Cheerio on the New River
Nestled on 150 acres in Mouth of Wilson, VA, Cheerio on the New River is unique in that we offer a blend of onsite camp activities which fully utilize the New River and the property, while also continuing to offer off-site trip adventures.
Our goal is to expose campers to the natural beauty of the great outdoors in a challenging, fun, and memorable camp experience. We are dedicated to helping your camper build a lifetime of love for the outdoors.
Activities
The beauty of having 150 acres surrounded by a mile front on the New River, is it gives campers the opportunity to experience as much adventure as possible without having to leave the camp property!
With our new gymnasium making its debut in 2026 will come new activities! Keeping with a combination of both traditional and adventure based activities, our team’s goal is to introduce campers to activities that they don’t usually get to do at home. Each session, the entire camp will take a trip down the New River as a group; exploring different areas, eating lunch on the river and increasing their skills (or just enjoying a dip in the rapids!).
Campers will select 10 activities and a schedule will be created for them including 8 activities. Each activity period lasts for one hour and they have 4 activities per day. They will have 4 activities on Monday and Tuesday and a different set of 4 activities on Thursday and Friday. Every cabin participates in a cabin time each day that acts as a 5th activity for the day.
COMING SUMMER 2026!
NEW for Summer 2026 is the addtion of our gymnasium and outdoor chapel! Inside you will find basketball, pickleball, four square, a stage and all the space to get creative!
Advanced Fishing
Our Advanced Fishing Class is limited to 6 campers (Rising 7th grade and up) per session at this time. This class meets for 1 hour on Monday/Tuesday and for 2 hours on Thursday/Friday. Those participating in this class will also have the opportunity to take a kayak out and fish during the Wednesday canoe trip!
Campers will have the opportunity to explore new fishing holes around camp, learn more about proper technique for both cast and fly fishing, learn how to tie their own fly, and other fun aspects of fishing.
We do ask that campers signing up for this class have prior experience and a love for fishing, learning, and teaching others.
Please note that this will limit options for other classes.
Advanced Mountain Biking
Our Advanced Mountain Biking Class is limited to 6 campers (Rising 7th grade and up) per session at this time. This class meets for 1 hour on Monday/Tuesday, and for 2 hours on Thursday/Friday. Our longer days are spent exploring the gravel roads around camp, as well as the fields and trails on the back half of our property.
We ask that any campers signed up for this class be proficient in riding, changing gears, riding up and down hills, some experience on singletrack trails, and that they have the endurance to ride for a minimum of 30 minute increments.
Please note that this will limit options for other classes.
Intro to Backpacking
Our Intro to Backpacking (Rising 7th grade and up) class meets for 1 hour on Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday. This class explores the basics of Backpacking and introduces campers to skills and techniques they can continue to build on throughout life.
Campers will learn basic land navigation (Orienteering and GPS), what to pack for a camping trip, how to pack a backpack, proper setup of a campsite, fire building 101, outdoor cooking, and basic site and trail maintenance.
Please note that this will limit options for other classes.
Hatchet Throwing & Slingshot
Campers will get to try out two different target sports in this activity! Campers will spend one day at our slingshot range and shoot clay ammo at our range. Campers will then spend the next day at our hatchet throwing range and show off their skills!
Outdoor Cooking
One of our newest activities offered! Campers will learn all about outdoor cooking and the safety that goes along with it. They can expect to cook different meals over an open fire, as well as learning to build fires strategically.
Tree Climbing
Experience this very unique way of climbing! Pick from any of our 9 routes or our TRUBLUE auto belay tree, and enjoy exploring the canopy of trees on camp’s property. Campers can either race to the top or just enjoy a relaxing activity period hanging out in the trees!
Arts & Crafts
This is a great activity for creative campers! Pick from various crafts offered such as clay molding, lanyards, friendship bracelets, paracord bracelets, and many more!
Mountain Biking
Campers will get properly fitted for one of our mountain bikes to go explore camp property. They can test their skills on our pump track or spend time biking on our trails throughout the woods!
Rock Climbing & Pixie Stick Tower
Campers of all different skill levels can enjoy our climbing wall! Rock climbing is a great challenge by choice activity that everyone can enjoy. Campers can also climb to the top of the wall with the Pixie Stick Tower to an observation deck and enjoy the scenic view of the New River!
Athletics
Enjoy various different field games in this activity. Play games from kickball, dodgeball, ultimate frisbee, disc golf, and many more! This activity is great for kids who want to spend time running around playing team games.
Music
Campers can be of various skill levels to enjoy our music activity. Learn how to play guitar, ukulele or the keyboard. More experienced campers can practice their skills and learn new songs!
Archery
Want to test your sharp shooting skills?! Campers will be instructed how to properly shoot a bow and arrow and practice at our archery range. There are 8 targets at varying distances.
Neature Hikes
Campers will get to learn all about nature in this activity! Staff will lead campers around the camp property and learn how to identify plants, various wildlife/critters, and how to take care of hiking trails.
Soccer
Campers will get to enjoy playing soccer on our field right next to the River! Campers can expect to scrimmage and play various games over the course of two days.
Gaga & 9-Square
Enjoy one of our most popular activities! Campers will get to play both Gaga Ball and 9-Square over the course of two activity periods.
Volleyball
Enjoy playing volleyball on our grass volleyball field! Campers will split up into two teams and play games against each other over two activity periods.
Boating
Choose between one of our sit-on-top kayaks or use a canoe with one or two other campers. Explore the New River and learn different paddling skills. Campers will also learn about different features in the River in relation to paddling. Paddle boards are also available for campers.
Fly Fishing / Fishing
Campers will get to venture into the New River during this unique activity. They can pick between learning how to fly fish or use a regular casting rod. Learn different facts about the fish in the New River.
Snorkeling
Use our snorkeling masks to explore the New River! Campers will get to walk and swim around during this activity. Lots of campers enjoy pulling treasures out of the river, while some just enjoy the cool water on a hot day!
Evening Programs
Everyone gets to enjoy camp wide activities every night after dinner together, often a lot of campers’ favorite time of day! Some activities include Duck Hunt, (cabins search for ducks around camp to earn points), River Fest (field games and music), Twilight Activities (an open activity period), Campfire (cabins plan skits to perform for camp), Movie Night (enjoy a movie under the stars outdoors), and Castle Ball (the greatest game of dodgeball ever)!
and more!
Meet Our Staff
Jim Hussey joined our Cheerio family in 2004 as a Senior Counselor and Lifeguard and loved it so much that he decided to make this his career. Since his start, Jim has taken on the roles of head counselor, events director, and trip leader prior to joining Cheerio in a full-time capacity. Having worked at both of Cheerios’ locations, Jim is excited to bring knowledge and traditions from both camps to the river as we gear up for the summer!
Outside of camp, you can find Jim out hiking on local trails, riding bikes with friends, canoeing down various rivers, hanging out with his beautiful wife and two daughters, or playing with their three dogs. At camp, you will be able to find Jim working alongside staff to ensure all activities are taught in a safe, fun manner and that each child learns something along the way.
Jim and the other staff work hard to ensure that camp will always be a special place as it allows kids to disconnect from the world of social media and find a connection (and hopefully a love) with the outdoors. They want camp to provide a place where they can be their authentic selves without the fear or worry of being judged.
Weldon Hussey joined the Cheerio year-round team in May 2021 as the Marketing and Communications Director transitioning to Associate Director for Cheerio New River in 2022. Known for her passion for a good event, Weldon was in the tradeshow and event industry before coming to Cheerio. She is a graduate of Meredith College earning a degree in Communication.
Splitting their time between Mouth of Wilson, VA and her hometown roots of High Point, NC, when not at the River, you can find Weldon busy with their daughters, Millie and Ryn, and dabbling in creating tablescapes or entertaining her family and friends.
She looks forward to the exciting challenge of giving campers lifelong memories on the New River and making each camp gathering a special event!
Eric Orcutt has been a long-time camper and staff member here at Cheerio. Eric grew up in High Point and has always loved working with children. Originally beginning at Traditional Camp as a camper, he quickly became fond of the environment, and eventually returned as a Counselor. After graduating from UNC-Charlotte, he spent 4 years being the full-time Activity Development and Training Director at Camp Cheerio.
Beginning in January 2024, Eric moved into a new full-time role at Cheerio on the New River as the Program Director. You can often find him watching movies, playing video games, and watching any and all professional sports!
He is hopeful to spend many more years working for Cheeerio!
Kiran Orcutt has been a staff member at Cheerio since 2016. She has filled many different roles, working at Traditional Camp as CREW Director, Head Counselor, and Personnel Director.
In January 2024, Kiran moved to work at Cheerio on the New River as the Personnel and Cabin Life Director. In her free time, you can find Kiran reading or snuggling with her dogs, Nova and Sandy.
Kiran is thrilled each summer when it is time to head to one of her favorite places. She finds fulfillment in helping campers and staff create wonderful memories each summer, and looks forward to impacting each life that comes through the Camp gate!
Millie Hussey is our newest staff member! She joined our team (with her parents Jim and Weldon) in September 2023. Millie brings to the table lots of giggles, love and cuddle time. Her love for all things fun makes this the perfect fit and is excited to see what camp has to offer!
FAQs
Cheerio on the New River is led by four full time directors who combined bring over 35 years of camping experience to our program. Our Camp Director, Jim Hussey began his career with Camp Cheerio in 2010 and has experience working in all aspects of Camp Cheerio’s operations. Weldon Hussey joined the Cheerio team in 2021 and brings her talents from event planning and marketing to the team as our Associate Director. Eric and Kiran Orcutt joined in 2024 after spending many summers at Cheerio’s Traditional Camp location.
Complementing our four full time directors, Cheerio on the New River employs 25-30 experienced staff. The majority of our staff will have the primary role of being an in-cabin counselor with your child while they teach certain activities throughout the day. A few senior staff members will have training in specific areas of camp to ensure all activities and camp life are both safe and fun. These staff will live outside of the camper cabins and will be there to provide support to both campers and counselors on a daily basis.
All staff who come to work with us will go through an interview process with one of our Directors and go through our own structured training before starting the summer with your camper.
Campers can start coming as rising 4th graders and age out of camp after 10th grade.
A mix of both land and aquatics activities, all centered around introducing your camper to the great outdoors in a safe and rewarding environment. Our land based activities include mountain biking, target sports (archery & hatchet throwing), tree climbing, arts and crafts (with a focus on rope work and knot building),outdoor cooking, and hiking/backpacking. Aquatics activities will include canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling, fly fishing and fishing.
We are excited to be offering out of camp trips which will include canoeing and kayaking down various sections of the New River and hiking various trails around camp. Travel time will be cut down so all trips will be out and back within the same day.
Our camp family firmly believes in camp being a place where your camper feels comfortable to meet new friends, take on new challenges, and find their best self. To this end we believe that offering your camper the opportunity to pick their own activities on Opening Day is of paramount importance. Having a trusted counselor on hand to help explain the activities to them and being able to talk with their friends about what activities they may wish to do together guarantees your camper will design their own unique camp path.
Although Cheerio Extreme will not be formally offered, we now have more opportunities for your child to have “the best of both worlds”. When you register, simply sign up for a session at either location, and follow it up with a session at the second location. Next, add the stayover option. We will plan for a fun afternoon/evening for your child and we will provide transportation between the two!
Made possible by the donation of several large tracts of land and the hard work of many volunteers over the last two years, we are thrilled to be bringing our camp focus closer to home. We will continue to provide out of camp trips, but we will spend less time traveling and focus more time in and around camp. This will open up more time in their days to connect with nature and each other in a safe and supervised setting.
Cabins are duplex style with each cabin consisting of space for 14 campers and 2 staff. Each cabin has their own bathrooms that house two sinks, two stalls and two showers. Cabins are very spacious, and all have a covered front and back porch where campers will spend time creating lasting friendships. All cabins are located in close proximity to all camp activities, and main buildings such as the office and Austin Lodge.
Cabins are assigned on the basis of age/grade to ensure each camper is surrounded with campers of a similar age, enabling them to easily connect with others.
A camper’s cabin is their home at camp and their cabin mates will become some of their best friends. Knowing this, we strive to set each camper up for success in a smaller group of similar age campers. A typical cabin size will be 12-14 campers with a dedicated pair of counselors.
The camp session cost is an all-inclusive fee, covering the cost of all camp activities, food, evening snack, and out of camp trips.
“May you give us the strength to climb the highest mountains, the courage to raft the wildest rivers, the ability to overcome any climb or cave. May you protect us from harm throughout all of our adventures, And keep our minds sound, our bodies healthy, and our spirits alive! Amen” - Adventure Prayer
