VCN Network Partners gathered at Pocahontas State Park for our Annual Meeting and Campout.

This year we swapped conference rooms for campsites, panels for paddles, and heels for hiking shoes. After two years of virtual meetings, we took our Annual Environmental Assembly and turned it into a Partner Camp-Out and Retreat! Staff, board members, and lead volunteers of VCN Partner organizations joined us at Pocahontas State Park to unplug, recharge, and spend a few days enjoying the outdoors as a Network.

See the highlights of our Annual Meeting below!

Dinner and Happy Hour with Senator Emmett Hanger

Senator Emmett Hanger joined VCN Partners for a happy hour and dinner. Senator Hanger discussed shared policy accomplishments and goals such as increased funding for trails, Chesapeake Bay cleanup programs, and protecting communities from pipeline construction.

Park Outings Led by Network Partners

VCN Network Partner organizations led several park outings to explore the park, share their expertise, and get to know each other!

Tagging Butterflies with Courtney Hayes, Wildlife Virginia

Paddleboarding with Water Partners

“Teeter Trotters” group hike led by Madison Teeter, Wetlands Watch

Native Plant ID Hike with Nancy Vehrs, Virginia Native Plant Society

A Lesson in Astrophotography with Brennan Gilmore, Clean Virginia

Brennnan Gilmore, Clean Virginia, gave a lesson on astrohotography. This photo of Hays Creek in Rockbridge County can be found on his website at brennangilmorephoto.com

VCN Annual Meeting Joined by DCR Director, Matt Wells

For the business portion of our Annual Meeting, our Executive Director, Mary Rafferty, recapped our program’s highlights over the past year; announced and introduced our new Partners; shared updates on our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice plan; and introduced guest speaker Matt Wells, DCR Director. Partners also used the time to vote on VCN’s Board of Directors.

Camp games, fire, and s’mores

It wouldn’t be a campout without some good, old-fashioned campfire games and treats! Partners divided up to compete in Minute-to-Win-It games before retiring to the campfire for some ghost stories and s’mores.