This summer, a treasure hunt of sorts awaits visitors to some of the region’s museums, natural areas and cultural attractions. The Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership (CVNHP) created a passport stamp program that directs people to places that exemplify the area’s rich, varied and unique natural and cultural heritage. People that visit all 11 participating locations will get a limited-edition “Find Your Park” challenge coin.

As part of the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) system, the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership participates in the NPS Passport Stamp Program where visitors log their experiences at parks, landmarks and heritage areas across the country. The CVNHP produced a commemorative Stamp Cancellation Passport for 11 locations throughout the region to mark the 100th anniversary of the NPS. These sites represent the arts, outdoor recreation, land conservation, military history, commerce, natural history, wildlife conservation, and other aspects of the CVNHP.

Individuals who acquire all 11 of the passport stamps can receive a limited-edition, commemorative coin marking the 2016 centennial of the NPS. The coins are distributed at the CVNHP offices in the Gordon-Center House – a passport stamp location – at 54 West Shore Road in Grand Isle, VT during regular business hours (Mon.-Fri. 8:30 am to 4:30 pm).

Other locations include: American Museum of Fly Fishing, Manchester Center, VT; ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Burlington, VT; Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests Supervisor’s Office, Rutland, VT; Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT; Lake Champlain Visitors Center, Crown Point, NY; Lake George Historical Association and Museum, Lake George, NY; Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, Swanton, VT; Pember Museum of Natural History, Granville, NY; Rockwell Kent Gallery of Plattsburgh State Art Museum, State University of New York, Plattsburgh, NY; and Saratoga National Historical Park, Stillwater, NY.

Check locations for individual business hours.

For further information, contact the Lake Champlain Basin Program at the LCBP at (802) 372-3213.