Registration is now LIVE! Please email vafparks@gmail.com with any questions. We look forward to seeing you at Occoneechee in May!

Schedule

Thursday, May 1

Throughout the day: VAFP Members Arrive

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Welcome Appetizers & Conviviality, with S’mores by Fireside

Friday, May 2

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM: Continental Breakfast, Compliments of the Friends of Occoneechee State Park

10:15 AM: Tour Staunton River Battlefield State Park (SRBSP)

12:15 PM: Boxed lunches at SRBSP

1:30 PM: Tour Staunton River State Park (SRSP)

3:30 PM: The State of Virginia State Parks by Dr. Melissa Baker, Director, Virginia State Parks at SRSP

5:30 PM: Dinner & Speakers at Bridgewater Bar & Grill

6:00 PM: Tara Tuck on The Benefits State Parks Provide to Surrounding Communities

6:30 PM: Dinner

8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Conviviality at Occoneechee State Park (optional)

Saturday, May 3

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM: Continental Breakfast, Compliments of the Friends of Occoneechee State Park

9:00 AM: Welcome & Kick-off by Jim Klakowicz & Melissa Tedila, VAFP Annual Conference Committee Co-Chairs

9:15 AM: State of VAFP Report with Tim Kennell, VAFP President

10:00 AM: Advocating for Our Parks with VAFP Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs, Jessica Bowser & Michelle Schopp

10:45 AM: Volunteering in Virginia State Parks by Scarlett Stevens, Community Engagement & Volunteerism Manager

11:15 AM: Friends Groups by the Numbers & Best Practices via a Panel Discussion

12:00 PM: Lunch

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Other speakers + festivities TBA!

3:00 PM: Tour Occoneechee State Park via a visit to the Visitor's Center, an exploratory hike, and a fun hayride

5:30 PM: Dinner at Bridgewater Bar & Grill

8:30 PM: Dark Sky Program at Staunton River State Park

Sunday, May 4

Throughout the Day: VAFP Members Depart

Lodging

If you are interested in coordinating your own off-site lodging, we recommend the following: 

1. Clarion Pointe on the Lake Clarksville-South Hill West

Address: 103 2nd St, Clarksville, VA 23927

Phone Number: (434) 485-0557

2. Quality Inn - On The Lake-Boydton

Address: 101 Virginia Ave., Clarksville, VA 23927

Phone Number: (434) 374-8106

3. The Sunnyside Sisters Bed and Breakfast

Address: 104 Shiney Rock Road, Clarksville, VA 23927

Phone Number: (434) 362-1448

Join us for the National Association of State Park Foundations Conference, September 8–11, 2024, at Pocahontas State Park, Virginia! Conveniently located near Richmond Airport, this two-day event features topics on partnerships, volunteerism, fundraising, accessibility, and more.

Together, we'll forge new partnerships and provide essential tools for conserving and stewarding our nation’s world-class state parks.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect and collaborate—mark your calendar now! We look forward to seeing you there!