Rapp Nature Camp is set in southern Rappahannock County, Virginia.  Our mission is to allow individuals, especially children, to discover for themselves the wonder and beauty of the natural world, and to understand what it means to be a part of a community of living things. 
 
Adults and friends of Camp:  Check out our Events and Outings page for the 2024 line up for our Perennial Campers series of nature outings.
 
Below are the 2025 dates for summer day camp.  Camp runs in 1-week sessions, Monday thru Friday, 9 AM to 3 PM. We are located on private land on the Upper Hazel River in Sperryville, one mile west of Route 231.
 
Camp Session 1:  June 9-13 ages 10-16 (includes optional Thursday campout)
 
Camp Session 2:  June 16-20 ages 8-16 (Day Camp)
 
Camp Session 3:  June 23-27 ages 8-16 (Day Camp)
 
Camp Session 4:  June 30 – July 4 (Day Camp) Note:  July 4 will be a regular camp day.
 
Rapp Nature Camp activities are almost all outdoors. Wear comfortable clothes and be prepared to get wet! Activities include games and songs, hiking, river time, quiet time, identifying plants and animals, assessing water quality, safely catching and releasing animals, caring for plants, creating your own special nature-based project, music, and creating for our Camp newsletter.
 
Campers will share their special projects and songs with visitors Friday of each session. Check out our camper-created newsletter, News from Singing Creek, which gives a good overview of Camp.
 
There are two ways to apply (please visit this website later in the year for registration links):
  1. Complete online registration and payment for each camper (we include a processing fee with online registrations), or

  2. Download, print, and mail the completed 3-page enrollment application. Complete one form per camper.  Include a check for full tuition made out to Rapp Nature Camp, and mail to us at     Rappahannock Nature Camp, P.O. Box 145, Sperryville, VA 22740.  Download forms here

Rapp Nature Camp in the news: 
  • Read the reflections of our founding director on the first 38 years of camp and the camp’s future in the Rappahannock News here. 
  • You can also read about our 2023 Summer Session in the Rappahannock News here. 

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We are deeply thankful again this year to the Emily Jane Hilscher Passion Award Fund, the people who contribute to the fund, and the Hilscher family for their continued support both for Rapp Nature Camp and the many children for whom they have provided scholarships over the years. Emily’s passion and love of nature lives on in the wonderful and profound experiences of our campers year after year.