Meet Our Vendors, Win Cool Gear!

This year, VAAEC will be hosting a virtual vendor hall. Each vendor will have their own Zoom link. For every vendor you meet, you'll be entered into the giveaway drawing at the end of the conference. Past giveaway items include canoe paddles, helmets, climbing ropes, tents, sleeping pads, gift certificates, and apparel. Details will be provided one week before the conference.

Vendors and Sponsors

Founded in 1880, The American Canoe Association (ACA) is a national nonprofit organization serving the broader paddling public by providing education related to all aspects of paddling, stewardship support to help protect paddling environments, and sanctioning of programs and events to promote paddlesport competition, exploration, and recreation. Your Outdoor Classrom/River Otters Paddlesports provides trainings and certifications for organizations or individuals through the American Canoe Association for Canoe, Kayak, Stand Up Paddleboard, and Safety and Rescue.  Check out our Spring 2021 courses on our website!

Apple Ridge Farm is a 501c3 nonprofit. It's farm is located in Copper Hill, VA. Primarily known for its annual academic summer camp, Apple Ridge Farm is also known for its environmental educational (EE) programs, as well as outdoor adventure and teambuilding programs. 
Our EE programs afford children the opportunity to learn about biology, ecology, and conservation through field identification of terrestrial and aquatic species inhabiting the Apple Ridge ecosystem, and hands-on learning about life cycles, adaptation, and conservation of each species.  The programs focus on developing a direct appreciation and understanding of our natural world while correlating with the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs). We also offer outdoor adventure and teambuilding programs. Some of our programs include low ropes and high ropes course challenges (includes our 60 ft. climbing wall and zip line), hiking and exploration activities, swimming and more! Apple Ridge Farm transforms the lives of our community’s underserved children and families through engagement in unparalleled educational, cultural and outdoor experiences. Other offerings include:  Get Outside! Program, Facility Rentals, Airbnb Rentals, and Weddings.

Appalachian Conservation Corps (ACC) works to connect young people to critical conservation service projects across the Appalachian region and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, D.C., and Pennsylvania. As a Corps program, ACC partners with public land managers to identify, plan, and complete projects that improve public access, habitat quality, and economic development. ACC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation service organizations envisioning a world with healthy lands, air, and water, thriving people, and resilient communities.  Our programs focus on place-based learning, life skills development, appreciation of diversity, civic responsibility, and career development. ACC also provides an opportunity for members to learn about the local environment and the issues affecting it, and introduces individuals to recreation and resource management careers.

Beyond Boundaries is a nonprofit that offers outdoor adventure opportunities to individuals with disabilities, at-risk youth, veterans, and individuals in recovery.  We work hard on a two sided mission. 1. Increase access and opportunities to groups and individuals who don't typical have it. 2. Building our community stronger by having volunteers help with our programs, providing a space to see someone for their ability before their disability.

Blue Ridge Mountain Guides is an AMGA Accredited Business providing climbing instruction and guiding for beginners to pros that is above and beyond expectations. Rock climbing and Ice climbing. Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and New Hampshire. More locations than any other guide service in the South-Atlantic.

Camp Bethel Outdoors provides Summer Adventure Camps, Trip Camps, Family Adventure Outings, and fall-winter-spring Outdoor Education. Our Adventures and Trips are muscle-and-gravity powered activities including backpacking, biking, canoeing, caving, kayaking, paddle boarding, rock climbing, skateboarding, and whitewater rafting, and our summer camps include wilderness adventures.

Chanco on the James is an Episcopal Camp and Retreat Center located in Spring Grove, VA. We have Jesus, high ropes, zip lines, sailing, nature classes, and so much more

Childhelp, Inc is a PRTF for children ages 5-14 who have experienced trauma or neglect, on a 270 acre non-locked campus.

The Massanutten Family Adventure Park is your go-to destination for outdoor recreation. We offer activities for all ages including our Kid's Adventure Course, Zip line Canopy Tour and Rock Climbing & Rappelling Excursions. We are also home to Massanutten Resort's Snow Tubing park featuring Northern Lights Tubing.   Additionally, provide an experiential team building program where our facilitators are specifically trained to lead you through your experience. They will be there to assist as needed, but you and your peers are the stars of this show! They will step back and allow your group to work through each activity to reach the goal together.

Northwest River Supplies (NRS) is a premiere outfitting company ready to meet your needs for any outdoor/paddling gear - from clothing to crafts to safety, NRS is a 1 stop shop!

Vestals Gap Ventures has been providing design, installation, inspeciation, and training for challenge courses, climbing towers, zipline tours, and aerial adventure parks since 1979.

Virginia DWR has been a steward of the outdoors since 1916, leading in wildlife conservation and inspiring people to value the outdoors and their role in nature. We are here to discuss our work in conservation as well as ways that you can get involved. We look forward to seeing you at this year's VAAEC.

Virginia Outside is an outdoor-based adventure camp specializing in fishing, biking, kayaking, fly fishing, camping, all around outdoor exploration and so much more!

Since 2004, WILD GUYde Adventures has been leading wild caving, rock climbing and canoeing adventures for families, school and university programs, parks and recreation departments, and scout troops in the Shenandoah Valley, along Virginia's Blue Ridge, and in the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia.  Our Adventure, Learning, and Leadership INstitute (ALL IN) provides action consulting, experiential leadership development and team-building for corporate groups and non-profits to build toward effectiveness and success.

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