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12 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • June 2015 By aleXaNDria GryDer Outdoor Family Fun there is an abundance of outdoor activities for adventurous families in Virginia. o utdoor activities are an excellent way for families to spend time together this summer. Whether you have an infant or a handful of teenagers, and whether your family enjoys kayak- ing through the waves of Virginia Beach or zipping over Shenandoah river State Park 90 feet above the forest floor, Soaring 90 feet above the ground is for the fearless. Virginia Canopy Tours is a heart pounding activity to participate in for families with children ages 10 and up. Virginia Canopy Tours is located in Shenandoah river State Park, and it is compiled of eight zip lines, one sky bridge, one air stair bridge, two nature walks and a rappel. No experience is necessary when arriv- ing at the tour; however, all participants must partake in and pass a ground school course, where they receive individual safety and braking training, before beginning their adventure through the trees, and all people above the age of 10 are welcome to join. "We have people from all walks of life come here to see the park," marc Nicklin, Virginia Canopy Tours manager said. "There have been people in their 90s on the zip line." Participants of the canopy tours are attached to two steel cables and are escorted by two certified eco-trained guides to help them through their journey. The final zip line is 1,035 feet down the face of a ridge, and people can reach speeds up to 35 and 40 miles per hour. "The canopy tours give people a different perspective," Nicklin said. "We really are a beautiful state park." marc also stated that Virginia Canopy Tours really is great for helping children get back to the outdoors. "The Canopy Tours get them outside," he said. "it's harder to get kids outside when they have tablets and cell phones, but this gets them inside the state park and out of the house." Virginia Canopy Tours, located in in Bentonville, Virginia, is open seven days a week through November 16 th. reservations are recommended. rock climbing is not only a way to stay active as a family, but is also encourages a healthy lifestyle. Vertical rock, located in manassas, Virginia, is great for indi- viduals and families who are just being introduced to rock climbing. There are many programs parents can enroll their children in to help them learn the fundamentals they need to know before partaking in the sport. Some of the classes are free, and they can help you become a more confident climber. Zip Lines & Treetops Rock Climbing as a family, but is also encourages a healthy lifestyle. Rock Zip Lines & Treetops climb-va.com zipthepark.com