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Kids

Kids love to explore and learn. We can help you connect your kids with the most exciting programs and learning opportunities in outdoor Virginia.

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Wilderness Road Hosting Junior Rangers!

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.

School’s Out – Now what?

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.

Plenty of Fun Activities at Twin Lakes State Park

Surrounded by two lakes in the heart of Central Virginia, Twin Lakes State Park is an ideal setting for a variety of lakefront activities.

Youth Conservation Corps Supervisor Training

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.

Toddler Playground Celebration at Lake Anna State Park June 10, 2010

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.

2010 Steam and Gas Engine Farm Festival

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).

Sappony Indian River Festival

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.

Camping at Westmoreland State Park

A few years back I took my girlfriend's son on his first camping trip to Westmoreland State Park.

Staunton River State Park, A GREAT Place!

I just took a trip to Staunton River State Park in Scottsburg, Virginia.  While at the park I got a tour of their facilities.

A Look Outside: Reptiles & Amphibians (Part 3)

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!

A Look Outside: Reptiles & Amphibians (Part 2)

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!

Smith Mountain Lake State Park to Host Bedford County Parks & Rec Youth Fishing Clinic

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.

Summer Wilderness Survival at False Cape State Park--FOR FAMILIES

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.

Fun After Dark At Sky Meadows State Park

Saturday, May 8th, from 8-11 PM there is another opportunity to experience one of Sky Meadows State Park most popular and entertaining programs- Astronomy for Everyone.

Earth Day at Belle Isle State Park

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.

Too Much Screen Time

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.

Tree Planting at Sky Meadows

On April 24th Cub Scout Pack 962 demonstrated their dedication to the Earth by planting five new trees at Sky Meadows State Park.

Governor McDonnell's Visit to Leesylvania State Park

Governor Bob McDonnell visited Leesylvania State Park last week for an Earth Day event.

Planting the Seeds of Tomorrow Today at Lake Anna State Park

Arbor Day is a nationally celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care.

Chesapeake Nature Benefits from Earth Day Efforts

A little bad weather didn’t stop the volunteers at Leesylvania State Park from doing their best for Earth Day.

Eagle Festival this Weekend

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 ...

5th Annual Pocahontas State Park Little-Big Adventure

Have you ever thought of running a triathlon with your kids but the opportunity was not there?  Well that opportunity is now available.

Occoneechee State Park

My trip to Occoneechee State Park was well worth the two hour drive to Clarksville, Virginia.

Park Hero

Jim and Patti Gerhart, members of the Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park, submitted this great story

Kiptopeke State Park Playground

Looking for a change in venue now that spring has finally come to the Eastern Shore of Virginia?

The Megan Project Spells F-U-N for Toddlers - First Toddler Playground Opens at Lake Anna State Park

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).

Go Fly A Kite

As I kid I was never a very successful kite flyer but boy did I have some fun trying!

Have you Volunteered Lately?

I just read a story that in the toughest of times, Americans are volunteering at a record rate.

Essential Equipment for Visiting Mason Neck State Park

Making your visit to Mason Neck State Park the most enjoyable it can be is as easy as having the right equipment. 

Don't Have a Camping Trailer?

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.

Connecting Children with Nature

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.

Boy Scouts and Virginia State Parks

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.

Visit Pocahontas State Park During National Wildlife Week

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.

Not a Trip to Camp Grenada

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."

 

Douthat State Park Ornament Making Contest

Douthat State Park is offering an ornament making contest for students through Monday, December 14, 2009.

First Annual Leesylvania Turkey Trot

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.

First Leesylvania Turkey Trot

Leesylvania Elementary school children were invited to get outside and experience Northern Virginia nature on Nov. 21, 2009 at the Turkey Trot.

Simeon's Tales of Virgil S Possum: "Where's Virgil?": The Call Center

Virgil S Possum visits the Virginia State Parks Reservation Call Center.

Youth Deer Hunting Workshop at Claytor Lake State Park

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.

What Will Your Children Remember?

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

Careers in the Equine Industry

Presentation to 8th grade students to demonstrate the vast array of options available for careers in and around the equine industry.

Kids Tap in to Nature in Massachusetts

Innovative program that’s getting kids to check their sap buckets before checking their emails.

The Adventures of Virgil S Possum

Virgil S. Possum explores the Virginia State Parks and tells tales of his adventures.

Annual Back to School Beach Bash at Douthat State Park

A day of fun in the sun is had at the annual Back to School Beach Bash at Douthat State Park.

Fort Belvoir Children Discover Mason Neck State Park

Along with the usual lifestyle challenges, military children are also coping with parents being deployed at an increased rate to support two wars.

Helping Children to Experience Nature

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.

Family Fun at Occoneechee State Park

Junior Ranger programs will continue this week at Occoneechee State Park. Students who attend all eight sessions will earn a Junior Ranger badge.

The First Step in Going Green

Folks don't often spend time outdoors unless someone first takes them under their wing and shows it to them.

Mathews County, Rebecca Grow

Mathews County, Rebecca Grow

YCC Program at Claytor Lake and New River Trail State Park

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.

A Look Outside: Reptiles & Amphibians (Part 1)

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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