As crazy as it sounds on the first warm weekend I can remember in quite some timeI spent the days in the mall. In the course of my duties, I often travel to events to represent the state parks in my district. This weekend I was at the Manassas Mall at the 2009 Summer Camp and Activities Expo. Winter weary parents and their eager children descended on the mall to find out more information about healthy ways to keep their children engaged this summer.
We had a booth and were prepared to let parents in the northern Virginia area know of recession friendly programs and activities the parks offer to get children in nature. We talked to a lot of parents but unlike other booths, even people without children wanted to stop and pick up a Virginia State Park brochure.
I really enjoy talking to people about the state parks in Virginia. I can tell them about some of the best trails in Virginia, how affordable camping in state parks is for families and about our vacation cabin rentals. But my favorite thing to do is tolisten to people talk abouttheir favorite park. People love to talk about their state parks vacations or even their favorite place just to walk their dogs.