West Virginia State Park Gift Cards are in demand this time of year and continue to be a popular holiday gift option. As was offered last year, State Parks will provide “Something Extra” with gift cards purchased online or by telephone Nov. 1 through Dec. 15 to thank customers for supporting state parks as places to visit and enjoy, according to W.Va. State Parks Chief Ken Caplinger.
“State Parks offered the extras during end-of-year promotions in 2008 as a means to spur revenue flow and encourage park patronage. The results were great,” Caplinger explained. “Sales increased over previous years and indicated to us that state park use could remain unaffected with the downturn in the economy. The gift card popularity reflects the fact that parks continue to remain favorite travel and recreation destinations. When calls started on Nov. 1 this year, the first question was, ‘Is there anything extra this year?’ Yes there is.”
W.Va. State Park gift cards are popular for special occasions, birthdays and anniversaries, holidays, and for corporate incentive or employee reward programs.
“Something Extra” Items
For every gift card validated for $100 or greater through online or telephone orders now through Dec. 15, a set of “extras” accompanies the gift card purchase. The extras this season are eight full-color coupon or ticket-like cards, and they cover an array of offers, including: a second night free at North Bend, Hawks Nest or Cacapon; a third night free at Beech Fork, Pipestem or Watoga campgrounds in the spring; $10 off a gift shop purchase at a choice of four parks; a $15 off coupon at Chief Logan Lodge; an 18-hole greens fee at Twin Falls golf course; free admission to the Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History; and an aerial tram ride at Hawks Nest or Pipestem.
“It may not seem like a lot of money, but anyone visiting parks will recognize the value,” says Carol Stewart in the W.Va. State Parks Charleston office, where she and co-workers prepare park information packets and folders that include brochures, discount package information, and Something Extra cards.
The Something Extra value for each packet exceeds $130, depending upon when the cards are redeemed. “The eighth card is a mystery,” Stewart says with a smile. “It’s a kind of March Madness Card. Turn it in according to the instructions on the card and a mystery gift gets mailed in April. So far, I think the Mystery Gift card is creating more interest than the great cost savings,” says Stewart. “Just like visiting parks, it’s all about having fun and enjoying these special places.”
Gifts with Broad Appeal
“Our gift card program attracts both current and former residents of our state,” says Caplinger. “Calls we receive for gift cards and park information are often by family members sending cards to use as a gift or to encourage a reunion or vacation. This year is no exception as people are looking for gifts with broad appeal, no expiration for use, and lots of choices of where to use the gift card. We also see business and corporate use of our gift card program for employees, incentives, and recognition gifts.
“Where else can people choose to stay in a caboose overnight, or enjoy a gourmet meal, steal away to a well appointed cabin or lodge room, or play a round of golf as a gift?” Caplinger asks. “Gift cards pretty much assure us that families, groups, and individuals are continuing to support and use state parks for vacation, day trips, reunions and meetings. Accommodations, activities and amenities in state parks remain affordable and offer a broad range of rates and fees. As an additional savings, W.Va. state parks and forests do not charge an entrance fee.”
“What I think is great about the Something Extra cards is that you can include them with the gift card as part of a gift, give them to someone else, or keep them and use them yourself,” Stewart said. She also explains that using the “Extras” doesn’t have to be in conjunction with gift card use. “The only time we include a little Something Extra is with gift card sales from Nov. 1 through Dec. 15. We are very pleased to incorporate these budget stretchers in our gift card program again this year.”
The West Virginia State Park Gift Card has no expiration date, but the Something Extra cards do have valid use by dates. State park gift cards are accepted at all state parks and forests for lodge room and cabin rentals, restaurants, golf play, wobble clay range at Cacapon, spa treatments at Berkeley Springs, gift shops and camping.
Individual parks and forests sell gift cards, but will not have the Something Extra cards to distribute. The Something Extra gift card promotion only applies to West Virginia State Park gift cards purchased online at www.wvstateparks.com or by phoning 304-558-2764 from now through Dec. 15, 2009. The Something Extra promotion does not apply to previous card purchases or redemptions.
For more information, go online, www.wvstateparks.com or call 304-558 2764.