Wish me luck ...

[allmydisneydreams]

We are heading out this weekend for our first "real" family camping trip - 3 nights at Chippokes State Park in Virginia. Previously we have done overnighters with cub scouts (primitive - ick!) and we stayed in a camping cabin last year. But this is our first time out with our new "vacation home" - our brand new ginormous 20 x 11 tent. And the campground has water, electric and a pool

I am worried about the heat and am seriously considering setting up an air conditioner (FW style!)

We desperately need a vacation - we've had a rough summer w/ dh working 2 jobs. We've barely seen him and have had no family time - I am SO excited

I just hope it all goes well and we have a great time ... I keep thinking that this is good practice for the Fort (hopefully we'll be heading there soon!)

Any advice for me? I'm excited, but nervous, too, about (finally) jumping into camping with both feet

 

[Judy in Texas]

Good Luck!!

My advice is to practice putting the tent up and taking it down in the yard before you leave; but, since you are leaving this weekend you may not have time if you haven't done so already. If that isn't do-able, read the directions and have a general idea of how to lay it out, set it up before you start the process.

Have fun!

 

[Disney Bunny]

We are heading out this weekend for our first "real" family camping trip - 3 nights at Chippokes State Park in Virginia. Previously we have done overnighters with cub scouts (primitive - ick!) and we stayed in a camping cabin last year. But this is our first time out with our new "vacation home" - our brand new ginormous 20 x 11 tent. And the campground has water, electric and a pool

I am worried about the heat and am seriously considering setting up an air conditioner (FW style!)

We desperately need a vacation - we've had a rough summer w/ dh working 2 jobs. We've barely seen him and have had no family time - I am SO excited

I just hope it all goes well and we have a great time ... I keep thinking that this is good practice for the Fort (hopefully we'll be heading there soon!)

Any advice for me? I'm excited, but nervous, too, about (finally) jumping into camping with both feet

Don't know if you have camped there before, but Chippokes is a very nice place to camp. We have been there several times. If you don't want the expense or the hassle of doing the a/c, I recommend going to Walmart and getting a couple of $10 or $15 box or oscillating fans. You would be amazed at how much better those fans can make a camping trip. Also, buy some inexpensive water pistols for the kids to fill up and spray each other with. That also helps. Additionally, if you don't have a screen room or canopy, I recommend one of those. The more places you can design to get out of the sun, the cooler you will be. Enjoy!

 

[allmydisneydreams]

We are planning to put the tent up tonight and seal it - also see how crazy the a/c idea would be and if that doesn't work out I may try the fan idea.

We've not been to Chippokes. We drove through Surry last year on our way from Virginia Beach to Jamestown - it was gorgeous and we thought the ferry was so cool!

This year I was looking for a reasonable campground that was within easy distance to Busch Gardens. I am so relieved to hear that it is a nice place to camp Looks nice on the website, but you know how that goes ...

We've never been to Busch Gardens either so this is an all new adventure for us.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

I'm excited for you! Hope you have a great time and get "bit" by the camping bug!

 

[Disney Bunny]

We are planning to put the tent up tonight and seal it - also see how crazy the a/c idea would be and if that doesn't work out I may try the fan idea.

We've not been to Chippokes. We drove through Surry last year on our way from Virginia Beach to Jamestown - it was gorgeous and we thought the ferry was so cool!

This year I was looking for a reasonable campground that was within easy distance to Busch Gardens. I am so relieved to hear that it is a nice place to camp Looks nice on the website, but you know how that goes ...

We've never been to Busch Gardens either so this is an all new adventure for us.

By any chance do you LIVE in Virginia Beach?.....cuz that's where we are.

 

[allmydisneydreams]

No, unfortunately we live in New Jersey. The "shore" here is really not our style. Plus it is so crowdwd and expensive. Ugh.

We were looking for somewhere reasonable to vacation last summer and through a long process of research ended up in Virginia Beach. We loved it!!!

I would actually move there if I could. Your parks, beaches, etc are amazing. We loved Sandbridge. What a beautiful and perfect beach for families. And Virginia Beach was so cool with all of the statues along the boardwalk.

We stayed at North Landing Beach Campground, in a cabin. We thought that it was really nice there. I thought of going back there with the tent, but I need electricity, baby!


PS We did set up and seal the tent last night - good thing, too, because it rained overnight and apparently I missed some spots - there is water in my vacation home

Actually, its not so bad - I am glad that it happened in the yard and not when we were sleeping in there I'll reseal tomorrow when it dries up outside.

Lovingthe tent - it is HUGE. And my kiddos are so happy/excited about it

We tried zipping an air conditioner into one side of the front door (can't remember who on here said they do it that way - but if you read this THANKS!). It worked out great - cooled that puppy right down. So we are bringing the air, hoping it will be cool enough in the evenings to not need it but just in case ... plus we have a 1 year old who may need mid-day tent naps so we need some air conditioned comfort for that.

Of course the tent and a/c in my backyard is making me want to go to the Fort more than ever ... I'm going to see how this trip goes and then move forward with my Fort plans

 

[Disney Bunny]

No, unfortunately we live in New Jersey. The "shore" here is really not our style. Plus it is so crowdwd and expensive. Ugh.

We were looking for somewhere reasonable to vacation last summer and through a long process of research ended up in Virginia Beach. We loved it!!!

I would actually move there if I could. Your parks, beaches, etc are amazing. We loved Sandbridge. What a beautiful and perfect beach for families. And Virginia Beach was so cool with all of the statues along the boardwalk.

We stayed at North Landing Beach Campground, in a cabin. We thought that it was really nice there. I thought of going back there with the tent, but I need electricity, baby!


PS We did set up and seal the tent last night - good thing, too, because it rained overnight and apparently I missed some spots - there is water in my vacation home

Actually, its not so bad - I am glad that it happened in the yard and not when we were sleeping in there I'll reseal tomorrow when it dries up outside.

Lovingthe tent - it is HUGE. And my kiddos are so happy/excited about it

We tried zipping an air conditioner into one side of the front door (can't remember who on here said they do it that way - but if you read this THANKS!). It worked out great - cooled that puppy right down. So we are bringing the air, hoping it will be cool enough in the evenings to not need it but just in case ... plus we have a 1 year old who may need mid-day tent naps so we need some air conditioned comfort for that.

Of course the tent and a/c in my backyard is making me want to go to the Fort more than ever ... I'm going to see how this trip goes and then move forward with my Fort plans

Too funny. We have also camped at North Landing. I believe you could have rented a water and electric site and put your tent on it there, but you will really like Chippokes too. There are some historic homes out in that area too that you might be interested in. Enjoy your stay in our area.