The secret is out, grandparents love Virginia State Parks and we think that's grand.

Grandparents enrich the lives of their grandkids when they spend time together in nature

I was hoping Grandparents Day was coming up so I could share the wonder of grandparents and grandkids in our parks. But after Googling I found it's not even this summer, but all the way on Sunday, September 8.

But by then most kids have gone back to school, so this is going to be about the amazing grandparents who bring their grandkids camping, cabinning, fishing, hiking, biking, picnicking and more. (Yes, that's my Dad with our girls a few years ago 2011 to be exact, at Claytor Lake State Park.)

GRANDPARENT CAMP

I met a lady who told me about her parents "Grandparent Camp." Her name was Karen and she lives in North Carolina and said that her parents do something special every single year. They bought a pop-up tent trailer and invite the grandkids out every summer for one week at a park. Many times, the park is used as a base camp to explore other cool stuff nearby. 

The grandkids not only get to spend bonding time with their grandparents, they also learn valuable skills not taught any other way, that builds confidence.

Pop-up tent trailer at Powhatan State Park

Now that I have a granddaughter and decided to make it an annual tradition of taking her to a Virginia State Park for a few days each year, this lady's idea intrigued me.

Karen shared that it's the highlight of the entire summer for her three kids. Grandparents, did you think it was spending a thousand plus dollars to go to Disneyland?

It wasn't. It was camping.

• Mosquitoes
• Snakes
• Sunburns
• Campfire smoke in your eyes

They've been doing this for years, and even as the grandkids are into their teens, when peer pressure and social media weigh heavy, these kids unplug for one solid week and long to spend it outdoors with their grandparents. How about that.

Not only did I like the predictability of this idea, but I even liked the name.

They refer to it by that name when they discuss it with anticipation like "I wonder where we're going for Grandparent or Gram Camp this year?" 

PARK'RS 

We asked you on Facebook to send in some photos of grandparents with grandkids in our parks, so this is your story, and it really made us smile.

OTHER IDEAS

Another told us that the grandparents buy the kids (who have the grandkids) an annual state park pass every year. They figure if they have it, then they will be more likely to use it. Then they can invite them out for hiking, biking, picnicking, swimming or special park events and the idea of being outside in nature is more at the forefront of their minds.

I say, why not hang the park pass on the fridge, then you will see it every day.

Two-bedroom cabin 1 Spratley House. Sleeps four, allows six at Chippokes State Park

And if camping is just not your thing, there are some incredible cabins in our parks, more than 300+ to choose from, and some are very nice (and more like a B&B than a cabin) as pictured above at Chippokes State Park. 

Another out of state grandparent buys a gift certificate for a Virginia State Park cabin stay every year. They can pick a cabin in the same park and spend precious time with Gramma (or as they say in the south "Meemaw" that way.

INSPIRATION

Grandparents it sounds contrite to say "We think you're grand" but really do. We're thankful for your love of the nature and the great outdoors and passing this on to the next few generations.

PLAN A VISIT

To learn more about camping click here, or for cabins and lodges here or call 800-933-7275 during business hours to inquire. If you're interested in finding fun park events, click here to search (but be sure to check back as more are added all the time as they are scheduled).