Chesapeake History

Adventures at False Cape State Park

Thursday, July 16, 2009 by Nancy Heltman

False Cape State Park is truly a unique visitor experience in a park system filled with exceptional experiences. What makes False Cape unique?

Pristine Atlantic ocean shoreline with no visible development
No direct vehicular access for visitors
Maritime forest of oak and pine
Barrier Spit that features a diverse habitat of beaches, dunes, wooded swamps, marshes and Back Bay
History of settlement by shipwreck survivors
Fantastic wildlife viewing

Late July and early August programs give visitors of all ages an opportunity to explore this special park.

Nature Kids
Tuesday, July 28, 9:00 a.m.-Noon
Tuesday, August 4, 9:00 a.m.-Noon
False Cape State Park invites kids ages 7-12 to come out and connect with nature by playing games, making nature crafts and exploring False Cape’s natural communities.
Cost: $10/child

Sunset Kayak Paddle
Friday, July 31, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 2, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Explore Back Bay and its marshes by kayak at False Cape State Park as the sun is setting over the bay. Kayaks and equipment are provided – no paddling experience is necessary. Trip meets at Little Island City Park in Sandbridge. Reservations are required; please call the park at (757) 426-7128 to sign up.
Cost: $16/person

Moonlight Kayak Paddle
Saturday, August 1, 8:00-11:00 p.m.
Take a paddle by moonlight and listen to the night sounds as nocturnal wildlife emerges. Kayak equipment is provided and no paddling experience is necessary. Cost is $16/person. Reservations are required; please call (757)426-7128 to sign up.

Turtle Tales
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Find out which sea turtles use Virginia’s outer banks for nesting, when to look for turtle crawls, and how you can help protect these endangered species.
Cost: $8/person

Early Bird Kayak Paddle
Sunday, August 9, 8:00-11:00 a.m.
Explore Back Bay and its marshes by kayak and observe birds and other wildlife in and around the bay. Kayaks and equipment are provided – no paddling experience is necessary. Trip meets at Little Island City Park in Sandbridge. Reservations are required; please call the park at (757) 426-7128 to sign up
Cost: $16/person

If you are particularly adventurous, check out our primitive camping at the park.

See these related posts:

The Other Side of Virginia Beach; Bird Watching Heaven; Tour Virginia's Southeastern State Parks; Nature Observations at Virginia State Parks

Dunes and Atlantic Ocean at False Cape State Park

Cruising through History at Leesylvania State park

Thursday, July 16, 2009 by Cyndi Juarez

All Aboard the Half Shell

Join the Living Classrooms and Leesylvania State Park for the opportunity to spend a day aboard a historic Chesapeake Bay Buy Boat, Half Shell.

Throughout the day children and families will have the chance to participate in hands-on science activities, explore aquatic life, and learn the history of buy boats in the Chesapeake Bay. This is an amazing opportunity to discover Chesapeake Bay nature and Chesapeake Bay history!

While onboard children will have the opportunity to fish with a 16ft otter trawl net, try their hand at crabbing, and assist the Captain in steering the Half Shell. Other activities include:

Catching plankton
Learning about Benthic life (bottom dwellers)
Discovering Navigation
Boat building
Clam dissection
Fish identification

The Half Shell provides a unique hands-on, interdisciplinary environmental education program aboard a historic boat that challenges participants to explore and think about their local river. The program is designed to get children in nature and to “learn by doing” about the world around them. There are four educators for each session who work together to create a safe and secure learning environment while on the river.

On Board the half Shell at Leesylvania State Park

This three hour program varies the time day to day depending on high tide. Please call the Visitor Center for times and availability for this Virginia outdoors adventure. The $30 enrollment covers the program fee.

Making a Difference at Mason Neck State Park

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 by Cyndi Juarez

Summer Intern at Mason Neck State Park

With the prices at the pump going higher almost everyday, when was the last time you read a blog that had something nice to say about a gas company? I'll bet you didn't think you'd read it here in a Virginia State Park blog. However, at Mason Neck State Park in Lorton, Virginia we are very grateful this summer to ExxonMobil and their Community Summer Jobs Program.

The ExxonMobil Community Summer Jobs Program provides full-time college students with an eight-week paid internship that allows them to gain experience in a wide range of nonprofit community organizations. It supports selected agencies during peak summer months and encourages nonprofit service among students viewed as community leaders of future.

Through an ExxonMobil grant received by the Virginia Association for Parks we were able to hire Kelsey to assist with another grant project this summer, Captain John Smith Explorer Camp.

Kelsey will be a Junior this Fall at Sweetbriar College majoring in Elementary Education and Psychology. She was originally interested in this internship opportunity at Mason Neck State Park for an opportunity to work hands on with kids and be outside.

She'll get plenty of both of these with Captain John Smith Explorer Camp! This free, half- day, week long camp is a partnership with the National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network. It will provide an opportunity for at risk youth to learn about Chesapeake history and Chesapeake bay nature. The program aims to connect children in nature and let them explore a Gateways location while engaging their imagination and building a lifelong ethic of stewardship for the Chesapeake Bay and its many wonders.

Kelsey has impressed the staff at Mason Neck State Park with her willingness to jump in and help out wherever she is needed. She is extremely efficient and has amazed Park Manager, Jess Lowry more than once with her ability to get things done.

Captain John Smith Explorer Camp begins on Tuesday and I will keep you posted on how it goes. Kelsey has been busy coordinating with the camp teachers, ordering supplies and observing other interpretive programs to make sure the participants at the camp have the best experience possible.

Thank you very much ExxonMobil for the opportunity to work with this bright, talented young woman and watch as she makes a difference this summer bringing Northern Virginia history to life for our young campers!