Community Collaborations

Headwaters Partnerships: Community Collaborations

Saying it takes a village to raise a child certainly applies in our rural Rappahannock County. Headwaters works with other county agencies and nonprofits to create innovative programming that supports educational opportunities for youth. Here are some of the ways we’ve partnered with other groups to better serve our young people:

Summer Program for Adventure, Recreation and Knowledge (SPARK)

In June of 2024, Headwaters collaborated with the Child Care and Learning Center (CCLC), Rappahannock County Public Schools, and Northern VA 4-H Center to offer the Summer Program for Adventure, Recreation and Knowledge (SPARK). This program offers students in grades K-7 with full-time programming for two months during the summer. SPARK provides students with an immersion in academic enrichment activities, workshops, swimming and much more!

Rappahannock Nature Camp

Through the Emily Jane Hilscher Passion Award, several curious campers have been granted the opportunity to attend Rappahannock Nature Camp – a true Rappahannock treasure that has inspired children to connect to the wild outdoors for over 35 years.

The Child Care & Learning Center (CCLC)

In 2019, the Berley Jo Riley (BJR) Fund at Headwaters transitioned from a traditional scholarship to supporting a special needs preschooler in the Rappahannock community. We partnered with CCLC to help us select appropriate recipients, given their expertise and many years of commitment to children’s education and wellness. We have been pleased to support three children since the BJR Fund’s transition and anticipate serving many more in the years to come.

Rappahannock Association for Arts and Community (RAAC)

Headwaters has partnered with RAAC over many years to increase access to the arts for our young people. RAAC has generously provided financial support to our Summer Chorus Program and After-School Enrichment Program through their Claudia Mitchell Arts Fund.

Rappahannock Kids Coalition

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Headwaters collaborated with Rappahannock County Public Schools, the Rappahannock County Recreational Facilities Authority and the Rappahannock Association for Arts and Community with support from the Mental Health Association of Fauquier County to provide a summer camp program in the summer of 2020. Over 100 children were served in three locations including Verdun Adventure Bound, the Front Royal 4-H Center, and the Rappahannock County Park. Headwaters directed and provided staff support for the program at the park.

The Rappahannock Kids Coalition continues to meet intermittently and discuss ways of bolstering support for youth initiatives.

Summer Chorus

The Summer Chorus Program at Headwaters was launched in 2017 to serve youth in 4th through 12th grades. Summer Chorus engages young singers with an ensemble experience that makes them feel successful both as an individual and as part of a collective group. Healthy vocal technique is the foundational approach to singing and, in addition to music-making in a group, provides students with opportunities for listening, analyzing, score reading, music theory, and, most importantly, prepares them for a life-long love of music and the arts. There is healing power in vocal performance and this program understands the profound importance singing has on creating community and a sense of belonging.