Second Annual Friends of Shenandoah Day Set For July 28

Is Shenandoah National Park your favorite national park? If so, start planning to attend the Second Annual Friends of Shenandoah Day that's coming up at the end of the month.

The friends day is set for July 28. To celebrate the national park and support the Shenadoah National Park Trust, there are a number of special hikes, ranger programs and entertainment for Trust members and their families. Activities overlap, so you can choose what you like best. All activities are suitable for able-footed children or toddlers in backpacks.

Here's a list of the day's activities:

9:15 - 9:45 a.m. Check in at Skyland Conference Hall—behind and down the hill from Skyland Dining Room. Follow signs from Skyline Drive.

10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Stony Man Hike: From an historic copper mine to a home for some of Virginia’s rarest and most vulnerable animals and plants, Stony Man has many stories to tell. 1.6 miles.

10 a.m. – 11 a.m. All Who Wander Are Not Lost: Learn map and compass orienteering in this fun workshop.

11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Wild About Bears: Discover new facts about Shenandoah’s largest mammal.

11:45 - 1 p.m. Lunch and entertainment by the Shenandoah Valley Cloggers.

1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Not Your Average Dandelion: Learn about the challenge of invasive, non-native plants in Shenandoah and what our park–and SNP Trust–are doing about it.

2 p.m. - 3 p.m. Historic Massanutten Lodge: Tour this restored 1911 cottage to learn the history of Skyland.

2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Ancient Volcano Hike: The rocks of Shenandoah preserve the story of this special place. 2 miles.

You can register to participate, which costs $10 per adult and kids 12 and over and $5 per children 11 and under, at this site.

If you're not already a member of the Shenandoah National Park Trust, sign up at this site. The membership gets you so much more than simply the chance to attend this day-long appreciation of the national park. You'll get discounts on food and lodging in the park, newsletters from the Trust to keep you up to date on what's going on in Shenandoah, and invitations to Trust events.