Peter Lewis

            Apple Ridge Farms is a popular camp located in Roanoke, Virginia, and is dedicated to helping kids learn about the environment. Peter Lewis, the founder of Apple Ridge, has always enjoyed educating people of all ages. He worked as an educator for fifty-two years, and was heavily influenced by his parents. Now retired, Peter Lewis, at seventy-three years old, enjoys reading and belongs to the National Rail Historic Society. He lives in Roanoke now.

            Because of his diverse background, Mr. Lewis is very intelligent. “I have been educated for 52 years, [and] I was heavily influenced by my parents.” he said. “My mom used to teach in Washington D.C. and my dad worked as an attorney in college.” When he was younger, Mr. Lewis would always get excited and cheery when he was told they were going to his aunt’s dairy farm. “I had a dairy farm and wanted to share the experience with other people,” he said. This early experience influenced Apple Ridge Farms very heavily.

            Mr. Lewis cares about what kids experience. “My interest in children, to give them something different to learn, heavily influenced Apple Ridge,” he said. Mr. Lewis decided to retire in 2000. He now enjoys travelling. “I enjoy traveling because I love having new experiences,” said Mr. Lewis.

            Overall, Mr. Lewis is very selfless and driven to what he does. He enjoys letting people, especially kids, have new experiences and learn new things. Mr. Lewis’s caring, educated, and cheerful personality helped him reach out to many kids for new experiences.