ABOUT

The WORX Project gives middle and high school students in Western North Carolina the chance to learn outside the traditional classroom. We combine hands-on career exploration with outdoor education — connecting young people to skilled trades, local industries, and the natural world right here in the WNC economy. Every program is free to any student who wants to attend.

At the heart of everything we do is a belief that every student deserves a clear path forward. Whether a student is thriving academically or searching for direction, our career-connected learning model opens real doors to real jobs in fields like construction, culinary arts, outdoor recreation, solar energy, sustainable agriculture, forestry, and more.
 

Our approach is built around learning by doing. Students don't just read about careers — they show up, get their hands dirty, and work alongside professionals in industries that are shaping the regional economy. We also offer workforce development programs for young people ages 16 to 24 in partnership with other local nonprofits in Asheville and Buncombe County.
 

Since launching in 2023, the WORX Project has served more than 700 public school students ages 11 to 18 through Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools.
 

Our campus sits on the former Camp Woodson property in Fairview, NC — a 250-acre site now permanently protected as the Fairview Community Forest. Managed by our parent nonprofit Camp Grier in partnership with Conserving Carolina, the property includes woodland, a lake, streams, and more than 11 miles of planned hiking and mountain biking trails. For our students, it's not just a backdrop — it's a living classroom.
 

The WORX Project is more than a program. We're working to change the way young people think about education and skilled careers, and to show our community that hands-on work is both meaningful and in demand. The journey starts here.