Dog Agility Course at North Hero

A shot of the course

North Hero State Park now has a Dog Agility Course, an obstacle course where the dog must run on its own with minimal coaching from its owner. Some people do it on a competitive level, others do it just for a fun activity with their dog. The course has jumps, tunnels, weave poles, an A-frame, and a see-saw. North Hero also has a dog beach! The park is open seven days a week from 10:00 am until sunset. Admission into the park is $3 for ages 14 and up (no charge for dogs for day entry!)

Interested in camping at North Hero? Remote camping is available at the park. The ranger station is open on a reduced-hours schedule, although there is resident staff in the park around the clock. The fee is $5 per person per night rather than the usual cost per campsite.

We hope you enjoy North Hero!

Okie Dokie Baking Sweetens Jamaica State Park

A mouth watering array of treats to try

Okie Dokie Baking is now serving delicious treats at Jamaica State Park! If you have a sweet tooth or just need some refueling after going for a hike or taking a swim, be sure to follow your nose to the baked goods table. We're glad the owner John Kurland decided to take up a place in Jamaica. John creates mouthwatering combinations of the best quality freshest ingredients using local fruit and vegetables, real butter, real milk, and real eggs- ingredients that are simple and authentic.

All the pies, muffins, cakes and cookies are made by hand one at a time. John has a long history with baking, see a short description from his website of how he got his start below.

A sample of their menu

John started baking with the apples from his own front yard. They were the perfect apples for baking, staying crisp and flavorful. He combined the flavors of apples, sour cream, and walnuts and created an awesome crust. At first, he baked for the family but then they started to ask him to make pies to take home. Entering his pies and muffins in the Bondville VT Country Fair in 2009 he won all the Blue Ribbons they had. Because he had already taken all the Blues, he went on to enter more fairs and to win more ribbons.

See for yourself why he wins so much by visiting Jamaica and the Okie Dokie Bakery soon! Enjoy every bite!

Jamaica has 41 tent/trailer camp sites and 18 lean-to sites that are spread out through the campground. Two rest rooms, complete with hot showers ($), are in the campground as well. A picnic shelter and nature center are located near the picnic area and swimming hole. A hiking trail follows the West River and branches off toward Hamilton Falls. For more information or to make a reservation, call Jamaica - 802-874-4600.

Waste Not...Want to go Camping?

Lake Champlain International and Vermont State Parks offers chance to win EarthSmart compostable meal kits by sharing photos of fun on Lake Champlain.

Lake Champlain International (LCI), with their partner EarthSmart, has joined with Vermont State Parks to help you gear up for your next Lake Champlain outing! Beginning on September 1, 2011, go to either LCI’s Facebook page (facebook.com/LakeChamplain) or Vermont State Parks’ Facebook page (facebook.com/VTStateParks) and post your favorite photo of you or your family enjoying Lake Champlain at one of the many state parks. It can be a picture of fishing, camping, swimming, or anything else involving the lake. Be creative and show us how you use your lake and parks!

At the end of each day for a week we will select up to five entrants to receive a 68-piece EarthSmart meal kit! EarthSmart products are compostable plates, cups, cutlery, etc. that are recycled, made from sugarcane, are 100% sustainable and completely compostable. You can enjoy the convenience of plastic plates and utensils but feel good about throwing them away.

LCI partnered with EarthSmart to create helpthelake.org. This website is a complete source for compostable, sustainable paper products to fit your lifestyle. All proceeds support LCI’s myriad outreach, youth and conservation programs. Not only are you buying a guilt-free, green product, you also get the satisfaction knowing your purchase is making a direct, positive impact on Lake Champlain and its surrounding communities.

Anyone who has spent time around Lake Champlain appreciates the beauty of this incredible body of water. From camping to fishing, hiking to biking, swimming to boating, Lake Champlain has something to offer the hardcore adventurer, the weekend warrior and everyone in between.

LCI is a non-profit organization in Colchester Vermont whose mission is maintaining a swimmable, drinkable, fishable Lake Champlain through the promotion of recreational opportunities, public education, and youth outreach programs. Actively involved in fishery, pollution and conservation issues, LCI firmly believes people are not the problem, but the solution. Senator Leahy, in a letter to Executive Director James Ehlers, stated “…Lake Champlain International has been instrumental in securing the future of Lake Champlain. All of us who enjoy its waters every year are very grateful for your dedication.”
 
Vermont State Parks offer some of the most beautiful recreational spots in the state. With 13 parks along Lake Champlain offering camping, biking, hiking, swimming, fishing and boating, be sure to check out Vermont State Parks and Lake Champlain for your next trip!LCI and VT State Parks, along with EarthSmart, are happy to be able to provide you with this opportunity to be rewarded just for showing off your fun times on Lake Champlain!

For more information on LCI visit http://www.mychamplain.net/ and check out our programs. To find a State Park and plan your next vacation visit http://www.vtstateparks.com/
Explore more great EarthSmart products at http://www.helpthelake.org/

Exploring Vermont with a Fun “gi”

A Sparassis crispa fungus or califlower
mushroom decorates this tree

Throughout the state of Vermont, thousands of different species of fungi co-exist amongst us. Ranging in size from microscopic to very large, these organisms serve a multitude of purposes that, without their presence, would change the face of the world as we know it. As many of us know these unique life forms can be found in many of the items we encounter daily, from foods to medicines. Though, many forms of fungi can be harmful, even deadly, their presence is essential to maintain life on earth. Breaking down organic life forms, to become a part of the earth and soil, allows ecosystems to both grow and thrive, maintaining the beautiful places we all enjoy escaping to for recreation and general enjoyment.

A Polyporus spp. fungus or shelf
mushroom taken in Maidstone State Park

Though fungi can be found on the forest floor when snow no longer blankets it, it is after a steady rain, such as the ones we’ve been having, that their presence is more widespread. The truly unique shapes, sizes and colors that are displayed will simply amaze you. This would be the time, to purchase a field guide and go out on a backcountry adventure to seek out and learn about these amazingly beautiful, useful and distinctive life forms. This is especially true with autumn and fall foliage hiking season steadily approaching. So plan accordingly and head on out to one of Vermont’s premier state parks or hiking trails to experience these immobile, but ever active Vermont residents.

-Eric Bouchard, Assistant Ranger, Maidstone State Park

Hotdogs, Soda, and Opportunities at Lake St. Catherine

Open for business! - The Lake St.
Catherine Concession Stand

Jonas Rosenthal, the town manager of Poultney for over 25 years has another tough job, organizing and running the Lake St. Catherine State Park concession stand. This isn't an ordinary concession stand though; it's a unique opportunity for high school students to gain work experience.

It all started six summers ago, when Jonas, who also runs an extensive summer recreation program for youth, heard alot of complaints from kids about wanting to work, but unable to find jobs. A request for proposal (RFP) came up for the concession stand and Jonas applied with the angle of a youth employment program. The selectboard approved with the stipulation that he could run the program as long as he didn't lose any money.

Paddleboating at Lake St. Catherine

Jonas clarifies that a person managing it could make money, but after paying the expenses for equipment and supplies, and wages of the kids, he really doesn't make any profit (which goes back to the town anyways). He's more than happy about it though, because that's the price for giving many youths in the Poultney area their first real work experience. Each season, Jonas hires eight to twelve employees, ranging in age from 15-17 to work eight to fifteen hours per week. This year, employees include: Sadie Brown, Lucy DeMatties, Kimberly Rupe, Cade Pratt, Ashley Simons, Jared White, Connor Tougher and Abby Teetor. High school senior, Abby Tettor has worked the Lake St. Catherine concession for three years and now manages the daily operations under the supervision of Jonas. She hopes to keep going along her business career path by studying business in college.

What has helped make hiring new staff each year much easier has been Colleen Neger. Colleen put together a booklet for training the staff on how to work and run a concession stand. Jonas couldn't say enough about how much work and organizing Colleen has done over the past six years. She's been instrumental in getting this project off the ground and keeping it a float! Each year, to run the concession costs around $76,000. Despite all the work and expenses, they keep scraping by. Without grants, the stand's profits over the past six seasons total $590.89.

Some of goodies sold at the stand

Jonas and Colleen figured out that by diversifying the items they sell helps their sales. In addition to normal concession food items, like soda, candy, hot dogs, and ice cream, they also sell ice, mosquito repellent, toys, and goggles.

The next time you are enjoying the cool waters, great hiking, or fabulous camping at Lake St. Caterine State Park, stop by the concession stand and grab a bite to eat, a drink, or something else!

Rocky Gives Two Thumbs Up to New Wilgus Cabins with Wifi!

Newly built Eagle Cabin

Park Ranger, Eric Hanson, jokes that when asked, the famous flying squirrels (which can be seen in the photo launching off of the Ranger's House chimney) give two thumbs up to the new cabins in Wilgus State Park. When pressed, he admits that they always give two thumbs up when flying off the roof.

Inside a cabin at Wilgus

Nonetheless, the beautiful new cabins, Eagle and Osprey, have just been opened and are ready for visitors. Similar to the cabins in other parks, Brighton, Button Bay, Gifford Woods, Grand Isle, Half Moon, Lake Carmi, Little River, and Ricker Pond, Wilgus' cabins offer room for up to four guests on bunk beds and a futon or sleeper couch. A table, two chairs, an electric outlet, a covered front porch, and outside fire ring with a cooking grate all come with it too.

Rocky gives the new cabins at Wilgus two "thumbs up"

In addition to the new cabins, Wilgus State Park has 2 other cabins, 17 tent sites, 6 lean-tos, WiFi, a prime location on the Connecticut river, a beautiful observation deck overlooking the water, and much more! Call the Reservation Center (Mon - Fri, 9am - 4pm) at 888-409-7579 to reserve your vacation today! They take reservations 11 months in advance so you can plan as far ahead as next July!

Join us for a Birding Weekend at Seyon Lodge September 23-25, 2011

Fall migration is often an overlooked time of year for bird watching. It may be less intense than spring migration, but be assured, with all kinds of birds heading south from the boreal forests north of us, you are bound to see something special. In Vermont, fall birding is marked by warbler fallouts in woodlands and fields, spiraling raptors ascending mountain breezes, and waves of migrating waterbirds resting along the shores of our larger lakes.

With all that in store, join in the fun for a weekend immersed in birds, surrounded by the beauty of northern Vermont and inspired by others eager to hone their birding skills. Led by two sisters passionate about Vermont wildlife, Bridget and Amy Butler, will be the guides for this weekend which is sure to be both relaxing and stimulating. Enjoy evening slide shows and conversations on fall migration, bird identification, and bird language. During the day, refine your skills in the field on foot and by kayak or canoe. This program is appropriate for all skill levels.  You'll turn confusing fall warblers into a welcome autumnal challenge with the help of Amy and Bridget, learn to see nature and wildlife through the eyes of birds, and find out how to “pay it forward” for birds and other wildlife.

More about the weekend and full schedule: Birding Weekend web page

Learn more about the guides:

Amy Butler has been connecting adults and children with natural world for eighteen years. A love of storytelling, native plants, tracking, hiding in the forest, and colorful treetop birds has inspired her work as a teacher and naturalist. With of her much time spent outside, Amy has honed her ear to the song and language of birds which has helped her to expand the joy of birding for all ages.

Currently Amy works with North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier, Vermont. Her latest projects at North Branch include working with public school teachers to get their students exploring outside on a weekly basis, writing nature based curriculum, and playing with small children in a forest preschool.

Bridget Butler, A.K.A The Bird Diva, has been a teacher and naturalist for twenty years working throughout New England. She has worked for the Audubon Society in Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, as well as for Jay Peak Resort leading natural history snowshoe tours when she was a professional ski/snowboard instructor. You may have heard her on the annual Vermont Public Radio’s Annual Bird Show with Jane Lindholm of Vermont Edition or seen her covering nature in Vermont with WCAX’s Sharon Meyer.

Currently, Bridget works at the ECHO Lake Aquarium & Science Center in Burlington, VT. As ECHO’s Conservation Education Specialist, she looks for ways to bring a stewardship message into programming for guests of all ages. You can also see Bridget weekly on the evening news on NewsChannel 5 covering natural history and the environment as WPTZ’s new Conservation Correspondent.

Call Seyon Lodge State Park to make your reservations for this special program (802-584-3829) or visit www.vtstateparks.com/htm/seyon_birding_weekend.htm for more information.

Intern Ellie's Final Thoughts As Her Summer Work Finishes Up

As my internship comes to an end, I can absolutely say that it was a great way to spend the summer. I was finally able to use summer as I think it is meant to be used, exploring different places and doing outdoor activities that are impossible other times of year like swimming in the many lakes of the state parks.

This summer has kept me active and able to stay outdoors all the time, which was a big change from my technical institute where much of my time is spent indoors doing homework or projects.

Vermont in the summer is a haven for doing the physical work for my internship, removing invasive species. I was glad to have cooler summer weather than southern New York and a surplus of beautiful scenery. I expanded my nature portfolio and took some great wildlife shots while learning. I especially learned a lot when it came to camping, since I had never really done any solo camping before.

What made my first real camping experience especially memorable, were all the friendly people I met and worked with and all the great stories they shared with me. While camping, I noticed the difference between the summer months too. June is cooler than July and the campgrounds were not as crowded. I enjoyed the chillier nights because a fire was always welcomed. When the warm/hot weather came in July, I appreciated having cool water in a nearby lake to jump into.

Vermont State Parks are places you can explore by yourself or with a group of friends or your family. There's always hidden gems within parks that many times you don't find on the first visit. I always got excited when I saw a cool animal or bug but also when I spotted an interesting natural land formations (like Button Bay's famous clay buttons to Quechee's huge gorge). It's a place to bond with family and friends too, whether it's great talks over a fire or cooking food while listening to the sounds of crickets.

Some of my favorite activities were watching the sunsets with a bag of munchies, exploring the miles of trails, and resting in a shaded quiet area to read a book. As more of a city girl, I didn't find it too hard to live out of a car for eight weeks and it prepared me for my next adventure - living out of a backpack off of a motorcycle!

I feel fit, relaxed, and happy after my summer in the parks and fully understand why people come back year after year for their vacations. It's sad to already be done with my park tour, but I am already looking forward to coming back again.

-Ellie

NOTE:  We want to thank Ellie for all her great work this summer.  She's captured the beauty of the parks on film up close and personal like no other photographer to date and has worked tirelessly to get rid of the "bad plants" in the park.  As a nod to Ellie and her great work, our current profile photo on Facebook, and our avatar on Twitter is one of Ellie's photos that she took at Branbury State Park.

Game Night at Elmore State Park!

Matt Cioni, Park Interpreter at Elmore State Park, knows how to have a good time. In addition to fun programs like hiking to Elmore's fire tower, the Jr. Ranger Experience, Nature Art, Soda Can Fishing, and concerts, Matt offers Friday Night Game Night! Check out the events page to see when things are happening. It's a great way to get out some energy, meet new friends, and have some fun. Go to the Beach House at 7pm on Fridays to join! Rain or shine and all ages are welcome.

Elmore State Park, located on the shores of Lake Elmore in north central Vermont, has 45 tent/trailer sites and 15 lean-tos. Visitors have several hiking trails to Elmore Mountain and its fire tower nearby. The day use area includes a large sandy beach, a newly renovated historic CCC bathhouse with a concession stand and cafe, restrooms and a rental pavilion, a picnic shelter, numerous tables and grills, a pet-friendly picnic area, and row boat, canoe, and kayak rentals.

Call Elmore State Park for more information, 802-888-2982.