Family Reunion Fun at Virginia State Parks

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The winter holidays can be stressful with the price of plane tickets, heavy traffic, crowded hotels, extra expenses, and the emotional decision of deciding whose turn it is to visit or be visited. It always seems like someone feels left out or we can't quite make it to everyone's house over the holidays. A family reunion is a great alternative to holiday gathering and Virginia State Parks can help!

A six-bedroom lodge at Kiptopeke State Park. Designate on cabin or lodge as family reunion Headquarters and stock with snacks, schedule of events, bulletin board.

Virginia State Parks are a great place to host a family reunion. Many of our parks have six-bedroom lodges and two and three-bedroom cabins which can act as the HQ for the reunion with other family members staying in additional lodges, cabins, or camping.

Our cabins and lodges have full amenities including full kitchens, bathrooms, heating/air conditioning, front/back porches and easy access to recreational activities. Most parks are located within an hour or two of a major airport making it easy for out-of-town guests to join the festivities.

Book early! Reservations can be made 11 months in advance by calling 1-800-933-PARK

The interior of the six-bedroom lodges at Kiptopeke State Park are spacious enough for large gatherings, board game tourneys, and potluck dinners.

Planning a family reunion does take some time, but there are many websites, companies, and event planners that can help. Many of our parks offer guided hikes, kayak trips, and children's craft programs that you can schedule for your group for a small fee.  Mixing planned activities, optional activities, and free time will give everyone a chance to get to know each other at their own pace. Click here for the Virginia State Parks events calendar and check back often. Programs are added throughout the year. I suggest a variety of sedentary activities like a Monopoly tournament and craft activities, as well as higher impact activities like hikes and kayaking so that everyone can enjoy the fun. 

Beginners are welcome on Virginia State Parks guided kayak trips. You can book a private program for your family reunion by calling the park directly.

I also suggest that you do a communal dinner/campfire every evening and schedule a few group photos during those evenings meals when you know everyone will be together.

 A campfire is a great way to bring everyone together in the evening!

Many families put together a family reunion team to manage the logistics, do fundraising, order custom T-shirts, and plan meals. Internet sites such as Facebook and PayPal can help everyone stay involved in the planning and fundraising process. Virginia State Parks fees are very reasonable and many parks have rentable meeting rooms, tents, tables and chairs that also be reserved for your event. Creating a group page on Facebook is a great way to get everyone involved in planning the reunion. 

The award-winning Virginia State Parks are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Talk to your family this holiday season about having a family reunion at a Virginia State Park. We would love to have you and your family visit us!