learned that the nature school she had founded still had power and water. Without hesitation, she opened doors to the entire community.
Nestled just ten minutes from the heart of Hot Springs, NC, where the Appalachian Trail meets the French Broad River, lies a sanctuary for children and community alike: Woodson Branch Nature School (WBNS). Established in 2008 with only ten students, WBNS has grown into one of North Carolina’s few independent nature schools, now serving over 100 children on a beautiful 30-acre campus. Rooted in nature-based, experiential learning, WBNS embodies a mission that has become a lifeline for the community, especially in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
As the hurricane swept through the area, bringing record-breaking rainfall, mudslides, sinkholes, and flash floods, countless families found themselves without power, water, and essential resources. Many local homes and businesses suffered severe damage, and the entire community was left reeling. Miraculously, Woodson Branch remained intact, its elevated land sparing it from the worst of the flooding. When I discovered the school still had power and running water, I considered the significance: WBNS could serve as a sanctuary, not only for our enrolled students but also for children throughout the community who were in urgent need of stability, care, and a safe space to process.
My team and I faced initial challenges, including fallen trees and damaged forest areas. Fortunately, LightEN, a local healing retreat center, quickly dispatched a crew to remove the debris, making the campus safe for children. Though the grounds were in good condition, every staff member was affected by the hurricane’s aftermath. I got to work with the Admin team and arranged flexible work schedules, allowing staff to rotate their time, so they could support the children while also tending to their own families and homes.
The next two weeks were transformative. WBNS initiated Project Lighthouse—a program designed to create a camp-like atmosphere where children could process the emotional impacts of the storm. Each day, over 140 children came to Woodson Branch, with 60% of them being enrolled students and the remaining 40% from families throughout the area. In partnership with Pivot Point, we focused on addressing the social-emotional needs of these children, offering them a safe environment where they could begin to understand and cope with the effects of such a traumatic event.
Project Lighthouse quickly became a symbol of hope and resilience for families, providing a place of stability amid the chaos. World Central Kitchen generously provided meals for the children, while Nanostead, a local community resource, delivered food for the staff, ensuring everyone could focus on the work at hand. Through shared meals, community support, and compassionate care, children found comfort, connection, and the resources they needed to heal.
As Woodson Branch looks toward the future, the school is committed to continuing this work—not only for enrolled students but also for the wider community. The need for healing and rebuilding will persist for months, if not years, and WBNS aims to remain a foundation for growth, resilience, and recovery. The school has already begun creating more programs focused on community connection, emotional support, and nature-based learning, all vital in helping both students and families navigate the challenges ahead.
During the storm, nearly all community spaces in the area were wiped away, leaving locals without places to gather, create, and connect. In response, we're extending our doors beyond just students, welcoming local artists, teachers, and groups to use its space for classes, workshops, lessons, and more. This pivot has transformed the school into a vital community center, where people of all ages can come together to learn, heal, and collaborate. As the town rebuilds—a process that will likely take years—the campus has become a hub for creativity, connection, and support, helping the community not only recover but thrive in new ways.
Now, more than ever, Woodson Branch Nature School relies on the generosity of supporters. Donations and community involvement are crucial for sustaining these expanded efforts, allowing WBNS to remain a safe haven for families impacted by Hurricane Helene. With each donation, the school can continue to provide critical programs that uplift, heal, and empower the community.
WBNS has always been more than just a school—it’s a place where children and nature meet to inspire resilience, compassion, and understanding. And now, in the wake of Hurricane Helene, it’s a beacon of hope, lighting the way toward a brighter future for everyone it touches.
How You Can Help
Join us in supporting Woodson Branch Nature School as it continues to serve its students and community through these challenging times. Whether through a donation, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, your support will ensure that WBNS remains a place of hope, healing, and learning for generations to come.