Admissions

We are committed to providing spectacular group experiences. This requires students who are enthusiastic about their opportunity and motivated to be a positive part of a team. To accomplish this, all our applicants and parents must gather information that allows us to ensure we are accepting the right students. Included in this enrollment process is a school reference, physical fitness reference, and information from the student’s physician about medical history. If we feel more information is required, students may be asked to complete a personal statement or telephone interview. All students will be required to sign our expectations and rules. If, at any time during the application process, LFFE determines a student is not the right match for our programs, all payments to LFFE will be refunded.

Expectations

Our programs are designed to educate in a fun and structured environment. All applicants are expected to be enthusiastic about this opportunity. The use of all tobacco products, drugs (other than prescribed medications), and alcohol are strictly prohibited.

Communication

Parent to Office: We are committed to keeping an open line of communication with the parents of our participants. In addition to regular online trip updates, our office is staffed from 8 am to 5 pm seven days a week during the summer. After hours, one member of our office staff will be available by phone for emergency needs. Our field staff is in touch with the office regularly and carries emergency satellite communication systems.

Student to Home: Part of our Adventure Academies is strengthening independence and self-reliance. Except in cases of emergency, participants are not permitted to make phone calls home during trips. Students may travel with their phones for use in airports; however, trip leaders will hold them in a safe place from arrival until departure. We are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged cell phones.

Emergencies: Parents can be assured that when it is important that a student talks with his or her parents, we will make sure that they are in touch as soon as possible. Our leaders carry satellite communication devices for emergencies.

No Personal Electronics

Reminding students of the simple pleasure found in nature is a major component of our trips. In order to achieve this goal, we remove them from the distractions of modern-day adolescence. Therefore, we do not permit personal electronics on our programs, except for cameras.

As soon as we receive your application and deposit online, you will receive a confirmation email. You can log into your Campintouch account (here) to find important documents like packing lists and supplemental forms. Please be sure to complete all supplemental forms before April, 1st or within 15 days of registering.

As always, reach out via phone or email with any questions. 

Our Meals

Participants are divided into three cook groups and work within their groups to plan our meals. Choosing from a cookbook of proven crowd pleasers, cook groups are responsible for planning and cooking meals for every third day under the supervision of a trip leader. All shopping is done as a group. Backpacking requires a lot of energy, so we make sure there is plenty of food to go around. In addition to three meals a day we have plenty of snacks to keep us energized between meals. Because of our family-style meals, vegetarians eat the same meal as the rest of the group with the meat portion withheld. Please give us a call to discuss how we can accommodate more strict dietary restrictions. 

Traveling With a Friend

Traveling with a friend increases the likelihood of our participants' continued excitement about fly fishing when they return back home. This helps us to reach our educational goals. Therefore we allow participants to sign up with friends. However, to help build group dynamics, we do not allow more than two pairs of friends per trip. If you would like to sign up with a friend, we suggest you sign up as early as possible.

Traveling To & From Your Program

Each program description provides start and end locations; families are responsible for making travel arrangements to and from these locations. Lillard Fly Fishing Expeditions leaders will be waiting for you at the arrival airport and will stay with you on your departure day until it is time to board your plane.

Additional Costs

Transportation to and from the start and end locations, spending money, and personal gear are not included in the program fee. Lillard Fly Fishing Expeditions provides group gear and basic flies; students provide all personal equipment including fishing gear, specialty flies, backpacks, and sleeping bags. We have quality sleeping bags, backpacks, and fishing rods/reels to rent and tackle/fly packages for sale. A comprehensive packing list will be mailed with your enrollment package. If you would like to take a look at one before enrolling, give us a call.

We're Here to Help

Please don’t hesitate to contact us: 828-577-8204.

Payments & Refunds

A $500 deposit is due with your application. Full payment is due April 5th. For applications received after April 1st, full payment is due within 30 days of registration and no later than 15 days before the start of the trip.

• If upon review of your enrollment forms, Lillard Fly Fishing Expeditions concludes we are not the appropriate fit for your child, your deposit and any other payments you made will be returned in full.
• If at any point in the admissions process we determine that you have provided incomplete, misleading, or false statements, we will withdraw the offer of admission and no refund of any payments to Lillard Fly Fishing Expeditions will be made.
• If you withdraw your child before April 1st (notice of the withdrawal must be made in writing), 50% of the deposit is refundable.
• If you withdraw your child after April 1st, we are unable to grant refunds for any reason; including, but not limited to: voluntary withdrawal, illness or injury, summer school, or any other reason.
• If LFFE requires a negative test result for COVID or any other infectious disease and your child can not participate due to a positive test LFFE will retain the deposit and will refund any other payments. 
• If LFFE cancels or is unable to run a program for any reason we will refund 100% of all payments made. 
• If your child leaves a program after it starts, there are no refunds for any reason; including, but not limited to: voluntary withdrawal, illness or injury, dismissal by Lillard Fly Fishing Expeditions (due to discipline, behavior, lack of fitness or motivation, etc.), or any other reason. Any costs incurred by Lillard Fly Fishing Expeditions related to an early departure are the sole responsibility of the parents.ng
• We strongly suggest you purchase trip insurance, specifically a "cancel at any time" policy. Click on the program insurance tab for more info. 

Because Lillard Fly Fishing Expeditions program payments are NOT refundable after April 1 (Please refer to the Payments and Refunds tab for full tuition refund details), we recommend that all families consider purchasing a travel protection plan that includes trip cancellation coverage.

Lillard Fly Fishing Expeditions continues to be committed to discovering new programs and options to increase value for our camp families. We are very excited to announce the availability of Program Protector. The Program Protector Protection Plans are now available for purchase during the online registration process and if purchased, may protect up to the full cost of your session, and includes a variety of other benefits should the need arise.
Many times, the fun and excitement of camp is interrupted by unfortunate circumstances such as a family emergency or sickness, bags are lost or stolen or you may need to cancel due to other unforeseen circumstances. There are two Plans available for you to choose from:
1. Standard Plan F530S: Plan Cost is 5% of your session fee. The Standard Plan includes a package of Non-Insurance Services plus insurance benefits including Program Cancellation and Interruption, Program Delay, Accident & Sickness Medical Expense, Baggage & Personal Effects, Baggage Delay and more.
Waiver of the Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion The exclusion for Pre-Existing Condition will be waived provided: (a) Your payment for this Plan and enrollment form are received with or before the final payment for Your Program; and (b) You are not disabled from travel at the time Your plan payment is paid.

2. Enhanced Plan F530E: (Not Available to Residents of New York) – Plan Cost is 7.50% of the session fee. The Enhanced Plan includes a package of Non-Insurance Services plus insurance benefits including Program Cancellation and Interruption, Program Delay, Accident & Sickness Medical Expense, Baggage & Personal Effects, Baggage Delay, plus a Cancel For Any
Reason benefit that allows you to cancel your Program for any reason up to 2 (two) days before your scheduled Departure Date as long as your payment for this plan is received within 20 days of the date your initial payment or deposit for your program is received.
If You cancel Your Program for any reason not otherwise covered by this Plan, benefits will be paid 75% of the Prepaid, forfeited, non-refundable Payment or Deposits You paid for Your Program.
Please Note: The Cancel For Any Reason Benefit is applicable to all sessions insured on this enrollment and cannot be used for individual sessions.
Waiver of the Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion The exclusion for Pre-Existing Condition on Plan 530E will be waived provided: (a) Your payment for this Plan is received within 20 days of the date Your initial Payment or Deposit for Your Program is received; and (b) You are not disabled from travel at the time Your plan payment is paid.

Please go to the following websites to review the Plan Documents for your state of residence: 
www.tripmate.com/wpF530S/tic for the Standard Plan; or
www.tripmate.com/wpF530E/tic for the Enhanced Plan
The link to purchase coverage online is: https://programprotector.mhross.com/consumer/portal/LILL2540NC
If you have questions or want to purchase coverage by phone, please call the Customer Service Specialists for Program Protector at 1-833-297-2258 the code

The Lillard Fly Fishing Conservation Fund provides financial assistance for LFFE programs through the Charlie Parr Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship allows students passionate about joining a LFFE program to do so without regard to a family’s financial position.

Please learn more about our financial aid opportunities by visiting LFFCF.org.