NEW APRIL 24TH UPDATE
ON NEW ACTS PERFORMING AT JAZZ BY THE LAKE ON MAY 8TH.
SEE NEWS PAGE!

WELCOME TO THE 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.



SET YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE EVENTS!

April 16, 23 & 30
EASTER BUNNY RESCUE
GPS Easter Hunt for Children
9:00 AM - 2:30 PM
$2.00 Fee & Bring or Rent your GPS

Saturday, May 7th, 2011
JAZZ BY THE LAKE FESTIVAL
10:00 AM - Sunset at the Occoneechee Park AmphiTheatre

Saturday May 14th, 2011
20th Annual Native American
Heritage Festival at Occoneechee
Gates Open at 10:00 AM
Grand Processional of the Intertribal Pow-Wow starts at 12:00 Noon



Friends of Occoneechee Conduct Many Projects

At the Pow-Wow & the Jazz by the Lake Festival, members of the Friends of Occoneechee State Park raise 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. 

VOLUNTEERS FOR IMPROVEMENTS RECOGNIZED IN APRIL, 2011 CEREMONY
DETAILS ON NEWS PAGE

The Occoneechi Hut has been recently rejuvenated and re-thatched at its high overlook of now Kerr Lake.  The more peaked appearance represents Native American ingenuity in running off water quickly. 
(Photo courtesy of Linda Timberlake)



New leaves and blooms from flowering trees visually announce Spring's arrival at Occoneechee.  (Photos courtesy of Linda Timberlake)



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DID YOU KNOW?

Virginia State Parks, as a system, is 75 YEARS OLD!  Take part in the quality resources and experiences that Virginia State Parks offer.

For more information visit this website:
                        http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/75th.shtml


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!
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FRIENDS OF OCCONEECHEE STATE PARK  - ADOPTED PROJECTS

The Friends group has adopted projects to support through fund raising and/or volunteer work. 

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

 - Sponsor Fall Haunted Hike
 - Sponsor  Easter Field Games
 - Terrace Gardens/Occoneechee
            Plantation site improvements
 - Amphitheater improvements
 - Purchase canoes and equipment
            to expand interpretive
            program offerings
 - Upgrade lighting at main boat ramp