The Suffolk-Nansemond Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America will hold its annual Teddy Bear Hunt from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 27 at the chapter’s property behind King’s Fork Middle School on Kings Fork Road.

This event is for children ages 3 to 10. The gates will open at 10:30 a.m. for children and their parents to enjoy a hay ride from the KFMS parking lot to a park with a bass pond.

There will be 50 teddy bears in clear plastic bags placed carefully near walking paths. The bears were donated by the local Parsons Company office, according to Tim Doxey, the media chair for the Suffolk-Nansemond Chapter.

Each child will receive a certificate that will entitle them to find and keep a bear from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Lunch will be provided to children and their parents and guardians from noon to 1 p.m., followed by walks through the park and fishing and archery lessons for the children. There will be a limited number of fishing rods on site, so participants are encouraged to bring their own.

Volunteers will help the children find their bears, cast their lines, shoot arrows and explore the park. Doxey said the purpose of the event is to foster an appreciation for nature and animal conservation in the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts, while also educating parents.

“We’re trying to introduce (this next) generation to the outdoors,” he said. “The longer this next generation spends outside, the more likely they’ll want to help preserve our wild places and animals. The Teddy Bear Hunt is a good place to start.”

There are 50 available registration spots for the Teddy Bear Hunt, and as of Monday night there are 32 spots left. The cost is $10 per child and includes lunch. Those interested must RSVP no later than April 20.

Contact Youth Program Chair Rob Carpenter by email at fishinorhuntin@outlook.com or call 319-5878.