The Official Site of
West Virginia State Parks & Forests

If you frequent state parks…
If you appreciate the beauty and natural wonder found at state parks and forests…
If you participate and attend special events, activities and programs…
You are already a Very Important Parks Person.

And now’s the time to make it official!

VIPP is a unique visitation program introduced in 1986 and created to recognize
‘friends’ of West Virginia State Parks. Those individuals, families and friends have grown in number and come from the entire State of West Virginia and beyond.

VIPPers are an eclectic group.

There are hikers and bikers (both bicycle and motorcycle).

There are paw paws and whippersnappers.

There are the very curious with GPS units and the very laid back ready for a nap.

Preachers, teachers and students.

Historians and naturalists.

Teens and tweens and young families recognizing state parks and forests as an affordable family vacation with great facilities and programs.

Many VIPPers remember parks as a child and continue to visit parks as a tradition with children, a sweetheart, parent, guardian or grandparent.

Each participant has a personal commitment or fond memories of state parks and forests.

All independently share an appreciation of the recreational treasure that public lands like parks and forests offer state residents and guests. Parks and forests are special places that are
preserved, stewarded and maintained for all generations.

The VIPP concept gives recognition to individuals, friends and family visiting state parks and forests and enjoying the interpretative programs, activities and special events offered.

In the “spirit of welcome,” you’re invited to participate.

How to join the growing VIPP list:

• Complete a simple registration form available in the printed VIPP brochure.
• Brochures are available state parks and state forests, the WV Welcome Centers and the central office in South Charleston, WV.
• To have a brochure/form mailed to you, please call 304-558-2764 and ask for a VIPP brochure.
• After completing and forwarding the registration form via mail, you’ll receive a VIPP information packet via USPS mail.

A lifetime of enjoyment at WV State parks and forests begins!

To attain VIPP status participants must:

1. Visit fifteen mandatory parks and forests and five additional areas from the list of elective parks and forests printed on the initial participation card issued.
2. When visiting the areas, participants must stop at the park office, headquarters or front desk and have your card stamped and dated by park personnel. On those areas that do not operate a 24-hour desk or there is no one available to stamp your visitation card, you will find a modified birdhouse with a stamp specific to that area. We operate under the merit system at these areas and accept your date written by the stamp you place on the card.
3. The program is not a race, nor are there any expectations of completion in a given amount of time. The expectation is that completed cards submitted are truthful and that the individual actually visited the areas indicated.
4. The program is open to any person regardless of their race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, disability, or other legally recognized protected status.
5. Once a participant has personally completed the required visits, sign the back of the card and mail it into the Parks and Recreation office.

West Virginia State Parks
Attn: VIPP Program
324 4th Avenue
South Charleston, WV 25303

6. When the completed card is received the information is logged and your VIPP jacket will be mailed to your address, as available. Each VIPPer receives a jacket for completion of the initial card. Jackets are issued only once. Replacement jackets may be purchased, as available, but only by individuals who have completed the program.
7. There is no limit to the number of times you may complete the program.
8. For each additional completion, a star is awarded for placement on the VIPP jacket. Participants become a Star VIPP upon the second completion, upon the third, a Two Star VIPP, etc.
9. Star VIPPers receive a VIPP Star Card. Star VIPP cards are mailed after completion of the initial VIPP card. The practice of having multiple cards stamped for one individual or having multiple cards stamped for other individuals who are not present at the park or forest is strongly discouraged. The expectation is to receive truthful information regarding visits to areas.
10. The coordinator for the VIPP program is Carol Stewart. She and her husband are 15-star participants and were VIPPers long before Carol came to WV State Parks to serve as VIPP coordinator. She enjoys an earlier retirement but refuses to retire completely and thus serves as VIPP coordinator on a part-time basis. She is in the office on an intermittent schedule.
    
    If you plan to stop by to drop off completed cards, please call or email in advance. This allows the enrollee and Carol to discuss cards, jackets, stars and all VIPP questions that arise. Her email address is dnr.vipp@wv.gov. The phone number is (304) 558-2764. If you reach her voice mail, please leave a message with your name and phone number so she may return your call.
    
    Carol makes every attempt to contact VIPPers and to complete requests as soon as possible.  Jackets and stars are mailed after the initial card or star cards are deemed eligible and as available. Jacket delivery may be up to several weeks to receive.  We do not have a large inventory in an effort to reduce expenses and limited storage consideration.
11. VIPP cards issued are logged prior to mailing and have a start date indicated. A database is maintained to track jackets, stars, cards and license plates issued.
12. There is no charge to register in the VIPP program

Email dnr.vipp@wv.gov for a lifetime of state park fun as a VIPP and to ask for a VIPP brochure. Or click here to view the VIPP brochure and registration form.

27th ANNUAL PICNIC

The 27th Annual VIPP Picnic is scheduled for Saturday, September 14, 2013 at Cass Scenic Railroad State Park.  A U.S. Postal mailing will be prepared in mid-August with event details.  Information about the event may post sooner on the website. 

Our main activity for this picnic will be a train ride to Bald Knob on Saturday. Cass Scenic Railroad has been a tourist train and is celebrating at 50th year of operation in 2013. 

Accommodations in the area include company houses at Cass, Watoga State Park and Seneca State Forest.  Snowshoe Resort is nearby as are various bed and breakfasts, motels, etc. in the area.  We recommend contacting the Pocahontas County Conventin and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and ask for a visitors guide to Pocahontas County.  The website is: http://pocahontascountywv.com/  and a phone number to call for area information is: 800-336-7009.  You'll find the CVB staff extremely helpful in recommending area lodging options. 

A big thank you goes out to Donna Briggs for taking names, addresses and phone numbers for vips in attendance at the Twin Falls picnic and getting information about Pocahontas county lodging out to those folks plannnig on being aboard the train in 2013.  A big VIP, VIP Hoorah! to Donna and Paul Briggs.

VIPP NEWSLETTERS

VIPP newsletters or fliers arrive via US postal service once a year, or more if appropriate and feasible to the addresses on file in our VIPP participant registration mailing list. If you have moved, and have not notified the program manager of the address change, we will not have a current address on file. Please keep Carol updated.

An electronic VIPP newsletter is available when we have your email address and your request for the eNewsletter.  Individuals must subscribe to the electronic newsletter and may unsubscribe at any time.  Privacy policies protect you from unwanted electronic transmissions and why you generate the email request.   Click here to fill out the online form to receive electronic newsletters.