Vermont State Parks

Dorilee LeBlanc, AKA Mrs. Vermont 2015 , is building her pageant platform around getting kids outside, active, and re-connected with nature, and we have enjoyed an amazing partnership with her this summer. From assisting with our Random Acts of Camping promotion to hiking up Owl's Head to help kids reach their Venture Vermont goals, she has brought boundless energy and fun to parks all over the state. Stay tuned to find out how to watch her compete in the Mrs. America 2015 Pageant , which will be taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada from September 20-24. We can't wait to see her represent Vermont! Here's a brief look into a few of the wonderful activities she participated in throughout the summer: Sand Bar Bonus Activity on the Beach - Sandcastles! Owl’s Head Picnic Evening Hike and Picnic And of course, who could forget...she announced the Elmore State Park Random Acts of Camping winners by riding in on a paddle boat! If you're looking for her

Work by Lynn Sullivan As most of you know, the Vermont State Parks have been hosting artists in several parks this summer, all of whom have been working on various projects and teaching workshops. We hope you've gotten the chance to see a few installations in the Of Land and Local program , but if you missed some or are such a fan that you want more, here is a list of who is still out there and some info about what's to come: Lynn Sullivan at the Groton Nature Center - Multimedia artist Lynn Sullivan's installation will be up at the Groton Nature Center along the Coldwater Brook Trail (a moderate, family-friendly hike) until September 7th. Her work "plays with language juxtaposed against the backdrop of the natural world," she explains. Directions: at the trail entrance off the far corner of the parking lot from the Groton Nature Center, walk left along the return leg of the Little Loop Trail. Continue left at next trail junction onto Coldwater Brook

The inaugural summer of the Muckross Youth Day Camp is currently underway in Springfield, VT, and is serving more than one hundred Springfield youth in Grades 1 through 8! The camp is a result of the state’s ongoing acquisition of the estate of the late Edgar May. Called "Muckross," the property is slated to become the newest Vermont State Park once the property transfer becomes official. Edgar May, the first national assistant director of AmeriCorps' VISTA program 50 years ago, bestowed his property to the state with the premise that it be used to provide outdoor recreational and educational opportunities with an emphasis on Springfield youth and elders. Terry Carroll, a native of western New York, is a VISTA volunteer serving with Vermont State Parks since last August. He has led the summer camp project from its inception, and is serving as de-facto camp director this summer. "It has been a very rewarding experience,” Carroll says. “Having the opportunit