Meet Our Staff

Since summer is right around the corner we wanted to introduce you to our amazing Summer Staff!  For the next few weeks before camps get started we will be updating the blog with some bio's and pictures of our staff!

Tommy Evans

Tommy teaches physical education at Stonewall Jackson Middle School. He spends a lot of time with his kids and loves to hunt and fish in his free time!

Questions

How Long have you worked with VFA and VO? been with VFA for 6 years

What is your favorite outdoor activity?   favorite outdoor activity just depends on the time of year...Spring Gobbler season, Deer season, or fishing in the Bay.

Favorite Vacation spot you have ever been?  favorite vacation spot is Cape Hatteras

Biggest Fish you have ever caught?   Biggest fish ever caught was probably a 60 pound wahoo

 Ben Noftsinger

Ben will be a senior at Collegiate School in the Fall '12.  He currently plays football and lacrosse for Collegiate.

How Long have you worked with VFA and VO? 4 years

What is your favorite outdoor activity? My favorite outdoor activity would be catching fish and duck hunting.

Favorite Vacation spot you have ever been? My favorite vacation spot would be the Cayman Islands, but for fishing it would be the Chesapeake bay and the South Holston River in Tennessee.

Biggest Fish you have ever caught? I would say my biggest fish was a 20-30 pound Rock Fish.

Most embarrassing fishing or biking story?

Thankfully I have not had something to embarrassing, but a couple years ago I was on a guided fly fishing trip down the South Holston River with my dad and within the first 10 minutes my dad and I lost about 3 flies each, making us look very inexperienced but we quickly recovered and had a great day. 

Carson Hogge

Carson is currently a rising junior at VMI where he is studying psychology and
English. He loves being outside and exploring new things, especially when he's riding his mountain bike or road bike, and he wants to share my love for the outdoors with
the youth at Virginia Outside!

How Long have you worked with VFA and VO? This will be my first year working VO, and I’m really looking forward to getting started and meeting new people.

What is your favorite outdoor activity? I love to do anything that involves being outside and enjoying nature. But if I had to choose, I’d go with mountain biking and surfing.

Favorite Vacation spot you have ever been?  I’d have to say my favorite vacation spot is Jackson Hole, Wyoming. My sister lived out there for several years, and nothing is better than backpacking the Tetons and rafting the Snake River.

Most embarrassing fishing or biking story? When I first biked with clipless pedals, I got to a stop sign and couldn’t get my feet un-clipped from the pedals. I tipped over right on my side in front of
all the cars passing by!

Geoff Gelozin

Geoff will be graduating from Collegiate School this June and will be attending Hampden-Sydney College this fall.  He loves spending most of his time being outside and in nature.


How Long have you worked with VFA and VO?  Worked with VFA for 2 years now

What is your favorite outdoor activity?  Hunting and Fishing

Favorite Vacation spot you have ever been? Grand Cayman

Biggest Fish you have ever caught?  10.5 pound largemouth bass

Most embarrassing fishing or biking story?  lost my best fishing rod in the rapids on the river float trip

 Tyler Meighan


Tyler is a full  time student at Virginia Tech where he is an active member with the Bass Fishing Team. Whenever he gets a break from classes and work you can find him in one of the many trout streams, kayaking, or fishing for muskies.

How Long have you worked with VFA and VO? This will be my second summer

What is your favorite outdoor activity? I love to fish, particularly kayak fishing

Favorite Vacation spot you have ever been? Tennessee, it is I caught my largest freshwater striper, PB largemouth bass, and the scenery is awesome

Biggest Fish you have ever caught?  43in Striped Bass; Release Citation

Most embarrassing fishing or biking story? While fishing Briery Creek with a person I had just met, I “turtled”my kayak and found myself in the water surrounded by all my fishinggear and an upside down kayak. I was close enough to shore thatnothing was damaged, except my pride.




Please Check back next week for some more of our amazing staff!

Welcome Spring!

Spring Break Mountain Biking

Spring has decided to join us early this year and we are loving it!

We've had a full spring schedule with many afterschool programs and weekend fishing and biking trips!  This warm weather has helped us have a wonderful and perfect start to the Spring!

Fox Elementary Afterschool Program Fishing

We are currently running afterschool outside programs with Tuckahoe, Maybeury and Fox Elementary Schools as well as St. Christopher's and Steward! We pick the students up after school gets out and explore the James River Parks biking, fishing or hiking!

Tuckahoe Elementary Owl Pellets

 This Spring we also began a new afterschool enrichment program called Outdoor Adventure.  In this program we are learning all sorts of new things!  We bring things like composting, Owl pellets to dissect, rain barrels, fishing games, tent set up, and basic survival skills to the school and teach the kids all about them!  It has been a big hit and we are having a blast!  If you would like to set one up at your school please contact Emily egottwald@virginiaoutside.com 

 

 

 

Spring Break Fishing Camp

Check back for more updates on our spring programs and get ready for summer!  Don't forget to check out our website www.virginiaoutside.com for weekend programs and summer camps!
 

Mountain Biking Gear

As the mountain biking programs wrap up for the winter we are gearing up for expanding the program for next year. As the holidays are fast approaching so are the dreams of new mountain bike gear. Below are a couple of links to some vital equipment to be better prepared for next riding season.

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/HY278A09-Camelbak+Kids+Antix+Pack+10.aspx   
Many campers inquired about my backpack this summer and this is a GREAT deal. Ideal for the trail whether you are hiking or riding.

http://www.hucknroll.com/giro-flume-helmet-kids 
Everyone who attended camps this summer and fall know that safety always comes first!!! Helmets are not an inexpensive piece of gear and this deal can't be beat! Two color choices for both boys and girls.

Riding trails is a passion! We hope you got 'bitten by the bug' over the summer and are anxiously anticipating next year's camps. If you are like me, you will take advantage of every warm day between now and then to get out on the trails. Have fun, stay safe, and remember GO OUTSIDE!!!

End of Fall

We had a great Fall here at Virginia Outside.  Lots of new programs and TONS of fun!

We introduced our new Preschool Enrichment programs, After school off-site mountain biking, and were jammed pack with Mountain Biking Enrichment programs!  

The preschool Program was a huge hit as we took turtles, fish, worms, crickets and lots of crafts to schools and ran a 6 week program with the kids! We also did scavenger hunts, nature walks and games!

The after school offsite mountain biking was a blast!  We hit the James River Park trails at Pony Pasture, Reedy Creek and Belle Isle and the kids loved it!  We had a great group of bikers and was great to see the kids enjoying the Park.  

The end of our on site Mtn Biking Enrichment programs are the most fun!  As we watch the kids grow week by week on the bikes and understand it a little more as the hours go by.  The last class is always everyone's favorite as we bring jumps and a balance beam for the kids to try out!

Another favorite this fall were our day programs when kids were out of school.  We offered a program on Columbus day as well as Voting Day!  We hit a couple private farms for fishing and mountain biking from 8:30-1:30.

We took a group of Collegiate School "Outdoor Club" students Fly Fishing this Fall in the Mountains!  We had a blast teaching them the basics and casting of fly fishing and then heading out to the river to put their skills to the test!  We all had a great time catching trout!

We had a wonderful time introducing some new programs and continuing others. Check back in January for updates on some new programs we have brewing!

Happy Holidays!

Fall Afterschool Programs

This Fall we have been very busy running our regular programs whilst also starting new ones!  You can find us all over Richmond; teaching kids to Mountain Bike at After school enrichment programs, taking kids to the James River Park for our Outside program, or going to Preschool's to run a nature based enrichment program!

Biggest Bass of the day

 Monday

There was no school Monday due to Columbus day, so we took full advantage and headed out with a group of kids to a private farm for some fishing and biking!  The kids had a wonderful time riding all over the farm while others decided to fish the whole time!

On Monday we picked up our group of Tuckahoe Elementary students and headed out to one of our favorite ponds to catch "big fish."  The kids had a great time fishing and just being out in the wonderful 80 degree weather!  We caught a bunch of blue gill and bass, plus the huge bass above!

Tuesday

Rock hopping at Pipeline

This was the second week for Fox Elementary's program.  It is a great program we have been running for 2 years now.  The kids love getting out into the James River Park since most of them visit it frequently.  It is fun to see how much they know about the area! Last week we headed down to Pony Pasture to climb everyone's favorite....the "vines."  After climbing we headed to the river for a lesson on rock skipping!  This week we headed to Pipeline to do some fishing and exploring.  Not many big fish but lots of fun and laughter going up and down the pipe and hopping from rock to rock!

We also have our enrichment biking at Jackson Davis Elementary on Tuesdays!  The kids are loving getting out and riding a true mountain bike and have been improving each week!  This week we learned to change tires!

Wednesday

Wednesday is our big mountain biking day!  We run 2 after school enrichment at Glen Allen Elementary and Echo Lake Elementary.  We have very enthusiastic kids that are ready to get out and ride.  Unfortunately we couldn't get outside on the bikes this week due to weather but they now know how to change a tire, fix a slipped chain, and tighten up anything that may come loose on their bikes!  

Thursday

Last Thursday was our first week of Preschool enrichment!  It was a blast for us as well as the kids.  We did a scavenger hunt and decorated bags!  The kids had so much fun finding all of our hidden treasures and even learned a "hidden" lesson!  This week we did a nature walk and worked on our 5 senses!  The stories that came along with the things they heard, saw or smelled were great!  

We also started our Mountain Biking Program at Springfield Elementary last week!  The kids were ready to ride the first day and are putting the little things together quickly.  We learned how to position their body on the bike last week and this week we added some relays, gear changing, and seat positions!  They are learning quick and will be ready for the trails in no time!

Preschool Enrichment

Setting up for the Scavenger Hunt

Last week  was our first week of Preschool enrichment! We are working with St. Stephens and St. Christopher's School this fall.   It was a blast for us as well as the kids.  We did a scavenger hunt and decorated bags!  The kids had so much fun finding all of our hidden treasures and even learned a "hidden" lesson!  This week we did a nature walk and worked on our 5 senses!  The stories that came along with the things they heard, saw or smelled were great! 

If you are interested in doing a Preschool Enrichment, Mountain Biking Enrichment or Outside Program at your school please contact Emily Gottwald at eocheltree@virginiaoutside.com

Fall is Here!

Well it's time of year again!  Where we trade our swim trunks and bathing suits for "school clothes."  If you are starting to see summer fade quickly from your rear view mirror don't sweat it, we have LOTS of programs this fall that will make it feel like summer never left!

We are gearing up for a busy and fun fall schedule.  Adding many more programs to our slate and expanding on the ones we already have!  Please check out our website and calender for details on all of our afterschool "outside" programs as well as biking and fishing!  

Afterschool Programs
Fishing- Our afterschool fishing program starts on September 28th and runs four consecutive Wednesdays through October 19th. Parents may drop off at the Village Shopping Center at 3:45 or at the Food Lion on Nuchols Rd. at 4. We spend the afternoons fishing private ponds for largemouth bass and anything else that will bite. Pick-up is available on Nuchols Rd. at 6:15 or at the Village at 6:30. Cost $150. Application is available at http://virginiaoutside.com/. 


Mountain Biking- We will be offering several mountain biking options this fall for 2-5th graders. One program will begin Oct. 26th and run four Wednesdays through November 16th. Pick up and drop off will take place at The Village Shopping Center. The program runs 3:45-6 p.m. Cost $125.  Our second program will run three Tuesdays starting  Nov. 8th and running through Nov. 22nd. The program runs from 2:10-5 p.m. Pick up and drop off will take place at Tuckahoe and Maybeury Elementary Schools. Cost is $75. We provide bikes and helmets. Applications for both programs are at available at http://virginiaoutside.com/.


Outside Program- Our outside program is a mixture of fishing, mountain biking, hiking, and general outdoor expoloring, most of which takes place in the James River Park. We will be offering several programs this fall. One program will run Mondays Oct. 10th - Nov.7th with no class on Halloween. This program is designed for 2nd through 5th graders. Cost is $100. Time 2:10-5 p.m. Pick up and drop off available at Tuckahoe and Maybeury Elementary Schools. The application is available at http://virginiaoutside.com/. We will also be running a program through Extended Day at St. Christopher's School. This program is available to all St. Christopher's Students. Registration takes place through Extended Day at St. Christopher's.
Additional information on all our programs is available at our Virginia Outside Website.
Please visit our website and check the calendar for specific dates of weekend fishing and mountain biking programs as well as onsite enrichment programs through area public schools. You may register for weekend programs by responding to this email.

 Also...Be on the lookout at LivingSocial  to purchase our weekend fishing and mountain biking trips at half price. An Ad should appear sometime next week.



We hope to see you this fall!!!

Fishing Camp Summer Update

It has been a great summer so far for our fishing campers! From Cobia in the Chesapeake Bay, to monster catfish in the James River, to lunker largemouth bass, the kids have been reeling them in all over the state.



James River Flathead Catfish

 The James River has been fishing very well this summer for smallmouth bass, especially within the Richmond City limits, so if you are looking for a way to beat the heat, head on down to the James River Park and try your hand for some bronzebacks. 

Our Adventure campers at Christchurch School had some great success out on the Chesapeake Bay fishing with Captains Neil Renouf and Tony Horsely of Old Domion Outdoors . If you are looking for a great day trip for kids close to Richmond, Neil and Tony can put you on some fish.



My Nephews with a lunker. Way to go Mac!


Our camps have been booming in Richmond and Northern Virginia.

We are looking forward to some declining temperatures in the coming week and some more bent rods. We only have a handful of spots left until the last few weeks of August when we have some more availability. If you have some openings in the calendars and are looking for another week of camp, check out availability on our website.

Stay cool out there!

Nice Cobia!



A couple tasty doormat flounder!