Campfire Chats

Learn about the endless outdoor opportunities throughout the Roanoke Region of Virginia located in the heart of Virginia’s Blue Ridge. These Campfire Chats showcase the people that have dedicated their lives to building our outdoor community and infrastructure. Learn alongside the Roanoke Outside Foundation staff. Special thanks to RVTV for the production and editing of this series.

Campfire Chat: Blue Ridge Off-Road Cyclist President (with Stuart Lamanna)

Posted on September 1, 2021

Our Campfire Chat with Stuart Lamanna, president of Blue Ridge Off-Road Cyclists (BROC), highlights the endless opportunities for mountain biking and cycling in the Roanoke Region. Virginia’s Blue Ridge is truly America’s east coast mountain biking capital, earning that title after becoming the first east coast, silver-level International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) designated ride center. Read the full story about our conversation with Stuart.

Campfire Chat: Queen of the Greenways Retires (with Liz Belcher)

Posted on August 19, 2021

There are visionaries, and then there are transformational visionaries. Liz Belcher is a transformational visionary that has touched the lives of thousands of people, most of which have never heard her name before. However, if you’ve ever set foot on one of the regional greenways or trails, you’ve benefited from Liz’s work. Read the full story about the conversation with Liz.

Campfire Chat: Appalachian Trail Progress (with Andrew Downs)

Posted on November 17, 2021

Our region is one of the most popular sections of the Appalachian Trail thanks to stunning vistas, easy access, and proximity to a large metro area. In this campfire chat, we talk with Andrew Downs from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy about the ongoing efforts to protect view sheds and improve a crowded and dangerous trailhead near the popular McAfees knob.

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