Welcome to
Friends of
Occoneechee State Park

Home Page

Welcome to the Spring 2009 updated
 Friends of Occoneechee State Park website.  

The friends are a group of volunteers registered with Virginia State Parks and the Department of Conservation and Recreation to support the park, its staff and the public users.

Friends serve as volunteers at events and activities, as a non-profit fund-raising arm for improvements not funded by government, and, to help keep the park and the community in sync.

Memorial Day Weekend Interpretive Events

 

            Memorial Day weekend will be an exciting time at Occoneechee State Park, with interpretive events that will keep everyone busy, happy, and learning!

On the 22nd at 2:00 pm, park visitors can participate in a Nature Hike. This will include a walk through the Plantation Trail, discussing the different effects of erosion, human interaction, and observing different animals and plants. At 4:30 pm, there will be a craft program called “Leather Bags”. During this craft, park visitors can create a medicine pouch made from leather that is similar to the leather bags that the Native Americans made. At 6:00pm, meet our park interpreter at the Visitor Center for a Hayride. You will learn about the park, the Occoneechee Plantation, and play nature based games. At 8:30pm, we will have “Campfire 101” where we will teach guests how to build a campfire, then at 9:00pm we will have  a Campfire and tell the stories about the Occoneechi Indians and roast marshmallows.

On the 23rd at 2:00pm, children can participate in a program called “Tree Cookies”. This program will help guests learn about tree rings and make their personalized tree cookie. This program will happen at a nearby picnic shelter. At 3:30 pm, there will be another craft program entitled “Dream Catchers”. The park visitors of all ages will hear two Native American legends behind the dream catchers, and then have an opportunity to make their very own dream catcher to hang above their bed. At 6:00pm, we will be hosting another Hayride, but this time the riders will learn about the Occoneechi Indians, and play fun nature games. At 9:00pm, there will be an Owl Calling program. If we get lucky, the different species of owls will answer our calls. Meet at the Terrace Gardens near Campground B.

Occoneechee State Park will provide many programs through the summer that will educate people about the park, its history, and nature through fun games and exciting activities. Look out for more entertaining and educational events!

 

Fees may apply. Call Occoneechee State Park main office for details. (434) 374-2210

____________________

FRIENDS OF OCCONEECHEE CONTINUE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR PARK

At the recent Pow-Wow & the Jazz by the Lake Festival, members of the Friends of Occoneechee State Park raised funds selling water, drinks, and snack concessions. Weather, temperature and sunlight play a part in the sales, but the group has been enthusiastically working for special project funds like improvements to the Occoneechi Plantation Site on the park property.  Plans are in the works to set representative plantings around what was the plantation house and also improve terrace plantings.


Enjoy one of the many annual special events at Occoneechee, an invigorating walk or a quiet afternoon around the campfire...it is a special experience.
(Drag mouse across photo for change)

_________________

DID YOU KNOW?

Virginia State Parks, by design, serve visitors on a radius of one hour's drive. Occoneechee State Park offers so many extraordinary features & activities that visitors come from that much farther than an hour's drive, North Carolina and many other states.
To see what Occoneechee & other Virginia parks offer, visit the new web address
www.virginiastateparks.gov


Besides being a Friends member, did you know there are several other volunteer programs working at Occoneechee?  Improvements at Occoneechee & other VA State Parks are made by young people who work in the Youth Conservation Corps.  The folks who greet you and keep a general check on things are actually volunteers through the CampHost program.
Maybe you can't volunteer or join as a Friends member.  You can still help by sending a donation to the Friends of Occoneechee State Park to go towards improvements shown on this page!  And, YOU CAN TELL A FRIEND!
_____________

FRIENDS OF OCCONEECHEE STATE PARK  - ADOPTED PROJECTS

The Friends of Occoneechee State Park, the Friends group have adopted projects to support through fund raising and/or volunteer work. 

Those projects include, but are not limited to, the following:

        - Terrace Gardens/Occoneechee
            Plantation site improvements
    -
Amphitheater improvements
    -
Purchase canoes and equipment
            to expand interpretive
            program offerings
    - Upgrade lighting at main boat ramp
_________________

Love Occoneechee?

Visit even when you’re not here!© 


www.friendsofocconeecheestatepark.org




You can help the  Friends of Occoneechee State Park by...

...joining as a member,

...giving a donation,

...volunteering.

Email
info@friendsofocconeecheestatepark.org 
or call (434) 374-2210 for details.
Friends of Occoneechee State Park, 1192    Occoneechee Park Rd., Clarksville, Va. 23927