CampBethelVirginia.org
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  • Home
  • About
    • Our Mission and Ministry >
      • Virlina District Church of the Brethren
    • Connect with Us
    • Meet Our Team
    • Donate
    • Super Sponsor
    • Camp Reps
    • News
    • FULL-TIME JOBS AT CAMP
    • Videos
  • Summer Staff
    • Counselors
    • Coordinators
    • Staff FAQs
    • 2025 Summer Staff
    • Kitchen & Grounds >
      • Kitchen Staff
      • Grounds Crew
    • Staff Adoption
  • Camps
    • Summer Camps by Date
    • Bring Your Big Camp >
      • BYB Photos 2024
    • Young Elementary Camps
    • Older Elementary Camps
    • Middle School Adventure Camps
    • Middle School Resident Camps
    • High School Adventure Camps
    • High School Resident Camps
    • Summer Camp Pictures
    • ParentInfo >
      • About Summer Camps
      • Scholarships for Camp
      • Packets
      • Camp Songs
  • Outdoor Ed
    • A Day at Camp - Homeschool Program
    • ACA Courses >
      • ACA Kayak Instructor Course
      • ACA Canoe Instructor Course
    • KinderCritters
    • Your Outdoor Classroom
    • Ecuador
  • Site and Rentals
    • Inquiry
    • Facility Rental
    • Facility Photos
    • Food Services
    • Site and Trail Maps
    • DiscGolf
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Camp Bethel PEP 5K Run >
      • 5K Runner
      • 5K Sponsor
    • 2024 Golf Tournament Results
    • Bethel Bistro
    • 2025 Sounds of the Mountains Story Festival

River Otters Paddle Sports at Camp Bethel

FOR INFORMATION, contact instructor Beth Wiegandt at [email protected] or 540-556-2594.
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For Adults and older youth (14+):

River Otters offers American Canoe Association trainings.  Check out our Trip Leader course for anyone who spends time on the river, or our Instructor Certification courses for canoe and kayak at http://www.campbethelvirginia.org/aca-courses.html

Day Trip Leader Course (kayak/canoe): June 5 (9:00am) - 6 (4:00 pm).  This is a great class for anyone who spends time on the river.  The focus in on preparing for trips, preventing accidents, boat maneuvering skills, and safety and rescue skills.  Lodging options are available if needed. Information and registration HERE.

Safety and Rescue for Paddlers
Evening classes (5-8pm).  May 26 OR June 3 OR June 29. Join an ACA certified river rescue Instructor for a fun and educational session about how to get out on the water safely and how to rescue yourself or others in case of a flip or swim.  This class will take place entirely outside beside, on, and IN our local river.  Be prepared to get wet as you practice skills to make you more aware, confident, and prepared to have fun paddling wherever you go!  The instructor will contact all participants with information on what to bring and what to wear.  No experience is required and no boats/gear are necessary, but if you have a boat and want to bring it, that is fine as well. These classes will be site based, with no shuttle needed,  Location TBA at local sites in Roanoke/Salem/Botetourt County. Cost $35/person. Contact Instructor Beth Wiegandt at [email protected] or 540-556-2594 to register.

River Safety and Rescue Course 
Full Day (10 am - 4:30 pm), June 27 OR July 11. This course is designed to give you the knowledge and skills to PREPARE for a safe and fun time on the water, PREVENT accidents by learning about hazards and how to avoid them, PERFORM self rescue and assist others when an unexpected swim happens during your day, and PRACTICE new skills and techniques in a safe and fun environment.  This is a hands on class that will be conducted entirely outside on both dry land and in the water. Our ACA certified river rescue Instructor will contact all participants prior to the class with information on what to wear and bring so you will have a great learning day.  No boats/gear are necessary, but if you have a boat, you can bring it to class if you wish.  Beginners are welcome in this course!  These classes will be site based, with no shuttle needed,  Location TBA at local sites in Roanoke/Salem/Botetourt County. Cost $55/person. Contact Instructor Beth Wiegandt at [email protected] or 540-556-2594 to register.

Paddling 101
Full Day (10 am - 4:30 pm), May 16 OR June 26. Kayak/Canoe/SUP. Come learn what to know before you go, what to look for (and avoid) on the water, and how to control your boat/board so that you go where YOU want to go WHEN you want to go there! This is a fun day of learning paddling skills and boat design in the morning, followed by a short out and back trip on the river to practice our new skills in some mild rapids.  These classes will be site based, with no shuttle needed,  Location TBA at local sites in Roanoke/Salem/Botetourt County. Cost $55/person. Rental boats or boards available for additional pricing. Contact Instructor Beth Wiegandt at [email protected] or 540-556-2594 to register.

FOR INFORMATION, contact instructor Beth Wiegandt at [email protected] or 540-556-2594.
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WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING:
"Our son and daughter have been coming to Camp Bethel since they were 5 years old--they are now 13 and 14 years old. We have found that your camp is one of the few that our kids continue to enjoy even as they are older. Other camps (sometimes a lot more expensive) are nice but for some reason the magic of Camp Bethel remains. We also really respect the way that your camp incorporates God and Bible study but in such a way that it is still cool--a rarity these days to find a place where kids can be kids and learn to love God and care for one another in God's creation. Thanks so much for the awesome experience for our kids and the ongoing magic that is Camp Bethel. Thanks, Gina and Chris Engel" 

CONTACT US  540.992.2940
[email protected]
328 Bethel Road, Fincastle, VA 24090

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