Friends of the Potomac River Refuges is a volunteer group that works to support the three National Wildlife Refuges in our area.  Those Refuges are Mason Neck, Occoquan Bay, and Featherstone (not yet open to the public). 

On Saturday, October 9, we will be having our Fall Wildlife Festival at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge to celebrate National WIldlife Refuge Week and to give the community the opportunity to come have a great experience learning more about the Refuge and the wildlife that lives there.  This year's theme is "Connecting Kids to the Great Outdoors".  We will have exhibits and activities, including programs on raptors, reptiles, and more.  The Festival hours are 9am-3pm.  The Refuge is located just off Highway 1 on Dawson Beach Road in Woodbridge. 

In keeping with our theme, we would be delighted if a troop or troops, or girls from POGO would like to volunteer to be a part of this fun event.  We have had Girl Scouts participate in the past and it has been a great experience for all!  We would like to have Cadette Scouts or older.

click here for the flyer information

Click here for the map to event

We have an activity that I think presents a perfect opportunity for one of your groups.  Animal Olympics is something fun that gets kids moving and thinking.

This activity involves five stations where kids copy animal movements to see (and feel) what it is like to leap (deer), waddle (duck), jump (frog), balance (squirrel), and more.  After the animal "athlete) completes all of the events, he or she steps up onto the podium to receive their gold medal!

For Animal Olympics, we would love to have a group (troop) be in charge of the activity for the day (9-3), or 1/2 day (9-12 or 12-3).  Girls could work in shifts.  We would like to have a minimum of 6 girls at the activity at any given time.  If you are interested in learning more about Animal Olympics, I can send you the packet of events.  

If you would like to help in another way at the event, please call me and we can work that out as well.

In the past, we have had a troop exhibit a project on recycling.  If you are interested in having an exhibit, let me know that as well.  

Volunteers will each receive a lunch voucher to redeem at the food tent.

We would love to have you join us for this wonderful event!  Please call me for more information at (703)753-5019 or email me at swindon53@hotmail.com.    For more information on Friends of the Potomac River Refuges group, please visit our website @ www.foprr.org.  We're also on Facebook.   

Thank you so much.  I look forward to meeting some of you and working with you at the Fall Wildlife Festival.

Linda Johnston

President, Friends of the Potomac River Refuges