Memorial Weekend at Holly River State Park is packed with activities and fun. Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of these programs, particularly the traditional Holly River Softball Game and ‘Very Fishy’ (learning part of a fish via origami. Your host is Jane Birdsong, Summer/Master Naturalist, May 26 – 29, 2023.

FRIDAY, May 26, 2023
10 am
BLACK BEARS
Learn new discoveries & fascinating facts about WV’s Largest mammal. Shake hands with a bear paw & play a game to learn more! (YPP) Windy Gap Schoolyard (Old Pavilion if rainy)

2 pm
VERY FISHY
Learn the parts of a fish, fold an origami fish to take home, feed baby trout in our trout rearing pond (YPP) Meet naturalist in Old Pavilion

4 pm
BADMINTON
Between the pool & tennis court, we’ll be flying birdies over the badminton net, just for fun & exercise!

SATURDAY, May 27, 2023
10 am
TREE ID WALK (YPP)
Meet the naturalist on the office porch for a short stroll around the building to learn some of our Holly River trees by leaf shape bark. Make a rubbing of your favorite to take home.

2 pm
SNAKES
Learn to identify which 2 are venomous. Meet naturalist Jane in Windy Gap Schoolyard and she’ll convince you that all snakes are helpful. (YPP)

4 pm
STREAM SEARCH & LIFE CYCLES OF INSECTS
Help us collect & identify insect larvae with nets & magnifying lenses. Wear shoes that can get wet! (YPP) Meet at Windy Gap schoolyard down by the stream.

SUNDAY, May 28, 2023
11 am
HIGH ROCK TRAIL HIKE w/ Naturalist Jane
Bring water & snack for a 50 minute invigorating uphill climb, ten minutes to relax, meditate on top of High Rock, then a quick descent to the valley below. (YPP)

4 pm
SOFTBALL GAME
Meet at ball diamond past campground 4. Mitts, balls, bats provided, or bring your own. Guaranteed to bring back good memories of our golden days of youth. Spectators welcome.

7:30
9pm
WANDERING MINSTREL
Naturalist Jane will wander through Campgrounds 1 & 2 to sing old mountains ballads & WV songs, requests if she knows them.

MONDAY, May 29, 2023
10 am
TURTLE TREK
Meet in Windy Gap Schoolyard to learn the perils of our Eastern Turtle in a self-guided game. Survival is tricky but you might live to 100 if you’re lucky. That’s why they don’t make good pets for people. (YPP)

All Naturalist Activities and Programs are FREE to everyone! All ages.

YPP (Young People for Parks) encourages youth of ages 6 – 16 to go outdoors and explore nature in our state parks. Completion of 3 naturalist programs in one week will earn a certificate; completion of 5 YPP programs will earn a patch.

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