Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers, Inc.

Bringing people and natural resources together by promoting and encouraging conservation, research and educational opportunities in Garrett County.

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Welcome to
Western Garrett County
State Park Volunteers, Inc.

The Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers, Inc. is the official volunteer organization of the following Maryland State Parks: Deep Creek Lake, Herrington Manor, and Swallow Falls.


The purpose of the organization is to assist park staff in the operation of programs, staffing facilities, conducting special events, fundraising for park needs, maintenance, and interpretation. WGCSPV, Inc. headquarters is located at the Discovery Center at Deep Creek Lake State Park. Popular programs WGCSPV, Inc. sponsors are: Art in the Park, Natural Egg Dying, Thayerville Fire Tower Tours, Friends Store Open House, Holiday Open House, and the Ramp Cook - Off. WGCSPV, Inc. also spends time volunteering with nature programs, trail maintenance, gardening, and more.

 


Thanks to those that came to the Holiday
Open House

 

At

The Discovery Center

 

Deep Creek Lake State Park

 

 

Please join us for our next event:

Volunteer Meeting

February 23rd, 2012

at the Discovery Center

 

 

 

Sponsored by: The Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers Inc.

 

For more info on this or other programs,

please call 301-387-7067

www.discoverycenterdcl.com

 
 
 

  


 
 Sponsored Events


Art in the Park (2012)

 *Service charge applies for entrance*

July 14, 

July 15,

Over 40 artists exhibit and sell their original artwork at this annual event sponsored by the Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers, Inc. to help local businesses and non-profits, provide environmental education, and fundraise for the Forest Canopy Walkway Project at the Discovery Center. Vendors at Art in the Park typically donate something to be auctioned off on behalf of the WGCSPV, Inc. to raise funds towards the forest canopy project and community members provide a ton of volunteer hours to make this event successful every year.


The WGCSPV, Inc. also hosts a Tye Dying Station where you can make your one of a kind Art in the Park T-shirt for $10. Proceeds benefit the Forest Canopy Walkway Project. The Discovery Center also hosts a booth with volunteers, where community members can observe the birds from the aviary up close and can even get a chance touch a range of different animals like snakes and frogs. The animals change every few hours, so visitors check in to see what is new.


Vendors/businesses include dixieland music, food, pottery, jewelry, photography, woodworking, watercolor and oil paintings and much more. If you are a vendor/business and would like to have a booth at this years Art in the Park, please call the Discovery Center ASAP. First come first serve. Spaces are limited! 



Come by boat or car to the event. A service charge applies for entrance this year. Call 301-387-7067 or 301-387-7314 for more info.


Sponsored by the Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers Inc. and

Garrett County Arts Council.  


Please consider joining our volunteer team. Fill go to the MD Park Service volunteer website to join today.




Thayerville Fire Tower Tours

*$2 per person fee*

 

Watch for tour times summer of 2012

 

As a companion educational opportunity to the Forest Canopy Walkway, the volunteers are now leading tours of the historic Thayerville Fire Tower. Installed in 1921 it was one of the first fire lookout towers in the state and the last operating tower for the MD Forest Service. Hike up the steps for spectacular views of Deep Creek Lake from 90 feet up and learn about fire history in Maryland.

 

Tour capacity is limited. Four at a time. Must be four feet tall to access the tower. Check the WGCSPV, Inc. tour times on the Discovery Center schedule.


*$2 per person fee* Goes toward a maintenance fund for the tower. Fee's can be paid at the tower or at the Discovery Center.  


Sponsored by the Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers Inc.


Please consider joining our volunteer team. Fill go to the MD Park Service volunteer website to join today.





Friends Delight Store


Closed for Season
 
Call the Discovery Center for directions!

Experience some of the best Appalachia has to offer. Activities all day and Historical talks about the property and learn much more about the Sang Run area. 
Call the Discovery Center for more info and directions.  301-387-7067


Sponsored by the Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers Inc.

Please consider joining our volunteer team. Fill go to the MD Park Service volunteer website to join today.






Natural Egg Dying

April 7, 2012
 
Get a chance to meet the Easter Bunny! 
Children will enjoy an egg dyeing session using all natural dyes. Bring no more than six, hard boiled eggs. Wipe eggs off with a mild vinegar solution so eggs will take the dye. Bring your family and friends to the Discovery Center at Deep Creek Lake State Park for this Volunteer sponsored program.The Easter Bunny will have treats for the children. Photos with the Bunny are also available.



                                                                                                                                                           Photos by Caroline Blizzard

Sponsored by the Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers Inc.

Please consider joining our volunteer team. Fill go to the MD Park Service volunteer website to join today. 
 

 



Ramp Cook - Off

April 28, 2012


Locals and visitors compete for a prize for the tastiest ramp dish.  You can

participate in this annual aromatic tradition by sampling their dishes, or

munching on grilled or deep fried ramps or entering a dish of your own.


Ramps are flavorful wild onions high in healthy vitamins and minerals and distinguished by its strong garlic and onion odor. They have the cholesterol-reducing capacity of garlic and folk medicine maintains that ramps keep away colds and flu.

Judging will take place at 11 a.m. and tasting by the public will begin by 12 p.m. A panel of two judges will determine the winner based on creativity, ramp flavor and presentation. There will be interpretive events on site, tasting, live music and fun for the whole family.

                                                                                                                                                           Photos by Caroline Blizzard

Pre-registration for the event is required no later than April 22. Electricity will be available if needed. For more details or to enter a dish, contact the Discovery Center at 301-387-7067.  Donations benefit the Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers.


Fill out a registration form today! Mail or email.



Sponsored by the Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers Inc.

Please consider joining our volunteer team. Fill go to the MD Park Service volunteer website to join today.

Officers for 2010:
President: Rob Stansbury
Vice-President: John Pucciano
Treasurer: Keith Handyside
Secretary: Susan Pucciano
Volunteer Coordinator with DNR: Caroline Blizzard
Project Leaders:
Forest Canopy Walkway: Becky Wilson
Egg Dying: Peggy and Tom Carr
Art in the Park: Caroline Blizzard
Holiday Open House: Fred Schaich
Fire Tower Tours: Caroline Blizzard
Friends Delight: John Pucciano
Membership: