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What is Camp Connections?
Camp Connections is a place where students can recharge, make new friends, be outdoors, learn new things, and most importantly, have fun! Campers will have the opportunity to participate in all kinds of educational, experiential activities such as building your own water filter, collecting and identifying insects, and spotting constellations in the night sky.
Campers will also have plenty of opportunities to have fun and make personal connections as well! We will be taking day hikes, paddle-boarding on the lake, playing pick up soccer games, and good old fashioned games of capture the flag.
This will definitely be a one of a kind camp you won’t want to miss out on and we can’t wait to see you there!
New for 2025:
Similar to last year, Camp Connections will provide an academic adventure leadership camp at Radford University. This camp will use outdoor adventure and educational experiences to provide a setting where soft skills, agency and leadership play a vital role for the success of the group. As our students go into their junior and senior years, at the top of their list should be a focus on these skills. Whether their next step leads them to the workforce or higher education; we will provide experiences that will connect students to their content while setting up situations where they learn to lead a group in unknown territory. This will present opportunities to problem solve, communicate and depend on understanding group dynamics to ensure a successful outcome.
Health and Safety Information
Campers will also be required to have a health form on file before camp begins. These forms can be found on our Documents page.
Meet the Team
The Camp Connections team is made up of experienced educators, outdoorsmen, organizers, and administrators who are well-versed in providing fun and engaging experiences for kids. You can read more about each of them below.
Steve Ahn
Steve Ahn has been a science teacher for 24 years in SC, NC, and VA. He has always believed in experiential education and has been the sponsor of numerous outdoor clubs. Each year he leads a week-long coastal ecology trip for Washington County students, but he also leads numerous student trips on trails, rivers, and caves all around SWVA. He has been awarded teacher-of-the-year honors at the school, district, and region level as well as the prestigious McGlothlin Award for Teaching Excellence. He loves all outdoors activities, but will always be found wherever a soccer ball is.
Eric Hoffman
Eric Hoffman decided to become a teacher while serving his first tour of duty. After experiencing the youth of a third world country and hearing about their hopes and dreams with little to no resources to get them there, he was determined to make a difference for his community back home. He is a co-leader of the coastal ecology trip for Washington County students and provides multiple opportunities for students to experience education through adventure. He is in his element when helping students to get outside and think. His passion is whitewater kayaking, sitting around the campfire and teaching tricks he has picked up along the way.
Jillian Smith
Jillian Smith is a mathematics instructor that enjoys opportunities to learn from the world around us. In addition to teaching math, Jillian works with student leaders to address the needs of our classrooms and communities. She has traveled with students both near and far, from the Creeper Trail to the ancient streets of Rome. Home is always where Jillian’s heart is as she and her family enjoy life on their Century Farm in Southwest Virginia.
Julie Matlock
Julie Matlock is a Social Studies instructor for Washington County Public Schools and teaches in an adjunct capacity for Virginia Highlands Community College. She grew up in the coalfields of Southwest Virginia where the importance of family, friends, and hard work were instilled at a young age. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, being outdoors, and spending time with her husband and two young sons. Julie also loves helping and encouraging young people and knows that one can learn a lot about themselves while "in the woods."
Andrew Smith
Andrew Smith is a Instructional Technology Resource Teacher in Washington County Schools. He works with teachers and students on ways to implement new technology! He currently works in John Battle, Wallace Middle, and Valley Institute Elementary schools. Before starting this role last year, Andrew taught high school math at Patrick Henry for thirteen years! Andrew enjoys exploring and learning new things while making connections with colleagues and students.
Beth Delp
Bio coming soon
Fred Selfe
Bio coming soon
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