HAPPY BIRTHDAY (Student Name)
and the US NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
(#Year) is a big birthday; Congratulations (Student Name)! One of my
favorite things about living in the United States is our National Park Service
(NPS). In August of 2016 the National Park Service turns 100 years old.
Spell YEARS
Spell TURNS
Spell OLD
What are we celebrating today? BIRTHDAYS
What United States service celebrates a birthday with you this summer?
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
How old does the NPS turn? 100
If the NPS is 100 and you are (#year), how old was the NPS the year you
were born? 100-(#year) = ##
To celebrate your birthday, and the NPS birthday, I (Ms. Christie) am going
to share information about my favorite campground, Big Meadows. Big
Meadows is located in the Shenandoah National Park; a gem of the state of
Virginia and the NPS.
Spell SHARE
Spell GEM Spell LOCATED
What campground are we talking about today? BIG MEADOWS
In which national park does Big Meadows reside? SHENANDOAH NATIONAL
PARK
In what US state do we find the Shenandoah national park? VIRGINIA
Can you name another state in the United States? (open)
Just 75 miles from Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a
beautiful escape from the city. Shenandoah features cascading waterfalls,
spectacular vistas, and quiet wooded hollows.
How many miles from Washington, D.C. is Shenandoah National Park? 75
MILES
1 miles = 1.60 kilometers. How many kilometers away would Washington,
D.C. be from Shenandoah National Park? 75x1.60 = 120 kilometers
Name one physical feature of Shenandoah? CASCADING WATERFALLS,
SPECTACTULAR VISTAS, QUIET WOODED HOLLOWS
200,000 acres of protected lands are haven to deer, songbirds and the night
sky. My favorite? The night sky! When the sun sets we sneak up to the
physical “big meadow,” lay in the grass and stare at the stars in peace.
How many acres of land have been protected in Shenandoah? 200,000
Name one animal that the lands are a haven for? DEER, SONGBIRDS
What is Christie’s favorite part? NIGHT SKY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY (Student Name)
and the US NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
How does Christie watch the night sky? LAY IN THE GRASS
Shenandoah National Park’s campgrounds are open in spring, summer, and
fall. While you are roughing it in a tent or camper, the park does offer some
of the comforts of home including showers, laundry, and a camp supply
store.
Name one season that Shenandoah’s national park campgrounds are open.
SPRING, SUMMER, FALL
What season are the campgrounds not open? WINTER
Name one place you may “rough it.” TENT, CAMPTER
Do you have a preference? Tent or camper? (open)
Name one comfort of home that the park offers campers. SHOWERS,
LAUNDRY, SUPPLIES
Name one comfort of home that camping does NOT offer. (open)
If you could bring one item with you on a camping trip, what would it be?
(open)
Big Meadows is a campground found at mile marker 51.2 on Skyline Drive in
the Shenandoah National Park. When you visit you are enjoying and sharing
this space with plants, animals, and other campers. Remember that it is
illegal to feed or disturb wildlife. All resources such as wildflowers, plants,
animals, and artifacts are protected by law in national parks.
On what road can you find Big Meadows? SKYLINE DRIVE
What mile marker? 51.2
What are you enjoying and sharing with plants, animals and campers?
SPACE
What should you remember about feeding or disturbing wildlife? ITS
ILLEGAL DON’T DO IT
What kind of wildlife do you suspect you may come across while camping?
(open)
Name one resource protected by law in US national parks. WILDFLOWERS,
PLANTS, ANIMALS, ARTIFACTS
This is bear country, and deer, raccoons, and skunks are also year-round
residents. Food, garbage, equipment used to prepare or store food, and all
scented items must be kept in a vehicle or food storage bin (where
provided) when not being actively used.
What country is this? BEAR
What animals are also year-round residents? DEER, RACOONS, SKUNKS
HAPPY BIRTHDAY (Student Name)
and the US NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Name one place you need to store food or scented items. VEHICLE,
STORAGE BIN
Why do you think you need to store food, garbage and equipment when not
in use? (OPEN)
Each campground in Shenandoah has a visitor center. You can find exhibits,
maps, videos, publications, and hiking information by chatting with a friendly
Park Ranger. Byrd Visitor Center is approximately 1 from the Big Meadows
campground. Shenandoah features over 500 miles of hiking trails; Big
Meadows itself is home to 3 cascading waterfalls.
What does each campground feature? VISITOR CENTER
Name one thing you can find at the visitor center. EXHIBIT, MAP, VIDEO,
PUBLICATIONS, HIKING INFORMATION
What is another word for publication? (OPEN – MAGAZINE, BOOK,
BROCHURE, PAMPHLET, ETC)
Who may you chat with at the visitor center? FRIENDLY PARK RANGER
What visitor center is located near Big Meadows? BYRD VISITOR CENTER
How many waterfalls can be found at Big Meadows? 3
How many kilometers of hiking trails can be found in Shenandoah National
Parks? 500X1.60 = 800
CREATIVE WRITING: Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, fire
grate, and parking area. Campsites are limited to 2 tents and up to 6 people
site. Let’s plan a camping trip!
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Name the friends/family that you would invite.
Based on the number of people, how many campsites will you need?
(less than 6, 1 site, more than 6, 2 sites)
What kind of food to you want to cook over the fire grate for dinner?
What kind of physical activity would you want to participate in? (hike,
nature tour, swim, star gazing)
Which guest would be most fun to kick a ball around with?
Which guest would be grumpy sleeping on the ground?
Which guest would be good at collecting kindling for a fire?
Which guest would protect the campsite by securing food products
from bears?
Big Meadows Campground. Retrieved on June 1, 2016 from:
https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/upload/Big_meadows_combined.pd
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