Location: Central Virginia
Members: 40
Founded: February 1991

About the club

Since its founding in 1991, the Friendship Force of Central Virginia has been actively involved in the carrying out the mission of the Friendship Force organization. Over that 32 years, we have been on 30 outbound Journeys and have hosted 41 inbound Journeys. In addition, we have provided support to foreign students who attend the Judge Advocate General (JAG) School at the University of Virginia.

About the region

Central Virginia is located 100 miles southwest of the Washington, D.C. just east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our climate is rather temperate. Native trees blossom in the spring and turn brilliant colors in the fall. Winters are mild but do allow us to go skiing in the Blue Ridge Mountains and other local areas. Virginia is known as the “State of Presidents,” boasting 8 born in the state. Charlottesville and adjoining Albemarle County celebrates the birth places and homes of Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe. The birthplace of Woodrow Wilson is in Staunton, 40 miles west.

About  our Inbound Journeys

Because our area is so rich in American history—particularly the Revolutionary and Civil Wars—our club can plan a journey that will include a combination of visits to: Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home, Montpelier, James Madison’s home, the Jefferson designed Rotunda and “The Lawn” at UVA; important Civil War battlefields, museums and places of interest, such as Appomattox; various places of interest in the Shenandoah Valley to include Luray Caverns; scenic tours of the Blue Ridge Mountains and maybe some short hiking; and possibly trips to Richmond to tour the governor’s mansion and historical Capitol building. Also our area boasts many historical gardens and numerous wineries, microbreweries, and apple cideries. In fact, Central Virginia is now known as the Napa Valley of the East Coast. Fall is a special time in Central Virginia with the colors of our foliage something everybody needs to experience.