The First Conference

In 2014, a group of outdoor professionals and university students gathered at Holiday Lake 4-H Center for the first Virginia Adventure Education Conference (VAAEC). Since the first conference, this gathering of outdoor professionals has grown into an annual networking opportunity for students and professionals across Virginia.

Past Hosts

  • 2014 – Holiday Lake 4-H Center, Appomattox, VA – keynote Dan Caston, Ferrum University – 90 attendees
  • 2015 – Holiday Lake 4-H Center, Appomattox, VA – keynote Rená Koesler, Longwood University – 100 attendees
  • 2016 – Camp Horizons, Harrisonburg, VA – keynote Lester Zook, Camp Horizons – 100 attendees
  • 2018 – Westview on the James Camp and Retreat Center, Goochland, VA – keynote Sasha Griffith, James Madison University – 130 attendees
  • 2019 – Camp Bethel, Botetourt County VA – keynote Pete Eshelman, Roanoke VA – 160 attendees
  • 2020 – James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA – keynote Rená Koesler, formerly Longwood University – 200 attendees​
  • 2021 – James Madison University & Virginia Commonwealth University, Online – keynote Tom Wilcox, Director of Engagement at VA Department of Wildlife Resources – 220 attendees
  • 2022 - Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA - keynote Sean McElhinney, Executive Director and Lead Facilitator at Verdun Adventure Bound in Rixeyville, VA - 160 attendees

VIRGINIA ADVENTURE EDUCATION CONFERENCE