Twelve Tribes Community Is Hospitable to Appalachian Trail Hikers

Posted by on August 10, 2013 in Appalachian Trail, Skywalker--Close Encounters on the Appalachian Trail | 4 comments

First of all, let me say that I am biased. I am a former Appalachian Trail thru-hiker as well as author of a trail narrative; the trail community has become a big part of my adult life. We hikers constantly chatter about which hiker hostels are the best, friendliest, and cheapest, as well as the ones that treat us like ‘hiker trash’, etc. I’m happy to report that the Twelve Tribes religious community stands out as extraordinarily hiker-friendly.

Who are they? Specifically, the Twelve Tribes  are a group of communities spread around the United States, and now the world (totaling about 2,000 individuals in total) who are trying to re-create the life of the first century followers of Jesus, before ‘The Fall’, which culminated in Roman Emperor Constantine adopting and even appropriating Christianity in the year 313. They believe that the first century followers of Jesus were a model community of love and caring.  They adopt Hebrew names just as the first century followers (‘Community’) did, dress similarly, and disdain organized religion as being hierarchical and unworthy of Jesus’ (‘Yahshua’s teaching).

I first met the Twelve Tribes in 2005 while on my thru-hike. They had just opened a hiker hostel in Rutland, Vermont and invited me to stay there. It was so new that it was not even listed in my guide book. I hesitated before deciding to hitch into Rutland, whose population of 19,000 makes it the third largest city in Vermont and largest single hiker town on the entire Appalachian Trail. I was immediately impressed by what I saw. There were two newly constructed bunk rooms (males and females are segregated), both very clean, which I quickly learned is a Twelve Tribes hallmark. On a few different occasions I asked members what the charge was. They seemed bothered by the question. Why? Because they didn’t want money, but rather us to participate in the preparing of the food and the cleanup afterwards. Finally I got with the program and enjoyed the novelty of the experience.

I have stayed at that hostel three different times since then, and it has become more and more popular each year. For obvious reason. They fete hikers and exalt the hiking experience. After spending more time around them, it’s easy to see why. Hikers and Twelve Tribes members both exalt the Jefferson ideal that virtue comes from rootedness and attachment to the soil. They labor hard to grow their own organic crops, and hikers benefit from this when eating there. Compared to hiker food, it’s like night and day. And it’s worth noting that Twelve Tribes members are almost universally healthy looking. In stark terms, I have yet to see a member who was American-style fat. And needless to say, long-distance hikers are people who extoll the outdoor lifestyle and do not shrink from physical exertion.

I have now stayed at four different Twelve Tribes communities including one in Asheville, San Sebastian, Spain (100 yards from where the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage passes by), and am now doing a five-day volunteer stint in Hillsboro, Virginia. This latest gig has really brought home to me the virtues of the rooted, hands-on lifestyle and the value of a loving community. In fact, the Twelve Tribes has drawn some of its most stalwart members off the Appalachian Trail. The community here in Hillsboro now offers voluntary work-for-stay arrangements to hikers. This has worked well for many desiring a respite from the hectic days on the trail, as well as frequent injuries. And given that hikers are anything but sedentary in nature, many are a natural fit for the organic farms that all Twelve Tribes communities maintain.

I am not a member. But I want to say thank you to all the Twelve Tribes member communities where I have stayed and all the hospitality you have shown towards us salt-of-the-earth hikers. I plan to recommend your communities to any and all as places to stay, do volunteer work for short stints, or perhaps even deeper immersion.

Bill Walker is the author of Skywalker–Close Encounters on the Appalachian Trail, Skywalker–Highs and Lows on the Pacific Crest Trail, The Best Way–El Camino de Santiago, and ‘Getting High–The Annapurna Circuit in Nepal’.

4 Comments

  1. CHILD ABUSE has occurred, but is routinely denied.
    Several teens reported being locked in closets, boxes, and basements “to experience Death.”
    “If our children can’t learn obedience, Yahshua (Jesus) will not return.” (Spriggs)

    CHILD CHAIRS may be removed from the living rooms, and children will sit on the floors.

    CHILD EDUCATION only reaches approximately the 8th grade level.
    GED’s or High School Diplomas are not obtained.

    CHILD FANTASY, PLAYING PRETEND & IMAGINARY FRIENDS are not allowed.

    CHILD MEDICAL ATTENTION is avoided so doctors will not see child punishment marks.

    CHILD PLAY is to be “covered: by an adult. They are not allowed to go outside and play by themselves.

    CHILD PUNISHABLE BEHAVIOR includes any type of bad attitude, being too loud, participating in “underground” anti-Tribes talk, foolishness, having too much fun, imaginary play such as imitating trucks or airplanes, making silly faces, not eating all your food, playing house, playing pretend, running around the house, or the slightest disobedience, or negative facial expressions.

    CHILD PUNISHMENT is frequent and painful for even the slightest attitude or foolishness.
    Corporal punishment may be applied by any adult member with love.
    “The blueness of the wound drives away all evil.””
    (October 1980 Child Training -Notes from Teachers Meeting – Page 5)
    “Unless your son has blue wounds, by this standard, you know what kind of a
    standard is in you — it is the spirit that hates your son. If one is overly concerned about
    his son receiving blue marks you know that he hates his son and hates the word of God.”
    (No date – Execution of Justice – Page 1)
    “We must beat respect into our children. [Unraveling The Races Of Man]

    CHILD SEX ABUSE has occurred, but is usually denied. Child predators sometimes join.
    One single brother repeatedly exposed himself to the small children in our bathroom, and after the second offense, was asked to leave the Tribes. Worse incidents have happened.

    CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS are usually not paid. “The children should come here to live.”

    CHILD TOYS including dolls, stuffed animals, little cars, and tricycles are not allowed.

    • Cassey, I honestly don’t know what to think. Because you can read these horror stories on the internet. But I am very familiar w/ four of their communities and have never gotten anything but good vibes. And they treat hikers exceedingly well, which I greatly appreciate.

      Bill

  2. I’ve stayed at the Twelve Tribes Hostel in Rutland three times on multi day stays while on AT and Long Trail thru-hikes. My experiences have all been extremely positive and rewarding as Skywalker’s have been. I’m not a member. I was always respected. NEVER was anything thrust upon me. I feel it’s unnecessary to have to say this but NEVER did I witness anything that IMHO was abusive to children, women, or others.

    I do enjoy the simpler closer to the Earth non-consumer based build upon relationships living Twelve Tribes adheres to. Twelve Tribes does grow/make much of their own food, and as Skwalker said, it does seem many of the members seem healthier and better for it. To me, it always seemed the Twelve Tribe members were more grounded in many ways compared to the typical United States citizen. I always enjoyed working in the food prep and bakery AND then later sitting down with the members and having meaningful engaging non hurried conversation and the exchanging of ideas after a delish home cooked meal. When I felt I had enough conversation geared towards their particular type of living they were always respectful of my clearly made wishes not to go further.

    I’d gladly, go back to any Twelve Tribe location. Good people doing some good things!

    • Glad to find a like-minded soul. The Twelve Tribes made an overwhelmingly positive impression, due to their sheer hard work and selflessness. Like you, I will stay at one of their locations any time it is possible.

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