Camp Varsity

About Camp Varsity

Camp Varsity is a rustic, overnight summer camp that encourages 'back to play and back to nature' in a fun, un-plugged authentic Camp environment.

Horses roam, we play games and sing in the rain, watch sunsets over the mountains, and jump into a large cool spring fed lake.

Our 125-acre farm is situated at the base of Gaar Mountain on the edge of Shenandoah National Park in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains.

Caring for the Earth is an important part of our mission and is a part of the decision-making at our Camp: from composting our kitchen scraps, partnering with local farmers to collect our food waste after meals, recycling, growing kitchen herbs. We have a beautiful Camp Garden that utilizes earth-friendly growing methods.

Camp Varsity first formally opened as a small, athletic summer program in 1966 and has grown over the years to a full, well-rounded traditional summer camp that averages around 135 campers per week and approximately 700 - 800 campers each summer. Camp has always operated on the premise that everyone that comes to Gaar Mountain is part of the Camp family; it has been and continues to be second home to many, many campers, Staff and alumni.