In Manassas, a celebration of national parks

National Park Week kicked off Saturday. To celebrate, Manassas National Battlefield Park held a series of free events. (WTOP/Kathy Stewart)
Owen McDougal, 6, likes bees. (WTOP/Kathy Stewart)
Owen McDougal, 6, likes bees. (WTOP/Kathy Stewart)
Here, an enclosed observation beehive at the Manassas National Battlefield Park in Virginia. (WTOP/Kathy Stewart)
Here, an enclosed observation beehive at the Manassas National Battlefield Park. (WTOP/Kathy Stewart)
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Owen McDougal, 6, likes bees. (WTOP/Kathy Stewart)
Here, an enclosed observation beehive at the Manassas National Battlefield Park in Virginia. (WTOP/Kathy Stewart)

MANASSAS, Va. — National Park Week kicked off Saturday. To celebrate, national parks are free all weekend.

At the Manassas National Battlefield Park, for instance, volunteer Russ Muter welcomed visitors to check out the space.

“We have all kinds of good information about the outdoors and science here at the Manassas Battlefield Park,” Muter told them. “We’re so happy you came to join us today.”

This  “Saturday in the Park” program was geared toward kids and enjoying the great outdoors. It’s a hands-on learning experience with 13 different activity stations — including bird watching and water chemistry, where you learn how scientists determine the health of the water. A big favorite: learning about the benefits of bees.

Owen McDougal, 6, not only got to learn a thing or two about bees. He also got to try on a real bee-keeper suit.

Diane Mort went to the park with her three-year-old son, Paulie, who had no trouble spotting the queen bee along hundreds of others.

The bee display and exhibit was put on by the “Sweet Virginia Foundation.”

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