Recreation spotlight: Something for everyone

As Culpeper grows, more opportunities abound for sports

Culpeper offers all sorts of sports and recreation opportunities for young and old. And each year, as more people move into the county and resources are put toward better facilities, the competition and level of play keeps getting better.
Take the Community Sports Complex along Route 666, for instance. Before it was built, youth baseball, football and soccer teams had few places to practice and play. But now, in its second year of existence, the CSC has become a mainstay for the Culpeper Football Association, Culpeper Little League and Culpeper Youth Soccer, among others.
Culpeper also has a private and public golf course, three youth swim teams, a youth basketball league, two triathlon races and a burgeoning lacrosse program that has seen success on the high school level.
In addition, equine opportunities abound. Culpeper has a long tradition of horse shows and races, with Commonwealth Park on U.S. 522 south of town holding several regional events each year.
The county's Parks & Recreation Department offers dozens of programs - everything from arts and crafts to indoor soccer games and a "silver citizen's club."
And if the outdoors is your thing, two parks - Yowell Meadow and Mountain Run Lake - provide fishing, boating, walking trails and playgrounds.

PARKS & RECREATION

Culpeper County
Parks & Recreation Department
Sponsors seasonal activities for all ages.
Seven-member Recreation Advisory Committee meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at 106 S. Ridge Way.
Phone: 727-3412
Online: culpepercounty.gov/parksnrec
 
The Town of Culpeper
Parks & Recreation Commission.
Five-member committee meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at town council chambers on Davis Street. Members serve a four year term. Commission meets to discuss recreation and issues between citizens and town government.
Phone: 727-3422

Recreation

BASEBALL & SOFTBALL

Babe Ruth Baseball
Plays at the Culpeper County High School baseball field. The season runs from May through July and includes post season all-star competition. Coach Bobby Jenkins.
Phone: 825-0655

Little League Baseball and Softball
Games played on fields throughout the town and county. Little league baseball and softball is a youth program divided into seven leagues, according to age.
The baseball divisions include:
Minor League: ages 9-10
Major League: ages 9-11
Senior League: ages 13-15
The softball divisions for girls include:
Major League: ages 9 -12
Senior League: ages 13 — 15
Big League: ages 16 -18
Mary Raiford - Information director - 547-2728

Orange County Men's Softball League
A two-division men's softball league featuring Class C and Class D teams from the Culpeper, Orange, and Madison area. Games are played in the evenings Monday through Thursday from April through July. The season concludes with a tournament. Jeff Dodson, Commissioner.
Phone: 672-0735

BASKETBALL

Culpeper Youth Basketball
Culpeper's only youth basketball league is open to boys and girls ages 6-15. Runs from December through March, with as many as 18 to 20 teams in six age divisions. The league has developed five AAU teams, which play in statewide competitions. Games once a week on Saturdays.
Phone: 547-9188

"Mister" Jennings Basketball Camp
Former NBA player hosts camp last week of June each year, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Culpeper Middle School.
Phone: 825-5649

Culpeper Adult Basketball League
Played at Culpeper County High School. The adult men's basketball league consists of six to eight teams and is divided into two divisions. The league runs from October to early January. It features a 12-game regular season and a post-season tournament. Ken Jennings, president.
Phone: 825-5649

BICYCLING

Central Area Mountain Bike Organization (CAMBO)
Nonprofit organization with the goals of trail access, development and rider ed.
Phone: 825-2105
E-mail:
Online: cambomtb.com

The Bike Stop
Organized group rides for road or mountain. Beginning and intermediate levels.
Phone: 825-2105

Fredericksburg Cyclists
Area cycling makes weekly rides through scenic portions of the foothills and northern Piedmont region.
Phone: 891-6311
BOATING

No gasoline-powered boats are permitted on Mountain Run Lake or Lake Pelham. Battery-operated craft, rowboats, canoes and sailboats are allowed. A boat permit is needed for both town lakes. The permit is valid for two years. The price is $20 for out-of-town residents and $10 for in-town residents; the price reduces 50% in the second year. Permits are available weekdays at 400 S. Main St., Suite 109, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. To operate a personal watercraft you must be at least 14 years old and wear a Coast Guard-approved flotation devise. An operator must make use of a cut-off switch lanyard if the personal watercraft is equipped with one. Personal watercraft is prohibited between sunset and sunrise.
Phone: 829-8240 for boating permits.

Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries
Phone: 434-296-4731. Call 800-237-5712 to report game violations.

Boat Access
Kelly's Ford is a public boat access area on the Rappahannock River. It is located on Edwards Shop Road (Route 620).
Rappahannock River Campgrounds - Canoe, Kayak & Tube rentals.
33017 River Mill Road, Richardsville.
Steve and Kathy Walker, owners
Phone: 399-1839
Online: canoecamp.com
E-mail:

The Camp at Grovespring Farm
11323 Grovespring Road.
Providing a wholesome, adventuresome environment for outdoor recreation and education. Located six miles north of Culpeper, the farm is situated around a large pond and borders a creek contiguous to several miles of riding trails. Opportunities for exploration abound — on foot, horseback, bicycle or canoe.
Phone: 727-0271
Online: grovespringfarm.com

CAMPGROUNDS
 
Rappahannock River Campground
33017 River Mill Road, Richardsville
Primitive family camping only; recreational vehicles are prohibited, Canoe and tube rentals are available. Kayaking is also available.
Phone: 399-1839
Online: canoecamp.com

Good SAMS
Foxchase SAMS chapter. A recreational vehicle association serving Culpeper, and surrounding counties.
Phone: 465-4171

Rocky Top Farm & Ag Venture Camp
11348 Drogheda Mtn. Road, Rixeyville
Raises various types of livestock, small animals and pets as well as produces farm-fresh eggs, pork and beef. The importance of agriculture and farmers is expressed during activities and events held on the farm. Visitors and campers will get to interact with the many animals, learn fascinating facts, and make ag-related crafts.
Phone: 825-3335
E-mail:
Online: hometown.aol.com/mabkcb/page1.html

CLUBS

Culpeper Recreation Club
Phone: 825-8269
Located on Cedar Run Church Road just south of town. Membership privileges include the use of a Junior Olympic outdoor pool, four outdoor tennis courts, a softball field, a soccer field, outdoor volleyball nets, outdoor basketball courts, a picnic area and playground; locker room facilities; weight room and a gym for volleyball and basketball. Home to the Barnstormers swim team.
Phone: 547-4564

Culpeper Sport & Racquet Club
19055 Industrial Drive
Phone: 825-0000
Complete fitness center, indoor tennis, racquetball, handball, aerobics, weightlifting, taekwondo, basketball
and baseball.

Country Club of Culpeper
Located on Country Club Drive off Bus. 29 in town of Culpeper. Offers swimming, tennis, golf and social memberships. Home of the Moccasins swim team. Mark Riggs, golf pro.
Phone: 825-1746
Pro shop: 825-1748
Ducks Unlimited
Culpeper's chapter is the second largest in Virginia.
Phone: 829-0776
E-mail:

Stevensburg Bears Ltd.
A local civic sportsman's organization that attempts to provide hunting, safety, and fellowship among member hunters. Phone: 399-1152

Water Fowl U.S.A. L.O.W. chapter
Phone: 972-1009 after 6 p.m.
Local chapter meets three times from March to November at various locations.
CHEERLEADING

Culpeper Blue Angels
Youth all-star cheer and dance program.
Phone: 727-2087
E-mail:

DANCE

National League of Junior Cotillion
Lynda Ely, director
Phone: 349-1478
E-mail:
Online: nljc.com

Parks & Recreation Dance Classes
Instructor: John Gentile
Phone: 727-3412

In Motion Sports & Dance
The Dance Center is located at 128 W. Culpeper St.,Suite 200, in Culpeper. It offers everything from dance lessons to summer camps to birthday parties.
Phone: 829-2439
The Warrenton facility at 615 Falmouth St. offers an indoor facility for a wide variety of sports training.
Phone: 349-2439
Online: inmotion-dance.com

EQUESTRIAN

Commonwealth Park HITS
13246 Commonwealth Pkwy.
Located on U.S. 522 south of town, Commonwealth Park is the fourth largest horse facility in the nation. It offers national and local horse competitions.
Phone: 825-7469

Fancy Fox Farm LLC
10359 Crestwood Lane, Rixevyille. Residential riding camp for children ages 9-16. Facility rental for horse shows and/or clinics. Cross schooling facility for horses. Five mile trails with 35 jumps.
Phone: 937-6121
Online: fancyfoxfarm.com

Freestyle
Located 7 miles south of bypass off U.S. 15 on Cedar Ridge Road. Dressage and combined training, instruction and training your horse or school horse. Boarding on 44-acre farm with excellent pasture. On-site cross country course.
Phone: 829-2449

Kelly's Ford Inn and Equestrian Center  16589 Edwards Shop Road, Remington.
Offers horseback riding for all levels of experience. Training offered in all disciplines by a professional staff. Boarding available. Now offering outdoor events catered by the Inn at Kelly's Ford. Activities include canoeing, tubing, horse back riding, carriage rides, bicycling volleyball, horseshoes, swimming, music and more. Six locations to choose from:
Manahoac Park, Kelly's Ford Park, Mountain Run River, Deer Hollow Park, Blue Bell Park and the Beach.
Phone: 399-1800

Touch Point Farm
16251 Dark Horse Trail
Located off North Merrimac Road west of Culpeper. Offers boarding for horses, provides riding lessons and serves as the host facility for horse shows. The farm is the setting for a summer day camp.
Phone: 547-2031

Victory Star Farm
6061 Griffinsburg Road, Boston, Va.
Learn riding, horse care, safety, and how to work with a horse to get the best ride and performance. Offers trail rides and summer horse camp.
Phone: 547-2973
E-mail:

The Camp at Grovespring Farm
See listing under boating.

FISHING

Virginia requires anglers ages 16-65 to purchase a $12 state license, which can be obtained only through licensed agents. Local permits are available at the Culpeper Town Office at 400 S. Main St., Suite 109 or from the the Culpeper Town and County Records Department.
State fishing and Hunting licenses, as well as season schedules, are available at most stores where firearms. ammunition, and fishing equipment are sold.
Phone: 829-8240 for local permit info.

Culpeper town lakes
Town water supply. No gas motors permitted. In addition to the state license, a town permit is needed for these lakes: $2 per day or $5 per year.

Mountain Run Lake
Well stocked with bass, crappies, bluegill, tiger muskies, channel catfish, northern pike and chain pickerel (jack fish). Due west of the town of Culpeper between U.S. 29 and U.S. 522.

Lake Pelham
East of Mountain Run Lake, it is also part of the town's water supply.

FITNESS

Curves for Women
A 30-minute fitness and weight loss center located at the corner of Asher and Main streets.
Phone: 825-3799

Golds's Gym
201 Southgate Shopping Center
Phone: 727-2000

Golden Harmony
Exercise for Senior Citizens.
303 N. Main St.
Phone: 937-5371

The Inner Triangle Studio
Assists students in developing a deeper sensory awareness through movement, exploration and stillness, It helps students discover the skills of thinking into their bodies and how that relates to fluid movement; acceptance; harmony, thus, creating a sense of wellness.
Phone: 222-7842

Jazzercise
Jr. Jazzercise available in Culpeper after school.
Phone: 547-FITT

FOOTBALL

Culpeper Football Association
Football and cheerleading for youths ages 5 through 13.
Phone: 547-9099
Online: csa4kids.com

Virginia Minutemen
Played at Porterfield Park in Orange County, the Virginia Minutemen's semipro football squad plays games in the Atlantic Football League. Games are played at 7 p.m. Saturday nights and tickets cost $5 per contest.

Adult Flag Football League
Played in the spring and fall.
Phone: 825-9404

GOLF

Browning Golf Course
Nine-hole, par 33 course. Public.
Location: 27503 Old Office Road, off of U.S. 522 about 15 miles south of Culpeper.
Phone: 854-4454

Country Club of Culpeper

18-hole championship course. Private.
Phone: 825-1746
Pro shop: 825-1748
Location: Country Club Drive off of Bus. 29 in the town of Culpeper.

Meadows Farms Golf Course
Home of the longest hole in the U.S. (841-yard par 6). 27-hole public course. Includes island greens, bounce bunkers, a warm-up hole and many other exciting features. Lessons, rental clubs available.
Phone: 854-9890
Location: 4300 Flat Run Road, Locust Grove. 12 miles from Culpeper off Route 3.

South Wales Golf Course
18-hole championship  course. Public.
Phone: 937-3250
Location: 18363 Golf Lane, Jeffersonton.

GYMNASTICS

Culpeper Gymnastics
Gymnastics classes for children 18 monthes to 18 years. Birthday parties, open gym time, and parents night out.
Phone: 727-0399
Location: 9432 James Madison Hwy., Rapidan. (At George Washington Carver.)
Online: culpepergymnastics.com

Woods Gymnastics
Offering classes for students ages 18 months to 14 years. Team and Developmental Team Training programs available.
Phone: 825-0050
Online: woodsgymnastics.com

HUNTING

The following information pertains to Virginia residents and applies to Culpeper, Fauquier, Orange, Madison, Rappahannock, Greene, and Albemarle counties. Rules and regulations may differ elsewhere in the state.

Licenses
Anyone who hunts is required to purchase a license unless (1) you are a landowner hunting on your own property, (2) you are part of a landowner's immediate family hunting on your own property, (3) you are a renter or tenant and have written permission to hunt on the property on which you reside.
Each regular hunting license listed below costs $12.50. A junior combination license is available to those ages 12-15 for $15.50. Under 12 not required to purchase license if hunting with person with valid license. In many cases, more than one license is required in any particular season. Fees are cumulative.
Basic License: Required for small game and birds. Is good for one year (July 1 to June 30).
Big Game Stamp: Required for deer, bear or turkey. Allows hunter to take three deer (one of which may be without antlers), one bear, and three turkeys in a season.
Bow License: Required for bow hunting of deer, bear and turkey. Allows hunter to take two extra deer in a season.
Muzzle loading: Required for black-powder season. Allows hunter to take either sex during early and part of late seasons. Check regulations.
Bonus Stamp: Allows hunter to take two additional deer. One must be without antlers and one must be a buck. Bonus stamp can be used in any season, but is subject to seasonal restrictions.
Hunting on Private Party: When land is posted, written permission is required. Otherwise , verbal permission is required. No hunting is allowed in Shenandoah National Park. Public hunting areas include: C.f. Phelps Wildlife Management Area in Culpeper and Fauquier counties. Hunting and fishing licenses are available wherever firearms, ammunition and fishing equipment are sold.
Phone: 899-4169
Owen Bullard, State game warden

Hunters for the Hungry
Phone: 800-352-4868

KARATE

Free Spirit Karate
Located at 302 East St. Jeff Ferris, contact.
Phone: 727-0299

LACROSSE

Culpeper's youth lacrosse league, for boys and girls.
Online: culpeperlaxin.com

MARTIAL ARTS

Mountain Kim Martial Arts
Teaches "dojang," Tae Kwon Do, Sword, Aerobic Kickboxing and Hapkido.
Phone: 643-5347 or 829-0202

PARKS

Mountain Run Lake Park
Fishing & Picnicking. Route 29 South to right on Mountain Run Lake Road (718), go exactly 2.3 miles, on left will be J. B. Carpenter, Jr. Drive and the entrance to the lake.
Phone: 727-3421

Old A.G. Richardson Park
Located behind the Human Services building off Old Fredericksburg Road.
Picnic Park with sporting equipment and games for a small rental fee and refundable deposit.
Phone: 727-3412

Spilman Park
Pavilion, picnic tables and grilles. Picnic Park with sporting equipment and games for a small rental fee and refundable deposit. On Route 621.
Phone: 727-3412

Yowell Meadow Park
Walking trail, nature trail, Culpeper Minuteman monument and marker, ball fields, children's play area and tennis courts. Corner of Blue Ridge Avenue and Sperryville Pike.
Phone: 829-8250

RUNNING

Culpeper Road Runners
Promotes recreational running in the Culpeper community. May hold group runs, championships, fun runs, races on the road and track, and time trials. Online: culpeper-roadrunners.com
Phone: 547-2567 or 825-4239

SHOOTING

Cedar Mountain Youth
Teaches basic firearm safety, hunting, archery, map and compass, fishing, camping, woodsmanship skills, and hunter ed.
Phone: 937-4834 or 825-6859

SKATING

Dominion Skating Center
Roller skating rink located at 1550 N. Main St. Call for hours.
Phone: 825-3141

SKIING

Learn to Ski Program
Sponsored by Parks & Recreation. Registration in December. Takes place Friday evenings in January and February.
Phone: 727-3412

SKYDIVING

Skydive Orange
Group holds regular skydiving jumps from the Orange County Airport. Sanctioned by the United States Parachute Association.
Phone: 943-6587
Location: 11339 Bloomsbury Rd, Orange
Online: skydiveorange.com

SOCCER

Culpeper Soccer Association
Culpeper's youth soccer league, for players 4 and over. Most games are played at the Community Sports Complex in the fall and spring.
Phone: 937-4237
Online: culpepersoccer.net

30-and-over pickup league
Sponsored by Parks & Rec. Outdoors at the Community Sports Complex in warm weather, indoors at CCHS in the winter.
Phone: 727-3412

Adult Soccer League
Phone: 825-7279, Manuel Casillas

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Special Olympics
Provides athletics (track and field), bowling and basketball in Culpeper, Madison, Orange, and Rappahannock counties. A year-round international program of sports training and athletic competition for all children and adults with mental retardation.
Phone: 800-526-6133

SWIMMING

BASS Swim Team
BASS (Battlefield Area Star Swimmers) Swim Team is a year-round, USS sanctioned team that serves Culpeper and the surrounding counties. Ages 6-18 compete in meets throughout the state of Virginia and regional competition on the East Coast. Five different programs based on the children's age and skill level, supervised by four licensed coaches with over 40 years combined experience.
Phone: 923-4626 or 825-0620

Culpeper Recreation Club
Home to the Barnstormers swim team.
Phone: 547-4564 or 825-8269

Country Club of Culpeper
Phone: 825-1746
Home to the Water Moccasins swim team. Provides swimming lessons as well.

TENNIS

Public courts
Located at Yowell Meadow Park and Culpeper County High School.
 
Culpeper Recreation Club
Four outdoor tennis courts. See entry under CLUBS.
Phone: 825-8269

Culpeper Sport & Racquet Club
Indoor courts. See entry under CLUBS.
Phone: 825-0000

Country Club of Culpeper
Phone: 825-1746
Outdoor courts. See entry under CLUBS.

WRESTLING

Youth Wrestling League
Phone: 825-3208

YOGA

The Inner Triangle Studio
Phone: 222-7842
Location: 139 W. Davis St.

Rappahannock Healing Arts Center
Phone: 987-7204 ext. 4