Friends of The Hammocks and Bear Island

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Friends of State Parks

Friends of State Parks is a citizen's group dedicated to the understanding, enjoyment, and protection of North Carolina's State Parks. FSP was incorporated under Chapter 55A of the NC General Statue on 12/15/1978. We are a 501(c)3 organization and operate under federal tax exempt status ID # 58-1634155.

FSP supports the mission of the NC Parks and Recreation Division: to protect and manage the unique biological, geological, archaeological, recreational, and scenic resources of the state. Friends of the State Parks promotes public awareness of the immense contributions of these natural areas to the quality of life for North Carolinians of present and future generations.

Youth in Parks - Environmental Education (YIP-EE)

FSP has designed the Youth in Parks - Environmental Education (YIP-EE) project focusing attention on getting students outside the classroom into our state parks. It's envisioned as a partnership between a state park, the park’s friends group and a public school to support Field trips.

Friends of State Parks is focusing attention on getting students outside the classroom into our state parks. Our state parks preserve some of North Carolina’s greatest examples of geology, ecology and cultural history. Field trips give children meaningful experiences with these tangible resources. Their increased knowledge and improved attitudes towards history and science can have long-lasting effects.

Schools are finding it increasingly difficult to take students on nature outings and many families lack the resources to do this on their own. A challange the parks face is having enough staff to accommodate all the individuals and groups who want to participate in their programs.

Friends of State Parks has designed the Youth in Parks - Environmental Education (YIP-EE) project, envisioned as a partnership between a state park, the park’s friends group and a public school. Additional support may also come from environmental educators or those seeking environmental education certification to volunteer as assistant group leaders.
Join with FSP in bringing more Young People to the Parks for Education

Junior Ranger Program

FSP used a grant from Great Outdoor Provision Company to fund a Junior Ranger Programs engage elementary age children in meaningful learning by participating in park educational programs, completing an activity booklet, conducting a park stewardship project and learning about career opportunities in natural resources.

FSP is proud to support the North Carolina's Junior Ranger Program with a grant from Great Outdoor Provision Company

Junior Ranger Programs engage elementary age children ages 6-12 in meaningful learning by participating in park educational programs, completing an activity booklet, and learning about stewardship of natural resources. Children can earn a badge by completing the activity booklet for a park. They complete the booklet for multiple parks and collect additional badges. They have the option of joining a free Department of Parks and Recreation newsletter for Junior Rangers.

After a successful pilot program with five parks the program is now available for all North Carolina's State Parks. For more information and to download the activity booklet go to State Wide Booklet

SORRY, adults are not eligible to earn this badges - KIDS ONLY! So be a Parent, Big Brother, Big Sister, Uncle, Aunt, or invite a friends family to a park and help them learn about the world they live in.