continued. “We have people in their 60s, teenagers, people wanting to gain weight for a sport or to put on some muscle, people who want to lose weight, people who want to eat better.” Down the street from Code Name
CrossFit is a venue for those who are more adventurous – and not afraid of heights. “Climbing has been such a therapeutic
activity,” said Iris Lee, who has been rock climbing at Culpeper’s local rock- climbing gym, State Climb, since she moved in 2020. Off ering the activity as a resource is
everything to State Climb because it’s more than an exercise. It’s a way to channel your energy into something healthy and positive and be part of a similar community. “It’s not just about having great
arms…It’s great for your physical and mental health because a lot of climbing is problem-solving,” she said. “It’s learning how best to move your body in the most effi cient way to get from point A to point B. T ere’s a lot of thinking involved with that.” Now 24 years aſt er Dr. David “Doc” Snyder donated 67 acres of land to his
adventure retreat nonprofi t Verdun Adventure Bound, Verdun has a mass of programs designed to meet the needs of participants of all levels of physical and intellectual abilities. Verdun uses partnerships in the
community, natural beauty of the Shenandoah Valley and its ropes courses to put each individual to the test by pushing them to step outside of their comfort zone, Program Director Ashley Shilling said. T e process ultimately teaches soſt
skills like communication, collaboration, leadership and critical thinking. T ey have a handful of new and
long-running programs, camps, festivals and more for people from Culpeper and surrounding communities. Identity Culpeper CEO Jon Russell
works to identify the community and fi ll in gaps via the nonprofi t’s youth development program and other programs. Whether it’s space, coaching, or
marketing, Identity Culpeper can provide it. It’s free for organizations, start-ups and campers to use. In the summer of 2021, Russell began working on the boxing gym without a real
plan. “I felt like I was supposed to turn it into
a boxing club and mentorship program,” he said. Aſt er a 19-year-old was killed a few
blocks away from them at the start of 2020, “it really rattled me for about a year,” Russell said. “T is neighborhood in particular is probably one of the roughest in town.” Soon aſt er with some local
collaboration, the Kelly Street Boxing Club began. Membership is open to boys 7-17 years
old from single-parent households. T e time they spend and lessons they teach are pouring into the kids and giving them a foundation. In 2022, they craſt ed Culpeper’s forest
professional rodeo. With over 6,500 attendees, every ticket sold goes directly to the boxing club. “We are trying to build families and
we're doing it in a fun way,” Russell said. “If we do nothing else than change the lives of 60 boys a year, set them on the right course, and build good identity within them then we’ve succeeded.”
28 | CULPEPER CHAMBER COMMUNITY GUIDE
CULPEPERCHAMBER.COM
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