Cabin Facilities

All cabins have electric lights; all kitchens have electric ranges and refrigerators. Cabins can be rented individually, or in groups. Our cabins are historic in nature and used for recreation; they do not have air conditioning or central heating. Ceiling fans are present in most cabins; fireplaces and woodstoves are available as indicated in the listings for each cabin.

Cabin 2 has no sleeping facilities, and is available to all camp renters during their stay. If there are other groups present when you are at camp, please arrange among yourselves in a cooperative manner any time you would like in Cabin 2.  Electricity is prone to fail during thunderstorms, but is generally restored somewhat promptly. For more information, contact the Registrar, Mike Jones, at rapidan@spril.com.

The following table describes the facilities available in each cabin.

Water

Hot and cold running water are generally available inside the cabins during the warm season (mid-April through late October). The water comes from a spring 1/2-mile up the road. Health officials encourage campers to boil Rapidan Camp's spring water before drinking it, or to use a campers' water filter such as those available from REI.  The water in the taps at camp comes from a mountain spring, but it is possible for pathogens to be present.  In contrast, water from any stream or river (including the Rapidan River) is dangerous to drink unless it is boiled or otherwise treated first, for it has a considerably higher risk of giardia and other pathogens.

Fires

Cabins 1, 2, and 3 have large stone fireplaces.

Fires may be built only in woodstoves and established indoor and outdoor stone fireplaces and grills. Fires must not be placed directly on the ground. You should bring your own wood, or gather from the surrounding area wood that is both dead and fallen. The drier your wood, the more efficiently it will burn and the warmer you will be. Leave some dry wood in the cabin for the next visitor. Ashes from fireplaces and woodstoves pose a lingering fire hazard, and must be dumped on the main road past camp, or carried out with trash. The main room in cabin 2 contains two fireplaces--should you wish to use both, it is often helpful to open several windows near the fire you are starting until the second fire is established to prevent drafts coming down a chimney and filling the room with smoke.

Erosion

Erosion is a major problem around the cabins. Destruction of plant life and level soil must be avoided. Motor vehicles must not be operated beyond the symbolic vehicle barriers (Do not drive up to the cabins!) Many paths from the cabins to the river are extremely treacherous; the best access is near cabin 5.

Firearms, Hunting & Fishing

No weapons are permitted on camp property, except during hunting season when in the possession of camp renters. No firearms may be used on camp property at any time. Virginia fishing regulations apply to the Rapidan River.

Garbage

Burnable trash such as paper and food scraps can be burned in fireplaces and woodstoves.  (Do not attempt to burn any plastic or pressure-treated wood (green lumber), because you will generate toxic fumes.)  You must take back all garbage you generate--there is no refuse collection at camp.

Tentsites

We do not currently permit tent camping on our property, except for individuals renting cabins and who have special permission from the Registrar.

Woodland Viruses

While rare, West Nile Virus has been reported in the mid-Atlantic states.  Everyone should take appropriate precautions when in areas where mosquitoes may be found.  Information concerning West Nile Virus, and precautions you can take against contraction may be found on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/overview.htm

Hantavirus is also occasionally found on the east coast, although it is much more prevalent in mountain and western states.  Deer mice carry the virus, and you should be careful to avoid breathing air from stirred-up rodent droppings or nests.  More information about Hantavirus is available from the CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hanta/hps/noframes/transmit.htm.