Joan Chapman Named 2026 Valley Treasure for Bringing Women and Girls Closer to the Shenandoah River

For Joan Chapman of Woodstock, a day of fly-fishing on the Shenandoah River is about much more than catching fish. It is an opportunity to build confidence, develop friendships, and inspire a lasting appreciation for the natural world.

That commitment to bringing women and girls outdoors has earned Chapman the 2026 Valley Treasure Award from the Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley.

Chapman, a former educator and founder of Shenandoah Reel Women, is being recognized for creating opportunities for women and girls to learn fly fishing while encouraging them to become stewards of the region’s rivers and streams.

Joan Chapman of Woodstock enjoys a day of fly-fishing on the Shenandoah River. As founder of Shenandoah Reel Women, she helps women and girls discover the sport while encouraging river conservation.

The annual Valley Treasure Award honors community members whose work helps preserve the Shenandoah Valley’s rural character, natural resources, and cultural heritage.

“We know we can’t do this conservation work alone,” said Maya Alexander of the Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley. “It is an honor to recognize leaders like Joan who share our vision for a Shenandoah Valley sustained by farms, forests, clean water, and vibrant communities.”

Alexander said Chapman’s approach shows how introducing people to outdoor recreation can spark a lifelong interest in protecting the environment.

“By making fly fishing accessible to every girl and woman she reaches, Joan exemplifies how outdoor recreation and access build the foundation for a lifetime of environmental stewardship.”

Turning a Love of Fishing Into Opportunities for Others

Chapman founded Shenandoah Reel Women in 2018 with a simple goal: give women and girls the equipment, knowledge, and encouragement they need to enjoy fly fishing.

For someone who has never held a fly rod or stepped into a river to fish, getting started can seem intimidating. Newcomers may face challenges learning to cast, understanding the equipment, and knowing where to begin.

Shenandoah Reel Women helps remove those barriers by providing hands-on instruction in a welcoming environment.

The organization has grown beyond its original focus, bringing together participants of different ages and backgrounds through fly fishing, hiking, boating, and other outdoor experiences.

Its reach now extends across Virginia and beyond.

At the heart of the effort is the belief that people are more likely to care for natural resources when they can experience them firsthand.

For Chapman, teaching someone to fish also means introducing them to the importance of clean water, healthy streams, and the wildlife that depends on those habitats.

Those lessons are especially meaningful along the North Fork of the Shenandoah River, where the organization runs many of its activities.

Summer Camps Teach More Than Fishing

One of Shenandoah Reel Women’s most important programs is its annual summer fly-fishing camp, held at Virginia state parks since 2021.

At Seven Bends State Park in Woodstock, participants have direct access to the North Fork of the Shenandoah River, where they can practice their skills while learning about the river.

Joan Chapman, founder of Shenandoah Reel Women, leads a workshop teaching participants fly-fishing skills while encouraging a greater appreciation for the outdoors and river conservation.

The camps introduce girls to the fundamentals of fly fishing, including using equipment, casting, and developing the patience and concentration the sport requires.

But the lessons extend beyond fishing.

Participants also learn about aquatic habitats and the importance of maintaining healthy rivers and streams so fish and other wildlife can survive.

The program combines outdoor education with opportunities to build friendships, develop independence, and gain confidence through new experiences.

Lisa Filipy, a supporter of the camp, said the experience can have a lasting effect on young participants.

“The camp is a magic place where girls learn life skills and outdoor skills in a safe, friendly environment,” Filipy said.

“Standing in a river with a fly rod brings pure wonder—no judgment, only friendships and knowledge to last a lifetime.”

Filipy believes introducing young people to the outdoors is one of the most effective ways to encourage future conservation efforts.

“Starting with young people is how we teach them to love their environment so they want to take ownership and protect it. These young women are our next set of environmental stewards.”

The camps also give participants the chance to learn from experienced mentors and volunteers who share their time, knowledge, and enthusiasm for the outdoors.

For young people who may not otherwise have access to fishing equipment or instruction, programs like these can open the door to activities they might never have considered.

Building Partnerships to Protect the River

Shenandoah Reel Women’s work is supported by partnerships with Seven Bends State Park and local conservation organizations.

Among those partners is Friends of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River, which provides formal environmental education alongside the outdoor skills training.

Together, these partners help participants understand that enjoying the river and protecting it are closely connected.

A healthy river supports fish populations, wildlife, recreation, and the communities that depend on it.

Learning about those connections while standing beside or in the water lets participants see why conservation matters.

The approach reflects a broader goal shared by the Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley and its conservation partners: encouraging residents to take an active role in caring for the places that make the region special.

For Chapman, the friendships and community created through Shenandoah Reel Women are just as important as the outdoor skills being taught.

“Connecting people to the outdoors—and giving them the skills and confidence to enjoy our rivers—creates a deep commitment to protecting clean water for future generations,” Chapman said.

She also emphasized that the organization’s success depends on far more than one person.

“Shenandoah Reel Women is a village of campers, mentors, volunteers, and supporters. This recognition belongs to our entire Village, and I am deeply grateful for every one of them.”

Her comments reflect the community effort behind the organization, where volunteers, instructors, conservation partners, and supporters work together to make outdoor experiences possible.

Community Invited to Celebrate November 7

The Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley will recognize Chapman during a public celebration on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from noon to 2 p.m. at Seven Bends State Park in Woodstock.

The gathering will take place at the park’s Lupton Entrance, located at 1191 Lupton Road.

In addition to a brief award presentation, the event will include hands-on activities led by partner organizations. The activities will focus on fly fishing, clean water, and outdoor recreation, reflecting the work for which Chapman is being honored.

Community members are invited to attend, celebrate Chapman’s contributions, and learn more about the connection between outdoor recreation and protecting the Shenandoah Valley’s natural resources.

The recognition also highlights people whose efforts often happen outside the public spotlight.

Through its Valley Treasure Award, the Alliance recognizes residents who dedicate their time and energy to protecting the region’s farms, forests, waterways, communities, and heritage.

Chapman’s work shows that dedication can start with something as simple as introducing someone to an activity they have never tried.

A young girl learning to cast a fly rod may discover a new hobby, develop confidence, form friendships, or gain a deeper appreciation for the river flowing around her.

Those experiences can become the beginning of a lifelong connection to the outdoors.

For Chapman and the people involved with Shenandoah Reel Women, that connection is at the center of their mission.

And now, with the 2026 Valley Treasure Award, the Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley is recognizing the difference those efforts are making.

The public can register for the November 7 celebration and find additional information at shenandoahalliance.org.