Tag Archives: Westmoreland State Park

The Landscape, The People

Get Quacking. Register today for Junior Duck Stamp Camp.

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Join the Menokin Foundation, Rappahannock Wildlife Refuge Friends, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Westmoreland State Park for Junior Duck Stamp Camp! This year’s camp is scheduled for August 1, 2, 4, and 5th from 1:00 until 5:00 each day.

What is Junior Duck Stamp Camp?

While investigating the natural habitats of waterfowl in the Rappahannock River Valley watershed, campers will learn to document what they see and discover with notes and sketchbooks. By the end of the week, campers will have a greater understanding of the waterfowl and their habitats. They will also have had the opportunity to experiment with a variety of drawing techniques to prepare them to enter the Junior Duck Stamp Camp Contest in March 2017.

Junior Duck Stamp Camp guides will take campers kayaking on Wilna Pond, Cat Point Creek, and the Potomac River. Students will learn “How to Birdwatch and Duck Identification 101” and how to draw birds in various forms and landscapes. The final artwork created by the students will tour the region and images will be shared with area media publications.

The Junior Duck Stamp Camp program is for 5th to 8th graders, ages 10-14. The cost to attend is $50 per child. Several full scholarships are available thanks to the generosity of the Rappahannock Wildlife Refuge Friends.  Transportation is available from a central meeting site each day.

For more information or to register, please contact Alice French at the Menokin Foundation: afrench@menokin.org or (804) 333-1776. Or download a Registration Brochure.

Hurry! Time is running out, so register today!

The Landscape

Jr. Duck Stamp Camp 2015 A Huge Success!

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Jr. Duck Stamp returned this summer, bigger and better than ever. Twelve campers had kayaking experiences in three Northern Neck water venues – the pond at Wilna Wildlife Refuge, Cat Point Creek at Menokin and the Potomac River at Westmoreland State Park.

In spite of the brutal heat of the week, the experiences were rich, the knowledge gained was deep and the artwork was beautiful! And there was cake at the end of the week. Doesn’t get much better than that.

Keep in touch for news about Jr. Duck Stamp Camp 2016.

 

The Landscape, The Northern Neck and Beyond

Duck Stamp Camp Returns!

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Read all the details below, and click here for a printable registration brochure. Get quackin’. Space is filling up!

Duck Stamp Camp

WHAT IS DUCK STAMP CAMP?

While investigating the natural habitats of waterfowl in the Rappahannock River Valley watershed, campers will learn to document what they see and discover with cameras, notes and sketchbooks. By the end of the week, campers will have a greater understanding of the waterfowl and their habitats. They will also have had the opportunity to experiment with a variety of drawing techniques to prepare them to enter the Junior Duck Stamp Contest in March 2016.

WHO MAY ATTEND?

The Junior Duck Stamp Summer Camp Program is for 5th-8th graders, ages 10-14 years.

WHEN IS IT?

July 20-21 and July 23-24, 2015
1:00 pm until 5:00 pm

WHAT IS THE COST?*

YMCA Members – $20 per child
Non-members – $50 per child
*Several full scholarships are available through the generosity of the Rappahannock Wildlife Refuge Friends. For more information, please contact Alice French at afrench@menokin.org.

WHAT WILL YOU NEED TO BRING?

A water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray and shoes/clothes that can get wet.

WHAT IS PROVIDED?

Each camper will receive a sketch book, a pencil and eraser, and a paper portfolio for drawings. Pastels, crayons, colored pencils, and paints will be available for use.

WHEN IS IT?

July 20-21 and July 23-24, 2015
1:00 pm until 5:00 pm

Questions? Contact Alice French at 804.333.1776
DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT: July 10, 2015

CAMP SCHEDULE

DAY ONE: Wilna (July 20)

  • Meet & Greet period at the Educational Center. Refuge staff will discuss “How to Birdwatch and Duck Identification 101.”
  • Hike around pond (puddle duck habitats) with binoculars and sketchbooks.
  • Walk to Observation Deck & Trail (dabblers).
  • Intro of Duck Stamp program by U.S.Fish & Wildlife.

DAY TWO: Menokin (July 21)

  • Canoe at Menokin along Cat Point Creek with guides.
  • Guide to point out plant species in this type of habitat
    and the types of ducks found on a creek.
  • Spend the afternoon learning to draw bird forms: flying,
    sitting, diving, etc. Special guest artist visit to describe a subject in its environment.

DAY THREE: Westmoreland State Park (July 23)

  • Kayak at Westmoreland State Park along the Potomac River with guides.
  • Guide to point out plant species in this type of habitat and the types of ducks found on a river.
  • Spend the afternoon learning to draw things in the landscape: leaves, trees, water, sky.

DAY FOUR: Wilna (July 24)

  • Campers will complete any unfinished work on their pictures. This may include a last hike to document the habitats at Wilna Pond in their sketch books, or finish the description of their picture.
  • All work will then be displayed for show. Each camper will describe their duck and its habitat, and what they learned by making their artwork.
  • The afternoon celebration will conclude with time for pictures to be taken, refreshments, art and games. Parents are encouraged to attend the celebration.
The Northern Neck and Beyond

Birds Come Out to Model at George Washington’s Birthplace

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visitwestmorelandva

On Monday, June 4th, a group of fourteen bird enthusiasts gathered at George Washington Birthplace National Monument for a bird walk led by author and wildlife expert, Joe LaFleur.  LaFleur holds a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology and a master’s degree in communication from Colorado State University.  For the past twenty years he has been collecting bird footage of the calls of various bird breeds.  The past month, he has been touring the east coast, leading bird walks at various parks along the way to help generate an interest in bird watching.

He started the tour with an audio-visual presentation of bird breeds that are prevalent in the Tidewater area and thus might possibly be spotted on the walk through the park grounds.  As the footage played, Lafleur discussed the birds’ markings, calls, and habitats so that the group could better identify and differentiate the breeds.  Some of…

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The Northern Neck and Beyond

Vault Field Vineyards Hosts Museum Event

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visitwestmorelandva

On June 3rd, Vault Field Vineyards hosted an event put on by Westmoreland County Museum in tribute to its members.  The event was organized by Museum Educational Program Director, Alice French, and was complete with live piano performance by Beth Parker.  Around 30 members attended and enjoyed tastings of Vault Field’s wines, as well as a tour of the vineyard and winery.

The property was purchased in 2004 by Keith and Joanne Meenan who now operate the vineyard and winery with the help of their son, Dan.  The family planted their first 4,000 vines in 2005, their second 4,000 in 2006, and celebrated their first vintage at the end of 2006.  The processing of the grapes and wine, as well as the bottling, is done entirely on site.  Between the three of them and the help of a few seasonal workers, they produce between 1,600 and 1,700 cases…

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The Northern Neck and Beyond

Get Up and Get Out at Westmoreland State Park

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visitwestmorelandva

Looking for that perfect park or campground to visit that’s well maintained, offers a variety of fun, outdoor activities, and has spectacular scenic views?  Consider your search over upon discovering Westmoreland State Park, selected as one of America’s Top 50 scenic views.  Opened in 1936, the park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a New Deal program dedicated to conservation care.  The park is located just minutes away from the birthplaces of both George Washington and Robert E. Lee.

Perfectly positioned on the Potomac River, Westmoreland State Park is known for its water attractions.  In fact, in 2008 it was selected as one of America’s Top 25 canoeing spots.  The staff leads kayak and paddle boat trips, as well as rent them out individually, down to Fossil Beach, where visitors can sift for and find sharks’ teeth, whale bones, and pre-historic fossils. There is also a power boat…

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The Northern Neck and Beyond

George Washington’s Birthplace

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visitwestmorelandva

George Washington’s Birthplace, part of the National Park Service, offers an entertaining and educational adventure in one of Virginia’s most beautiful and historical settings.  The park is located along Pope’s Creek, which neighbors the Potomac River, and the water can be seen glistening through the cedars from almost any point in the park.  A memorial obelisk marks the park’s entrance leading to the historical grounds, picnic area, and visitor center.

The park’s main attraction, the historical area, was created in 1932 as part of the bicentennial celebration of George Washington’s birth.  The historical plantation buildings can all be viewed by walking along a crushed oyster shell path that loops through the grounds, although you might have to share the path with the numerous butterflies weaving in and out.  Along the loop you’ll first pass the tobacco garden, right outside of the animal barn where sheep can be seen grazing in…

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