We can argue over the most beneficial reasons to go outside, but the top reason that immediately comes to mind when I think about heading to a Virginia State Parks is home-cooking. I say "home" but really I mean anything cooked ourselves, whether our home is in a tent, an RV or a cabin at a Virginia State Park.

Home Cooking

 Grilling corn over a fire is a best-loved method when we go camping

The food, the flavor, the abundance are all favorites of mine when it comes to home cooking, but the best part about it is the fact that we do it together. If you have had kids and were continually stretched in 10 different directions you will agree how rare and special eating a home-made meal together actually is, and yet most of our favorite memories involve food.

Let me ask you, who doesn't love home-cooking?

Stand up and raise your hand.

What actually is it? Well if home is where your heart is, then anything you put together and cook with heart is home-cooking. Can it be from a store? Sure it can be, as long as you cook it. Is it gourmet? It could be. Is it fast food? It could be. Let's look into this a little further...

When you are at a Virginia State Park you can't help but do all those healthy things everyone is telling you to do like ride bikes, go for walks and hike, play in the water or on the beach, chase the dog, etc.

All the fancy cooking shows are into grilling food at the moment, but Virginia State Parks has been hip from the get-go, we have been gathering families together and grilling outside for 80 years!

How to Grill the Perfect Burger

Grilling burgers outside at a Virginia State Park is family fun 101

Grilling outside is the #1 ingredient to the perfect burger

We could have a great debate on this topic, some believe it is the meat that makes the perfect burger, others believe the heat source, i.e. is it wood fire or charcoal. How hot should it be? How juicy do you want the burger, then don't cook it to well done, etc. 

One thing we will all agree on is that cooking it outside is the #1 key ingredient to the perfect burger

As great as restaurant burgers can be, they do not hold a candle to a hand-patted burger grilled outside with family and friends around to season the experience.

Dutch Oven Cooking

Dutch Oven Cooking classes are offered at a few state parks like Pocahontas State Park

This method of cooking is making a come-back and is even taught at a few of our Virginia State Parks. There is nothing that says home-made goodness more than a meal made over an open fire in a Dutch Oven. Stay tuned to the eNews for upcoming Dutch Oven cooking classes, or search the Events Database.

Eat Your Veggies

Get the kids involved and then watch them eat their veggies

It won't hurt anyone's feelings if you add some vegetables like corn on the cob cooked over the coals (wrap them in foil or leave the husks on), or boil some fresh green beans. Let the kids experience snapping beans. There is work for many hands when you "home-cook" a meal. Let everyone get involved, my bet is 10 to 1 they will love these veggies if they help prep and cook them.

Farm Stands 

Many Virginia State Parks situated in the countryside provide access to fresh produce from nearby farm stands

Enjoying fresh produce when you can is a good thing and all part of a healthy Virginia State Parks lifestyle

With so many of our Virginia State Parks out in the countryside chances are you will come across fresh from the farm produce being sold by the side of the road at a farm stand. I know our family gets excited to discover a pick-ur-own berry patch or farm stand for fresh produce. If you see one take advantage of the field ripened produce that is guaranteed to be of better quality than the shipped-to-store stuff.

TO S'MORE OR NOT TO S'MORE?

Just desserts

You can make s'mores any way you choose, standard drill with graham crackers or add cookies for a twist

World's largest s'more attempt at First Landing State Park for our 70th anniversary of Virginia State Parks

Well since you are at a state park, we sort of have a Virginia State Park dessert, and you already know what it is, s'mores. When you live in the city you may have jumped on the s'mores band wagon as everything is s'mores flavored from toaster-tarts to cereal.

But you need to ignite your own marshmallow

to fully experience s'mores 

No one can make s'mores for you, it is self-taught. Get a thin stick, push the marshmallow onto the end and plop it above the flames or smack dab into the fire. When it catches fire you are the only one supposed to blow it out, you should risk life and limb for this tasty treat, which is all part of the Virginia State Parks fun.

Traditional family time around the campfire is the best way to end the day

Your Turn

Have I convinced you that you need to visit a Virginia State Park in 2016? We celebrate the 80th birthday of Virginia State Parks this year, and that alone is a great reason to come on out and play in our big backyard.

But for me there is a much more compelling reason, the absolute top reason to go to a Virginia State Park, it is to bring the family together around the picnic table. Make your dinner reservations today, click here to learn about cabins and camping at Virginia State Parks.

LET'S EAT!