Summer Camps on the James River

JRA Camps are all about connecting kids to the James River through hands-on adventure, exploration, and fun. Across all age groups, our camps immerse campers in the natural world with activities like fishing, paddling, art, wildlife investigations, and outdoor skills. Campers explore river habitats, study fish and aquatic life, hunt for frogs and salamanders, create nature-inspired art, and build confidence through active time outside.

While campers are having fun, they’re also learning and developing an understanding of river ecosystems, environmental science, and the role they play in protecting the James River. Above all, JRA Camps are designed to spark curiosity, build stewardship, and help kids form lasting connections to nature and the river that runs through our communities.

Our camps are water-based and involve activities such as paddling, swimming in a controlled environment, and spending extended time outdoors. Campers should be comfortable in and around water, able to follow safety instructions, and able to participate in group activities with appropriate supervision. We are committed to inclusion and encourage families to share information about disabilities, medical needs, or accommodations during registration. While not all activities may be adaptable, we will work with families to determine whether a camper’s needs can be safely supported within the structure of the program. Please reach out to camp@thejamesriver.org with questions. 

We use JotForms for registration. You will need to provide information about your camper, the caregiver completing registration, emergency contact information, as well as health/medical information and a liability waiver. Additionally, we ask about your camper’s swimming ability and comfort with water activities, as many of our camps involved spending time on and around the river. If you are applying for financial assistance, additional information is required.

Once you complete the registration form, you will be redirected to Stripe for secure payment. The total balance is due at the time of registration to secure your spot in camp. If you are applying for financial assistance, a deposit of 20% of the week’s fee is required. If you are found to not be eligible for financial assistance, you will be billed for the remainder of your camp fee. If you choose to not participate in camp, your deposit fee is not refundable. 

A limited number of camp scholarships are available. Please note that requesting financial assistance does not guarantee you will receive a scholarship. We will let you know as soon as possible if you have received a scholarship and any remaining balance on your account will be due immediately. 

To create an enjoyable experience for all campers, we kindly ask you to follow our age guidelines. Please register your camper in the correct age group to ensure they are in the proper category on the first day of camp.

Our camp leaders are full time environmental educators at JRA. They are highly trained and hold several certifications, including First Aid and CPR, American Canoe Association Canoe and Kayak Saftey, and Wilderness First Aid. Every camp will be staffed by a minimum of two educators.

Our camps are lovingly crafted with a limited capacity: 23 campers at most, 23 for the Upper James, and just 12 for the Lower James Hampton. The Upper Paddle Camp also invites only 12 participants, as guided by the American Canoe Association. These carefully set limits ensure we offer an enriching and safe environment, fostering an ideal camper-to-leader balance for all.

• Our camps require at least 10 campers to run. If a camp doesn’t reach this number two weeks before it starts, we’ll let you know and offer options to transfer to another camp, if space allows, or get a full refund. While we strive to accommodate transfer requests, the popularity of our camps might limit availability if a camp is canceled.