Hello mamas,
I am a single mom (no father in the picture) of a little girl (5) who for reasons that escape me, wants desperately to go camping.
Now, my idea of camping is when room service is late, so I am really out of my element here! The only times I have been camping were as a child with the Girl Scouts or with extended family, neither of which was a stellar experience. As an adult I went with my ex (not my daughter's father) multiple times, but since he was a Marine, he pretty much did all the dirty work. I packed the food and my clothes and other than that, I pretty much showed up and ate s'mores.
However, I am committed to giving my daughter diverse experiences, and knowing how much she likes her creature comforts, I am guessing that one excursion might cure her wanderlust.
I have NO equipment or anything, so I am wondering if there is anyplace we can go that would feel like camping to give her a feel for the adventure. I have considered just borrowing a tent and camping in our backyard, but we live right on the edge of a county park and our yard is filled with racoons & deer nightly.
TIA,
Try "Jellystone" parks...
You can get a cabin instead of a tent...which would be camping still. If you want to borrow a tent - you still can - they have tent sites as well.
Camping in the backyard is fun!!! We have done that and even set up a "campfire" in our backyard.
Good for you for stretching your boundaries!! YOU GO!! GIRL!!
What about a KOA campground? They have small cabins you can rent, so it's not like sleeping in a tent. I think you have to bring your sleeping bag and you put it on the cot in the cabin. And you can make a fire in the evening in the fire ring, etc. According to the KOA website, there is one near Washington PA (I haven't been there though).
I remember camping near Ohiopyle at a campgrounds that has cabins, but I don't recall the name of the site. If you've never been to that area, the river is absolutely beautiful in the summer. You can walk in the rapids, enjoy Cucumber Falls, even check out Falling Water (although that's probably more $$ than it used to be). Enjoy ;)
This place is in Pymatuning.
A cabin is $40/night.
This is a private campground in Mercer (close to Grove City Outlets!) but they do have cabins, a lake, etc.
They might rent cabins to non members--not sure.
http://www.plantationpark.net/
Cabins always book up early & fast so I'd reserve something right away.
Better you than me! Lol but your daughter will love it.
I love that you're going to give this a try :) I wish you the best.
I've backpacked or camped in pretty much every state park in pennsylvania. And for a (relatively) newcomer I would say Raccoon Creek State Park. It's close to Pit. The "rustic campsites" are where I camped and basically it's an open field in the woods, with a short walk to bathrooms and a water pump. It's flat, so taking a 5 year old hiking when you're bored means a nice leisurely walk in the woods without the "wow-I-thought-I-was-in-shape-but-now-I-want-to-die" kind of hills. That's if you want to borrow a tent. In this same area they have wooden shelters (wooden deck, roof, sides but open in front) that you can stay in, but they creep me out a little. I like to zip up my tent against the creepy crawlies. Picnic table and fire ring are there as well.
They have modern cabins you can rent too, if that's more your thing. They have much more amenities.
OR you can go for a yurt. I don't think they have any at Raccoon Creek but I think maybe Ohiopyle has them. These also have modern amenities, but they kinda look like a giant tent. Maybe that would be a good middle ground?
Check out the DCNR website and feel free to PM me if you have any questions about a specific park.
Many of our provincial campgrounds have "comfort camping" options available. There are campers, cabins and yurts that are available for rent. I'm sure your state parks probably have something similar available. I like to use the yurts and cabins when my husband isn't with us so I don't have to mess around with the tent.
