Program...

The youth leaders of Venturing Crew 1776 organize participation in a wide variety of river-oriented, historical, and other outdoor activities. 
 

One of the biggest events that the crew participates in is the James River Batteau Festival. A batteau (shown above) is a type of wooden boat that was used to carry tobacco down the James River from Lynchburg to Richmond in the 1700's and 1800's. The weeklong festival recreates the trip down the river with over fifteen boats participating and stops at river towns each night. The members of the crew don't just learn about history, they recreate history. By constructing period clothing and gear, the crew members learn about how life was in Virginia over 200 years ago.

For a complete report of the crew's adventures during the 1999 James River Batteau Festival, including photos, click here!

Click HERE for photos and stories from the 2000 James River Batteau Festival

In April of 2000, Crew 1776 hosted the Percival's Island Bikathlon in conjunction with the James River Extreme Sports Festival. This exciting mountain biking event was a huge success, and the crew members are already making plans for a bigger, better event next year!

Crew 1776 also plans canoeing, hiking, camping, and black powder shooting activities throughout the year.

(left) Michael Speet learns handgun safety from
NRA Instructor Mike Smith
(right) Bob Shomaker and Jesse Saville discuss their
progress during a target shooting session on
Woodruff Island in the James River near Lynchburg

Crew Members prepare to launch a two-day canoe trip down the James River with batteaux in the background. (Left to Right) William White, Bill Smith, Jeb Buckley, Scott Smith, Arvid Englund, and Logan Self.

Crew Members on a weekend at Woodruff Island on the James River. Back Row (L to R): Josh Tyler, Ben Nash, Shane Pendleton, Mike Smith, Will Tyler, Arvid Englund, April Link, Michael Speet. Front Row (L to R): Bob Schomaker, Phil Spradlin, Tommy Brown, William White, Justin Nance, Jesse Saville, Andrew Hoffman.

Above: Photos from a canoe trip in November of 2000 from Bent Creek to the James River State Park, and then on to Wingina in Nelson County the next day. The river looks very different in the fall, doesn't it?

Emily Patton and Andrew Hoffman run the crew's recruiting display

at Centerfest 2001 in Bedford

(Left) Part of the group that hiked 10 miles from Punchbowl Mountain to the James River on the Appalcahian Trail in January of 2002. Left to Right: Michael Webb, Emily Patton, Scott Smith, Phil Spradlin, Andrew Hoffman, Justin Nance (not pictured) Arvie Englund

(Right) Andrew Hoffman enjoys the view from the summit of Rocky Row Mountain