We get it – Plains, Georgia may sound… well, kind of plain. We promise it’s not! We wanted to develop an adventure that would help middle schoolers dig into tough conversations. There are few places as great as Southwest Georgia to do this. Andersonville allows our group to see firsthand the destruction that decisions can cause while also confronting the hard truth that people can be bad and cause harm to others. 

Plains lightens the mood by showing that goodness can come from some ordinary places. We will explore the place that formed Jimmy Carter, the Peanut Brigade that helped him get elected, the tough challenges and hard truths of his presidency, and how he continued his legacy after the White House. 

Providence Canyon is entirely man-made, the result of poor decisions and practices. It allows participants to see firsthand that poor decisions can have very large consequences. 

So we challenge you, find us a better location to teach our targeted life skills than this rural part of Georgia. 

No. This adventure is educational, not partisan.

Red Earth & Hard Truths includes history, leadership, natural resources, rural communities, and difficult moments from America’s past. Those topics can raise big questions, and we will approach them with care.

Our goal is not to tell participants what to think. Our goal is to help them think deeply, listen respectfully, ask better questions, and consider how choices shape people and places.

Providence Canyon, often called Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon, is a man-made canyon, cut into the Georgia clay by poor farming practices. Today, the canyon is a state park. 

Even though it will be October, South Georgia and North Florida will still be warm – especially for anyone joining from the northern United States. The average high is around 82 degrees, and the average low is around 62 degrees. 

Skies tend to be clearer in October, with the average daily chance of rain dropping below 30% (compared to 58% in July). Humidity will remain high in early October, but this is still one of the best times to visit. 

It can be.

Andersonville is a solemn place, and some participants may feel sadness, discomfort, or quiet reflection while visiting. Others may process the experience later.

Bridgeford leaders will guide the visit with care, respect, and age-appropriate conversation. Participants will not be pressured to respond in a certain way, but they will be expected to treat the site and the stories connected to it with respect.

Please also remember that the cemetery is still active. It is possible that a funeral will be taking place during our visit. 

Short answer – yes. 
Longer answer – South Georgia grows a lot of peanuts. Georgia is the number one producer of peanuts in the United States, typically producing over 50% of the nation’s supply. Those with severe peanut allergies are most at risk during the fall peanut harvest. It is rare for those with airborne peanut allergies to have reactions in the spring.