Spend the Day Outdoors with Your Greek Friends

Spending the entire day with your college Greek brothers or sisters can be a challenge with location and prices, but there is a Virginia State Park about an hour away from nearly every college campus in Virginia--sometimes closer. Virginia State Parks offer a great alternative to expensive outings, restaurants, and activities. Take a look at some of these ideas for your next day-long retreat plans.

This group of Alpha Sigma Alpha sisters had a great time at Bear Creek Lake State Park which is relatively close to their Longwood University campus.

Here are some nearby parks if you are in a Greek organization at these colleges:

• Old Dominion University--First Landing and False Cape State Parks are in Virginia Beach.
• Virginia Tech and Radford--Douthat and Claytor Lakes State Parks are closest.
• Longwood University--Twin Lakes, Bear Creek, High Bridge Trail, and James River State Parks are relatively close.
• George Mason University--Lake Anna State Park  and Westmoreland State Park are nearby.
• James Madison University--Shenandoah River State Park is a great place to visit.

Here are some ideas for building a great agenda for a daytime retreat at a Virginia State Park:

Scheduled or Private programs – You can build you retreat agenda by incorporating regularly scheduled Virginia State Park programs like kayak/canoe trips, guided hikes, and outdoor photography/craft sessions. You can also call the park directly and ask to schedule a private program (for a small fee) to fit your agenda. For a schedule of programs, click here. Be sure to bookmark the page because the parks are adding new programs as they finalize their schedules through the winter planning months.

 
The lakeside picnic area at Bear Creek Lake State Park in Central Virginia is a great place to host your picnic event.

Plan a Cookout – Grab the hotdogs, hamburgers, coleslaw, and lemonade and spend the day grilling in the outdoors. Most Virginia State Parks have designated picnic shelters or areas for your group to use. Some picnic areas also have a fire ring so don't forget the S'mores. You'll need to buy your firewood from the park due to gypsy moth and pine bark beetle issues. To guarantee exclusive use to a picnic shelter, reserve it by call the Virginia State Parks Customer Service Center a 1-800-933-PARK. 

At First Landing State Park, you can choose from theme Park Packs like nocturnal, colonial history, birding, and more.

Park Packs – Who doesn’t love a little friendly competition? You are free to check out a Virginia State Park "Park Pack" and let the games begin. These backpacks are filled with field guides, equipment, and suggested activities and can be checked out for three days. There is no cost to check them out. See who can spot the most birds in the field guide or who can mimic the bullhorn sound of heron or the croaking of a bull frog.

Blaze a new trail with your sorority or fraternity and start planning outdoor retreats and activities

In light of recent news about campus Greek organizations, I believe that Greek life may be at a crossroads. It is time for us to blaze a new trail in Greek life and get outdoors into the community by getting involved in activities and opportunities with Virginia State Parks. The fun alternatives I've just told you about will get your organization started down the right path.