(Adopted 2005)
Since 1982, members of Narcotics Anonymous have gathered at the BRANA Campout in a celebration of Narcotics Anonymous Recovery. The BRANA Campout features three days and two nights of Narcotics Anonymous recovery speakers, meetings, workshops, dances and fellowship. We lease the entire Natural Chimneys Campground, so all campers are NA members or spouse, friend, child or relative of an NA member.
The campground is located near Mount Solon, in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Natural Chimneys has a 165 site family-oriented campground with water and electrical hook-ups. Most electrical hook-ups are 30-amps with some offering both 30-amp and 50-amp and some exclusively 50-amp sites. There are a limited number of sewer sites; however there are dumping facilities available for campers at no additional charge. All sites with electrical and water hook-ups have one picnic table and one fire ring. Many sites are shaded and all are known to be rather spacious and accommodating. See the map here.
The campground also has a separate section for tent campers with rather large, spacious sites. These sites are not equipped with water or electrical hook-ups, are for tents only and run near the riverfront.
Two shower-houses featuring hot showers and two restrooms provide facilities for campers throughout the campground.
The Shenandoah National Park, the Appalachian Trail and the George Washington National Forest are within an hour’s drive of Natural Chimneys. Trout fishing streams, hiking trails and scenic views are within minutes.
Held on the third weekend of every July, the BRANA Campout attracts recovering addicts from the entire country. The event is well-known as a weekend of camping, recovery and serenity.
Get a copy of the Bylaws.
Hi, I lived in Harrisonburg VA. and attended the first few BRANA camp outs then I moved away and haven’t been to one since 94 or 95′. So, I’m not sure how it works now. We used to just show up and pick a camp site since it was smaller then, do we reserve a particular camp site or area now? Since I’m still working on whether I can make it, does it sell out by a certain time so I’d need to know and pay by then? If I’m not able to, can I still attend (and pay) if I miss the opportunity to actually camp there and have to stay somewhere else?
Thanks,
Andy C.
Hi Andrew,
That’s awesome… you having attended early BRANA Campouts!
This is how it usually works; The event itself is around $10. That has been payable at the event (cash or credit card). If you choose to camp, that is additional and is coordinated through Natural Chimneys Campground. Last year, site reservations were made over the phone. You can keep up with the Natural Chimneys camping fees by clicking the Natural Chimneys link at the top of this page. We also update that info on this site when it gets closer to the camp out.
So far, there has been no problem to just show up without camping reservations, but it is unpredictable how many sites will be available when just showing up. Anyone is welcome to attend the workshops and meetings. The $10 fee helps to pay for the shelter rentals, stage and lawn by the chimneys. No one is required to camp.
We try to keep folks up to date with posts on this website, too. Unless you choose to opt out, you should receive updates from BRANA Campout to help keep you informed. If you’d like a quicker response than we give through this website, please email
[email protected].
I hope to meet you this year!
Webservant (Robert W)
I would like to know how to apply to be a main speaker please. I have 10 years clean and I have been coming to BRANA for the last 6 years. Thanks, Karren S, Lynchburg Va, 4343193459
Hi Karen,
Congratulations on 10 Years clean! That’s awesome!!
We post an annual Speaker Call right here on the website. This year we will probably be asking for cds or mp3s to be submitted for the Programming Committee to listen to. May we add you to the BRANA Campout subscribers list? You will get updates and announcements sent to your email that way.
Webservant (Robert W)