Raise your hand if you’re ready for this winter to get on outta here and let spring take over, letting us all get back to enjoying all RVA has to offer, minus a thick coating of ice. Hopefully by the time you read this, those icy weeks will be a distant memory, and you’ll be gearing up for flowers blooming, spring break, and even summer!
Speaking of summer, this is a time of year I’m totally jealous of kids today and wish I could be one — the time I spend each spring reading the descriptions of our area’s summer camp experiences (beginning on page 45). I mean, WOW! Even if you’re not looking for summer camps for your kids, read over the options. You’ll be amazed by everything these camps pack into five days — things I haven’t done in my lifetime at my “advanced age!” We’re talking sailing, fly fishing, rock climbing, coding, acting, even whitewater rafting, for crying out loud! The options are truly limitless, and many of the best of the best summer camps are featured throughout this issue, so be sure to check them out. You can find even more camps on our online camp directory (over 300!), and over 70 will be on hand for you to meet in person at our March 7th RFM Summer Camps & Activities Expo. You’ll find info about that and all of the participating camps on our Camp Expo page on our website.
Our family has so many fond memories of summer camps from years gone by. There was Will’s first sleepaway at just 6 years old. It was just a two-night mini camp, the perfect foray into overnight camp life. When we picked him up, he seemed so much older and more mature. “Did you have fun?!” we asked. “Yes! It was so much fun!” he exclaimed. “Do you want to do it again next year?” we went on. “No!” It was a funny moment, and looking back, maybe we started him a little too soon for his personality type, but that’s the great thing about camps — you can dabble, try a little of this and a little of that, and see what sticks.
Both kids loved School of Rock’s summer camp — so much so that I reached out to them and asked if we could give away a week of camp to one lucky RFM reader — and they said yes! So be sure to enter to win, and tell your friends who might have a future rock star in their household, too.
Also in this issue, we’re celebrating Maymont’s 100th birthday by looking back at the history of RVA’s crown jewel and previewing what’s in store at everyone’s favorite local park (page 40). Plus, Joan sat down with local New York Times bestselling author Sadeqa Johnson to talk about her latest historical fiction novel, Keeper of Lost Children, her writing process, and her family, at the core of it all (page 20). Also, Paula Peters Chambers explored Lynchburg and is here to let our readers know that it should be on your travel bucket list for 2026 (page 62). Add to all of that, health and wellness articles, parenting tips, book recommendations, yummy recipes, a fun craft, and the best community calendar around, and you have all the makings of another fabulous issue of RFM. Enjoy!
