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Come join us on a canoe trip, hike or other special river event! You'll make new friends and have a great time experiencing the Rappahannock. We have the best interpretive guides around, and you are sure to learn something new...and take home a new appreciation for your precious river resource. |
March 15 - Lauck’s Island Tour & Picnic
Hop into rafts and float over to explore this fascinating island in the Rappahannock. Historian and naturalist guides will take participants on an interpretive hike to visit the old homestead ruins, identify native plants, and much more! Bring a bag lunch for a picnic on the island’s beach overlooking rocky rapids. This is a great family event. Min. age is 6 yrs. 10am-3pm. $15 indiv/$30 family. Backup: March 22.
March 29 - Operation Spruce-Up 2008
Join us this Saturday to spruce up the FOR grounds. We need help with trail maintenance, invasive species removal, and other outdoor work on the property. Come prepared to work outside and get your hands dirty. Starts at 10am at FOR headquarters. Register in advance. Free.
April 5 - Hunter’s Iron Works – Embrey Dam
Remains Dr. Doug Sanford from the UMW’s Department of Historic Preservation will lead this hike along the Stafford Co. riverside to the site of Hunter’s Iron Works. You will explore the site and learn its history, then continue on to see the remains of the old Embrey Dam. This hike is moderately strenuous and will include some narrow trails and uneven terrain. Minimum age 9 years. 8am-Noon. $15 indiv/$30 family. Backup: April 6.
April 12 - Wildflower Hike
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Michael Killian will lead this easy interpretive hike along our trails in the riverside forest buffer. It’s the perfect time of year to catch our local wildflowers in full splendor. You will learn how to identify these little beauties and some of the stories behind their names. 10am-12pm. $5 indiv/$10 family. Rain or Shine. |
April 19 - Spring River Cleanup
Join us for a morning of picking up trash along the River and local streams. We will provide supplies, site map, and lunch—be prepared to drive to your site. If you have a truck, please bring it to haul trash! Pre-registration requested. Rain or Shine. Free.
May 15 - Annual Meeting
Join us for our annual meeting this Thursday evening to celebrate conservation successes, meet new friends, and share homemade fixin’s. We will meet at 6 pm at our Education Shelter at 3219 Fall Hill Avenue in Fredericksburg. Please bring a potluck dish to share. Rain or Shine. Free.
May 17 - Embrey Dam-Fredericksburg Canal Tour
Planner and historian Erik Nelson will lead this interpretive hike to explore the remnants of three major dams at the river’s falls. Erik will illuminate the fascinating history of the Embrey Dam, an 1854 wooden crib dam, and the Hunter’s Iron Works dam. Bring a bag lunch for a picnic on our beach. 10am–1pm. $10 indiv/$20 family. Rain or shine.
June 7-8 - Celebrating the Rappahannock River
Located at Old Mill Park. Multiple Events include: The Whitewater Mid-Atlantic Canoeing and Kayaking Championships, 2nd Annual Rappahannock River Easement Celebration, Paddle for a Cause, and Scout Challenge Race. This event made possible by the American Canoe Association. Call Virginia Outdoor Center at (540) 371-5085 for more information.
June 14 - Civil War Canoe Float
| Park Service Historian Greg Mertz will lead this engaging canoe trip through the history of the Civil War…from the river’s perspective. As you paddle down the river, you will stop at several sites to learn about significant Civil War events. This trip fills up fast, so register early! Bring a bag lunch. Min. age 8 yrs. 9am-4pm. $30 indiv/$60 family. Backup: June 29. |
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June 17-19 - Fishing on the Rappahannock
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It’s all about fishing! Learn fishing basics and try your hand at angling each day. In addition, learn about fish ecology and healthy fish habitat. Daily, 9 am-1 pm. Ages 9-13. $90/youth. |
June 21 - Family River Safety and Tubing Trip
| Come learn river safety from Carol Brooks and then put it into practice while we tube down a section of the Rappahannock. Plan on getting wet and wear shoes that will stay on your feet (no flip-flops please). Minimum age 8 years. 12:30-4:30 pm. $15 indiv/$30 family. Backup: June 22. |
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June 28 - River Easement Hike and Float
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Fredericksburg’s River Steward, Lee Sillitoe, will guide us through a section of the city’s riparian land holdings and discuss the importance of conservation easements and stream side buffer zones. We will canoe from Mott’s Run Landing and then hike to England Run Falls. $15 indiv./$30 family. Rain or shine. Trip subject to change with water levels. |
July 19 - Lightning Bug Canoe Float
| It’s a magical experience to paddle the glassy river under moonlight. Come join guides Michelle Meyer and Bob Sargeant as we learn all about the fireflies that light our way. Minimum age 6 years. Previous canoe experience recommended. Meet at the City Dock. 7:30–10:00pm. $15 indiv./$30 family. Backup: July 26. |
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August 16 - Sunset Canoe Float
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Join guides Michelle Meyer and Bob Sargeant on this dusk float. Hopefully, we will see plenty of wildlife as the nocturnal river habitat awakens! Meet at the City Dock. Minimum age 6 years. Previous canoe experience recommended. 6:30-9pm. $15 indiv./$30 family. Backup: August 23. |
Summer Youth Group Programs
Sign up your youth group for themed-programs!
All programs are two hours long, $6 per child, minimum $60 per program
June 23-27 - Scout Week
Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Tiger and Cub Scout troops can work towards conservation and other nature related try-its and badges. Call to arrange a program suited to your needs. 540-373-3448. There will also be “Badge Days” when scouts can sign up individually or as a group to earn a badge in one day. Dates to be determined, call for more information.
July 7-11 - Water Week
All about water-What’s living in and around the river? How are animals and people dependent on water? How can we use water wisely? Let’s find the answer to these questions together.
July 21-25 - Art and River Safety Week
Choose either an art or river safety program for your youth group. Art students will discover how members of the natural community are connected. River safety students use hands-on activities to learn how to read the river and enjoy it safely. |
September 20 - Rappahannock RiverFest
| Wine and dine on steamed crabs and BBQ at FOR’s annual gala. Live music, fine food and drinks, and auction. Tickets sell out early and are sold ADVANCE ONLY! Call (540) 373-3448 to order tickets or for more information. |
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October 4 - Cat Point Creek and Menokin Bay Float
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Join us as we explore the tidewater marshes of the Rappahannock River. Environmental scientist Krista Sharp will lead our exploration of Cat Point Creek and Menokin Bay. Bring a bag lunch for a picnic and a tour at Menokin, the home of Declaration of Independence signer Francis Lightfoot Lee. Second of five trips in the Tidal Water Trail series. $25 indiv/$50 family. Backup: October 5. |
October 11 - Volunteer Appreciation Cookout
Every year volunteers donate their time and energies to serving the Rappahannock River. Join us for a potluck dinner to recognize their achievements. Everyone is welcome. Please register in advance at Friends of the Rappahannock 540-373-3448. Rain or Shine.
October 25 - Fall River Cleanup
See April for description. Rain or Shine.
November 8 - Fall Birding Hike
| University of Mary Washington Biology Professor Dr. Joella Killian will lead this interpretive hike along the river and up the Rappahannock Canal path. Bring binoculars for better viewing of numerous birds along the way. 9am -12pm. $5 indiv./$10 family. Rain or Shine. |
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