Camping with Kids

Cabin Camping at Shenandoah Hills Campground

June 13, 2018 by Dave Witzel

As families get busier and life becomes more hurried we are finding the popularity of cabin camping just continues to rise. There are many advantages to a cabin rental, here at Shenandoah Hills Campground, and we think you’d love it! We have two types of cabins to choose from, each of them sleeping 4 people.

Rustic Cabins

These cabins measure 13 x 11 feet and are all in one room. They hold a double bed and a set of twin bunks. You’ll be out of the heat with a ceiling fan and an air conditioner to cool you off. They each have a water spigot on site, a picnic table, and fire ring with built-in cooking grill. They all have porches which are wonderful for relaxed times with family and friends. You bring all your own linens, food, utensils, and dishware. They are smoke-free for your added comfort.

Deluxe Cabin

This cabin is much like our Rustic Cabins but is larger at 12 x 20 feet. It includes a small bathroom with toilet, sink, and shower. You’ll also have the added convenience of a refrigerator and a microwave. There is a small closet for storage and you can opt to purchase this rental with a linen package of towels and sheets.

Cabin rentals work particularly well for new campers who’d like to experience our campground before committing to bringing all their equipment. Or, you might want to visit with friends or family who are camping with us but you don’t have your own camping equipment. A cabin rental takes much of the setting up out of the equation and you’ll be enjoying the campground within a short time of arriving. You don’t have to pitch tents or level RVs, you only need to unpack your necessities and you’re ready to play.

We’d love to see you enjoying one of our cabins this year whether it’s your first time or your tenth. Be sure to say hello because we’d love to meet you and learn more about you while you’re staying with us. You can find out more about our cabin rentals on this page. >> Shenandoah Hills Campground Cabin Rentals. We hope to see you soon.

Easy Fall Camping Recipes To Try Today

April 14, 2018 by Dave Witzel

Fall is the time for warm pots of chili and stews. Pair them with warm cornbread or fluffy biscuits. It’s a cozy time of year which makes us hungry for the comfort foods of our youth. We hope your Autumn is lovely and we’ll share some recipes you can make for the family. Then just enjoy each other, and the season, around the family dinner table.

Cinnamon Carrots with Maple Thyme Butter
This dish is made for Fall with bright carrots and rich maple syrup, you can’t go wrong. You’ll need about a pound of fresh carrots, olive oil, a stick of cinnamon, pure maple syrup, red wine vinegar, unsalted butter, thyme, salt & pepper. The carrots get roasted with olive oil, cinnamon and a little salt. Seperately, you combine the maple syrup, vinegar, salt, and thyme to add later and put back in the oven to roast a little more. They are warm, just slightly sweet and will become a family fave. You can find the recipe at Midwest Living

Stuffed Italian Meatballs
These will be a winner from the parents on down to the youngest child. You’ll be combining spiced Italian sausage, ground beef, mozzarella cheese, bread crumbs, and marinara sauce to make these warm and meaty meatballs. They are a lot easier to make than you might think. You can find the recipe at Midwest Living Spicy Meatballs

True Butterscotch Pie
This golden, creamy butterscotch pie will go fast so you better make two. You’ll combine brown sugar, butter, flour, cornstarch, egg yolks, butter, and vanilla for a dessert they will raid the fridge for late at night. Toss it into a premade crust and count the minutes until it is done. You really should get the first piece for your effort. You can see the recipe at Midwest Living Butterscotch Pie

These delicious Fall recipes should be a good start to celebrating the season. Your family will love them and you’ll be quite happy with yourself for setting such a beautiful meal in front of them. Nice work!

The Joys of a Road Trip With Games

January 20, 2018 by Dave Witzel

The old presumption is that when you go on a road trip with children you should expect to hear a great deal of complaining. The common thought is hearing, “Are we there yet?” However, it really does not have to be that way as long as you prepare yourself with the best games that are sure to keep the kids more than entertained along the way.

One of the best games, no matter their age, is a simple game of I Spy. In this game you simply spot something and describe one of its attributes, such as its color. The kids then look around and try to guess what you are thinking of. This acts double as a learning game for children that are just beginning to understand colors and shapes. Older kids will pick up on the fun of teaching the younger ones as well.

If you are traveling with older kids that can read the license plate game will keep them entertained. If they are in middle school printing out a map of the United States can actually help them to learn their geography while the mark off each plate that they see. Older kids can be expected to write the list of the states on their own. Either way, it is a fun learning game that will likely take up a great deal of their time. Whoever finds all 50 states first wins, but some parents like to just use the contingent 48 as not many come form Hawaii or Alaska by car.

You really don’t even need to plan games ahead to have fun while on the road. You know your kids best. Think about the things they enjoy and make the most of the experience. Everyone will be pleased as long as there is conversation and some music.

Campfire Snacks

October 21, 2017 by Dave Witzel

Half the enjoyment of camping with your family will be the delicious food cooked over the campfire. Nevertheless the simple S’mores of your own childhood have nothing on these incredible fire-roasted treats that creative campers across the country are cooking up over their campfires.

Campfire Cones: Take waffle ice cream cones and fill all of them with mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, and any other ingredients which might taste yummy, then wrap the cones in foil and heat on the campfire till the contents become gooey and delicious.

French Bread Pizza: Use small french bread loaves, slice in half lengthwise and top with pizza sauce, pepperoni slices, and shredded mozzarella. Then wrap in foil and cook on the campfire till the cheese is warm and melty.

Raspberry S’mores: Made exactly the same way as the old style S’mores, though with one difference—you put a dollop of raspberry preserves on the toasted marshmallow before topping together with the final graham cracker square.

Camping Quesadillas: Lay a flour tortilla on a large square of foil. Layer a selection of toppings onto half of the tortilla, including cheddar cheese, green onions, salsa, or a sprinkle of taco seasoning. Then fold the quesadilla and wrap inside the foil, and cook it on the hot coals up until the cheese is perfectly melted.

Walking Tacos: Cook the ground beef with taco seasoning at home beforehand. Once you’re at the campsite, warm up the beef inside a pan on the fire. Then take mini bags of Doritos and slice them open across the side (holding the bag sideways). Scoop a little bit of the seasoned ground beef in to the bag, plus any taco toppings like shredded lettuce, sour cream, salsa, or black olives. Eat straight out of the Doritos bag.

These campfire treats will keep your household happy throughout your holiday, assisting you to create special memories together that you can look back on for many years.

Tips For Raising Earth Friendly Campers

October 14, 2017 by Dave Witzel

Taking your children camping can be one of the most rewarding experiences. You get to share with them your love of nature and all the beauty that surrounds us. You also have a prime opportunity to express to them just how important it is to care for this fragile planet that we have been gifted with, which can impact them for a lifetime.

Image Source: NPS.gov

No matter what their age, children learn from what you teach them, and more importantly, your actions. By taking your children camping and showing them the importance of leaving the wilderness as it was when you arrived you are giving them crucial lessons for the future. This not only shows them the value in caring for the space that you use, but the importance of taking care of the planet as a whole.

If you approach this as a fun activity kids are most likely to catch on and even want to take the lead. Chances are they may even correct you from time to time. The beginning steps is to reinforce that you should never leave any trash behind, no matter where you might be. This can be as simple as asking them to pick up a food wrapper they left behind on the trail. After doing so you can explain to them in terms they understand just how long it takes for that wrapper to become part of the Earth again and the harm that it could do to animals that come across it.

As they age you can get even more in depth with your explanations. For young children you might say that it takes a very long time for something to decompose, or that it might hurt the animals, but when they are older you can explain specific time frames and the real harm it can cause.

Being a responsible camper is important at any age. Sharing your love for nature and the planet will carry with them into adulthood. It is an important lesson that they will be glad you taught them.

Camping is Good for Your Health

August 26, 2017 by Dave Witzel

There are lots of benefits of camping and it’s a much loved activity of many. It’s fun and relaxing for most people and they like to share the experience with their closest family and friends. It can be surprising to hear of the health benefits of camping because it can go unnoticed. You may not even realize the boost to your immune system and improved mood when you’re romping with the kids in the pool.

Exercise – Camping is one of those activities in which exercise is fun. You can leave the gym and the treadmill behind as you spend your days walking, running, swimming, and playing. You can get a lot of exercise without even noticing it when you’re camping. It’s good for your heart and is a natural endorphin boost.

Good Night’s Sleep – We always hear how important sleep is to our health and it can be hard to get a good night’s rest in our day-to-day life. When you’re camping, though, sleep tends to just come naturally. You’ll play all day, relax around a campfire at night, and drift off easily to sleep at night. It’s good for your mood and your energy levels.

Recharge – You can disconnect without a bit of guilt when you’re camping. You can put your phone on silent and check it once or twice a day. You can decide to not check your email until late afternoon. It’s all up to you when you’re camping. Skip the daily news shows and social media for awhile and you’ll be amazed at the increase in happiness you can begin to feel.

Reconnect – Life is busy and camping gives you time to get back in touch with the people who matter. You can park the daily schedules of everyone in the family and just do what you want, when you want.

There are many more ways that camping can be good for your health and you can read about them at 15 Surprising Health Benefits of Camping.

Fun Things To Do With Pool Noodles

August 5, 2017 by Dave Witzel

It seems to be all the rage these days, people are getting crafty with pool noodles and making up some really fun games for the whole family. There are quite a few ideas you can use to make some games before you arrive and have on hand just in case of rain or for spending some quiet time at the campsite.

Pool Noodle Basketball Hoops – This will keep the kids active and won’t damage the RV. They will enjoy testing their skill and will be able to come and go when they want because the game can be left up for the duration of your stay. You simply glue pool noodles, of varying sizes into a circle and tape them to the wall. The kids can make up games by getting different points for making a basket in each hoop.

Pool Noodle Race Track – You know they love their cars and this race track will be a blast. You just cut a pool noodle in half, lengthwise, and glue them together along the long edge. Now you have two race tracks for a good competition.

Pool Noodle Swords – Every kid loves to play sword fight and they can when the swords are made from these pool noodles. No one will get hurt and they can battle away all afternoon.

Pool Noodle Mr. Potato Head – A pretty crafty idea, this one is. You can cut a pool noodle into a variety of sizes and, using golf tees, create a whole range of cute characters. The material is soft enough for the little ones to use and will give them a chance to stretch their imagination. It’s also easy to carry this around in a small bag or box for easy access.

There is plenty to do when you’re camping with us but, just in case, these are some ideas to have fun with the kids.

You can find the instructions for these games and more at 29 Things to do With a Pool Noodle.

Three Tasty Desserts To Try When Camping

June 24, 2017 by Dave Witzel

One of the best things about a camping trip is the campfire foods you get to enjoy. In fact, there is always room for cool fruit desserts on your camping trip. That’s why you need to have some refreshing recipes on hand when you decide to camp with your family. Your kids will definitely relish the idea of a cool fruit dessert on your camping trip. Here are 3 to try for your next camping trip.

1. Bananas Foster

You need 1/4 cup of butter, 2/3 cup of brown sugar, 1 1/2 tablespoons of vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts, 1 pint of vanilla ice cream, and 3 bananas peeled and sliced.

First, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in the sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. When the mixture is about to bubble, place the walnuts and bananas in the skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the bananas are hot and serve over vanilla ice cream.

2. Mountain Pie

You need bread, Nutella, sliced bananas, butter, shredded coconut, chocolate chips, peanut butter, and marshmallows. Pile all the ingredients into the bread – sandwich style. You may roast the pie and serve it after it cools or serve it as is. This is a great fruit dessert for your next camping trip.

3. Fruit Jello

Fruit jello is extremely easy to prepare. Hence, you can hardly go wrong with this recipe. On the other hand, you can store it up in your cooler without any problem. Even if the jello warms up a little bit, it should remain perfectly edible during your camping trip. A nice fruit jello is just what the doctor ordered after a long hike on your camping trip.
The whole family is sure to remember the camping trip for a long time to come with the above cool fruit desserts. Your family may even beg for these tasty treats at home. Whatever you do, make sure you have fun with these recipes on your next camping trip.

Camping With Teens And Having The Best Possible Time

May 20, 2017 by Dave Witzel

Camping with teens requires some forethought and planning and it can be amazing for everyone involved. You don’t want them getting bored and may be concerned about how you can keep them active and engaged. Rest assured, however, that it is possible to take teenagers camping in a way that keeps them busy and know they’re enjoying nature.

One thing that’s a good idea is to take limit technology that a teenager is going to bring with them. You’ll probably all have phones, tablets, etc. but we’re hoping you find so much to do outside that you find you’re forgetting to check them.

Get them involved. Plan to have some chores for the teenager to do to help with the campsite. For instance, they can help get the wood, start the fire, and keep the campsite clean. Let them share in ideas for the best setup of your campsite. They can have a say in what you’ll be doing each day. The more you involve them in the nuts and bolts of camping the more they’ll learn to love it.

You can take the time to teach them skills like knot tying, reading a compass, finding star constellations, or playing a good old game of poker. They’re in the child/adult stage and will be interested in both levels of activity.

It’s a good time to learn from them as well. You’ll have more time to talk to each other. There are lots of fun games to play that will create conversations and open up the lines of communications between everyone.

When you go camping with teens, it can be a good time. You just have to make sure that you understand how to keep them occupied. Not only that, but you can teach them some life skills along the way as well. Camping is enjoyable for anyone of any age.

Teaching Kids The Skill Of Using A Compass

May 6, 2017 by Dave Witzel

In the technological world that our kids are growing up in, they are finding it hard to acquire the skills needed to use some of the analogous technologies in existence. One such skill is that relating to the use of a compass. Navigational mobile apps have made the skills of using compasses quite obsolete owing to the accuracy and ease of use of such apps. However, compass use is still a very critical skill to acquaint children with owing to its redundancy and usefulness in places with little to no connectivity. Herein we will explore the how best to teach kids how to use a compass.

Teach The Basics First: Compass Parts

Before endeavoring on any other aspect of using a compass, it is important to teach children the basics first, which in this case are the parts of the compass. In this regard, introduce the kids in question to the needle, compass rose at the center and the degree dial. Thereafter, you need to teach the kids the use of every part of the compass. The needle and the compass rose are very easy to handle. However, the use of degree dial is a more complex subject and should be taught only after the kids in question have a total grasp of using the needle and the compass.

Teach Navigation Basics

The next step is to teach children how to navigate using a compass. This is the point to teach children about the magnetic North Pole as well as why the needle always points in one direction. It is also important to let children play with an actual compass in determining the North Pole.

Teach How To Set Bearing

Though complex, you can teach kids how to set bearings and the number of degrees their destination deviates from the magnetic North. Begin by showing them how to hold a compass flat on their palms in the direction of their general direction of their destination. Thereafter, show them how to match the orienting arrow with the north-pointing magnetic needle, thus coming up with the bearing.

Thereafter, let kids practice what they have learned to reinforce the knowledge even further.