On April 16, 2011 Virginia State Parks AmeriCorps Member Cody Meadows began his first day of service at Staunton River State Park.

After helping man a booth at an Earth Day event in the Town of Halifax, he and Park Interpreter Richard Reeves returned to the park just before an EF-2 tornado touched down, leaving a swath of downed trees and debris the park. You can read more about the tornado here.

Park Interpreter Richard Reeves and AmeriCorps Member Cody Meadows give a watershed demonstration at Earth Day 2011 in Halifax, with no idea they would be heading into the path of a tornado later that day.

Volunteers cleared trees blocking the main road through the park 

In fact, Meadows and Reeves were not able to leave the park until the road was cleared hours later, thanks to the many volunteers who responded to the emergency. Undeterred, Meadows continued with his AmeriCorps assignment through the 2011 season, where he helped educate visitors through interpretive programs. Meadows was also instrumental in creating a Discovery Center to enhance programs at the park before he returned to Hampden-Sydney College for the Fall term. 

On Monday January 16, Virginia State Parks will join the in the National Day of Service commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day as "A Day On, NOT a Day Off!" All parks will offer volunteer opportunities or participate in outreach activities on that day.

Beginning in 2011, Virginia State Parks began a partnership with the Virginia Office on Volunteerism and Community Service (OCVS) to offer our AmeriCorps Interpretive Program. The program continues this year, and we are currently recruiting AmeriCorps members, who will serve at state parks across Virginia from April to September 2012. Members will study interpretation techniques, learn about stewardship ethics and help park guests connect to natural and cultural resources. In addition, members will present information and programs to park guests and liaison with the community. Read more, and find an application here. Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2012.

Unfortunately, many trails at Staunton River remain closed due to the tornado damage, so the park has planned another in a series of Trail Clean Up Days. On January 16, 2012, the park invites volunteers to come out for the MLK Day of Service Trail Clean Up. Volunteers are asked to bring work gloves, sturdy shoes, appropriate outdoor clothing, water, and a bag lunch. Park staff will meet volunteers at the Visitor Center at 10:00 a.m. and work on the trails until 2:00 p.m. Any help will be greatly appreciated. If you are not already registered as a volunteer, you may pre-register here.

Also, Staunton River Battlefield State Park will have a clean up day at the historic Mulberry Hill mansion. Other area parks will participate in outreach activities. Tune in to WSVS AM 800 on Monday or click here for a live stream at 11:00 a.m. to hear more about Virginia State Parks AmeriCorps Interpretive Program.

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service each year through its core programs, Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America, and leads President Obama's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. Visit nationalservice.gov for more information.