Prince William Forest Park

Family Fun in the Sun (For Cheap)

Gas prices going up and down like a roller coaster has many families thinking they can't afford to drive to an actual amusement park to enjoy the real thing. 

Here are some fun and inexpensive activities families can do after school is out this month.

At Bull Run Public Library the fun begins in June with programs like Amazing Tails in your garden for kids of all ages. Master gardeners from Prince William County will provide some hands-on activities for area kids. The program on June 30 at 10:30 a.m. is free and families should plan to arrive 30 minutes ahead to find space.

During the months of July and August, the library will offer everything from C. Shells Musical group to “Do the Cube,” a class on solving the Rubik’s Cube. Most activities are geared for children of all ages, but check the library web page  for confirmation.

Bull Run Public Library is just two miles from Manassas Park and it offers summer story times, reading programs and even an evening story time. What a great way to beat the heat!

For fun on land and in the water, head over to Signal Hill Park, a 110-acre site with a water park, four multipurpose fields, a softball field, 100 sq. foot playground, one mile asphalt trail, large pavilion with restrooms, a pond area and several picnic areas with grills. Signal Hill Park is open year round from 7:30 a.m. until dusk and is located off Signal View Drive near Manassas Drive.

Signal Bay Water Park  is a 27,00o square feet of fun within Signal Hill Park featuring a zero-depth entry leisure pool with water cannons, slides, a lazy river and a sand volleyball court. Sweet Treats Concessions, showers and locker rooms are made available for a small fee. Signal Bay Water Park opens on Memorial Day weekend and is open from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. seven days a week.

Admission is $6 for adults, $5.50 for children. Children under 1 are free. Discounted admission is available for senior citizens and for those coming to the park after 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday. Season passes may be purchased and group reservations for 15 or more are available for daycares, camps and birthday parties.  Signal Hill Park is located in Manassas Park.

On those hot summer days, it is great to head inside and see a movie! Twenty-four Regal Cinema locations in Virginia are offering family films on Tuesday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. during the summer. There will be two movie choices each week and admission is just $1 per person. The closest Regal Cinema is only five miles from Manassas Park.

Week 5 at Prince William - ProRanger Philadelphia at Temple University

Although it only took me two sentences to type this, these tasks were actually quite lengthy. We were patrolling and I saw Charles out for his daily run and stopped in to say hello. The rest of the evening Ranger Ballam and I went to the LE office to clean weapons. This task was by far one of my favorite since I’ve been here. Dave is very precise and careful when cleaning is weapons. He informed me everything he was doing during this activity and ensured the safety of both of us. The weapons included were a 9mm, a 45mm, a shotgun, and an M4 assault rifle. Ranger Ballam emptied each weapon and we both visually inspected them to ensure they were empty. We also pulled the slide back 3 times to ensure there wasn’t any ammo. The weapons and ammunition were kept in separate locations throughout this event. We cleaned the 9mm, and 45mm at the same time. During this Ranger Ballam showed me the proper way to hold each of these weapons and how the sight works. After we cleaned them and reassembled them he showed me how to hold the shotgun and the assault rifle as well. I really enjoyed this, because I’ve never held a weapon before. I also enjoyed it, because I’ve always wanted to know the proper way to hold a shotgun and manage the recoil without injuring your shoulder. Now I know. Day 2 was not a normal day for us. The first half of the day we registered for our online firefighter courses and our eppley institute course. Resource Management let us borrow their vehicle to use for the civilian/military dinner we attended later in the evening with Vidal. The dinner was located in Spotsylvania. We went in uniform and met Vidal at the Belmont studio. There were politicians, marines, and civilians there. Also in attendance was the Chief of the fire department within Quantico, the Mayor of the Village within Quantico, and the Captain of the County Police.

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