Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism Events

INTERMEDIATE BELLY DANCE (NEW PROGRAM)

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Intermediate Belly Dance for ages 16 and older on Mondays from July 13 to September 7 at the Stewart Building from 7:00 – 8:00 pm. For dancers with a good foundation of belly dance basics. You'll learn a fun choreography dance that the group will perform together at the end of the session. The fee is $65 for the 8-week session and the deadline to register is Friday, July 10th.

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Gymnastics Trials as a one-time experience to help determine your child’s interest before enrolling in a full session. Sessions offered at Botetourt and Achilles. For ages 3-16. Check our website for full list of offerings!

ADULT COURT COLLECTIVE: PICK-UP BASKETBALL

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Adult Pick-Up Basketball on Friday evenings in July at Ark Park with ongoing registration and drop-ins welcome. For ages 18+. Please see our website for more information!

KID’S YOGA (NEW PROGRAM)

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring a brand-new kid’s yoga program. Little Lotus Yoga for ages 3-5 is from 5:30 – 6:00 PM and Mighty Minds Yoga for ages 6-11 is from 6:15 – 7:00 PM. These 6-week sessions are held on Fridays from July 10 – August 14 at the Stewart Building. The fee is $50 and the deadline to register is Friday, July 9th

FRESH FLAVORS: SUMMER EDITION (NEW PROGRAM)

Parks, Recreation and Tourism is sponsoring Fresh Flavors: Summer Edition on Wednesdays in July from 5:30 – 7:30 PM at the Stewart Building. Celebrate the flavors and creativity of the season with a hands-on class. Enjoy learning to cook delicious seasonal dishes perfect for this summer. These sessions are available for individual sign-ups with a $15 fee. The deadline to register is the Monday before each class.

DRAWN TO NATURE CAMP (NEW CAMP)

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Drawn to Nature Camp for ages 11-17 July 27-31 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Join us for a four-day nature journaling camp! We will create nature journals documenting the amazing plants and animals of the Gloucester County Parks! Our camp will take place across the Gloucester County Parks, and we will have special guest talks from the Virginia Master Naturalists and VIMS! 

GYMNASTICS CAMP

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring two weeks of two-day Gymnastics Camps in July at Botetourt.  For ages 4-16. Ages 6-16 meet Monday and Wednesday from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. Ages 4-5 meet Tuesday and Thursday from 5:00 – 6:15 PM. Students will work on bars, beam, floor, vault and trampoline. The fee to register is $85.

JUNIOR KICKERS- SOCCER FUNDAMENTALS CAMP

Parks, Recreation & Tourism will be hosting Junior Kickers- Soccer Camps for ages 6 to 15. July 13-17 at Abingdon Park from 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Coaches will guide players through fun drills, skill-building activities, and team games that help players develop both technique and confidence on the field. The fee is $60 per camp and the deadline to register is Sunday, July 5th.

JUNIOR KICKERS- SOCCER FUNDAMENTALS GOALIE CAMP

Parks, Recreation & Tourism will be hosting Junior Kickers- Soccer Camps for ages 9 to 15. July 20-23 at Abingdon Park from 5:30 – 7:30 PM.  Drills, games, & skills challenges, to meet players goalie ability levels, with the goal of fun and advanced skills. The fee is $60 per camp and the deadline to register is Sunday, July 12th.

JUNIOR BALLERS: BASKETBALL FUNDAMENTALS CAMPS

Parks, Recreation & Tourism will be hosting Junior Ballers: Basketball FUNdamentals Camps for ages 6-9. July 27-30, CO-ED, at Ark Park outdoor basketball court from 5:30 – 7:30 PM. The fee is $60 per camp and the deadline to register is Sunday,  July 19th.

WILLIAMSBURG SPIRITS & VINES

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring a Best Years Trip to Williamsburg to visit Silver Hand Meadery and Honey Shop, Copper Fox Distillery and Williamsburg Winery on Friday, July 31st from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm.  The fee is $50 and the deadline to register is Thursday, July 23rd. 

CHRYSLER MUSEUM - BEST YEARS TRIP 

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring a Best Years Trip to the Chrysler Museum on Wednesday, August 5 from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm.  Be sure to check out the glass blowing demonstration at noon.  The fee is $30 and the registration deadline is Wednesday, July 29th. 

INTERNATIONAL CUISINE CULINARY CLUB? 

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring a 4-week session of International Cuisine Culinary Club for?ages?16 and older on Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30 PM, August 5 - 26 at the Stewart Building.??You will explore international cuisine, characteristic cooking?practices?and traditions.??German, French, Italian, Turkish, Indian,?Thai?and Mexican to name a few.??The fee is $55 and the deadline to register is?Wednesday, July 29th.? 

TREASURES & TASTES

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring a Best Years Trip to Tappahannock on Thursday, August 13 from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm. Start with a late breakfast or lunch at Java Jack's followed by a visit to Acme Antiques! Acme Antiques is a massive, multi-vendor antique and collectibles mall. End the trip with a tasty treat from Acme Ice Cream Parlor! The fee is $35 and the deadline to register is Thursday, August 6th. 

The Disabled American Veterans Chapter 58, located in Gloucester VA, at 6265 Professional Drive, directly behind the radio station. Their Certified Claims Service Officers can assist ALL Veterans and their dependents with submitting claims to the Veterans Administration at no cost. No appointment necessary, you’ll need a DD214, hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 2pm and they can be reached at 804-695-1558.

For a ride to Richmond or Hampton for appointment, call Keith Davis at 757-728-3148 to make arrangements.

Gloucester County Unveils New Driving Tour Exploring the
1781 Battle of the Hook
The Gloucester Museum of History proudly announces the launch of the Battle of the Hook Driving
Tour, a new self-guided driving tour exploring the events, people, and key sites of the Battle of the
Hook, the largest cavalry engagement of the American Revolution and a crucial Franco-American
victory. The tour brochure is available at the Museum of History and Gloucester Visitor Center, at
no cost, and an online version is also available.
 

The October 3, 1781, Battle of the Hook is one of the most important episodes of the siege of
Yorktown, when the Duc de Lauzun's famous Legion of hussars with 300 troops of the "Infanterie
de Marine,” and Lieutenant Colonel John Mercer's Select Battalion of Grenadiers, under the overall
command of French Brigadier General Claude de Choisy, defeated Lieutenant Colonel Banastre
Tarleton's British Legion and a detachment of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. The fighting at Gloucester
helped cut off British escape routes from Yorktown, directly contributing to their surrender just
sixteen days later, on October 19, 1781.
 

The driving tour guides visitors to pivotal locations throughout Gloucester County, including the
historic Tavern at Gloucester Courthouse (now the Gloucester Museum of History), Ware
Episcopal Church, Abingdon Episcopal Church, and Seawell’s Ordinary. Each site reveals how local
landscapes became strategic military positions during the final campaign for American
independence.
Additional highlights include the Second Surrender, memorialized at Tyndall’s Point Park, where
British troops garrisoned in Gloucester surrendered to French forces one hour after the October 19,
1781, capitulation at Yorktown. The tour also directs visitors to Abingdon Elementary School,
where they may experience interpretive signage and a new memorial honoring the five French
soldiers who fell during the battle.
“This tour invites locals and guests to explore Gloucester’s beauty and history while visiting
landmarks where decisive moments in America’s fight for independence unfolded,” said Robert
Kelly, Gloucester’s Historic Resources Supervisor. “As we commemorate the nation’s 250 th birthday,
the tour is a powerful way to connect Gloucester’s history and landscapes with the broader story of
America’s founding while also honoring the importance of the Franco-American Alliance.”

Registration is now open for 4-H Camp for Gloucester, Essex and Middlesex. Camp will be held June 8th-12th at the Jamestown 4-H Center.

Do you have concerns regarding your preschooler's development? Gloucester County Public Schools conducts screenings for preschool children as part of their Child Find Activities throughout the school year. Parents/Guardians should consider having their children screened if they are experiencing difficulty walking, talking, playing, and meeting developmental milestones. If you are interested in having your child screened, please contact your child's zoned school. Any further questions please contact the Special Education Office at 804-693-7880 or 804-693-7944.