Fall VAR 2026 
September 26-28
Hungry Mother Lutheran Retreat Center, Marion, VA
"Native Critter Cavort"
Download all this general info as one file.
Last Minute Packing Reminders
This VAR is remote, and held on a dark, moonless weekend. If you’re coming to VAR, please bring:
- Layers of clothing for the variety of weather
- Camp chairs
- Mess kit (utensils, cup, plate/bowl)
- Headlamp
- All the usual things you bring to go camping and caving
- Cash for vendors
- Plants or seeds for the Sunday morning plant swap!
Registration
Pre-registration opens August 1st and wlll close September 11 Please register online at: https://tickets.caves.org/w4lvs/2026-fall-var/ or use the QR code here: 
Dinner is only guaranteed to those who pre-register, and T-shirts are only available to those who pre-register.
Adults price is $55, children under 18 are $25.
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
Plenty of room for camping. A bunkhouse will be available first come, first serve, at no additional cost. RVs are allowed, but there are no hookups available. Bathrooms and showers available onsite.
Cell Service
Cell service is non-existent at the campgroud. Wi-fi is only available to staff.
Dogs
Yes, well behaved pets and well behaved owners, please. Pets must be under constant control of their owners and you must clean up after them. No pets allowed in the buildings.
Fires
Allowed ONLY in designated fire rings, subject to any applicable burn bans.
Hotels
General Francis Marion Hotel "Southern hospitality at its finest!"
Loding in and around Marion
Alcohol
Alchohol is technically not allowed on side. Make wise choices!
Caving
Cave trips are a work in progress. Both horizontal and vertical trips will be available.
Possible trips include:
- Perkins Cave - Washington County, very limited.
- Newberry-Banes (vertical) - Bland County
- Cyclops Cave (vertical) - Russell County, permits required **
- Salamander Cave (vertical) - Giles County, permits required **
- Buchanan Saltpeter - Smyth County
- Hancock - Smyth County
- Horseshoe Pit - Smyth County (vertical)
- Roberts - Smyth County
- Worley’s
- Hairy Hole
- Pound Pup
- Catfish Pit (vertical)
- Molly Hole Survey Trip (vertical)
PLEASE NOTE: All caves on Cave Ridge in Smyth County are absolutely off limits until
further notice due to cavers accessing the property without permission. This includes Dead Air
Cave, Boxwork Crystal, Radon, Horseshoe Pit, and Snocone.
** These caves are owned by SCCi. You must request a permit prior to coming to the VAR!
T-shirts 
T-shirts are $20 each, only available by pre-registering. They are 100% cotton with front pocket badge and logo on back, sizes S through 3XL
Other Activities
Don’t want to get down and dirty? Don’t blame you; there is so much to do above-ground!
- Marion Farmers Market, Saturday morning, for locally-grown produce you may desire for
your meals.
- Float trips on the Holston or Clinch Rivers are with an easy drive.
- Biking on the historic Virginia Creeper Trail is just minutes away.
Vendors
TBD
If you are interested in vending, please contact Emily Hollingsworth at hollingsworth <dot> emilie <at> gmail <dot> com
Dinner
Saturday night's dinner is included with pre-registration. We will order extras for , but you are NOT guaranteed a dinner unless you pre-register. Vegetarian options will be available.
The caterer and menu have not been set yet. Stay tuned!
Schedule
Friday, Sept. 25, 2026
- Registration opens at 2 PM
- Self-guided cave trips
- Trip sign-ups at 10 PM
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026
- Guided and self-guided cave trips
- Dinner at 6 p.m. Don’t be late!
- Evening Program and door prizes at 7:30 PM
- Speaker: Mike Ficco, on the Omega System, Virginia's longest and deepest cave
Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026
- VAR Business Meeting @ 9:00 AM
- Plant swap after the meeting! Bring your spare plants and seeds to trade.
- Site closes at noon
- Self-guided cave trips
Address
Hungry Mother Lutheran Retreat Center
772 E Hungry Mother Drive
Marion, Virginia
36.8949425, -81.5065431
Directions from I-81 in Virginia
1. Starting from I-81: Take exit 47 for VA-16 toward Marion.
2. After Exiting I-81: Turn left onto VA-16 N/N Main St (if coming from I-81 South) or right (if
coming from I-81 North).
3. Continue on VA-16 N: Stay on VA-16 N for approximately 1.4 miles.
4. Turn Left onto Park Blvd: You'll see signs for Hungry Mother State Park. Turn left onto Park
Blvd and continue for about 0.3 miles.
5. Continue onto Lake Rd: Park Blvd will transition into Lake Rd. Continue straight for another
0.2 miles.
6. Turn Left onto Hungry Mother Dr: You'll make a left turn onto Hungry Mother Dr and continue
for about 1 mile.
7. Arrive at 772 E Hungry Mother Dr: The destination will be on your right.
Questions or issues?
Please contact Em Hollingsworth at hollingsworth <dot> emilie <at> gmail <dot> com
