TMI raised West Virginia’s college attendance rate from 49th to 46th in the nation with its Scholars Academy program. From the early 1980s to the early 2000s, bright and promising high school students from throughout the state came to the Spruce Knob Mountain Center for a summer enrichment program that helped prepare them for college. The Scholars Academy helped West Virginia youth realize their potential as human beings and as responsible citizens (and environmental stewards) of their state. After attending our Scholar’s Academy and courses on Spruce Knob, many have gained the confidence to go on to college, and some have re- turned to assume leadership positions at the community, state and national level.

- 1972
Woodlands and Whitewater Institute Forms
Woodlands and Whitewater Institute Forms
November 30, 1972 - 1973
Baltimore Friends School summer camp becomes the first course
Baltimore Friends School summer camp becomes the first course
July 1, 1973 - 1973
Shower Shack built
Shower Shack built
July 15, 1973 - 1973
St. Paul’s School for Girls in Baltimore marks the start of the school courses
St. Paul’s School for Girls in Baltimore marks the start of the school courses
September 1, 1973 - 1974
Woodlands & Whitewater Institute renamed Woodlands Institute
Woodlands & Whitewater Institute renamed Woodlands Institute
March 1, 1974 - 1975
Ulan Bator built
Ulan Bator built
June 1, 1975 - 1978
Spruce Knob Property officially purchased
Spruce Knob Property officially purchased
May 31, 1978 - 1982
Start of West Virginia Scholars Academy
Start of West Virginia Scholars Academy
March 1, 1982 - 1982
Earth Shelter Office built
Earth Shelter Office built
June 1, 1982 - 1986
Woodlands Institute is renamed Woodlands Mountain Institute
Woodlands Institute is renamed Woodlands Mountain Institute
January 1, 1986 - 1987
Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area initiated
Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area initiated
January 1, 1987Makalu-Barun Conservation Area and Makalu-Barun National Park initiated as parallel but integrated projects – first for people’s engagement and conservation, second for strict conservation preservation
- 1991
Alma Ata Yurt (Almati) built
Alma Ata Yurt (Almati) built
December 8, 1991 - 1994
The Woodlands Mountain Institute becomes The Mountain Institute
The Woodlands Mountain Institute becomes The Mountain Institute
December 11, 1994 - 1996
Andean Program in Peru begins
Andean Program in Peru begins
January 1, 1996 - 2004
BWET/AWSM Programming Begins
BWET/AWSM Programming Begins
January 1, 2004 - 2012
Beginning of Mountain Stewards summer camp
Beginning of Mountain Stewards summer camp
June 1, 2012Programs renamed and refocused
- 2017
Sweetwater Farm Acquired
Sweetwater Farm Acquired
January 1, 2017 - 2017
The Mountain Institute’s Appalachian Program becomes Experience Learning
The Mountain Institute’s Appalachian Program becomes Experience Learning
December 3, 2017