Elk Hill

05/22/2026

Thank you to the Goochland Chamber of Commerce for celebrating Arbor Day with us at our Goochland campus! We appreciate your support and partnership and were honored to plant a tree together. 🌳

3rd Annual Arbor Day - just wow.
A collaboration between:
Eastern Tree Arboricultural Consulting, Kate M. Tuttle CA
Elk Hill
GVA 250
Goochland Chamber of Commerce
The Gardener Nursery

On May 20th, we gathered to celebrate Arbor Day in Goochland! 🌳

Thank you to those who joined us for this special community event featuring a ceremonial tree planting and a celebration of Goochland’s rich natural heritage.

Carol Taylor with the Goochland Chamber was proud to be a part of this program and loves opportunities that bring together numerous Chamber members.

A special thank you to Kate Tuttle with Eastern Tree Agricultural Consulting for teaching us how to properly plant a tree and sharing her knowledge with our community. We are also grateful to The Gardener Nursery for providing the beautiful dogwood tree, and to Elk Hill Farm for giving it a lovely new home.

Dr. Laura Easter shared a little about the history of Elk Hill Farm, helping us connect the day’s celebration to the land, stories, and heritage that make Goochland so special.

We also appreciated hearing from VA250 representative Manny Alvarez, who shared updates on the celebration of Virginia’s 250th anniversary and the importance of honoring our shared history.

After the tree was planted, we gathered for a toast to the tree and shared a meaningful tree prayer — a special moment to reflect on growth, community, and the lasting impact of what we plant today.

Together, we planted a tree, celebrated our history, and made a positive impact on the future of Goochland.

Thank you to our community members, Chamber members, business leaders, and nature enthusiasts who came out to be part of this special celebration!

04/24/2026

Elk Hill was proud to be at the 2026 Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Education Facilities (VAISIEF) Spring Conference in Lynchburg, Virginia this week!

Pictured left to right is Head of Harambee School, Shawn Freeman, CEO, Ron Spears, and Residential Director, Paul Bratton. Their leadership and commitment continue to strengthen our mission of supporting and empowering the students and families we serve.

We’re grateful for opportunities like this to connect, learn, and collaborate with others dedicated to specialized education across Virginia.

04/10/2026

✨ 10 Years of Impact. Countless Lives Changed. ✨

What began as a small pipe dream has grown into something truly incredible eight weeks of summer programming, a spring break outlet, and a widely recommended after-school program supporting kids navigating overwhelming challenges.

As we celebrate this program’s 10-year anniversary, we’re taking a moment to recognize the people who make it all possible. 💚

💚Scott brings an irreplaceable presence as a therapeutic anchor for kids in need of emotional support and a safe space.

💚Rob has a remarkable ability to intuitively understand each child, building meaningful connections and lasting trust.

💚Mr. Andy leads with a thoughtful balance of education, care, and energy—serving as both a mentor and the kind of “cool big brother” every kid looks up to...

Together, they’ve created a space where kids feel seen, supported, and safe.

We know Buford is smiling down, proud of the impact being made every single day. 🌿

04/03/2026

Spring Break 2026 kicked off with adventure for some of Elk Hill’s residential youth! 🌿✨Ziplining, salamander finding, and some quality time in nature!

03/20/2026

What a day at Elk Hill! Our Harambee students hit the court against Elk Hill staff in an epic basketball showdown featuring none other than our resident baller and CEO, Ron Spears! 👏😄

But the real celebration? 🏆
A special ceremony (complete with cake 🎂 and trophies 🏆) honored the Harambee basketball team as the 2026 RASSL League Champions finishing the season UNDEFEATED! 💯🔥

Huge shoutout to our incredible coaching team:
👏 Mr. Dowell
👏 Ms. Johnson
👏 Ms. Gregory
👏 Mr. Hounshell

03/06/2026

Thanks to each and everyone involved making these blankets! Our youth absolutely love them. ❤️❤️

02/20/2026

Elk Hill's Youth Programs Grow Again!
2025 was truly a year of growth for Elk Hill. Thanks to your generosity, we served more children than ever before through three new initiatives. In May, we opened the new Fair Meadows Therapeutic Group Home for Girls in Charlottesville. Over the summer, our Outdoor Program returned to its roots on the James River. And in October, we proudly began serving students at the new Elk Hill Harrisonburg School.

Each of these milestones reflects our commitment to meeting youth where they are and responding to their unique needs. As CEO Ron Spears shared, “For more than 55 years, Elk Hill has continued to grow and adapt our programs based on the needs of the children we serve. This past year, thanks to our incredible team and donors, we are able to reach more children than ever—right where they need us.”

02/17/2026

02/13/2026

🎉 Award of EGGcelence! 🥚✨

Please join us in congratulating Chrissy and Dee on an incredible achievement!

On February 11, 2026, representatives from the Virginia Department of Health presented them with the “VDH Chickahominy Health District Award of EGGcelence” for outstanding excellence in food safety.

Out of more than 500 food service establishments in the district, only TWO have received this prestigious honor and Elk Hill is one of them! 👏

We are deeply grateful for Chrissy and Dee’s dedication to food safety and their commitment to preparing delicious, nutritious meals for everyone at the Elk Hill Goochland Campus. Their hard work ensures our youth and staff are cared for in the very best way.

Please help us celebrate them! 💛
Pictures L to R: Dee Sims-Norris, Chrissy Daniels, Marsha Pryor

02/11/2026

Hot chocolate + whipped cream + smiling faces = the perfect winter afternoon at Elk Hill! ☕❄️
A huge THANK YOU to Hope Church RVA for setting up an amazing hot chocolate bar for our youth yesterday. From marshmallows to sweet toppings, they made it extra special!
We’re so grateful for partners who bring warmth (and delicious treats!) to campus.