Summer is not only a break from school, but also a long intermission in the calendar year, so if you're looking for fun activities to keep the kids busy, then you'll love Virginia State Parks.

Since my girls are both grown now, I asked myself, "What would I like to do this summer if I was a kid?" Then it hit me, not only do I like exploring, but I've always enjoyed searching for treasure, whether it be arrowheads, cool rocks or shells. Besides fantastic outdoor recreation, I know Virginia State Parks has some neat treasure to be found. Here are 5 activities to help keep the summer fun in high gear.

TREASURE HUNTING

1. | PAN FOR GOLD

Get ready to catch gold fever on July 29 at Lake Anna State Park. Mosey on over and join our interpretive rangers on a quest for this elusive mineral. You'll discover the history of gold in Virginia and learn the finer points of placer mining and how to work a pan. Then we'll head down to the edge of Old Pond and see what washes up. 

Space is limited, please pre-register. Free. Meet at the Visitor Center at 11:00 a.m.

Or if you're interested in "Becoming a Prospector", and following in the footsteps of Stampmill Sam, and visiting the Goodwin Gold Mine, then click here. To register for any of this programming in advance, please call the Visitor Center at (540) 854-6245 and leave a message, with more program details found here.

 

2. | HUNT FOSSILS

Early whales, porpoises, sharks, clams, scallops, and snails all left traces of their existence which we now find as fossils. For an easy fossil hunt, Chippokes State Park has fossils lying around the fossil bed which can be found on the edge of the James River, as does York River State Park. 

The parks also host Fossil Hikes, like here where you can join a Ranger in discovering relics of these very old creatures on a hike to York River's fossil beach, or here for a Fossil Walk at Chippokes, plus you get to keep the fossil.

 

3. | DIG FAIRY STONES

Fairy stones are a unique naturally occurring staurolite crystal cross for which Fairy Stone State Park is aptly named. There is also a legend and story surrounding these "tears of the fairies."

The park has special programs (here), but you can easily go on your own and spend as long as you like digging for fairy stones. But there are a few guidelines for the dig:

You aren't allowed to use any digging tools, but you are allowed to dig. So the best tool is your hands, just plop down and start scratching the surface, as they will be the same iron-ore color as the dirt, and you may need a few minutes for your eyes to adjust to see them. Hint: Tree roots after a rain are good.

How to find the dig which is a 5 minute drive outside the park gate, click here.

 

4. | FIND SHARK'S TEETH

 

Fossil collectors enjoy hunting for ancient shark teeth along the Potomac River at Westmoreland State Park. Plus it's a fun hike down to Fossil Beach. I read recently that every inch is equal to ten feet, so imagine how enormous the Megalodon sharks were, that's one of the fossilized teeth pictured above. It's rare to find them, but fun to try.

The park also has super fun programs like making a shark's tooth necklace, kayaking, and even crabbing the Potomac, see more here.

 

5. | SEE WHAT'S IN THE NET

Join us at First Landing State Park for an exploration of some interesting animals that live under the water as we cast our nets into the Chesapeake Bay. Learn to use a seine net and get to know some local marine plants and animals. Be prepared to get wet. Who knows what you will discover.

3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and there's no extra event fee. Meet at the main boardwalk to the beach. Click here for upcoming dates.

While you're there you might even uncover Blackbeard's hidden treasure. He used to frequent the Bald Cypress Swamp for fresh water and rumor has it the pirate hid his treasure there.

BONUS

Kids participating in educational activities would sure please their teachers, and the good news is that learning is always hands-on fun at Virginia State Parks.

Click here to search the event database by word or phrase, or if you have a park in mind, just enter the dates you plan to visit. There are great programs like astronomy, nature and history workshops and events happening all summer long. Click here to see a map of all Virginia State Parks.

#ThinkOutside