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2025 Conference experiences
Monday, October 27, 2025 |
| Located on the York River, this park is part of the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, known for its rare estuarine environment where freshwater meets saltwater. It offers insights into natural and cultural history with fossil beds and Colonial and Native American artifacts. The park features over 40 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding through marshes, shoreline, and forests. Visitors can enjoy a boat ramp, fishing in fresh and saltwater, a pier, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and seasonal boat rentals. Educational programs and displays highlight the area's wildlife, history, and the importance of preserving the York River ecosystem. |
| Colonial Williamsburg is a living-history museum dedicated to preserving and presenting life in 18th-century America. Spanning over 300 acres, it features restored and recreated buildings, historic trades, and costumed interpreters who bring the colonial era to life. As the former capital of colonial Virginia, Williamsburg played a key role in America’s path to independence. Visitors can explore historic homes, government buildings, and shops while learning about the daily lives of early Americans, including enslaved and free individuals. Through immersive exhibits, reenactments, and educational programs, Colonial Williamsburg offers a vivid look at the people, events, and ideas that shaped a nation. |
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Tuesday, October 28, 2025 |
| Machicomoco State Park, located in southern Gloucester County along the York River, sits near the historic site of Werowocomoco and is linked to Tsenacommacah and Powhatan’s Chiefdom. The park features an open-air interpretive pavilion with exhibits and a walking path highlighting Virginia Indian culture and history. A paved trail runs along the main road for walking and biking. The park’s diverse habitats support deer, turkey, and various birds. Amenities include a campground with vehicle and hike-in sites, three yurts, picnic shelters, a car-top boat launch, accessible pier, and floating docks on Timberneck Creek for fishing and boat tie-ups. |
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 |
| First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach is where English colonists first landed in 1607. Rich in history, its waterways have seen Native canoes, Colonial ships, and Civil War patrols. Legend says Blackbeard hid in its Narrows, and its cypress swamps aided ships during the War of 1812. Built in part by an African-American Civilian Conservation Corps (1933–1940), it’s a National Natural Landmark. The park features 20 miles of trails, 1.5 miles of Chesapeake Bay beach, cabins, campsites, boat ramps, and educational exhibits at the Chesapeake Bay Center. Unique habitats support rare plants and wildlife, offering recreation and learning for all. |
