Lodge National Parks

Calm before the Storm: Hurricane Earl Preparations

Thursday, September 2, 2010 by Staci Martin

Due to the Hurricane Watch for coastal Virginia, False Cape, First Landing and Kiptopeke State Parks are closing at 4p.m. Thursday, September 2, 2010

Many people are wondering why the parks are closing when the storm track indicates an eastern swing late Thursday. I'd like to take a moment to explain the complex preparations Virginia State Parks make in these situations.

First and foremost, visitor safety is the absolute priority.

Ranger John Thurston preps for Hurricane Earl.

Virginia State Parks follows a set of policy guidelines that require us to close the parks when an area is under a "hurricane watch." This closure decision then triggers a complex set of protocols that are implemented with visitor safety in mind.

Weather forecasting is tricky business even on normal days--imagine trying to predict what will happen when the storm is nearly 200 miles wide with winds around 135 miles per hour. NOAA simply can not determine with 100% accuracy the track of this storm.

Ranger Shawn Waldrup preps chainsaws before Hurricane Earl.

Camping in an RV or tent in a wooded area during an intense storm is a lot different than hunkering down in your brick and mortar home. Heavy rains and moderate winds can bring down tree branches and fling debris across the park. Water pumps and electrical pedestals can fail due to downed trees and flood waters.

Yesterday, park staff alerted guests that the park will be closing at 4 p.m. Many park guests were directed to the Chesapeake Bay Center where City of Virginia Beach CVB staff and a public workstation with internet access is available. Guests are able to transfer their park reservation to inland parks, book hotel rooms, check email and check the latest weather data.

Traffic cones are prepped before Hurricane Earl

Throughout yesterday and today, park staff are gassing up vehicles, inspecting and fueling chainsaws, inventorying signage, prepping traffic cones and pulling out safety equipment. All of this is done with the goal of being able to open the park as soon as possible after the storm hits.

Late this afternoon after the park is closed to visitors, park staff will secure buildings by pulling down hurricane shutters, securing outdoor furniture and closing all gates and access points.

Late this evening, park staff will secure their own homes and make last-minute shopping excursions for supplies for their families. One of the reasons, we must make a closure decision so early in the storm tracking process is because we must give our employees time to handle their personal situations--relocating their families, stocking their hurricane kits, etc.

On Friday the storm is forecasted to pass through coastal Virginia between 4 a.m. and 2 p.m., once the situation is deemed safe, park staff will conduct inspections of all the public facilities and create a plan for re-opening the park.

The goal is to re-open as quickly as possible. On Friday, as soon as conditions permit, work crews will go out with chainsaws, tractors, and work trucks to remove down trees and debris. Dominion Power will be alerted to any electrical problems. If flooding is a problem, the park manager may decide to open on a limited basis--for instance, the manager may decide to open for day use only or may decide to open only the campground loops that are safe for visitors.

The best thing to do is to check the Virginia State Parks website for information on re-opening of the parks. Again, the main priority is visitor safety. We will re-open as soon as possible!!

When the wind blows - our severe weather policy

Tuesday, August 31, 2010 by Nancy Heltman

It's hurricane season so it seems prudent to take the time to explain one of the less pleasant decisions we have to make - when and how to decide to close a park for severe weather.

From the first hint that a Hurricane or significant weather event is heading our way, Virginia's Department of Emergency Management scheduled conference calls for Federal, State and Local officials and major utility providers to discuss preparedness for the storm.

From our perspective, the safety of our visitors is of paramount concern and Virginia State Parks has an official policy that helps us decide when it is prudent to close our facilities. In other words, when we decide we need to make our overnight and day guests leave the park. We do not make the decision lightly, but you can see with the policy, below, that we have well defined parameters for making that call.

The Park Manager or the highest ranking employee physically present on site (not necessarily scheduled on duty) upon determining that unsafe conditions exist, may close any or all facilities or any part of a facility until that condition no longer exists.

   1.   The State Parks Director or his designee shall order the closure of facilities under the following conditions:

       a.   A park will be closed to the public whenever the park is part of an area declared to be under a “Hurricane Watch” by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

       b.   A park will be closed to the public whenever the National Hurricane Center (NHC) of NOAA has determined that there is greater than a twenty percent (20%) chance of fifty knot or higher winds. The cabins and campgrounds will be closed and guests compelled to leave (see sheltering) when this condition and probability is projected anytime in the subsequent seventy-two (72) hours.

       c.   A park will be closed to the public whenever the National Hurricane Center (NHC) of NOAA has determined that there is greater than a fifty percent (50%) chance of thirty-four knot or higher winds (tropical storm force). The cabins and campgrounds will be closed and guests compelled to leave (see sheltering) when this condition and probability is projected anytime in the subsequent seventy-two (72) hours.

       d.   A park or any portion of that park within an area projected to be inundated will be closed to the public twenty-four hours in advance of when local river level forecasts project the inundation.

           Closure at this level of threat is done with the understanding that the public’s presence in a State Park area is far more discretionary than that of local residents. Compelling their departure at an earlier stage of a threat minimizes their potential to complicate or even add to the congestion associated with a general evacuation of an area at a later stage of the threat. Further, their early departure provides staff the opportunity to concentrate on safety of resident staff and their families and facility protection.

   The above safety thresholds are not intended to limit the authority of the State Park Director or his designee to close facilities when other contributing factors make that facility unsafe in his judgment.

Our official call to close a park or facilities is the trigger for when we waive cancellation fees. Prior to that determination, guests are free to cancel using our standard cancellation policy. You can always check the current conditions on the NOAA weather site.

Sometimes our guests have been upset that we have closed the park and sent them away from a place to stay with nowhere for them to go. However, our decision is always based on our determination that it is UNSAFE to be in the park under the forecasted conditions. Our goal is to provide the most accurate and advance notification within reason and to notify customers in advance of their arrival whenever possible. It is important that guests provide us with email addresses or multiple contact phone numbers so we can reach them in advance of their departure.

To help get the information about park closings to customers without the need for everyone to call our Reservation line, we have instituted a new emergency bulletin system. If there is urgent information like whole park closures or specific facility closures, there will be a brown box close to the top of a park's webpage (see arrow in the picture below) with "Click here to read an urgent message about this park." If you click that link you will be directed to a page with the current information.

The arrow shows where the urgent park information box will appear. There will be no box if there is no urgent information.

We hope this new alert system will enable our visitors to know about any possible closings or issues that may impact their overnight stay or day visit before they leave their house.

The last thing we ever want to do is ruin someone's vacation or park visit, especially since some of these trips are planned eleven months in advance. But there is nothing like a tree falling through your tent or cabin to do just that not to mention potential life threatening events. And, yes the forecasts can be wrong but our intent is always to err on the side of caution when it comes to your safety!

The Shenandoah River

Sunday, August 29, 2010 by Shellie Anne

This is the last big weekend of the summer. Still time for you to visit and enjoy spending some time at a Virginia State Park! Like this young lady from Rocky Mount Virginia and her guide "The Shenandoah Rover" did at Shenandoah River State Park.

Shenandoah Rover at Shenandoah River State Park Virginia

Shenandoah State Park Virginia State Parks

The park is 1,604 acres with 5.6 miles of river frontage along the south fork of the Shenandoah River. The rolling, mountainous land features steep slopes and is mostly wooded. In addition to meandering river frontage, the park offers scenic vistas overlooking Massanutten Mountain to the west and Shenandoah National Park to the east.

Park Size: 1,604 acres, 5.6 miles of river frontage along the south fork of the Shenandoah River. About 140 acres are pastoral. There is no boat launch, but there is a canoe put in spot with ample parking.

Shenandoah River State Park has 11 brand new cabins, a primitive campground right beside the river, an incredible new RV campground with full hook ups and even camping cabins for you to enjoy! You can reserve your spot on line today or call 1-800-933-PARK for your Virginia State Parks experience.

Other features at this amazing Virginia State Park is a brand new state-of-the-art visitor center with LEED certification, picnic shelters, hiking, biking and horseback trails and plenty of parking. Don't miss the view from the lookout near the Visitor Center, especially at sunset or sunrise, it is spectacular!

There is so much to love at Virginia State Parks - I dare you to prove me wrong!

"Tell Us How We're Doing" Contest Winners

Friday, August 27, 2010 by Kristen Uerz

FOCUS Week for Virginia State Parks is a week in July when we focus on getting customers to complete a Your Comments Count Survey to let us know what we are doing right, where we need to improve and what our customers expect from a visit to a Virginia State Park. As a way of encouraging visitors to fill out the survey we held a contest so visitors could win a 7 night cabin stay, 6 nights of camping, a picnic shelter rental, 3 Annual park or boat launch/equestrian passes and 12 Virginia State Park tee shirts.

To enter the contest, visitors simply had to visit a Virginia State Park during the week of July 5-11 and then complete a Your Comments Count Survey. Customer comments are important to us as they help us to provide the best possible experience for all of our park visitors. We've been surveying our customers since 1997 with our Your Comments Count Survey and just last year we received over 7,000 completed surveys.

We are happy to announce the following winners for 2010:

Grand Prize: 7 night cabin stay - Junior Easter, Fairy Stone

Second Prize: 6 nights of camping - Kenneth Tingen, Occoneechee

Third Prize: Picnic Shelter Rental - Roy Evans, Smith Mountain Lake

Fourth Prize: Choice of Annual parking or boat launch/equestrian pass - Mary Joyce, New River Trail; Debbie Kinder, Hungry Mother; Missy Martin, Smith Mountain Lake

Virginia State Park tee shirts: Jennifer English, Yvonne Rodgers, Cody Harvey, Wanda Adkins, Sherri Bishop, W.A. Bridenstine Jr., Jesse Ratcliffe Jr., Sandra Avancini, Lori Key, Dorothy Archer, Katherine Lenzi, and Hilary West

Congratulations to all of our winners. It's not too early to start thinking about next summer. Call our reservation center at 1-800-933-7275 Monday-Friday or visit our website anytime.

Wish You Were Here!

Friday, August 27, 2010 by Shellie Anne

A Change of Scenery Will Do You Good

Take a look at Virginia State Parks where the air is fresher, cleaner and there is more of it!

Open your eyes and look around you, what do you see? Can you feel it, smell it and hear it? Let Virginia State Parks magnify your senses...listen carefully to hear the sound of a bat on a ball and children laughing, or look closely to the see harbingers of Spring.

Hiking and views at Virginia State Parks

Virginia State Parks has a fantastic trails system, you better get out here and experience it yourself!

Virginia State Parks have more than 450 miles of trails in 34 state parks, historic sites and natural areas. With more than seven million park visitors a year, our trails see a lot of use. In fact, more than 97 percent of those responding to the 2000 Virginia Outdoors Survey rated trails the most important offering state parks provide.

These trails provide a range of outdoor experiences in different settings - coastal forests, dunes, hardwood forests, tranquil lakes, hemlock forests and spectacular views in the mountains. Trails give visitors the chance for bird watching and wildlife viewing, exercise, family outings, mountain biking or just a quiet escape from urban life. Whatever your interest, our trails fill the bill.

Parks with handicapped accessible trails include Belle Isle, Chippokes, Claytor Lake, Fairy Stone, First Landing, Hungry Mother, James River, Kiptopeke, Leesylvania, Mason Neck, Southwest Virginia Museum, Natural Tunnel, New River Trail, Pocahontas, Staunton River Battlefield and York River.

See the entire list of Virginia State Parks Trails Here. Currently there are Hiking, Biking, Mountain Biking, Hiking/Biking, Hiking/Equestrian, Hiking/Biking/Equestrian, Rail Trail, Connector, Interpretive, and Water Accessible Trails available for everyone to enjoy. Don't forget Fido, he will know where you have been without him, so bring him along!

Learn more about park offerings by calling 1-800-933-PARK. Click here to reserve a campsite or picnic shelter or to check cabin availability.

There's so much to love at Virginia State Parks!

Wake Up Some Place Special!

Monday, August 23, 2010 by Shellie Anne

You will always wake up some place special at a Virginia State Park!

Have you ever stayed at a cabin or lodge at a Virginia State Park? Rates are very reasonable and even includes in-state discounts to Virginia residents. Consider a cabin or lodge for your next family getaway or girls weekend out. Let me show thee the ways...

Modern Amenities and Comfort at a Cabin at a Virginia State Park

Virginia State Parks provide comfortable and economical overnight accommodations, with 260 climate-controlled cabins. Many cabins are available year round, they range from rustic to elegant.

Climate-controlled cabins are available at Bear Creek Lake, Chippokes Plantation, Claytor Lake, Douthat, Fairy Stone, First Landing, Hungry Mother, James River, Lake Anna, Occoneechee, Staunton River, Smith Mountain Lake, Twin Lakes and Westmoreland state parks. Cabin sizes and sleeping arrangments vary by park. One bedroom cabins, two or three bedroom cabins, many with bunkbeds so bring the whole family and some friends too!

All cabins have kitchens and bathrooms. Furnishings and equipment include rustic furniture, microwave, refrigerator, oven, dishes, cooking utensils, silverware, kitchen towels and glassware. Bath towels and bedroom linens, including mattress covers, pillows, blankets, sheets and pillow cases, also are included.

All cabins except those at Chippokes Plantation State Park and Twin Lakes State Park's Hill Lodge and Martin Cottage have fireplaces. Cabins at Smith Mountain Lake have wood stoves.

The parks also have Handicap Accessable cabins with ramps and large open bathrooms.

Reserve your cabin online - pick the park, pick the dates, pick the actual cabin you would like! You can view locations with in each Virginia State Park. Search here for amenities.

Don't forget Fido. Fido is welcome to stay with you in your cabin at nearly all Virginia State Parks. (Following all park leash regulations of course.) There is an additional nominal rate of $10 per pet per day (hey this is less than boarding Fido) and look at all the fun Fido will have with the family!

You can reserve your cabin or lodge up to 10 months in advance. So now is your chance to book your cabin for next Spring, Summer or Fall!

Relax at a cabin at a Virginia State Park

In addition to cabins and family lodges, special facilities include:

Bel Air Mansion and Guest House - These two upscale, overnight facilities in Belle Isle State Park are perfect for family reunions or picturesque weddings. Furnished with antique reproductions, the mansion comfortably sleeps six, and the simply furnished guest house sleeps eight.

Cove Ridge Center at Natural Tunnel State Park - Available for reunions, conferences or business meetings, the two attached dormitories can accommodate up to 30 each. Overnight guests have free use of adjacent swimming pool during normal operating hours. Reservations are handled by the park at (276) 940-2696.

Poplar Hill Cottage at the Southwest Virginia Museum - This quaint, garden-themed cottage is the perfect getaway in the mountains. Furnished with reproduction furniture, the charming cottage is in the historic Poplar Hill neighborhood, adjacent to other fine homes. The cottage comfortably sleeps six and two full baths. Pets are not allowed. Reservations are handled by the park at (276) 523-1322.

There is so much to love at Virginia State Parks! Well, what are you waiting for?

Picnic Area Relocated to Sailor’s Creek Visitor Center

Thursday, August 19, 2010 by Zoe Rogers

Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park has recently moved one of its two picnic areas to the new visitor center. Two tables are available under the shelter of the side and back porches, while four others are on the lawn. Two of these tables are handicap accessible. The picnic area that was relocated was originally at the Confederate Overlook parking/trail area.

This project was made possible by the Youth Conservation Corps who moved the tables from the old picnic area to the new visitor center. They also repaired the picnic tables to their current condition. Ten female crewmembers and three female supervisors made up this crew who also spent time at Twin Lakes State Park and High Bridge Trail State Park doing various park projects.

Park Manager Chris Calkins is pleased with the new picnic area and the work of the YCC group. “The picnic area was moved not only for the convenience of the visitor center amenities,” stated Calkins, “but because it sat right in the middle of the heaviest combat area of the battle.” He added, “Its location, ‘blood soaked ground,’ was like placing a picnic area at the stone wall at Gettysburg where [General George E.] Pickett’s Charge took place.”

Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park and the Hillsman Farm House Museum are on the National Register of Historical Places and listed as a National Historic Landmark.

Just horsing around at Virginia State Parks

Thursday, August 12, 2010 by Nancy Heltman

I had one of those dream childhood experiences - I had my own horse. In my memories my horse, named King (yes, after the horse in the National Velvet TV series) looked like the TV King or Black Beauty or Flicka of some other beautiful stallon. In truth he was a little sway back and deathly afraid of tractors (I have the scars to prove that).

Back then, there was still lots of farmland in Williamsburg and even Hampton and we could find a farm (not a boarding stable) to keep my horse. My dad had lots of friends.

Today, people who own horses either have some land of their own or board their horses somewhere. And regardless, it is not easy to find places to go riding. The places in Williamsburg and Hampton where I used to ride on farms have long ago been turned into housing developments.

What many people may not know is that many Virginia State Parks offer multi-use trails that are suitable for horses. We also have several parks where you can bring your horse and camp overnight. We have one park where we operate a horse livery where you can take a horseback ride even if you don't own a horse.

Horseback riding at Lake Anna State Park

If you use our cool amenity search tool on our website and click "Equestrian" under trails, you will get a list of all the parks by region in the state that offer horse trails or access to horse trails directly from the park. The Virginia Outdoors website lists the parks with equestrian trails and also lists other public lands that feature equestrian or multi-use trails through their partnership with the Virginia Horse Council. Before traveling a distance to visit a park for equestrian use, I recommend you call the park and verify that the trails are open. After significant rain, the trails may be too dangerous for equestrian use.

We have campsites that allow visitors to camp with their horses at Grayson Highlands, New River Trail (Cliffview), Occoneechee and James River state parks. New equestrian campgrounds are in the construction phase at Douthat, Fairy Stone, Staunton River, and James River state parks.

The horse livery at New River Trail State Park

New River Trail State Park offers a horse livery so you can take a trail ride on one of the park's horses. The livery is open from the first weekend in April through the end of October. Call (276) 699-2460 for details.

So, if you have horse and will travel, be sure and check out riding and camping opportunities at Virginia's state parks. For camping reservations, call 800-933-7275.

How Do YOU Spell Fun?

Monday, August 9, 2010 by Shellie Anne

There is so much to love at Virginia State Parks!

Virginia State Parks are all abuzz with recreational activities, from history, culture, outdoor competitions, to arts, crafts, fishing, natural history, geocaching, workshops and festivals!

There are 35 State Parks in the VA Department of Conservation & Recreation System. There is something for everyone at a Virginia State Park, from the mountains to the seashore. Here is an abbreviated list of activities currently happening at your Virginia State Parks:

Can you Canoe?
Camp Chat
Prim-Tech to Hi-Tech
Music from the day
Geocaching
Tracks and Scats - Signs of the Times
Astronomy with a NASA Space Embassador
Invert Alert
Birding by Boat
Marsh Madness Canoe Trip
Walk in the Woods
Fish Printing
Family Play Day
Make a Hiking Stick
Full Moon Canoe Trip
Tall Tales Campfire
Full Moon Kayak Trip
Hayrides
Wild about Wetlands Canoe Trip
Sunset Kayak Trip
Eagle Tours
Kayak with the Eagles
Owl Prowls Hayrides
Wagon Ride
Ask a Ranger
Let's Go Fishing
Jones-Stewart Mansion Tours
Fossil Walk
Evening Paddle
Junior Rangers
Drowned in the Past
Crayfish Crawl
Campground Scavenger Hunt
Going Batty
Night Hike
Skin and Bones
Tree Cookies
Snake, Rattle and Whoa
Quest for Cache
Animal Bites
Leave it to Beavers
Mystery Box
Frog Hop
Bat Kapers
Bear Kapers
Roost in Peace
Appalachian Antic
Flyfishing 101
The Scoop on Poop
Owle Pellet Adventure
Campfire Cookery
Toad Abodes
Basic Twionometry
Frog Slog
Butterfly Kapers
Railroad Tales
Pine Cone Bird Feeder
Sandy Shorts
Fairy Stone Hunt
Rock n Rockets
Canoeing with Ghosts
Salamander Meander
Quicksand!
Gnome Homes
Luma Plena: Full Moon
Swamp Stomp
Seaside Creatures
Staying Found
Night Hike
Crabbing
Young Naturalist
What's in the Nets?
Geoquest
Scales to Tales
Wonder Bugs
Moonlight Movies
Talons of Terror
Relay on the Beach
Touch of Nature
Predators and Prey
Owl Call Canoe Tour
Civil War Campfire
Nature's Nocturne Hike
Critter Crawl
Made in the Shade
Owl Wisdom
History Flows Through it
Feeding Frenzy
Panning for Gold
Storytime in the Woods
A Stitch in Time
Creepy Crawlies
Pond Play
Lovely Ladybugs
Make Tracks for Home
Majestic Eagles
Cherokee Run
1175 Frontier Life
Fishing at the Falls
The Bear Facts
Aquatic Insects
Roving Reptiles
River Float
Gone Batty
Owl Prowl
Snakes Alive
Toad Abodes
Gyotaku (Fish Printing)
You too Can Canoe
Stump the Ranger
Civil War Kids
Mystery in the Mountains
Ugly Bug Contests
Natures Paint Brush
Corn Husk Dolls
Tree ID
Catch 'em in the Creel
Pirates, Privateers and Patriots Trip
Going N Seine
Roaming Ranger
Pick your Paddle

Do I have your attention yet? How do YOU spell Fun? There is so much to love at Virginia State Parks.

Rent a cabin, rent a lodge, rent a tent site for a night or a week, or full hook-up site or a shelter for a family reunion or church picnic (you know how we all love Sunday chicken!) Some Virginia State Parks even have conference centers available for your use. Book the conference center and a "canoogle" of canoes, guaranteed you will have a blast!

You can reserve online TODAY or see what is available here. Search for specific amenities for the park that is just right for you or view a PDF amenities grid comparing all Virginia State Parks at once.

Virginia State Parks Rock!
I am tellin’ ya they roolly do!

Good Golly Miss Molly!

Monday, August 9, 2010 by Shellie Anne

Molly's Knob at Hungry Mother State Park was a 1.9 mile strenuous hike up, then add on the Vista Trail 0.4 mile and this was the reward!

Other scenic hikes at Hungry Mother State Park:

CCC Trail 1.9 miles
Ridge Trail 0.2 miles
Lake Loop Trail 5.7 miles
Vista Trail 0.4 miles
Old Shawnee Trail 1.0 miles
Stone Lick Trail 0.8 miles
Raider's Run Trail 0.9 miles

There is a hike at Hungry Mother State Park for all levels of hiker/biker. Hikes from easy to moderate to difficult, the Lake Loop Trail is partially handicapped accessible. Mountain Bikes allowed and encouraged to ride these trails, they will have access to all above trails, except the very steep Vista Trail.

Nuff said...get on out here to Hungry Mother State Park in SW Virginia - the summer is still upon us, rent a cabin, pitch a tent, drive in your home-away-from-home on wheels...whatever you do, get out here and get yourself SOME OF THIS!

Meet Mother Nature, she's a real looker!

Editor's note: Please welcome our newest blogger Shellie Anne. Shellie Anne and her husband are the proprietors of Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount, Virginia. She has posted so many blogs to our visitor post system I have invited her to be a permanent blogger. What do you think?

Dog Days of Summer at Hungry Mother State Park

Wednesday, August 4, 2010 by Virginia State Park Visitors

A visitor post by Shellie Anne from Rocky Mount, Virginia

Besides the obvious swimming, kayaking, hiking, walking, biking, picnicking, s'moring that goes on when you stay at a cabin at a Virginia State Park, there is also one often overlooked feature, but has a very big draw to our family staying at a VA State Park...Our Dog. Yes, she is a member of the family, she is the chief explorer, guide and instigator to all things fun! When we stay at a VA State Park, so does she! No need to worry about her locked up in a kennel alone, she is large and in charge at whatever state park we visit. Hungry Mother State Park was especially fun with the biking/hiking trails that went right around the lake. We all had a blast! "The dog was created especially for children. He is the god of frolic." Henry Ward Beecher Virginia State Parks are top dog in our book!

Nature Trek 360˚

Friday, July 30, 2010 by Nancy Heltman

By Megan France, Natural Tunnel State Park Chief Ranger Interpreter

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 with the goal of introducing the students to the natural and cultural history of their region. The program has been offered as part of Scott County’s summer school curriculum.

The program addresses standards of learning in science and social studies for students entering 5th – 8th grades, while also providing a framework to allow the students to discover the outdoors through exploration.

Over the past four years, results have been tremendously popular and generated a great deal of excitement in students, teachers, administrators and park staff. Each day has a theme with a focus on different aspects of the natural or cultural history of the region. The following sections offer a brief synopsis of the theme and programs offered each day.

Day One offers an overview of the park as well as focusing on technology and the natural history of the region. Students start their day off with a GPS activity that will allow them to explore several locations through out the park. Later in the day the students will spend time hiking through Natural Tunnel via Stock Creek, discussing the geological processes that formed the tunnel and an introduction to the karst topography of the region. While on the hike, students will have the opportunity to participate in an invertebrate study along Stock Creek.

That evening the students will have the opportunity to view the night sky at an astronomy program.

Day Two focuses mainly on the cultural history of the region. During the morning students will have the opportunity to step back 200 years ago with a few programs at the Wilderness Road Blockhouse. There they will meet a couple of frontier women making clothing from wool and linen. Students will experience the steps that go into each process and the hard work that goes into each step.

In the afternoon students will learn how to canoe and snorkel. Snorkeling expedition introduces the students to the biological diversity and importance of the Clinch River to Southwest Virginia. That evening students will enjoy a hayride along Fincastle Road followed by a campfire at the Blockhouse.

Day Three will focus on Southwest Virginia’s natural environment. Students will spend a day at Falls of Little Stoney exploring sandstone bluffs, wildflowers, wildlife and the Falls.

The Nature Trek 360° program in 2010 ran three sessions serving 54 students. All program fees, supplies, meals and lodging were included in the fee paid by the school system. One male and one female teacher are provided by the school system as overnight chaperons. Students stay in the lodges at the Cove Ridge Center. The meals are cooked by Cove Ridge staff, and students are responsible for setting up meals and snacks, as well as cleaning up afterward and taking out trash.

The response to the program has been overwhelmingly positive over the past 4 years. Students ask if they could come back the next summer, the superintendent has received calls from several parents to let him know how much their children enjoyed the program, and teachers told park staff they overheard the students talking about the program when school began in the fall. One parent said her son came home from the park and immediately went to the creek on their property to see what animals he could find. Our goal is for the Nature Trek 360° program to provide a student’s first step towards the “nature medicine” needed to begin curing today’s children of Nature Deficit Disorder.

Cabin, camping photos are top draws

Wednesday, July 28, 2010 by Steve Hawks

The conventional wisdom in tourism marketing is to appeal to potential customers' emotions. What could be more charming than happy, smiling kids floating down the James River in brilliantly colored tubes, a beautiful deep blue sky overhead? Or perhaps a cheerful family enjoying a fresh picnic - and each other's company – in the great outdoors with, naturally, a rustic hand-hewn cabin or tidy campsite in the background?

Our park users, however, may be more practical than most folks. Our most popular web page, for example, is about prices and fees. While useful, the page isn't emotionally appealing. And on our Flickr site, the most commonly viewed photos are of cabins, campsites and lodges. In fact, 12 of the 14 most popular photos feature cabins. This photo of a cabin at First Landing State Park is the most viewed shot of DCR's State Parks Flickr collection.

So, evidently, state park guests are a sensible bunch. Let's face it - an interior shot of a cabin's kitchen isn't as evocative as is a picture of a beautiful sunrise over the Chesapeake Bay. Judging by web traffic statistics, however, it appears that state park customers are more interested in images of the camping facilities, cabins and lodges they've rented than shots of cute bunnies and fawns.

Go figure.

Vote for your favorite Virginia State Park

Sunday, July 25, 2010 by Nancy Heltman

The Coca-Cola Live Positively Campaign is donating $100,000 to the national or state park that garners the most votes on their Live Positively website. You must have a Facebook account to vote.

Coke will also donate up to $200,000 to the National Parks Foundation based on votes received.

At this writing, four Virginia State Parks are in the top ten! Vote now and vote often! Click here.

Virginia State Parks Youth Corps Receives National Award

Sunday, July 25, 2010 by Nancy Heltman

An official Press Release from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation by Jim Meisner, Jr.

A statewide volunteer program, the Virginia State Parks Youth Conservation Corps, has been named the Outstanding State Volunteer Program in the United States by the Take Pride in America program.

Virginia State Parks are operated by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. The Take Pride in America program is administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The award was presented by Robert Stanton, senior advisor to Secretary Ken Salazar and a former director of the National Park Service, and Lisa Young, director of Take Pride America. “Virginia State Parks have received many accolades over the years, from awards honoring facilities and amenities to being recognized as the best managed state park system in the United States,” said DCR Director David Johnson. “This award recognizes the hard work and contributions of nearly 1,000 young people and staff who made this program so successful.”

Top row from left: Virginia State Parks Director Joe Elton, Department of the Interior Senior Adviser Robert G. Stanton, YCC supervisors Matthew Sanford, Justin Milton, Garrett Milton and Tyler Reedy, Virginia State Parks Director of Volunteer Services Gaston Rouse, Take Pride in America Director Lisa Young, and Carrie McCrory with the Virginia State Parks Volunteer Office. Bottom row from left: YCC crewmembers Tuppence Van de Vaarst and Elizaveta Toshchakova, supervisor Sunhawaw Yoon, crew member Sunjeung Yoon, supervisor Lauren Cincchio, crewmembers Masyn Dillion and Jean-Maria Rouse, and supervisor Brad Reedy.

Fashioned after the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps, the YCC is a summer program for young volunteers between the ages of 14-17. Working in crews of approximately 10 volunteers and three college-age supervisors, the young people each contribute between 120 and 180 hours of service. Participants work in state parks across Virginia on a variety of conservation projects including trail and campground maintenance, construction, fence building, tree planting, noxious weed removal and fish habitat improvement. Program projects are designed to foster teamwork, self-esteem, social responsibility and respect for the environment, said Gaston Rouse, State Parks director of volunteer services.

“These youngsters are the future of the Commonwealth and the future of America,” Rouse said. “Volunteering is one of the most important facets of adult life, and we need to incorporate that into the lives of our children.”

In 2007, the YCC program received the Virginia Governor’s Best Youth Volunteer in Virginia award.

YCC Supervisors pose with Volunteer Office staff at the Awards luncheon

Since its creation in 2002, nearly 1,000 young people have participated in the YCC program. This year, YCC volunteers will work in 20 parks in two three-week sessions. Ten were completed earlier this summer, while the second session of YCC volunteers will work through Aug. 7 in nine state parks: Westmoreland, Holliday Lake, Leesylvania, York River, Belle Isle, Claytor Lake, Lake Anna, Sky Meadows and Wilderness Road state parks, as well as the Petersburg National Battlefield.

In 2009, 165 youths performed park development and maintenance projects, putting in 45,483 hours of work, valued at $933,765 in employee wages.

“The YCC program gives young people opportunities to serve their state and communities while learning important skills and it introduces natural resource and environmental fields as a possible career path,” said DCR State Parks Director Joe Elton. “The YCC embodies the core responsibility of the state parks system by fostering environmental awareness at a young age and connecting our volunteers to the awe and wonder of nature. YCC participants carry the memories of these experiences with them for the rest of their lives and they remain our partners in protecting state parks for future generations.”

State Parks Director Joe Elton with the State Parks Director of Volunteer Services Gaston Rouse

This year, 246 are expected to participate in the program, logging an estimated 65,000 hours worth $1,360,450 in employee hours. The program attracted 447 applicants in 2010.

The YCC program was selected by a panel of judges from hundreds of qualified nominations representing outstanding examples of public lands stewardship from across the country. This year, there are 15 National Award winners, representing projects and events in 13 states and the District of Columbia.

Take Pride in America is a nationwide partnership program authorized by Congress to promote the appreciation and stewardship of our nation’s public lands. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior for the benefit of all public lands at all levels of government nationwide.

YCC volunteers pose with State Parks Director Joe Elton

Record high visitation for Independence Day weekend

Monday, July 12, 2010 by Nancy Heltman

An official Department of Conservation and Recreation Press release by Jim Meisner, Jr. Public Relations Specialist

Virginia State Parks continued the year-long trend of record attendance with an Independence Day weekend attendance of 266,739, a 22 percent increase over last year’s previous record-high of 218,889.

The record-high visitation follows another record setting holiday weekend when visitation increased 15.9 percent on Memorial Day weekend.

The 35 award-winning Virginia State Parks are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

DCR Director David Johnson attributes the significant increase to a number of factors. “The weather across Virginia was simply incredible all weekend long,” he said. “The warm dry weather made state parks, and state park swimming facilities, immensely popular. Over the past decade, we’ve seen a steady rise in attendance as we’ve responded to visitors' requests for more cabins, campsites, lodges and staff-led programs and activities. Simply put, more people are coming to Virginia State Parks because our parks are better than they have ever been.”

Tracking the first six months of 2010 compared to the same time last year, overall state park attendance is up 8 percent.

“Tourism is an instant revenue generator for Virginia’s economy and Virginia State Parks are one of our best assets to attract visitors,” said Alisa Bailey, president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. “Families from around the country, and especially from the East Coast, travel to Virginia to enjoy the pristine beauty of our state parks.”

The estimated economic impact of Virginia State Parks was $175 million in 2009.

The Independence Day weekend saw a 70 percent increase in swimming over last year. Other significant gains over 2009 included a 19 percent increase in camping deposits, a 6 percent increase in cabin rentals, and a 36 percent increase in food and beverage sales.

Overall sales for the weekend increased 27 percent over last year.

“We are excited to see Virginia State Parks continue their record setting year with another outstanding holiday weekend,” said DCR’s State Parks Director Joe Elton. “Visitors have come to our parks for nearly 75 years to find therapy for the mind, body and spirit as they enjoy our unspoiled natural resources. More than 266,000 people visited our parks over the holiday weekend, and they returned home with cherished family memories that will last a lifetime.”

Virginia State Parks offer dozens of festivals and concerts and thousands of seasonal nature and history programs across the state.

For more information about state park activities and amenities, or to make reservations in a campsite, cabin or family lodge, call the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at (800) 933-PARK or visit our website.

Family picnic at Bear Creek Lake State Park

Photo by Bill Crabtree Jr., Virginia Tourism Corporation

Passport in Time--the creolization of Chippokes

Wednesday, July 7, 2010 by Staci Martin

Creolization is the complex process of cultural borrowing and lending in a region with many different cultural influences.

The cultures that lived on the land that is now Chippokes Plantation State Park have come together through many generations to create a unique "Chesapean" culture that is derived from African American, Colonial European, and Native American influences.

So put on your "Indiana Jones" hat and come out to this year's Archaeological Field School at Chippokes Plantation State Park.

This year, Chippokes Plantation State Park will host their annual Archeology Field School at the Brick Kitchen site near the Jones-Stewart Mansion. Previous digs have explored a Native American site on the James River Trail, a hunting post used by early Colonial settlers near the park's pool complex, and an enslaved persons' cabin on Walnut Valley Farm. The artifacts and information gleaned from this year's dig will help historians understand the cultural mixing bowl that this area has come to represent.

The field school will be open to the public from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Monday, July 12, 2010 through Monday, July 19, 2010.

At the Archeology Field School, archaeologists come from around the nation to train and learn new techniques. The public is welcome to come and observe their work as well as interact with field school partners including representatives from U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Archeology Society of Virginia, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR), and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

At 2pm, David Johnson, DCR Director and Kathleen Kirkpatrick, DHR Director will be guest speakers discussing the field school and its ongoing research.

Take the Slow Lane

Monday, July 5, 2010 by Virginia State Park Visitors

A visitor supplied post by Shellie from Rocky Mount

Visiting Historic Chippokes State Park brought us to a slower pace in a much older place. We stayed in an old sharecroppers cabin that had all the comforts of home: Two bedrooms, full kitchen, modern bath, living room and sat out on its own surrounded by fields of cotton. Back at the cabin each evening after a full day of activities in the sun like swimming, biking, kayaking on the James River, we found respite. The quietness enveloped the cabin as the deer and turkey wandered past outside, it was surreal. No phones, no computers, just our family there together away from it all. Take some time for your family, forget the mad rush of the theme parks and the driving to and for...spend it with those you love at a Virginia State Park!