All 37 Virginia State Parks will participate in the Great American Campout beginning tomorrow and lasting all weekend. Parks will offer activities that day to teach basic skills related to camping, including programs about campfire cooking, fire starting, camping basics, gear suggestions and the camaraderie of a campfire.

Click here for a complete list of programs.

The tent campground at James River State Park is right along the river.

Eight parks will provide special, overnight camping programs offering experiences, help and guidance. All campouts begin Saturday except at High Bridge (the closest one to Richmond), where the campout starts Friday evening.

High Bridge Trail State Park near Farmville offers the unique experience of camping on the High Bridge. The $40 fee covers camping, parking and activities.

Caledon State Park in King George also isn’t to far from RVA. It will have its traditional Great American Campout with the twist of a citizen science 24-hour BioBlitz. A $15 per-family fee includes dinner by the fire and a continental breakfast.

All the other special programs are at parks farther afield. Click here for more.