Summer
Virginia Outside: Outdoor Adventure Camp
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Course Description
For over 20 years, Virginia Outside has been running summer camps, teaching youth about the great outdoors, and creating lifelong memories for both campers and staff members. Our Outdoor Adventure Camp is designed for the adventurous kiddos who are looking for variety! This camp offers a taste of all the wonderful outdoor recreation activities that Richmond has to offer!
Throughout the week, campers will enjoy different activities that can all be done within the James River Park System and other area parks. Dependent on weather and river conditions, campers will spend a fair amount of time on or near water while fishing, paddling, and lazy river-style tubing. One morning, campers will get a brief break from the heat while indoor rock climbing at Peak Experiences for a few hours. Campers will also spend a day hiking, orienteering, and exploring nature on foot. Some weeks may include the Challenge Discovery high ropes course at the University of Richmond or paddleboarding at Tredegar with Waterfront RVA.
Before participating in activities, campers will receive safety talks to prepare them to have the most fun they can in a safe capacity. These safety talks will include topics like: Basic Environmental Hazards, River Conditions, River Hazards, River Safety, Rock Climbing Rules and Regulations, Tips and Tricks for Safe Hiking, and more!
Our programs provide meaningful experiences in the outdoors where kids learn, play, and grow their confidence!
Throughout the week, campers will enjoy different activities that can all be done within the James River Park System and other area parks. Dependent on weather and river conditions, campers will spend a fair amount of time on or near water while fishing, paddling, and lazy river-style tubing. One morning, campers will get a brief break from the heat while indoor rock climbing at Peak Experiences for a few hours. Campers will also spend a day hiking, orienteering, and exploring nature on foot. Some weeks may include the Challenge Discovery high ropes course at the University of Richmond or paddleboarding at Tredegar with Waterfront RVA.
Before participating in activities, campers will receive safety talks to prepare them to have the most fun they can in a safe capacity. These safety talks will include topics like: Basic Environmental Hazards, River Conditions, River Hazards, River Safety, Rock Climbing Rules and Regulations, Tips and Tricks for Safe Hiking, and more!
Our programs provide meaningful experiences in the outdoors where kids learn, play, and grow their confidence!
Safety is our number one priority, so all campers will wear life jackets when in the water or on a boat. We maintain a 1-to-6 counselor-to-camper ratio to ensure every camper gets some one-on-one time throughout the week to advance his or her skills. Please keep in mind that for safety reasons, daily activities offered are dependent on safe weather and river conditions and are subject to change based on the camp director and staff discretion.
Virginia Outside provides all supplies and gear needed to participate in our daily activities. This includes all bait and tackle, fishing rods, life jackets, climbing gear, boats, and good times! (Campers are welcome to bring personal gear, but please be cognizant of the risks in bringing items on the river and on boats in deep lakes or ponds) *Virginia Outside is not responsible for any lost or broken personal items brought to camp.*
Precamp emails will be sent out to parents one week prior to the start date of the camp you registered for. This email will confirm camp type, time, meeting location, what to bring/what to wear, and more!
Postcamp emails, within two weeks of completion of camp, will be sent with links to any photos taken by our staff of the week’s activities.
Virginia Outside provides all supplies and gear needed to participate in our daily activities. This includes all bait and tackle, fishing rods, life jackets, climbing gear, boats, and good times! (Campers are welcome to bring personal gear, but please be cognizant of the risks in bringing items on the river and on boats in deep lakes or ponds) *Virginia Outside is not responsible for any lost or broken personal items brought to camp.*
Precamp emails will be sent out to parents one week prior to the start date of the camp you registered for. This email will confirm camp type, time, meeting location, what to bring/what to wear, and more!
Postcamp emails, within two weeks of completion of camp, will be sent with links to any photos taken by our staff of the week’s activities.
List of 5 items.
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Cost
$650/week -
Dates
- Monday, June 15 – Friday, June 19 (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
- Monday, July 27 – Friday, July 31 (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
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Directors
Thomas Huss & Dylan Norvell
virginiaoutside@gmail.com
(804) 272-6362 -
Grades
Ages 10-15 -
Location
Pickup & dropoff will be at Trinity with all activities off-campus
About the Director
Thomas Huss grew up in Chesapeake, Virginia, fishing and surfing with his dad, and exploring local woodlots, streams and creeks with buddies. In his teens, Thomas spent most of his time lifeguarding and surfing at Sandbridge and fishing the Northwest River.
Huss attended Old Dominion University, graduating in 2000 with a degree in history and education while still spending the majority of his time on and under the water. A stint as a geography and social studies high school teacher and coach in Norfolk, Virginia, followed. After getting married in 2007 and spending a honeymoon year backpacking in Africa and Southeast Asia, Huss moved to Richmond and continued his teaching career, earning a post-master’s in educational leadership at Virginia Commonwealth and becoming a National Board Certified Teacher. In Richmond, without the saltwater to play in, the James River became integral to his free time.
An avid reader, traveler, waterman, and outdoorsman, Thomas enjoys getting his wife, three kids and your children outside as much as possible.
About the Director
Dylan Norvell grew up in Richmond, Virginia, spending his spare time playing soccer, kayaking, fishing and mountain biking the trails in the city and along the East Coast. He is a product of Passage Adventure Camp, where he spent 11 summers as a kayaking counselor, including three years as the kayaking site director.
He attended Washington and Lee University, playing soccer for all four years and graduating with a degree in geology and environmental science. When he wasn’t in season, Dylan could be found exploring the mountains and the rapids of Goshen Pass on the Maury River.
After graduation, he road-tripped across the country, explored the West Coast, and completed a short research stint with the US Geological Survey. Upon returning to the East Coast, he worked for the Chesapeake Bay’s Island Education Program on Fox Island in the middle of the Bay, sold fish at a local fish market and worked as a raft guide and whitewater kayaking instructor for a local outfitter.
In 2017, Dylan joined Trinity Episcopal School full-time, where he teaches Environmental Science. “The outdoors are my happy place, where I feel most at home,” says Norvell. “I’m excited to share my love of the environment, and the many places it can be found in RVA, with your camper.”
Trinity Episcopal School
3850 PITTAWAY DR | RICHMOND VA 23235-1099 | Phone: 804.272.5864 | Fax: 804.272.5865 Email: mail@trinityes.org
