Hello Friends!

Congratulations to the 2022 class of Eastern Shore Master Naturalists who graduated last month, and thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We hope some of you will join us at Kiptopeke State Park as visitors or volunteers.

Join us for the Kiptopeke First Day Hike

on January 1st, 2023 at 10am

Ring in the New Year by joining the Friends of Kiptopeke State Park and a Park Ranger for the 2023 First Day Hike. Our volunteers will lead a nature walk which will be approximately one mile and will start at 10:00am lasting about an hour.

At the end of the walk join us and the Rangers for hot chocolate. Please dress appropriately for the weather and terrain. As you never know what you may see, bring your binoculars and cameras.

There is no fee for joining us on the hike and no Park entrance fees. Children are welcome. Meet at Picnic Shelter 1

More information here

on the Kiptopeke website.

DOWNLOAD FLYER FOR FIRST DAY HIKE HERE

TO SHARE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Volunteer Opportunities available for the First Day Hike



We have a nature walk leader and would love one or two more volunteers to join us. Email stephanie.venarchick@dcr.virginia.gov by December 15th, 2023 if you can be part of the volunteer team. You can also assist us by sharing information about the First Day Hike with friends and family.

Information about Volunteering at the Park

Be sure to check out the benefits!

Follow the links below for more information about becoming a volunteer. If you are already entered in the YODA database, please note that January 4th, 2023 is the last day to enter hours for volunteering in 2022.

• How to sign up as a Volunteer for Virginia State Parks
• Start here!
• Volunteer Handbook
• Volunteer Database - getting started 
• Volunteer Benefits - how to use your loyalty points

Will Ellson is the volunteer coordinator at Kiptopeke if you have any questions. He is available to meet with you and help with the application, database entry, etc. Email Will at william.ellson@dcr.virginia.gov or call the park office at (757) 331-2267 and leave a message for Will.

The Park staff is busy planning volunteer opportunities for 2023. These will be announced and linked under Events on the park website as they are solidified, and we will also email our members. Will says: "We are looking to hold regularly scheduled volunteer activities on a monthly basis, as well as do more to recognize our active volunteers! Please share the word, and bring family and friends to volunteer if you can - we are always looking for more helpers! As always, we at the park are very thankful for you!"

Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory

There are many organizations that support Kiptopeke State Park in different ways. The Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory arranges the annual Hawkwatch program in the Fall and also the annual Kiptopeke Challenge.

If you don't already get their newsletter, we encourage you to sign up for it to find out more about these programs.

Here is a link to their website.

Thank you so much for supporting our beautiful State Park.

Friends of Kiptopeke State Park

President: Catherine Anderson

Vice-President: Terry Solano

Treasurer: Susan Harris

Secretary: Nicki Tiffany

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