We adore our state park friends groups, and couldn't do what we do at Virginia State Parks without them. You may not even realize as a park guest that many of the unique festivals, fun events, nature and wildlife programs, and park amenities are offered thanks to our Friends groups. 

Have you ever considered joining one of our park friends groups? We wanted to take a moment to share the links and contact information to our various friends of Virginia State Parks. And in fact we guarantee you will learn more about the park, sort of like seeing "inside information," when you visit the friends' webpages.

Friends Groups are an integral part of Virginia State Parks, and we are so thankful for them. Allow us to share a little bit about our friends. This summer and fall is a great time to see them in action, when you see various park volunteers when you visit, ask them about it.

Friends shared information at a recent festival at Sky Meadows State Park

FEATURED: The Friends of Sky Meadows (FOSK) is a citizen support group that helps the park serve visitors and protect park resources. FOSK also raises funds to help the park and assists with stewardship projects, educates visitors about the natural and historic importance of the park, recruits volunteers and promotes the park at outreach events.

Group members have diverse interests and backgrounds. Meetings are held quarterly. Email them here for more information, or visit their webpage here.

MEET OUR FRIENDS

Virginia State parks are big places that offer many amenities and recreational opportunities. It takes a lot of work to keep those offerings available, and many parks rely on friend groups to help out. Friend groups build and maintain trails, manage beautification projects, help staff visitor centers, work on educational outreach programs, and raise funds for park projects and facilities. They also help out at festivals, workshops and other park events.

They're usually made up of local park supporters and typically enjoy tax-exempt status. And they're always looking for new members. To learn more about or join a nearby park's friend group, visit the webpage of the park you're interested in and click on "Other Info" on the left side of the page.

We've got friends in all the right places:

• Bear Creek Lake
• Belle Isle
• Caledon
• Chippokes
• Claytor Lake
• Douthat
• Fairy Stone
• False Cape
• First Landing
• Grayson Highlands
• High Bridge Trail
• Holliday Lake
• Hungry Mother
• James River
• Lake Anna
• Leesylvania
• Mason Neck
• Natural Tunnel
• Occoneechee
• Pocahontas
• Powhatan
• Sailor's Creek Battlefield
• Seven Bends
• Shenandoah River
• Sky Meadows
• Smith Mountain Lake
• Southwest Virginia Museum
• Staunton River Battlefield
• Twin Lakes
• Westmoreland
• Wilderness Road
• York River

Martin Luther King Day of Service

Every Action Makes a Difference

FEATURED: Pocahontas has an active community of volunteers who contribute more than 20,000 hours a year. They support the park by joining the nonprofit Friends of Pocahontas State Park (FOPSP), chopping firewood, helping at concerts, building trails, greeting visitors, gardening, monitoring wildlife and more.

Feel like lending nature a hand? The Pocahontas State Park Friends group is a hands-on volunteer 501c3 organization dedicated to preserving and supporting the park. Visit the group's website to learn how you can help out. No dues are charged, and the group meets at the park on the third Tuesday of each month. Volunteer benefits can be found here.

You can view their Meetup page here to see what's happening in the group and here on their Facebook page.

VOLUNTEERING

Besides our friends in all the right places, we also have plenty of other park volunteer opportunities. Pitch in to keep Virginia State Parks among the nation's best. Explore the many ways to get involved:

• Volunteer Host
• Youth Conservation Corps
• Alternative Spring Break
• Friend Groups
• Natural Heritage Internships
• AmeriCorps
• Virginia Association for Parks

Virginia State Parks need volunteers to help run the parks and manage their natural resources. Volunteers staff contact stations and visitor centers, conduct environmental education programs, beautify the parks, develop and maintain trails, help visitors find what they need and make nearby communities' more aware of park offerings and activities. These are serious duties and responsibilities, so committed volunteers must be willing and able to reliably carry them out.

Duties are matched to the interests and abilities of the given volunteer. A medical examination may be required. A criminal background check is required for all new prospective volunteers. 

Many hands make light work

If you’re interested, you may volunteer as an individual or as part of a group for projects lasting only a few days or for long-term projects in specialized programs. After determining the district or park(s) of interest, email the volunteer coordinator to learn about currently available opportunities and apply. And feel free to apply for more than one park. (Those under 18 may volunteer, however written permission from a parent or guardian is required.)

There is a ton of good info about volunteering at our parks online, just click here. Those interested in volunteering may contact Volunteer Coordinator Andi Clinton by email here, or by calling her at 804-796-4484.

We sure hope you will, and then we can show you the rest of the "insider view" of the parks.