It was immediately obvious to me that this friendly and enthusiastic group are appropriately named "Ambassadors" and they are our featured Volunteers for the Month of August from Claytor Lake State Park.

Recently I had the opportunity to visit with the Claytor Lake State Park Ambassadors at one of their regular meetings. We began with a potluck at one of the park’s picnic shelters overlooking the lake. Before getting down to business, we enjoyed the camaraderie along with a delicious casserole and other goodies. Soon the group got down to business, as homemade desserts were passed around.

The Waters Edge Marina at Claytor Lake State Park was the backdrop for a recent meeting of the CLSP Ambassadors

CLSP Ambassadors at a recent meeting, from left to right on bench: Samantha Edwards, Secretary Mary Rhoades, Alexis Edwards. Standing: Bernard LaFleur, Kasia Fthenos, Park manager Chris Doss, President Johnny Garrett, Michael Valack, Vice president Brian Edwards, Rob Lowe.

The CLSP Ambassadors are a group of individuals with diverse interests – sailing, wildflowers, and more, all working together toward their common mission: "to act as a non-profit citizen support organization assisting in conserving the natural, cultural, scenic, and recreational resources of Claytor Lake State Park; to assist in providing a variety of recreational and educational opportunities; and to assist in promoting environmental stewardship."

This group officially formed in November 2014 as a “friends” group, or Community Support Organization (CSO) to specifically support Claytor Lake State Park. One reason they chose the name “Ambassadors” was to avoid confusion with the existing “Friends of Claytor Lake.” While the Friends of Claytor Lake are indeed friends of the park, their focus is not just the park, but Claytor Lake at large.  

Since forming the Claytor Lake State Park Ambassadors, this group has been busy. After getting organized and developing a constitution, the group has worked with park manager Chris Doss to identify projects that will enhance the offerings at the park and fulfill their mission.  

One of the Ambassadors’ projects is to promote sailing on the lake, and to offer Sailing 101 programs to the public. In fact, they invited me to come back the next day to see one of their sailing programs in action. Ambassadors Bernard LaFleur and Kasia Fthenos guided a group of campers from Blacksburg Parks and Recreation through the Sailing 101 program. Their goal is to eventually expand the sailing programs offered at the park.

Ambassadors Bernard LaFleur and Kasia Fthenos take

Sailing 101 participants out on the water

The Ambassadors hope to expand sailing programs at Claytor Lake State Park

Another project the Ambassadors have decided to pursue is building an amphitheater for the park. The current park “amphitheater” is rustic, with only benches and a fire ring. The Ambassadors have begun raising funds toward an amphitheater with a covered stage and seating to accommodate musical events and more. The Ambassadors are also working to raise funds to install accessible fishing platforms on the lake.

Membership in the Claytor Lake State Park Ambassadors is open to anyone “committed to upholding the mission of the organization.” For more information, to join the Ambassadors, or to make a donation, email here to find out how you can become involved. You can also find out more about the group’s activities by visiting their Facebook page.

Claytor Lake State Park is located just off I-81 at mile marker 101 in Pulaski County. For a Google map click here. For overnight camping or cabin reservations click here or call Virginia State Parks Customer Service Center at (800) 933-PARK (7275).

We are so thankful for our volunteer groups like the Claytor Lake State Park Ambassadors who help make us award winning Virginia State Parks