Want to give your family an adventurous, memorable and exciting family vacation that doesn’t have a large price tag attached? Instead of heading to a hotel to unwind, many locals are turning to the great outdoors for their rest and relaxation, and they’re taking advantage of camping facilities at Virginia state parks, national parks and privately owned campgrounds.This isn’t surprising, considering all that nature has to offer. However, before you pack up your family and head out, make sure you’re prepared for all the adventures that await you.

The first thing to think about is what kind of experience you want for your family. While both tent camping and RV camping will achieve the ultimate goal of experiencing nature, there are some benefits and drawbacks to each.

TENTS
Benefits of a Tent:

1. Your family will get the “real” experience of camping outdoors and sleeping under the stars.
2. Your tent is much more portable than a trailer and can go just about anywhere you can. If you plan to hike to your camping location, it’s possible with a tent.
3. Purchasing a tent and supplies are a lot less expensive than buying or renting a trailer. Most of the supplies you’ll need are reusable, so your family can enjoy camping time after time.
4. Reserving tent sites is typically less expensive than trailer sites, and there are more free camping opportunities with tents.

Drawbacks of a Tent:

1. You can’t just up and go if tent camping. You’ll have to prepare and make sure you have everything you’ll need, including drinking water, food utensils and much more.
2. There isn’t much protection from the elements when tent camping. You’ll have to look out for weather, wild animals and other things that may put a damper on your trip.

TRAILORS
Benefits of a Trailer:

1. Trailers lets you enjoy the great outdoors with all the comforts of home.
2. Unlike tent camping, most of the things you will need can be pre-packed and ready to go if you want to leave on a whim.
3. Your trailer has a lot more storage space than a backpack so you won’t have to make the tough decision of whether or not to bring something along.
4. Most trailer beds are more comfortable than sleeping bags, so you won’t suffer the next morning.

Drawbacks of a Camper:

1. You’ll need to call ahead and verify that trailers are permitted at the campground you’re visiting. You’ll also need to make sure there are electric and water hook-ups, or you may lose the amenities of a trailer.
2. Trailers can’t travel everywhere in the woods, so you might be limited to only those areas your trailer can travel.

Five Camping Activities to do with Kids
Experience nature: Let your kids experience nature for themselves. There are so many fun things to do including hiking, bicycling, fishing, crabbing, swimming and boating. A lot of campgrounds and parks offer all of these activities, as well as group activities and boat and bike rentals, so take advantage of all that the site you are staying on has to offer.
Board games: Bring a favorite board game from home, and put a new outdoor twist on it. A deck of cards can pass hours at a time, and they’re great for a rainy day. You can also play under a lantern or flashlight to add a spooky twist to the game.
Sports equipment: Bring things that can involve the whole family such as bats, gloves, baseballs, soccer balls, tennis rackets and other backyard games. Two other camping favorites are ladder ball and cornhole. These portable games can be made or purchased at an affordable price and offer hours of fun for the entire family.
Involve them: Let your child help you set up and take down camp, collect firewood, cook and clean up after meals. Look up camping recipes they can help you cook over an open fire or on a gas stove. Chores are always more fun camping than they are at home.
Document everything: Take tons of pictures, and collect brochures along the way so you and your child can make a scrapbook of all your fun adventures. This way, you both can reminisce when it’s snowing in the winter about all the fun you had together. It’ll make your child want to go back again and again.

Camping Tips
Fire safety: First and foremost, you should never leave your children alone near a campfire. Second, you should always extinguish your campfire before going to bed or before you leave camp. Most campgrounds provide a fire ring that will help contain the fire and prevent it from spreading. However, if the park you’re visiting doesn’t, you can purchase a portable one at a local camping store or make one out of rocks. Just be sure you know the campground’s rules before building a fire. Bringing your own firewood from home may be out of the question, too, because harmful, non-native insects and disease can be transported long distance in firewood. Make sure to check out other rules and regulations, including the local fire restrictions during droughts. You may be restricted to certain times or places you can build a campfire. Visit the Virginia Department of Forestry for this information at www.dof.virginia.gov/index.shtml.
Manage your food: Don’t leave food, crumbs or trash near you or your sleeping quarters, especially if you’re staying in a tent. Store these items in your car away from camp or elevated. Also, keep all trash tied up and out of reach of critters.
Do your research: Look up common poisonous plants in the areas you’ll be staying so you can avoid them. Also, look up insects and common wild animals that live around the area so you’ll know what you’re up against. You won’t want to forget to bring insect repellant to keep the bugs away!. Take an extra look at the weather, as well, so you’ll know to bring sunscreen, extra blankets or rain gear.
Prepare for everything: Make a thorough list of everything you’ll need on your trip. Plan every meal, and take into consideration all ingredients and equipment that you will need in order to prepare each meal. Also, write down any emergency gear you may need, such as a first aid kit or aloe for sunburn relief. When making your list, remember to consider the amount of storage space you have, and decide what items are essential. Check off each item as you load the items in your vehicle, not as you pack them. You don’t want to get to camp and discover you left all the kid’s pajamas in the backpack by the door! 

5 Virginia Campgrounds Packed With Fun, Family Activities
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone
Park at Luray
2250 US Highway 211 E, Luray, VA 22835
(540) 743-4002
www.campluray.com
If you are camping at a Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park for the first time, rest assure that you are about to experience a great family vacation with first-rate accommodations, amenities and activities. Jellystone Luray offers seven styles of cabins that sleep anywhere from four to ten people. For campers they offer sites ranging from primitive to RV red carpet. Jellystone Parks offer regular visits from Yogi Bear himself and his friends Boo Boo and Cindy Bear. What other park can offer that?
Recreational Highlights: 400-foot waterslide, laser tag, the “Old Faceful” mining company, jumping pillow, planned activities, paddle boat rentals, miniature golf and more.
Area Highlights: located at the base of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, just five miles from Luray Caverns and five miles from the central entrance to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive.

Kings Dominion Camp Wilderness
10061 Theme Park Way, Doswell, VA 23047
(804) 876-3006
www.camp@kingsdominion.com
Bet you didn’t know that located just two minutes east of Kings Dominion is a campground that offers its guest free shuttle service to and from the front gate of Kings Dominion. No more paying to park, trucking long hauls from your car to the front gate or having to remember where you parked at the end of the day. Also, if you decide you need a break in the middle of the day or prefer to prepare your own meals as opposed to buying lunch or dinner in the park, a place to rest and eat is just a shuttle ride away. They offer primitive sites, group sites, cabins, as well as small and large RV sites.
Recreational Highlights: swimming pool, playground, volleyball court, game room and a comfortable campground lodge that offers Direct TV and free WiFi.
Area Highlights: located in a heavily wooded area just minutes from Kings Dominion and The Meadow Event Park.

Holiday Trav-L-Park at Virginia Beach
1075 General Booth Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA
(757) 425-0249
www.campingvb.com
The closest campground to the resort area, a beach parking lot — free for guests, 830 sites and 44 cabins on over 100 wooded acres and a slew of amenities make this a great option when visiting Virginia Beach. They offer cabins to accommodate up to four people, sites able to accommodate tents up to all classes of motorhomes and supersites, which offer longer and wider sites and patios.
Recreational Highlights: four playgrounds, 18-hole miniature golf, four large pools, game room, sports equipment rentals, bingo, hayrides, nightly musical entertainment, dog park and more. Some items are seasonal.
Area Highlights: Take advantage of their beach parking lot located just one block from the beach, or take their bicycle path that is 1.5 miles right to the beach and boardwalk.

Bethpage Camp-Resort in Chesapeake
679 Brown’s Lane, Urbanna, VA 23175
(804) 758-4349,
www.bethpagecamp.com
Bethpage has a reputation as Virginia’s highest rated campground and RV Park and has also been recognized as the best of Virginia, as well as one of the best in the Mid-Atlantic. You don’t want to miss out on their exceptional amenities and outstanding recreational opportunities. The closest campground to the annual Urbana Oyster Festival, they provide transportation back and forth to town all weekend long.
Recreational Highlights: large water park – two pools, one kiddie pool, a recreational pool, splash zone, two water slides and splash bowl, freshwater lake with sandy beach and floating trampoline, Bethpager Rivah Cruises, Ice Creamery, train rides, boat rentals and more.
Area Highlights: Located just outside the Town of Urbana, they are the closest campground to the annual Urbana Oyster Festival and provide transportation to and from town during that weekend. They also provide waterfront camping, boat ramps and fishing on the Chesapeake Bay.

Williamsburg KOA Resort
4000 Newman Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188
(757) 565-2734
www.williamsburgkoa.com
Williamsburg KOA Campground has been providing great camping experiences for 48 years. Their knowledgeable staff, impressive accommodation and large number of amenities make each stay fun and memorable. Williamsburg KOA offers 370 campsites, 12 lodges and 43 cabins on 180 acres.
Recreational Highlights: Free Fun Bus to Williamsburg, two heated pools, free cable, Wi-Fi, planned activities, hot air balloon rides, outdoor cinema, game rooms, volleyball, horseshoes, basketball, playgrounds, Kamp K9 dog parks, jumping pillow and more. Check out KOA.com for special events and hot deals.
Area Highlights: Purchase your tickets for Busch Gardens, Water Country and discount tickets for Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown and other attractions at the KOA store. Visit one or all of these great attractions located just minutes away or just relax at the campground and make family memories.