If you’re looking to explore nature in Virginia, libraries across the region have “I Love Virginia State Parks” backpacks available to borrow.
Each backpack includes a pass for free parking and admission to all Virginia State Parks and contains accessories to help you learn about nature and science through exploration.
One backpack per family can be checked out by an adult for 14 days with a valid library card.
If you can’t find a backpack at your home library you can always call the library and request that one be put on reserve for you, according to the Hampton Public Library.
The backpacks come from a partnership between the Library of Virginia, Virginia State Parks and the Science Museum of Virginia.
Of the libraries in the state, 135 are receiving four nature backpacks each to make available for check-out, according to the Virginia State Parks Website.
“Today children spend less time outdoors and even less immersed in nature based activities,” said Craig Seaver, Virginia State Parks director. “These backpacks will provide opportunities for families to venture out to a park.”
With this nature backpack, kids of all ages (and adults, too) can explore and learn about Virginia state parks. The backpacks include, among other items:
- Parking pass for free parking and admission to all Virginia state parks
- Pocket guides for weather, edible wild plants, medicinal plants and other plants
- Learn and Live Outdoor Skills card set
- Tarp
- Paracord
- Port-A-Bug Field Observation Container
- Binoculars
- Star map
To find a library with an available backpack or a state park near you, click here for an interactive map.
