Camp Varsity

Camp Varsity is an overnight, co-ed, outdoor general recreation summer camp for ages 8-15

Camp Varsity is located in Madison, Virginia and serves youth ages 8-15. We offer one-week sessions with options for campers to attend up to three weeks.

“Come As You Are” Culture: We work to support our Staff and Campers in a way that they feel safe and free to be themselves. Camp Varsity values and respects Staff and campers from all backgrounds and walks of life. We are passionate about sharing our love of nature, campfires, laughs, lake mud, friendships, music, camp games, fun and all other things CAMP!

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. 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.

The majority of Camp activities are organized in a way that your Camper stays with his or her cabin throughout the day. At no time will they be left by themselves or left behind.

Activities change each day and vary each week and some weeks have a special theme! We do encourage each Camper to try all our activities, however your Camper is free to observe and remain part of the group at any time.

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