All posts in State Parks

Georgia State Parks Woo First-Time Campers with Borrowed Gear and Expert Advice

By | March 20, 2012 | Education, Featured, General Park News, State Parks | No comments
camping

Adults who grew up camping remember the fun of making s’mores by the campfire and sleeping under the stars. But for those who have never camped before, spending the night outdoors can be an unfamiliar adventure. Georgia’s State Parks have a new program where first-time campers can get borrowed gear and a helping hand.

“We realized that some people like the idea of camping, but they’re a little intimidated and don’t know if they can do it,” said the program’s coordinator, Cindy Reittinger. “When they discover that it’s easier than they think to pitch a tent, or when they experience the thrill of hearing their first owl, they’ll realize how much fun camping can be.”

The First-Time Camper Program is a bargain weekend getaway. For just $45, park guests spend two nights in a modern campground, trying out gear from REI — including a six-man tent, sleeping pads, chairs, camp stove and more. Park staff will greet campers upon arrival, help them set up their tent and make a campfire, and even give a Camping 101 lesson. At the end of their two nights away from home, campers have to return the gear, but they go home with coupons for their next adventure and memories to last forever.

Author Richard Louv’s book Last Child in the Woods shined a light on America’s growing disconnect with nature – coining it “Nature Deficit Disorder.” Park officials hope that projects such as First-Time Camper will give families an incentive to explore and appreciate the natural world around them.

“Part of the fun of sleeping in a tent is guessing about the noises you hear at night,” said Reittinger. “What might sound scary at first could be an armadillo scurrying through leaves or a raccoon climbing a tree. People often get a big laugh when they peek outside and see what it is, and kids love the excitement.”

Six of Georgia’s State Parks offer the pilot program: A.H. Stephens State Park in Crawfordville, Fort Yargo State Park in Winder, James H. Floyd State Park near Rome, Reed Bingham State Park in Adel, Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah and Victoria Bryant State Park near Lavonia. Parks were chosen for their variety of outdoor recreation, proximity to larger cities and camp-loving staff.

Groups up to 20 people can also try the First-Time Camper program at two northern Georgia State Parks: Fort Mountain and Victoria Bryant. Multiple families or groups of friends will get all the benefits of the program, plus even more help from park rangers. Dates from the group campouts are April 21 and August 18 at Fort Mountain State Park and June 9 at Victoria Bryant State Park.

Anyone who has never camped in a Georgia State Park may participate. While dogs are normally welcome in campgrounds, they are not allowed in the program since camping gear is shared among participants. Once settled in, park guests can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, boating, geocaching, mini-golf, animal programs and many other activities. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the individual parks or the program coordinator, Cindy Reittinger, at 404-657-0029. Park telephone numbers are posted on www.GeorgiaStateParks.org.

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Georgia State Park Events for February 2012

By | February 16, 2012 | State Parks | No comments
GeorgiaParksSurvivalClass

BUY YOUR 2012 PARKPASS NOW

Save money during 2012 with an Annual Georgia ParkPass. The $50 pass covers the usual $5 parking fee at all Georgia’s State Parks, such as Cloudland Canyon, Fort Yargo and Skidaway Island. The Annual ParkPass is good for one year from purchase date, and senior and military discounts are available. To purchase an Annual ParkPass, stop by any Georgia State Park office.

 

NEW COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE KEEPS YOU “IN THE KNOW”

Get the latest updates from Georgia’s State Parks & Historic Sites when you sign up for our new GovDelivery alerts. You can subscribe to a variety of topics such as cabin discounts, our latest news releases, just-listed events and more. In fact, we’ll start sending this GO GA Newsletter via GovDelivery next month. Look for the red envelope on GeorgiaStateParks.org or sign up here. At any time, you can manage your account or unsubscribe.

 

FREE 2012 PARK GUIDE AVAILABLE
The 2012 Guide to Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites is the perfect resource for planning a quick getaway, spring break and summer vacation. The free, 64-page booklet is filled with tips on the state’s best hiking and biking trails, top fishing spots, affordable accommodations, family reunion destinations and more. For a free copy, call 1-800-864-7275 or stop by any Georgia State park or State Historic Site.
FEBRUARY EVENTS

Check GeorgiaStateParks.org/events for the full listing. You can also become a fan on Facebook to receive the latest news, or follow us on Twitter. Geocaching and Golf enthusiasts, be sure to check out our new Facebook fan pages designed exclusively with you in mind.

NORTHERN GEORGIA

 

37th Annual Fireside Craft/Art Show

Saturday, February 18 through Sunday, February 19, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Unicoi State Park and Lodge – Helen

Celebrate 37 years of the Fireside Craft/Art Show. More than 60 of the Southeast’s finest artists and crafts people will be here for this Unicoi tradition. This indoor, juried show has a reputation for excellence and is a nice balance between fine arts and quality crafts. $5 parking. 800-573-9659 ext. 305.

 

Orienteering Meet

Saturday, February 25, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Smithgall Woods State Park – Helen

Find the “controls” hidden in the woods using a detailed map and compass. Beginners can learn how the sport works at the 10:00 a.m. orientation. All participants must begin by 11:00 a.m. and be off the course by 1:00 p.m. Register by February 11. $2 plus $5 parking. (706) 878-3087.

 

Falconry Experience at Buck Shoals

Sunday, February 26, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Smithgall Woods State Park – Helen

Learn about the art of falconry with Falconer Buster Brown, Secretary/Treasurer and DNR Coordinator with the Georgia Falconry Association. A short presentation will be followed by a live hunt. Register in advance. $20/adult if paid by February 10, $25 afterward. Kids free. $5 parking. (706) 878-3087.

 

 

COASTAL GEORGIA

Dinner with General James E. Oglethorpe

Saturday, February 18

Fort King George Historic Site – Darien

General James E. Oglethorpe and the Garrison of Fort King George invite the public to a colonial dinner in the enlisted soldiers’ barracks. Entertainment will feature the arrival of General Oglethorpe, musket and cannon firings, and interaction between the fort officers, soldiers and dinner guests. $35. (912) 437-4770.

 

Dark Sky Star Party

Saturday, February 25, 6 p.m.

Stephen C. Foster State Park – Fargo

Without any light pollution, the Okefenokee Swamp is one of the best places in the Southeast to view stars and planets. Members of the Northeast Florida Observatory Foundation will bring high-powered telescopes so you’ll get an exceptional view of our night sky. Register in advance. $3 plus $5 parking. (912) 637- 5274.

 

SOUTHERN & CENTRAL GEORGIA

Arbor Day Celebration

Saturday, February 18, 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Reed Bingham State Park – Adel

In celebration of Georgia Arbor Day we will be planting native trees around the park, hosting an educational tree lesson, and making some crafts using parts of different trees. $1 per craft. $5 parking. (229) 896-3551.

 

Wild Gourmet in Winter

Sunday, February 19, 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Mistletoe State Park – Appling

What’s cooking this winter? We’re promised a hearty raccoon barbeque with an acorn side dish (acorn grits?) At this potluck, the only rule is that every dish must contain at least one wild ingredient. A little nervous? Come on anyway; we’ll teach you how to find delicious edibles all around you. $5 parking. (706) 541-0321.

 

Pioneers and Indians

Monday, February 20

Mistletoe State Park – Appling

Ever wonder about the lives of folks in Georgia 300 years ago? Come learn how they lived. We’ll make our own butter, candles, and pioneer toys. And we’ll even learn some Indian sign language and create your own Indian peace pipe. Register by February 17. $20 plus $5 parking. (706) 541-0321.

 

Atlanta Audubon Beginners Bird Walk

Saturday, February 25, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Hard Labor Creek State Park – Rutledge

This field trip is designed for anyone interested in learning more about birds, habitats critical to some species, and organizations like the Audubon Society, which are dedicated to bird conservation. Meet at the Trading Post. $5 parking. (706) 557-3001.

 

METRO ATLANTA

 

New Manchester History Hike

Saturday, February 18 and 25,1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs

This mile-long hike (easy to moderate) will lead to the five story ruins of the Civil War-era New Manchester textile mill and focus on the history of the Sweetwater Creek Valley. This historian or ranger-led hike will include going inside the ruins and seeing the lovely whitewater rapids, which provide great photo opportunities. No dogs or children under 6 years please. $4 plus $5 parking. (770) 732-5871.

 

Friends of Panola Mountain Hike

Saturday, February 18, 10 a.m.

Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge

Going on a day hike? What if your hike turned into a three-day survival trek? We will list what items to put in your survival kit and how to use them. Weather permitting we will practice building fires and learn other important survival skills. Register in Advance. $7 plus $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.

 

Wilderness Survival Skills

Saturday, February 18, 10 a.m.

Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge

Wear your hiking boots, pack a lunch and bring plenty of water for a rigorous half-day, ranger-led hike through Panola’s rugged conservation area. Meet at the Nature Center 15 minutes before hike departs. Ages 10 and older. Register in advance. $10 plus $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.

 

Sunset Mountain Hike

Saturday, February 18, 4:30 p.m.

Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge

Join a ranger on a hike to the top of Panola Mountain, just as the sunsets. This twilight hike promises to provide spectacular views and good photo ops. Bring sturdy shoes, water and a flashlight. Register in advance. $7 plus $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.

 

Atlanta Audubon Society Intro to Bird watching Hike

Saturday, February 18, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs

This field trip is designed for anyone interested in learning more about birds, the important habitats critical to some species, and organizations like the Audubon Society, which are dedicated to bird conservation. Meet at the park’s Interpretive Center. $5 parking. (770) 732-5871.

 

Candle Light Hike to the Mill

Saturday, February 18, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs

This mile-long guided night hike is easy to moderately difficult and goes inside the Civil War era textile mill ruins of New Manchester. Candle lanterns will be provided. No children under 6 years or dogs permitted. Space is limited and is on a first-come first-serve basis. Meet and register at the Interpretive Center. $5 plus $5 parking. (770) 732-5871.

 

Chattahoochee Riverside Hike

Sunday, February 19, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs

This moderate three-mile hike will take us mostly alongside the Chattahoochee River inside the park. Explore beautiful and seldom-visited areas. Meet at the Interpretive Center where we will carpool 10 minutes to the trailhead. Register in advance. $5 plus $5 parking. (770) 732-5871.

 

Vanishing Habitat

Sunday, February 19, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs

This ranger-led hike will take visitors to a seldom-seen area where a trace of the globally imperiled Mountain Longleaf Pine habitat has survived. We will discuss trees that share this habitat, plans to restore habitat, and take in some beautiful vistas from the ridge tops of this incredible area. Meet at the Interpretive Center. $5 parking. (770) 732-5871.

 

Panola Unlimited

Saturday, February 25, 9 a.m.

Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge

Wear your hiking boots, pack a lunch and bring plenty of water for a rigorous half-day, ranger-led hike through Panola’s rugged conservation area. Meet at the Nature Center 15 minutes before hike departs. Ages 10 and older. Register in advance. $10 plus $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.

 

Wilderness Survival School

Saturday, February 25 through Sunday, February 26, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Red Top Mountain State Park – Cartersville

Learn to survive in the wilderness. The Southeast School of Survival has joined up with Red Top Mountain State Park to bring Wilderness Survival Training each month. Shelter, fire, food, water, survival first aid, signaling, and rescue are only a sample of what the Southeast School of Survival will bring to you during each course. To register, visit www.SoutheastSchoolofSurvival.com $5 parking. (770) 406-1438.

 

Night Sounds Hike

Saturday, February 25, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs

This ranger-led hike will focus on being out at night and listening to owls, insects, frogs, and other “creatures of the night”. $5 plus $5 parking. (770) 732-5871.

Backcountry Geology Hike

Sunday, February 26, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs

Geologist and Friends member John Johnston will lead a moderate three-mile hike identifying rock types and explaining how they formed. Explore the beautiful Jack’s Branch area and the seldom-visited rock quarry
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CLIMB ABOARD THE SAM SHORTLINE EXCURSION TRAIN

By | February 15, 2012 | State Parks | No comments
SAM Shortline / Invoice 2005-IMG-015

If the sound of a train whistle makes you smile, plan a trip on the SAM Shortline Excursion Train. Based at Georgia Veterans State Park in Cordele, the train takes you over Lake Blackshear and past pecan groves to a handful of attractions. Depending on which day you travel, you can visit President Jimmy Carter’s boyhood farm, Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village, downtown Plains, historic Americus and even a little-known but fascinating telephone museum. The 2012 schedule has just been posted on SamShortline.com. Themed train rides include a classic car show in April and Thomas the Tank Engine in October. Tickets ar $17.99 to $35.99 for regular excursions. The train is great for church outings, family reunions, birthday parties and other groups. For more information, call 1-877-GA-RAILS (427-2457).

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Physician Assistants to “Prescribe” Healthy Hikes In Georgia’s State Parks

By | February 14, 2012 | State Parks | No comments
PhysicianAssistantsandStateParks

Everyone knows that exercise is one key to being healthy, but not everyone enjoys going to the gym. Georgia’s State Park system has teamed up with the Georgia Association of Physicians Assistants (GAPA) to make healthy living a bit more fun. Through the new “Rx for Fitness” Program, physician assistants can prescribe healthy hikes in the great outdoors, and patients can turn in their “prescriptions” for free park passes.

“Rx for Fitness” is part of the State Park system’s new Tons of Fun Fitness Challenge which encourages citizens to use outdoor recreation as part of their regular exercise. Park visitors may find that exploring a canyon is more fun than a step machine, and that hiking along a waterfall burns more calories than a treadmill. The parks also offer less traditional exercise, like lake swimming, geocaching and disc golf. Even some state historic sites offer walking trails in beautiful settings.

Hiking family Amicalola Falls

Members of GAPA will be able to help their patients in a new way, by identifying those who need more exercise and suggesting they go for a hike. By trading their “prescription” for a free pass, patients will not need to pay the $5 parking fee on their first visit. Those who decide that regular hikes can help them meet weight-loss goals can choose to buy an Annual ParkPass.

“We are so excited to offer a new and unique way of showcasing the benefits of outdoor recreation,” said State Parks Director Becky Kelley. “When exercise is fun, people tend to stick with it for much longer. It becomes part of their daily lives, and they have a better sense of wellbeing. Another benefit of visiting state parks is being able to bring your friends and family along with you.”

“Rx for Fitness” will launch today at the GAPA winter meeting. It is funded by The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and the Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation.

“Rx for Fitness is a creative way to give more kids and families access to healthy outdoor activities,” said John Bare, vice president of the Blank Family Foundation. “Better fitness is a walk in the park.”

To learn more about the new “Rx for Fitness” program, visit TonsofFun.org. The website also offers free advice from a personal trainer and nutritionist, healthy recipes, a health journal and more. To explore all of Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites, visit GeorgiaStateParks.org.

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“Historic Preservation and State Park Day” set for February 15 near Georgia State Capitol

By | February 13, 2012 | State Parks | No comments
screechowlsamifalls

The tiny owls are always the biggest stars during the annual “ Historic Preservation and State Park Day” in downtown Atlanta. From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on February 15, anyone at the Sloppy Floyd Building will be able to browse displays from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR). While the owls and reptiles bring the most oohs and aahs, downtown workers and visitors can also learn about weekend getaways and historic preservation. They can even talk with members of the DNR’s search and rescue team.

Throughout the day, rangers from state parks such as Unicoi and Amicalola Falls will showcase their programs and park amenities. Visitors can learn about the backcountry Hike Inn, SAM Shortline Excursion Train, Brasstown Valley Resort and more. Meeting planners can get details about conference facilities offered at four state parks in Georgia.

The Sloppy Floyd Building is located at 200 Piedmont Avenue in downtown Atlanta, across from the Georgia State Capitol. The Georgia State MARTA Station is located under the office towers. For more information about Georgia’s State Parks, visit GeorgiaStateParks.org or call 1-800-864-7275.

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