Spend time with nature at Belle Meade Day Camp

Would you like to breathe in the splendor of the mountain air and feel the openness of Rappahannock County. Hear the birds sing.

One can do this and more at Belle Meade Day Camp, a few miles outside of Sperryville.

This year marks the 15th summer for the day camp. It has five two-week sessions for 6-13 year olds and two one-week sessions for 4-7 year olds.

Belle Meade is located on F.T. Valley Road on a 138-acre farm with streams, meadows, forests, mountain, and a pond. The farm raises produce, eggs, chickens, beef, pork and turkeys.

Camp activities include swimming, canoing, fishing, archery, arts and crafts and hiking. Some days are spent at camp; others on excursions to the mountains and rivers. Camp sessions usually have 25-35 campers and six counselors in addition to Susan Hoffman, camp director and owner of Belle Meade.

"Three counselors this summer are former campers," said Hoffman.

Hoffman, who has a Ph.D. in education, has four decades of experience as a teacher. She has three grown children and three grandchildren.

Mike Biniek, who has a B.S. degree in biology, is a life-long student of nature and wildlife. Both Biniek and Hoffman are certified Water Safety Instructors and Life Guards.

The campers come from Rappahannock, Culpeper, Madison, Fauquier and Warren counties. This summer, campers come from afar as well - Hungary and French West Indies – and are staying with friends and family while attending camp.

Arlen Sherwood, a counselor, said that over the years she has enjoyed "watching the same campers returning to camp and growing up. It is rewarding to see them growing and working through challenges during the camp session."

Campers are picked up at several locations including Amissville, Washington, Sperryville, Madison and Culpeper between 8:20 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. and then dropped off between 2:50 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. The second Thursday of each session is a cook-out and an overnight. Parents are encouraged to visit camp on Friday morning.

"The philosophy of camp," said Hoffman, "is to model the positive behavior we want from the campers, to encourage campers to treat others they way they want to be treated, to notice what they do right, what they do well. Our goal is for the campers to value who they are, to play, and to enjoy spending time in nature.

"What I love about camp is seeing campers grow and mature over the years," said Hoffman.
Belle Meade has many faces. It also is a school for grades 6-9 that integrates academic learning and sustainable living. It is a bed and breakfast that serves food from the farm. The Belle Meade Schoolhouse is a site for Taste of Rappahannock, weddings, rehearsal dinners, family reunions and artist workshops.