Fall VAR 2025
October 17–19, RASS Field Station
Since no Grotto has volunteered, the VAR Officers have stepped up to host this one at the RASS Field Station, Millboro, VA.
Registration
Please fill out and email the form AND register at the following website: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/fall-var
You can also use our Fillable PDF Registration - edit and save it, then email it and send a check as directed.
If not filling out the PDF using a phone or computer, please print so that anyone can read it; in other words, no scribbling. Instructions on where to email or snail mail the form are on the form.
Camping
The RASS Field Station has 26 acres of open grass for camping, and a bath house building with a few showers and flush toilets. Porta johns will be available around the property. Please bring a chair, and everything you will need for the weekend because the site is remote with only a few convenience shops nearby. There will be no onsite trash collection or recycling. Please plan to carry all your trash and recycling home with you.
Cell Service
Cell service at the site is nonexistent to low depending on your carrier. Don't count on it. You may have some limited reception at night, though voice and plain text may work during the day.
Dogs
Yes, well behaved pets and well behaved owners, please.
Fires
Allowed ONLY in designated fire rings.
Hotels
Out here? Are you kidding? Maybe in Staunton
Alcohol
BYOB
Caving
Yes! There are lots of caves in the area.
Other Activities
Of course! The Vertical Tower will be open periodically throughout the weekend; you must sign a waiver. There are trails and footpaths around the RASS Field Station and hikes nearby!
Vendors
Cheryl Suitor, cave artist, will be selling her amazing and affordable art, mostly paintings.
Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc. (SCCi) will be onsite too. Go on by and learn about this fabulous group, make a donation, get some swag (perhaps).
Dinner
- "Fall off the bone" BBQ-sauced chicken
- Vegetable lasagna
- Garden salad with assorted dressings
- Green beans
- Assorted salads (such as coleslaw, macaroni salad, or potato salad)
- Blueberry pies & apple pies
- Unsweet tea & sugar-free lemonade
Schedule
Friday, October 17, 2025
- Registration opens at noon
- Self-guided cave trips
- Trip sign-ups provided we’ve gotten any trip leaders (Time to be announced)
Saturday, October 18, 2025
- Self-guided cave trips
- Maybe a few led cave trips if we can find any volunteers to lead cave trips
- Dinner at 6 p.m. Don’t be late!
- Speaker: Dave Hubbard, “The surprising and significant story of three, not so little, peccaries”
Sunday, October 19, 2025
- VAR Business Meeting @ 9:00 a.m. in the pavilion
- VAR officially ends at noon, so be sure to get packed up before then
- Self-guided cave trips on your way home
