Change things up at work!! Instead of going to your local watering hole with your colleagues, get everyone together for an evening night hike or kayak trip at your local Virginia State Park.
Times are tough with shrinking corporate profits and tight government budgets.There's nothing like getting together after work to grouse a bit and catch up on the latest news and gossip. But those "happy hour" sessions are usually unproductive and leave you with a splitting headache! Why not change things up a bit, get outdoors and do something fun with your colleagues at a Virginia State Park?
Paddlers get ready to hit the water at Caledon State Park
Our evening programs, such as kayak trips, night hikes, crabbing,fishingand campfires, are a great way to get together after work without the headache! here to see the schedule for all Virginia State Parks. You can even schedule a private program for your group by calling your local state park directly.
Into the Night at First Landing State Park
If you're in charge of planning your next corporate retreat or team building session, consider holding it at a Virginia State Park. Many of the parks have meeting facilities and overnight accommodations. Off-season rates are very reasonable. A night hike, kayak trip, fishing program or campfire isgreat for team buildingand a lot more fun that yet another session of "Who Moved My Cheese?"
Meeting facilities at Smith Mountain Lake State Park
Click here for a statewide map and information about Virginia State Parks.
First Landing State Park:
LOCATION: From I-64, take Northampton Blvd.-U.S. 13 North (Exit 282). Go through eight lights, then turn right at the Shore Drive/U.S. 60 exit (last exit before the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel). Take a right on Shore Drive and go four and a half miles to the park entrance. To reach the Chesapeake Bay Center, park office, camping or cabins, turn left off U.S. Rt. 60 at the stoplight and check in at the contact station. For the Trail Center, picnic area and trails, turn right instead.
Drive Time: Northern Virginia, three and a half hours; Richmond, two hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, 20-30 minutes (this facility is in the area); Roanoke, five and a half hours
Click here for a Google map. Latitude, 36.918020. Longitude, -76.051547.
False Cape State Park:
LOCATION: From Interstate 64, exit on to Indian River Road East. Go 13 miles, then turn left onto Newbridge Road, then right onto Sandbridge Road. Next, turn right onto Sandpiper Road to Little Island City Park. Parking fees required Memorial Day to Labor Day. Day use only parking also is available at Back Bay Wildlife Refuge.
From First Landing State Park and oceanfront, turn east onto Shore Drive (Route 60); follow Pacific Avenue to General Booth Boulevard, then left on Princess Anne Road and then straight onto Sandbridge Road. Turn right onto Sandpiper Road to Little Island City Park. Parking fees are required from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Drive Time : From Virginia Beach's oceanfront to Little Island city parking lot is about 40 minutes.
Note: Groups of 10 or more are required to obtain a special-use permit from Back Bay Wildlife Refuge two weeks in advance of trip.
The tram for False Cape operates from April 1 through October 31 on a first-come, first-served basis. Call the park at (757) 426-7128 for more information.
Click here for a Google map. Latitude, 36.593813, Longitude, -75.886521