Olympus will be located in a rural / semi-rural place within central Virginia.  Ideally, this will be somewhere within 2-3 hours’ drive of major cities and regions in Virginia including Hampton Roads, Richmond, Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, Lynchburg, Roanoke, and Northern Virginia / DC.  The ideal acreage for Olympus is between 12 and 25 acres, with 8 acres being an absolute minimum. Larger acreages up to 50 acres would have the advantages of allowing room for future growth and providing a privacy buffer zone around the main campground. Semi-wooded land with water features such as streams, creeks, or small ponds would be preferable.  However those can be created artificially, if needed.

Below is a map outlining a general area to consider based on proximity to major cities in Eastern and Central Virginia.  The initial map included approximately 21 counties (the outer blue and red zone). This area has been further narrowed to 10 counties in the southern portion of the map (outlined in yellow). The criteria for selecting this area is largely arbitrary and meant to simplify the search.  Mel has friends, family, and connections in the Hampton Roads area as well as southwestern Virginia, so keeping to the southern part of the map seemed fitting.  There is no reason to rule out any land opportunities found anywhere within the entire zone, but focusing on a smaller area should make the search for land more relevant and expedient.  

Two possible search areas zones within the yellow zone seem likely and desirable locations to establish the Olympus Campground and Resort.

Area 1: Along Route 460 between Suffolk and Petersburg.  The primary counties of interest along this route are Sussex and Surry, other counties in this zone include Isle of Wight, Southampton, and Prince George Counties. The zone is convenient to Hampton Roads in the south; Richmond and Petersburg in the north; and Williamsburg to the east. Two private campground resorts already exist in this zone, but they would not likely present any major competition to Olympus.  Their presence may actually provide credibility and precedence allowing Olympus to establish itself there without any major backlash from the local communities.  These two campgrounds are Big Bear Family Campground (formerly Blackwater Campground), a traditionally Pagan campground in Windsor, VA and White Tail Resort, a family nudist resort in Ivor, VA.

Area 2: South of Route 460 between Petersburg and Farmville. The primary counties of interest along this route include Amelia, Prince Edward, Cumberland, Nottoway, and Dinwiddie Counties.  Chesterfield and Powhatan have been excluded as they are too close to the Richmond metropolitan area. The advantage to this zone is that it falls in the center region of Virginia which would put most locations in these counties within approximately three hours’ drive from most major cities and regions in Virginia including Hampton Roads, Richmond, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Roanoke, and Northern Virginia / DC.  The western part of this area includes Hampden Sydney College (an all-male private college) and Longwood University – both in Prince Edward County.

Members and Guests have access to the following amenities while staying at Olympus Campground Resort.

Wifi

Wifi is available at the gate house and dining pavilion.

Pool (wish list)

Our in ground heated pool is available during the summer months.

Hot Tub (early expansion)

Enjoy our 6 person hot tub year round.

Sauna (early expansion)

 

Our sauna is also available year round.

The Gymnasia Recreation Center (wish list)

The Gymnasia Recreation Center features pool and air hockey games, as well as video games.  There is also a small fitness room, and an outdoor recreation field.  Equipment and games such as balls, badminton and volleyball nets, horseshoes, and so forth can be checked out from the recreation center.

The Bath House (essential building)

Our bath house features showers with hot and cold running water, and modern bathroom facilities.  Additional bathrooms are might later be available in Lycan Lodge and in the Gymnasia Recreation Center.

Apollo's Restaurant and Bar (wish list)

Apollo's Restaurant and Bar sells breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Menu items include burgers, garden burgers, sandwiches, soups and salads. On evenings and weekends, the restaurant hosts LGBT bar-type events.

Neptune's Snack Bar (early expansion)

Neptune's Snack Bar features shakes, pizza, hot dogs and veggie dogs, nachos, and other snacks.  Healthy options include juices, smoothies, fresh vegetables, and hummus.  Neptune's also provides meal plans for conferences and gatherings. 

This is a sample page of desired buildings and grounds.  It may not reflect actual buildings and grounds at the time the campground resort opens.  Photos are sample photos of what things could look like. The restaurant may have a different name and menu offerings depending on the restaurant vendor. Some building or location names may change to either reflect the Greco-Roman theme or to honor a donor who funded the building or land feature. "Wish list" items are items that would great to have, but are likely too expensive to be feasible, at least during the early years of the campground.

Lycan Lodge (wish list building)

Lycan Lodge includes our main office and registration desk; Centaur's Camp Store; Apollo's Restaurant and Bar; a lobby area with a 60 " large screen television; and two rooms that can be reserved for special workshops and events. Outside the Lodge is a patio area with stage where we host musical guests and other entertainment.

Centaur's Camp Store stocks bottled drinks and prepackaged snacks, hygiene products, first aid items, bug spray and sunscreen, batteries, charcoal, firewood, and common camping accessories. We also stock t-shirts and other promotional / gift items related to the Olympus Campground and Resort.

Apollo's Restaurant and Bar sells breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Menu items include burgers, garden burgers, sandwiches, soups and salads. On evenings and weekends, the restaurant hosts LGBT bar-type events.

The Gymnasia Recreation Hall (wish list building)

The Recreation Hall includes indoor games such as pool, air hockey, and video games. There is also a Neptune's Snack Bar, a fitness room, and a sauna. Basic laundry facilities for campers and showers are also featured.

Neptune's Snack Bar features shakes, pizza, hot dogs and veggie dogs, nachos, and other snacks.  Healthy options include juices, smoothies, fresh vegetables, and hummus.  Neptune's also provides meal plans for conferences and gatherings.

Neptune's Nook Pool (wish list feature)

Adjacent to the recreation hall is a heated in-ground pool, as well as an outdoor recreational field.

The Gate House (essential building)

 

The gate house is where campers and groups check in. In lieu of having a main lodge, the gate house is the location of the main office and camp store. Basic first aid is also available here.

The Bath House (essential building)

 No need to rough it too much. We offer a bath house with hot and cold running water and modern bathroom facilities.

Dining Pavilion (essential building)

Our screened in dining shelter seats 50 people. During off hours, tables and chairs can be moved around to provide space for activities and workshops.

Amphitheater (essential space)

The amphitheater features a stage and is perfect for musical and other performances.

Druid's Fire Circle (essential space)

Our fire circle is ideal for drumming and dancing around the fire.  A circle of stones marks the outer perimeter of the fire circle area.

Our Labyrinth (not essential, but easy enough)

We have a hedge labyrinth for meditative walks.  Just watch out for the Minotaur... just kidding... or are we?

Campsites (essential spaces)

We currently have 25 cleared campsites with more in the works. There are a handful water faucets and picnic tables in the campsite area.  You can rent a fire ring from the camp store or bring your own grill or fire bowl.  There is also an area where you can clear your own primitive campsite.

Cabins (early expansion buildings)

We offer two types of cabins: Sleeper cabins and Deluxe cabins

We currently have six Sleeper cabins.  Sleeper cabins are smaller with a full size bed, night stand, table lamp, and a couple of chairs.

We currently have two Deluxe cabins.  Deluxe cabins are larger.  They feature a full size bed, night stand, table lamp, table with chairs, a mini-fridge, and air conditioning (space heaters are available during the colder months). 

All cabins have basic electricity.

The Bunk House (wish list)

The bunk house is barracks style housing.  We currently have one bunk house with seven twin size bunk beds.  The cabin sleeps up to 14 campers.  The bunk house is generally reserved for overnight accommodation during conferences and gatherings.  If there are no conference or gatherings scheduled, beds are available to general campers on a first-come first-served basis.

RV Sites (essential or early expansion)

We currently have 10 primitive RV sites.  All sites have water hookups.  We will be adding electric hookups in the future.  A dump station is also in the works.