BRANA Campout

Hangin' Out After Saturday Night Speaker Meeting

Akiko, Beach Area of NA…My suggestions: at speaker meetings kids should be supervised a little better. There was a lot of noise in the back of the field, also in the chimneys. Also, it would be nice to have non-smoking areas, at least during the main speakers. And one big issue is women’s bathroom maintenance. Need to keep up with the toilet paper. This is my 15th BRANA, my annual pilgrimage. I love this campout! It was my first NA function ever, back in 1993 and I keep coming back.

Lisa R., AKA Stinky, Blue Ridge Area, Just for Today Home Group, clean date 1/30/09…This is my 3rd BRANA. At my first I was six months clean and the experience was so awesome I have made it my vacation. I made a connection with the fellowship that will never be broken. I have two daughters that come with me and they can’t wait. The serenity we find here is like nowhere else. This year my daughters each brought friends. I am truly blessed to be at BRANA 30 with my forever friends.

John A., AKA Mailman, clean date 12/28/01 and Regina A., AKA Hairstylist, clean date 11/15/10, Virginia Beach, VA…First experience with BRANA Campout. Having an awesome time. Jumped the tower (Hearthstone Lake). Enjoying the fellowship.

Chris S., New Dominion Area, clean date 3/10/11…This is my first BRANA Campout. I’d like to thank the Blue Ridge Area so much for making this happen. Hope to join y’all for many more.

Kids Poster at BRANA 30

Monica L., Hope United Home Group, Virginia Beach…My 4-year-old daughter and I have four years clean. I had tons of fun and we don’t wanna leave – even though I’m missing good waves – ha ha. My favorite speaker was Saturday 10 a.m. (Colleen C.). Grateful to be here. Looking forward to the next one.

Amy H., Papa Smurf’s daughter, Waynesboro, VA…I’ve been coming here with my dad off and on since I was 10 years old. I’ll be 32 next month. Now I bring my own two little ones and we love BRANA!! I only wish the music they play at the dance was as good now as it was then…or at least more of a mixture. Also, I’d love to be able to play with my noisemaker – potato gun. Dad and I both have our own and we love to compete against one another.  I look forward to many more campouts over the coming years.

Libbie M., Staunton, VA…This is my fourth year camping at BRANA. And the third year that my son is with me. I truly enjoy meeting new friends and then visiting with them throughout the year. Not only is Natural Chimneys a wonderful location, but the comraderie of the group will keep me coming back.

Ty G…The most relaxing BRANA I’ve been to. I was going to kill the kids throwing rocks during the speaker meeting, but I didn’t.

Friday Morning Prep

Trisha B., Virginia Beach…I had a blast this year at BRANA. Haven’t been here since ’06 and grateful that this event is still going on. Both of my girls, Mariah and Madison, had lots of fun and made some new friends. The Saturday night speaker meeting hit home with me and that’s what NA is all about: A place where all addicts who have a desire to quit using can come together in fellowship to help one another along the journey! We’re not alone in this. Thanks to everyone who worked hard to put this campout on. I am truly blessed to be clean and part of the NA family.

Tony…I love brana. I’ve come here for the past two years and it’s been a blast. I love running into people I don’t see on an every day basis, as well as discovering new friends. I look forward to showing up next year.

Emma…This was my first BRANA and I enjoyed every minute of it. I did things that I usually wouldn’t do – like jumping off the tower at [Hearthstone Lake]. The people here are amazing and I am definitely coming next year. I don’t want to leave.

George L. (clean date 11/7/99)…My first two-and-a-half years clean I got while I was in prison. My release date was 6/13/02. I have been to BRANA every year since. It has been a big part of my recovery, the first event out of prison. I had never felt the love and support I found here. No one judged me. They accepted me. I never felt that kind of love before, even last year when I was going through Hep C treatments and could only come out for the day. I just could not miss seeing all my friends that I’ve met over the years. I am truly a grateful camper.

Regional Policy Meeting at Shelter 3

Anne R., Waynesboro, VA…My (late) husband, David, was clean six years when he passed away on 3/6/11. I stopped drinking three years ago because of my husband’s recovery. BRANA was our “get away” recovery trip. It’s bittersweet. The 30th anniversary is an awesome celebration! My husband not being here is sad. I will be happy to carry on this tradition in his memory. Love you all.

Bil R., Virginia Beach, VA…Clean date 1/13/05 and I haven’t missed a campout at BRANA yet! Loved my first one, camping in the now famous J-Loop. I met Michiel D. at the Misty Mountain Campout that year (’05) and he gave me a refrigerator magnet with BRANA info on it and it helped get me here. Thanks to all who work so hard to put this on.

Erin F…My clean date is 7/16/10! That’s right, I got clean at BRANA 29. Thanks so much for this campout. It saved my life. I am so grateful to celebrate my first year clean where it all began.

Jeff…I got clean at the Junks & Drunks Home Group in October ’84 in Ocean View, VA. Since then, I have lived in Illinois, California, Washington, Missouri, Florida, traveled around the country and the world and I’m still clean! If I can do it, anybody can do it. Just for Today. Keep Coming Back.

Sunday Morning at BRANA 30

Daniel A…This gives me a place and space enough to think and regroup, reflect, recall and enjoy today. The campground is getting better!

Catherina M…Awesome weekend! First time here and had a wonderful time. Thanks for the fellowship.

Nick L…Good times and perfect weather.

Beverly R…Thanks so much for the great weekend. We will be back. Love ‘n hugs!!

(anonymous)…This is amazing! I’ve been coming to BRANA since 1991 (BRANA X). It’s great to see how this campout has grown over the years. Many memories and more to come.

Jana C…Had a blast! So grateful for my life today. See ya next year. Hugs!

John C…I look forward to all recovery events. Recovery is about enjoying life and being happy. I suffered enough. I’m where I belong with recovery people. Love you all.

Sarah A…Very clean. Like the firewood and trash service. Maybe extend the pool hours.

Fire Dance at BRANA 30

Judith C., Norfolk, VA…My 30th year here and I am simply amazed that I am still alive and coming back! BRANA has been my home for 30 years and as long as I live and breathe I hopefully will continue to come. Every year gets better and better here. Thanks to all of you for the continuation. This is beyond words.

Rhonda S…First time and not the last. Loved it.

George E., Central Massachusetts Area…Thanks for another campout. Love your service.

Robert S…Fellowship amongst hundreds of recovering addicts is as good as it gets. Love being clean. Love NA. Love BRANA. Third Year.