Camp Highroad - Virginia Christian Adventure Camp

Lower Prices for Outdoor Education Programming! 

Because we know that many schools are struggling with budget shortages and bus schedules, we have significantly reduced the prices of our weekday nature classes and hikes. Weekday nature programs are now $6.00 per child for an hour and a half program ($4.00 per hour), $10.00 per child for two, hour and a half programs ($3.33 per hour), and $12.50 per child for two, two hour programs ($3.12 per hour). There is a ten person minimum for nature classes and hikes.

In addition, we have also lowered the price of our One Day School Group Package. For more information, check out our School Groups page!

New! - Spring "Summer Sampler" Camp! 

Does your child want to come to Summer Camp, but you're not sure if he or she is ready? Spring Camp is designed to give campers, in 3rd-6th grades, an opportunity to experience an electrified micro-version of Summer Camp over the course of two days and one night! Campers will get to work together on the Highroad challenge course, go mountain boarding, build fires, and make some awesome crafts and edible treats!

Spring Camp drop-off will be 9:00 am on Saturday, March 31st, and pick-up will be 3:00 pm on Sunday, April 1st. Campers will stay in the beautiful Pine Lodge and will experience many parts of Highroad trails and scenic areas. The cost will be $75.00 per camper.   

Registration Coming Soon. Return to this post or visit our Registration page right after Christmas for Spring Camp registration.

If you have any questions, please send them to naturalist@camphighroad.org.  

!Feliz Navidad! 

On December 3, 2011 the Camp Highroad Staff traded in their work boots (and some of their English) for the third annual Highroad Latino Christmas Party. Over 70 congregants from three different Latino UMC congregations turned out for an evening of fellowship, worship and a delicious catered dinner. The afternoon started with Highroad staff and volunteers running the food serving line while using their very best español… which was appreciated by the guests, even if it didn’t always translate correctly! Following dinner, the adults sang in the main room while the Highroad Staff, as well as volunteers from Arcola United Methodist Church, entertained the children with S'more roasting, crafts, and an outdoor petting zoo.  After dinner, each child was given a Christmas gift, generously donated by Arcola UMC.

This is the third opportunity that Highroad has had to serve the local Latino community by hosting a Christmas party. It is a wonderful event that carries Highroad’s outreach ministry into the lives of individuals who might not get the chance to be served by camp otherwise. Over the past ten years, reaching out to those who might not have an opportunity to come to "traditional" camp has become a greater focus at Camp Highroad. In addition to summer scholarships, which are a long-running tradition, Highroad also runs mission camps each summer that reach as close to home as Fairfax and as far away as the Northern Neck. The camp is also moving into more partnerships with organizations that cater to children with special needs. It doesn’t matter if the barrier is one of language, finances or special needs, we continually strive to break through the barriers and to do a better job reaching people who we have not been served by Highroad in the past!

Camp Highroad is Now Hiring for Summer 2012!!! 

Do you have plans for this summer?

Being a Highroad Counselor isn't your normal summer job… For eight weeks you get to play a vital role in the lives of some of the six hundred children who come to Highroad Summer Camp. As a counselor you will spend every day working hard to shepherd your group of campers, during and between activities. You will build relationships quickly, and will have the opportunity to use those relationships to share Christ with your group. On weeks when our camper numbers are down, your job as a counselor switches to that of a class instructor for Highroad's outside groups, such as the YMCA. During these "support" weeks, despite not being able to share Christ verbally, your attitude and actions can reflect a Christ-like selflessness and love that no one can ignore. Being a counselor isn't a job, it's a mission opportunity. Only if you bring a desire to serve God, a humble and cooperative attitude, and willingness to work hard over the long-haul, can you succeed as a Camp Highroad Counselor! Counselors must be at least 18 years-old and must have graduated from high school. Camp Highroad pays a minimum of $1,500 for the summer as well as covering food and housing. Staff Training runs from June 8th-14th, 2012 and Summer Camp runs Sunday-Friday from June 17th-August 3rd. Extended contracts are available for those interested in staying at Highroad after summer camp to continue work with our outside groups.

Heard enough? Ready to apply! Head to the Employment page and fill out our online application!

Moving Ahead with the High Ropes Course! 

After much delay, debate, and deliberation, Highroad had received the funding to begin our new High Ropes Challenge Course. The contract has been signed and sealed and work is scheduled to begin in Spring of 2012. We're beginning the project by setting 11 poles, ranging in height from 10' to 65'. The heart of the course will be a three-sided rock-climbing tower, with three levels that launch into different challenges at 15', 35' and 50' . Initially, the course will include a Raider Bridge, Burma Bridge, Wobbly Log, and Pamper Pole (Google them for images!). We hope to add a Flying Squirrel, 800' Zip Line, and Giant Swing over the next couple of years (or as soon as we raise the money). This is an exciting step for Highroad, as it will allow us to offer more activities to our older campers and will appeal to many groups who haven't had any previous exposer to the camp!

If you have any interest in helping to fund the next portion of the project, we need to raise $2,600 for the Flying Squirrel, $4,500 for the 800' Zip Wire, and $7,300 for the Giant Swing. Contact Adam Davis, the Program Director, at programs@camphighroad.org if you would like to help!

Many, many thanks for the generous donations and support of individuals who made this project possible. Thanks also to our guests, churches, and volunteer teams, who continually help us as we share Christ with children and adults. Thanks!

New December Camp Rocked Around the Christmas Tree! 

There are very few things that are as satisfying as watching a new program come off flawlessly! Last weekend, Highroad hosted its first "December Winter Camp" for five boys and twelve girls in Pine Lodge. The camp had a large age-range, 3rd-8th grades, and while we have managed that spread with homeschool groups, this was our first time running that many ages in a single unit. The campers interacted beautifully, and we were so impressed by their maturity and by the way that they eagerly jumped in to help with everything! The weather was perfect and the campers were able to do nature hikes, archery, mountain boarding, challenge course, zip line, and a bundle of other activities. We really enjoyed working and sharing the gospel with this great group of kids, and we look forward to seeing weekend camps like these grow in years to come!

To see pictures from the weekend, check out our December Camp album.

Two Winter Camps Coming in December and January!  

This year, due to increased demand, we will be hosting two Highroad Winter Camps! The first one will be held December 3nd-4th and will cost $50.00 per child. The second will be held Martin Luther King Junior weekend, January 14-16 and will cost $170.00 per child. The theme for the December Winter Camp is "Mission Impossible" and the theme for the January Winter Camp is "Christmas in January." Both camps will be open for campers 3rd grade through 8th grade. Online registration will open soon. If you wish to "pre-register" contact programs@camphighroad.org with your name, address, phone number, which camp you wish to register your child/children for, and camper names and ages. We look forward to seeing lots of campers, old and new, for some good, cold days of fun!

EcoEternity Open House on October 8th, 1-4

"EcoEternity?" What in the world is that? Not so long ago, we were asking the same questions. That is, when the idea was presented to us…

 In 2007, Camp Highroad became the first location in the United States to partner with EcoEternity LLC in opening an EcoEternity Forest. Our forest is an economical, ecologically-friendly, forest-conserving, camp-benefitting green-burial alternative. Want to know more? Click the EcoEternity Forest picture and come out on October 8th between 1-4 to learn about what green burial is and why we have chosen to host an EcoEternity Forest!

Only Three Weeks 'Til Awakening Fest 2011

With Awakening Fest just three weeks away, all of us at Highroad are preparing our lodges, cabins, camping areas and fields to accommodate our future guests. We’re more than excited to see the VDOT crews clearing and enlarging Steptoe Hill Road, and we have already enlarged, graveled and graded the road on camp leading to the field where Awakening Fest will take place.

As a seven person staff, it’s a strange feeling to hear Highroad’s name on the radio and to realize that when “Camp Highroad” is being thrown back and forth by the DJs, it’s our home and the place that we’ve all poured our lives into that is being talked about! We are excited to host this event and we will do everything that we can to serve all of the guests who stay here over the course of Awakening Fest! Our hope is to build relationships through this event that will last long into the future. It also wouldn’t be too terrible to meet some of the artists… but here’s hoping!

Craftapaloosa!!! Thanks for making it possible!  

Camp Highroad, over the last few years, has not been the "craftiest" place. Partially because our programming positions are completely staffed by males, and partially because craft supplies are expensive, we have failed in the recent past to employ crafts to successfully supplement our programs. This year however, with many of our YMCA campers returning for 8, 9, or even 10 consecutive weeks of the summer, we desperately needed activities that we could change each session. The craft supplies that were donated by both churches and individuals allowed us to run new crafts each week for the whole summer, without having to buy more than $50 in supplies. Over the course of the summer, our campers created metamorphosis sheets, nesting food chains, rattle snakes, castles, toast houses, pirate ships, paper mache volcanoes, origami fish and frogs, space shuttles, tepees and totem poles, code bracelets, fuse bead figures and so many more. Thanks to everyone who contributed!