June - July 2023

Summer Fun in Virginia

Why Virginia is for ~~Lovers~~ Military Families

We think Virginia is a great place to be for military families at all stages of service to live, work, and thrive!

Active Duty families that come to Virginia get to explore the state during their assignments. Whether it's spending quality time at the beach, exploring the many gorgeous trails across the state, or getting a hands-on look at history and policy-making, there's more to do than there is time in a single assignment cycle.

It comes as no surprise that many Veteran families choose to return or remain in Virginia after the military. Thanks to the many bases and private-industry headquarters, there are a myriad of economic opportunities available for both the Veteran and their spouse.

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services also offers many resources for transitioning service members (within two years before and after separation/retirement) and services for military spouses regardless of sponsor status (Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, Veteran - separated or retired, Survivor). You can find out more by visiting our website.

If you need any assistance or have any questions, please reach out to our team by email at milspouse@dvs.virginia.gov and we will be happy to help you.

Outdoor Adventures Around the Commonwealth

Long summer days allow for plenty of sunlight to get out and explore your backyard! A great way to find parks and other attractions near you is to visit the Virginia tourism site. They also have a map to find the 300+ LOVEworks signs across the Commonwealth!

Here are a few of our favorite parks and locations in each region:

Northern Virginia

National Parks - Two of our favorite NoVA National Parks are Great Falls National Park and the Manassas National Battlefield Park. Both offer opportunities for hiking, fitness, and various events throughout the year.
State Parks - Mason Neck State Park in Lorton offers a unique opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to get close to nature with a trail that goes over water! This hardwood forest is an active heron rookery and attracts a variety of wildlife.
Staff Pick - In mid-April, head to Bull Run Regional Park near Occoquan and hike the 1.5 mile Bluebell Trail! It's an easy hike any time of year, but especially beautiful when the bluebells are in bloom. Go early in the morning or on a weekday for the fewest crowds.

Central Virginia

National Parks - Be where history happened at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. This National Park offers tours of the restored buildings. Pack a picnic to enjoy in one of the designated areas!
State Parks - High Bridge Trail State Park is a gem for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. A former railroad bed the trail is wide and flat and features High Bridge, a 2,400 foot-long natural bridge that sits 125 feet above the Appomattox River. On hot days, bring water - there are limited facilities at this park.
Staff Pick - Spend an idyllic day by the James River at Pony Pasture in James River Park. There are many areas of this park to explore, but Pony Pasture is the most popular. It's a great place for sunbathing, snorkeling, kayaking, hiking and biking!

Virginia Beach/Hampton Roads

National Parks - Did you know that Jamestown was the first successful American settlement? Learn about its history at this unique National Park. Active Duty military receive FREE admission, Veterans pay a reduced rate. You can find details on their website.
State Parks - First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach is Virginia's #1 visited State Park! If you're planning a visit during busy summer weekends, plan to arrive early to snag a parking spot. Once spaces are full, rangers won't allow more cars into the park.
Staff Pick - Head to Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story and visit the beach in hopes to see dolphins and explore the third oldest lighthouse still standing in the U.S., Cape Henry Lighthouse. While most of the base is closed to non-DoD ID card holders, the lighthouse is open. Learn how to access Ft. Story here.

Southwest Virginia

National Parks - The Appalachian Trail is one of the most iconic trails in the world, a national park, and part of it runs through Virginia! Plan your adventure through their website.
State Parks - Did you know you can treasure hunt for free at Fairy Stone State Park? Fairy stones are only found in a few states, and Virginia has some of the most beautiful specimens. Read the legend of the fairy stone here.
Staff Pick - On the Virginia-Tennessee border, you'll find the charming town of Bristol. This 150 year-old city is the birthplace of country music and has a historic, walkable downtown with many local dining and shopping options. Learn more on their tourism site.

If you like exploring with a community, check out the Virginia Chapter of Military Wild. Military Wild connects military members and families in communities worldwide through outdoor adventures.

FREE National Park Passes for Military and Veteran Families

As a thank you for their service, Veterans of the United States Military and Gold Star Families are provided with FREE Lifetime National Park Passes.

Active Duty families are eligible to get a FREE Annual Park Pass for National Parks. The passes are identical, but Active Duty families must get a new one each year.

The process to claim your park pass is simple. You can either order the pass online (a shipping fee applies), or find a pass-issuing location near you using the National Park Services website.

Upcoming Events

Employment

V3 Transition & Employment

Would you like to receive job openings from military-friendly employers in Virginia?

Hire Vets Now / Hire Milspouses Now Networking Events

June 15 - Norfolk

July 13 - Oceana

July 20 - Ft. Eustis

August 17 - Norfolk

September 14 - Ft. Gregg-Adams

September 19 - Ft. Belvoir

Event Registration

American Corporate Partners (ACP) is a national nonprofit organization focused on helping returning veterans and active duty spouses find their next careers through one-on-one mentoring, networking and online career advice.

Community Belonging

Have you heard of Twelve Million Plus?

Twelve Million Plus is the first and only verified community, exclusively for military spouses (Active-duty, veteran, reserve, national guard, and surviving spouses). Spouses are verified using ID.me.

If you are a military spouse AND a veteran, you will need to create a separate ID.me account as a military spouse to gain access to the community.

Click here to visit the site!

Military Spouse Round Tables

Look for an announcement about our next round table event in the fall!

CONTACT US!

Have questions for VDVS? Scan the QR Code or click the button below to be sent to our Appointment Line and we will reach out!

Visit the VDVS Website

How can I contact the Military Spouse Liaison Team?

The Virginia Military Spouse Liaison assists and advocates for all military spouses regardless of sponsor status to include active duty, National Guard, Reserve, Veteran, caregiver, and surviving spouses.

Send us an Email

Visit our Milspouse Website