Shared by Jon Limtiaco, as Guest Blogger.

Growing up is inevitable, so I think a kid should keep their sense of wonder and unconventional thinking for as long as possible.

One way my wife and I have been raising out of the box thinkers is getting our kids outside and seeing new places. We've been visiting many of Virginia's State Parks and letting them experience nature first hand instead of just reading about it in a book or on a screen.

Douthat State Park has been our Christmas break trip for the last few years, but this year we decided to see it in the summer as well. We enrolled our girls in all of the programs the park offers, and over the course of a couple days, they earned their Junior Ranger status.

Valuable family time together at a rustic park cabin

Exploring the lake at Douthat State Park

Photos by Jon L Photo

Raising out of the box thinkers means getting our kids outside

The park staff really enjoyed sharing their knowledge and experience with us. Before one of the classes on owls, park rangers had to relocate a baby raccoon that lost it's mother. As they prepared the raccoon for transit, they let my girls ask all the questions and get a good look at the baby. We learned about and dissected owl pellets to find out what they've been eating, and got to know our region's snake population a little better.

In between programs we had time to hike some pretty trails, cook some great food at our cabin, and enjoy our family bonding time.

Now that school is back in session, I look back at our pictures and remember all the things we learned and friends we made and I can't wait to go back next season for more.

My girls have the owl and bat houses they made as well as the para cord bracelets to remind them of their fun outside at Douthat State Park.

BIO

Jon Limtiaco is the owner of Jon L Photography based in Hampton Roads Virginia who specialize in wedding, portrait and family photography.

We love their family first motto. Follow them online to see more of the joy, the color and the life they capture so well. Visit their website here and follow them on Instagram @jonlphotography.

#ThinkOutside