Big Country 101 Back to School Beach Bash at Douthat State Park - Wrap Up
Jaimie Lomasney
Big Country 101 Annual Back to School Beach Bash was held on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010, beginning at 11 a.m. at Douthat State Park.
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Friends of Sky Meadows State Park
FoSMSP
Sky Meadows State Park is one of the most unique of Virginia State Parks.
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Nature Trek 360˚
Megan France
Nature Trek 360° is a partnership with the Cove Ridge Center Foundation, Scott County Schools and Natural Tunnel State Park that offers a 3 day 2 night camp for middle school students
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Virginia is for Students Tour 2010 - "History ... through Adventure!"
Taylor Thorp
This past June, 7 students and 2 staff left the Cove Ridge Center at Natural Tunnel State Park, heading off on the annual Virginia Is For Students Tour 2010.
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Post Hole Diggers, Stone Dust and Humidity!
Annette Bareford
The Virginia State Parks Youth Conservation Corps at Westmoreland State Park can tell you all about those three things.
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Wilderness Road Hosting Junior Rangers!
Michael Brindle
Calling all children ages 10-12 for a week of fun, educational and entertaining activities as part of Wilderness Road State Park’s annual Junior Rangers program set for Monday, July 19 through Friday, July 23 from 9 am- 12 noon daily.
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School’s Out – Now what?
Zoe Rogers
Are you looking for activities to keep the kids busy this summer? The park naturalist at Pocahontas State Park has the perfect solution to every Mom’s dilemma on how to keep the kids occupied during summer break.
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Plenty of Fun Activities at Twin Lakes State Park
Zoe Rogers
Surrounded by two lakes in the heart of Central Virginia, Twin Lakes State Park is an ideal setting for a variety of lakefront activities.
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Youth Conservation Corps Supervisor Training
Nancy Heltman
Gaston Rouse, his assistant Carrie McCrory, and I are spending four days at Bear Creek Lake State Park preparing 40, mostly College aged youth, to lead youth 14 to 17 year old youth in this summer's program.
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Toddler Playground Celebration at Lake Anna State Park June 10, 2010
Annette Bareford
It was a warm, near to summer day at the shoreline of beautiful Lake Anna State Park. The red, yellow and blue colored new Toddle Train Playground gleamed brightly in the morning sun.
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Lunch on the Lawn Concert Series Returns to Southwest Virginia Museum
Erin Brockmann
Everyone looks forward to the weekend – those two days when you get a break from work and can enjoy some free time.
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Get Outside and Play at Occoneechee State Park
Pat Eastwood
There are a lot of fun things to do at Occoneechee State Park throughout the upcoming weekend. Hike through the woods, ride a bike, visit the museum, have a picnic, and enjoy these great programs along with many others.
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16th Annual Wayne C Henderson Music Festival and Guitar Competition
Amy Atwood
Great music is on the way as Ronnie Reno and the Reno Tradition headline the 16th annual Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival and Guitar Competition.
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Hike a Trail for National Trails Day
Nancy Heltman
June is National Get Outdoors Month and after the record setting Memorial Day weekend we had, it is clear folks are ready for a great summer playing outdoors!
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2010 Steam and Gas Engine Farm Festival
Nancy Heltman
Don’t miss this year’s Steam & Gas Engine Farm Festival June 5 & 6 at Chippokes Farm & Forestry Museum 868 Plantation Road, Surry VA 23883 (inside Chippokes Plantation State Park).
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Sappony Indian River Festival
Pat Eastwood
On Saturday, June 5, come down to the river for food, fun, and culture. This daylong event at will take place at Staunton River Battlefield State Park from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
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Camping at Westmoreland State Park
Tom Cervenak
A few years back I took my girlfriend's son on his first camping trip to Westmoreland State Park.
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Staunton River State Park, A GREAT Place!
Tom Cervenak
I just took a trip to Staunton River State Park in Scottsburg, Virginia. While at the park I got a tour of their facilities.
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A Look Outside: Reptiles & Amphibians (Part 3)
VDGIF
Interested in Virginia's reptiles and amphibians? This fun new "A Look Outside" series of videos tracks a group of cub scouts as they learn about spotted salamanders, canebrake rattlesnakes, wood turtles and more!
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A Look Outside: Reptiles & Amphibians (Part 2)
VDGIF
Interested in Virginia's reptiles and amphibians? This fun new "A Look Outside" series of videos tracks a group of cub scouts as they learn about spotted salamanders, canebrake rattlesnakes, wood turtles and more!
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Smith Mountain Lake State Park to Host Bedford County Parks & Rec Youth Fishing Clinic
Lana Obenchain - Bedford County Parks and Rec
Bedford Parks & Recreation Departments will host their annual Youth Fishing Clinic on Saturday, June 5th at Smith Mountain Lake State Park in Huddleston. Event is free and open to children ages six through fourteen.
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Victorian Tea at Rokeby Estate will Benefit Caledon's Accessible Trail
Nina Cox
Victorian-style afternoon tea is appealing both to palate and spirit.
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Community Parkfest is Coming!
Cyndi Juarez
Discover Shenandoah at Parkfest!
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Wayne Henderson & Friends Concert
Amy Atwood
Best known around the world for his abilities to make guitars, Wayne Henderson is also a talented musician.
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Summer Wilderness Survival at False Cape State Park--FOR FAMILIES
Staci Martin
Maybe you've been reading about Women's Weekends at Virginia State Parks, but can't seem to find the time to get away from your family obligations to enjoy the outdoors.
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Bear Creek Lake State Park Celebrates Its 70th Anniversary
Zoe Rogers
This weekend Bear Creek Lake State Park will celebrate its 70th Anniversary with activities for the entire family.
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Bluegrass Legends Blue Highway Headline 2010 Gathering in the Gap Music Festival
Erin Brockmann
The Friends of the Southwest Virginia Museum’s Fourth Annual “Gathering in the Gap” takes place Saturday, May 29, on the grounds of the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park in Big Stone Gap, Virginia.
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What the Heck is a Pow Wow?
Don Byrne
On Saturday my wife and I headed down to Occoneechee to attend the Native American Heritage Festival (Pow Wow).
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Women's Wellness Weekend Participants Learn About Spinning
Nancy Heltman
As a child I enjoyed crocheting. It probably started with one of those pot holder weaving kits when I was even younger, but I enjoyed the feel of the yarn and the satisfaction of being creative.
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A Day at Sky Meadows
Don Byrne
One of the benefits of being the Information Manager for State Parks is to be aware of the many events that take place at all of our parks.
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Earth Day at Belle Isle State Park
Steve Davis
The weather at Belle Isle State Park on Friday, April 23 was perfect for about 180 kids to celebrate Earth Day. This event was held in conjunction with the Chesapeake Bay Governors School.
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The Best of Virginia State Parks - Tim Skinner
Virginia State Parks
State Parks Director Joe Elton talks with staff from Virginia’s National Award Winning State Parks. In this episode, Joe talks Tim Skinner, park manager at Sky Meadows State Park.
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Teaching the Teachers at the Park
Cyndi Juarez
Last weekend twenty-four educators became the students at Leesylvania State Park. Chief Ranger Sarah Phillips, organized the teacher training event and invited local teachers to participate.
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Too Much Screen Time
Nancy Heltman
Last night I read an article from CNN's SciTech Blog (Children and Nature Network tweeted it) about the new Boy Scout Video Game Badge.
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Tree Planting at Sky Meadows
Cyndi Juarez
On April 24th Cub Scout Pack 962 demonstrated their dedication to the Earth by planting five new trees at Sky Meadows State Park.
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Bear Creek Lake State Park Celebrates 70 Years with Special Event May 15
Nancy Heltman
On May 15, Bear Creek Lake State Park will celebrate its 70th Anniversary along with the grand opening of the newly renovated trail system.
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Governor McDonnell's Visit to Leesylvania State Park
Nancy Heltman
Governor Bob McDonnell visited Leesylvania State Park last week for an Earth Day event.
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Planting the Seeds of Tomorrow Today at Lake Anna State Park
Cathy Corker
Arbor Day is a nationally celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care.
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Chesapeake Nature Benefits from Earth Day Efforts
Cyndi Juarez
A little bad weather didn’t stop the volunteers at Leesylvania State Park from doing their best for Earth Day.
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Happy 40th Birthday Earth Day!
Nancy Heltman
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Eagle Festival this Weekend
Cyndi Juarez
Once again the Eagle Festival is coming to Mason Neck. This event, the largest Earth Day related environmental event in Northern Virginia includes exhibits from nearly 30 non-profit, environmental, historic ...
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10th Anniversary Raid Expects Record Turnout!
Michael Brindle
This year’s "Raid" at Martin's Station promises to be the best yet and will be held May 7-9, 2010 at Wilderness Road State Park.
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Southwest Virginia Museum Celebrates Spring with a Day of Garden Programs
Erin Brockmann
The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park in Big Stone Gap, VA honors the coming of Spring and Virginia Garden Week with a day-long event, “A Celebration of Spring,” Saturday, April 24, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
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5th Annual Pocahontas State Park Little-Big Adventure
Zoe Rogers
Have you ever thought of running a triathlon with your kids but the opportunity was not there? Well that opportunity is now available.
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Occoneechee State Park
Kristen Uerz
My trip to Occoneechee State Park was well worth the two hour drive to Clarksville, Virginia.
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Park Hero
Nancy Heltman
Jim and Patti Gerhart, members of the Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park, submitted this great story
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Coastal Plants Program at False Cape
Staci Martin
Spring comes early on the coast and with many plants have begun to grow and bloom at False Cape State Park.
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Kiptopeke State Park Playground
Sam Sweeney
Looking for a change in venue now that spring has finally come to the Eastern Shore of Virginia?
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The Megan Project Spells F-U-N for Toddlers - First Toddler Playground Opens at Lake Anna State Park
Nancy Heltman
Jo and Johnny Finch, stalwart friends and volunteers for Virginia State Parks, are also Friends of Lake Anna State Park (Jo is President the Friends Group and Johnny is President of the Virginia Association for Parks).
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Go Fly A Kite
Nancy Heltman
As I kid I was never a very successful kite flyer but boy did I have some fun trying!
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Redbud
Nancy Heltman
According to Wikipedia, "Cercis canadensis L. (Eastern Redbud) is a large shrub or small tree native to eastern North America from Southern Ontario, Canada south to northern Florida."
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The Virginia State Flower
Nancy Heltman
Of course, since I'm a native Virginian, I already knew that the Dogwood is the state flower and tree of Virginia.
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This Week's "Ball Haul"
Nancy Heltman
Another installment in Caledon Natural Area's Volunteer Bob as he works to keep the shoreline clean
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Follow Friday - The Blue Ridge Parkway
Nancy Heltman
Last week I started a weekly series on recommending other great websites for readers of this blog similar to the Twitter tradition called #FollowFriday. Today's recommendation is The Blue Ridge Parkway.
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Hiking Sky Meadows State Park
Nancy Heltman
There's nothing like the chaos and traffic of the Washington D.C. and northern Virginia area to leave residents screaming for a good dose of nature ...
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Nature's Fireworks about to Hit
Tom Cervenak
Goodbye Old Man Winter, boy you were tough this year.
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Have you Volunteered Lately?
Tom Cervenak
I just read a story that in the toughest of times, Americans are volunteering at a record rate.
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Essential Equipment for Visiting Mason Neck State Park
Jodi Bucknam
Making your visit to Mason Neck State Park the most enjoyable it can be is as easy as having the right equipment.
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Don't Have a Camping Trailer?
Tom Cervenak
I've done a lot of tent camping in my days and still do, but every now and then I want the camping experience without the tent camping part.
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Connecting Children with Nature
Tom Cervenak
Technology has been great in many ways, for instance I'm using it this very moment to communicate to an entire audience of people I don't really know.
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Winter Wonderland - Grayson Highlands State Park
Nancy Heltman
Located near the highest point in Virginia, Grayson Highlands State Park has a lot going for it. There are beautiful mountain views and in the summer cooler temperatures. The spring flowers bloom later and the fall colors turn earlier.
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Boy Scouts and Virginia State Parks
Tom Cervenak
I use my vast knowledge of Virginia State Parks that I acquired since I started in 1986, to take Troop 340 out for fun and to learn about the great outdoors.
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What Did Colonial Kids Do for Fun?
Cyndi Juarez
I love electricity, it powers just about everything I do at home and allows me to keep working well past dark. My kids love it too, they watch television, play video games, use the computer, etc.
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Visit Pocahontas State Park During National Wildlife Week
Zoe Rogers
Join us at Pocahontas State Park during National Wildlife Week, March 15th –21st, for outdoor nature programs that will introduce you and your family to the wildlife found in the park.
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Two Volunteer Groups Coming to Douthat State Park
Jaimie Lomasney
Two different volunteer groups will be spending a week of their time at Douthat State Park working on a variety of volunteer projects.
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Alternative Spring Break Group Coming to Claytor Lake State Park
Jaimie Lomasney
A trip to the beach or manual labor doing work around a Virginia State Park? That is the choice 11 college students are making for their spring break this year.
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Fairy Stone State Park Women's Wellness Weekend
Jaimie Lomasney
Girls weekends are one of my favorite adventures because you never know where you’ll end up or who’ll you’ll meet, which is the fun of the weekend anyway.
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A Journey through Black History at Twin Lakes State Park
Zoe Rogers
Virginia State Parks is home to a park whose black history dates back to the depression era and the civil rights movement of the 50s.
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Master Naturalist Basic Training
Nancy Heltman
The Virginia Master Naturalist Program is a statewide corps of volunteers providing education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities.
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Not a Trip to Camp Grenada
Nancy Heltman
Okay so this will probably give away how ancient I am, but when I was a girl Alan Sherman did a song called A Letter From Camp: "Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh. Here I am at Camp Granada."
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Douthat State Park Ornament Making Contest
Jaimie Lomasney
Douthat State Park is offering an ornament making contest for students through Monday, December 14, 2009.
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First Annual Leesylvania Turkey Trot
Virginia State Parks Visitors
If you were in Leesylvania State Park on the morning of Saturday, November 21, you might have seen a sight that is increasingly rare these days: children having fun while being active outside.
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First Leesylvania Turkey Trot
Cyndi Juarez
Leesylvania Elementary school children were invited to get outside and experience Northern Virginia nature on Nov. 21, 2009 at the Turkey Trot.
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Simeon's Tales of Virgil S Possum: "Where's Virgil?": The Call Center
Verna McNamera
Virgil S Possum visits the Virginia State Parks Reservation Call Center.
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Luminary Event at Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park
Zoe Rogers
On Saturday, November 7, 2009, Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park will host “A Ceremony on Hallowed Ground” to commemorate Veterans Day.
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Youth Deer Hunting Workshop at Claytor Lake State Park
Jaimie Lomasney
Claytor Lake State Park and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries are hosting a Youth Deer Hunting Workshop on Friday, December 18 and Saturday, December 19.
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What Will Your Children Remember?
Nancy Heltman
Nancy Heltman of Virginia State Parks was a guest blogger for Bethe Almeras' Grass Stain Guru today. Here's the content. http://bit.ly/XYvuT
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Are You a Budding Les Stroud?
Nancy Heltman
False Cape State Park invites the entire family for a fun-filled weekend of hiking and exploring Virginia’s Outer Banks while discovering tricks and tips on how to survive in the wilderness.
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How the West Was Won Part II
Tom Cervanak
Although the smallest Virginia State Park, the Southwest Virginia Museum State Park is packed with facinating historical treasures worth taking the time to explore.
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Careers in the Equine Industry
2009 Wisconsin Horseperson of the Year -- Kellie Zink
Presentation to 8th grade students to demonstrate the vast array of options available for careers in and around the equine industry.
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Kids Tap in to Nature in Massachusetts
VirginiaOutdoors
Innovative program that’s getting kids to check their sap buckets before checking their emails.
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The Adventures of Virgil S Possum
Virgil S Possum
Virgil S. Possum explores the Virginia State Parks and tells tales of his adventures.
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New Coal Mining Exhibit at SWVA Museum
SWVA Museum
The latest exhibit upgrade at the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park mixes new technology with historic artifacts to give visitors an in-depth look at the story of coal mining in Southwest Virginia.
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Annual Back to School Beach Bash at Douthat State Park
VASP
A day of fun in the sun is had at the annual Back to School Beach Bash at Douthat State Park.
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Fort Belvoir Children Discover Mason Neck State Park
VASP
Along with the usual lifestyle challenges, military children are also coping with parents being deployed at an increased rate to support two wars.
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Storytelling Exhibit at Sailors Creek
Imperial Multimedia
Captivating visitor's attention by utilizing state of the art storytellers and the latest in new media technology, the stories of Confederate and Union soldiers will bring history to life inside a dimensional set.
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Fresh Water Mussels
DGIF
Freshwater mussels are one of the few animals that improve our water quality.
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Helping Children to Experience Nature
Ellen Smith
National Park Service and Virginia State Parks getting together to take on the collective challenge to get our children and families in to the outdoors.
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Family Fun at Occoneechee State Park
Pat Eastwood
Junior Ranger programs will continue this week at Occoneechee State Park. Students who attend all eight sessions will earn a Junior Ranger badge.
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The First Step in Going Green
joe peash
Folks don't often spend time outdoors unless someone first takes them under their wing and shows it to them.
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The Raid at Martin's Station
Kevin Wallenfang
The annual Raid at Martin's Station provides one of the most realistic historic reenactments in the country May 8-10.
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New Civil War Visitor Center to Open This Summer
Virginia Assoc for Parks
A brand new visitor center will open at the historic Sailors Creek Battlefield State Park this summer.
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Kiptopeke State Park
joseph peash
Kiptopeke will feature the Eastern Shore Birding and Wildlife Festival in September, and birdwatchers the world over will be on hand.
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Mathews County, Rebecca Grow
Kevin Wallenfang
Mathews County, Rebecca Grow
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Don't Stay Inside -- Come Out for Some Cool Times at Belle Isle State Park
Guest Blogger
Summer may be half over, but there are still lots of programs at Belle Isle State Park.
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YCC Program at Claytor Lake and New River Trail State Park
Jaimie Lomasney
A crew of ten participants were chosen from current high school students 14 to 17 years-old who demonstrated an interest in protecting Virginia’s environment.
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A Look Outside: Reptiles & Amphibians (Part 1)
VDGIF
Interested in Virginia's reptiles and amphibians? This fun new "A Look Outside" series of videos tracks a group of cub scouts as they learn about spotted salamanders, canebrake rattlesnakes, wood turtles and more!
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