Hampton University Adventuring at First Landing State Park
On Friday, April 25th, Cydnie and I kicked off an unforgettable weekend camping trip at the beautiful First Landing State Park with members of the Brownies Outdoors Club at Hampton University. We camped in Gosnold’s Loop, a perfect spot just steps from the bathrooms and the beach, making it super convenient for our outdoor adventure. We started the weekend on Friday evening by setting up our campgrounds, unpacking, and diving into a classic cookout with burgers, hot dogs, and of course, gooey s’mores by the fire. The excitement was just getting started!
Saturday morning began with hearty breakfast sandwiches to fuel our hike along the scenic Bald Cypress Trail. Along the way, we embarked on a fun scavenger hunt, keeping our eyes peeled for cool sightings. We spotted turtles, snakes, a variety of bird species, and even some pretty fascinating spiders! The trail offered a firsthand look at the swamp ecosystem and the unique woody vegetation native to the area. After the hike, we stopped by the Trail Center for an enriching experience where we learned about the park’s rich history and incredible biodiversity. We then headed back to camp for lunch and some card games, laughing and bonding under the shade. Later that afternoon, we explored the stunning beachfront, which was truly a highlight of the trip. We played in the sand and splashed in the water, and to our surprise, we even spotted a shark egg, which most of us had never seen before! We wrapped up the day with another campfire dinner that included more burgers, more hot dogs, and definitely more s’mores.
On Sunday morning, we gathered over breakfast to reflect on our experience. Many participants shared that the trip inspired them to go camping with their families this summer, which was amazing to hear. As we packed up and headed back to Hampton, our driver told us how happy he was to see young people “touching grass” again, something he rarely sees. That moment really stood out to me, because it captured the essence of what the National Park Trust and this program are all about. Overall, the trip was a huge success. First Landing State Park was absolutely beautiful and incredibly accommodating. We all agreed we’d do it again in a heartbeat!
