The first camping trip for 2016 was a success. We spent the weekend at Yogi Bear Jellystone Park in North Java, NY. We’ve camped at this resort several years and would like to go there more often is it weren’t so expensive. The campground is very large and we always rent a golf course which adds to the expenses.
The weather was perfect and the campground was packed. The kids loved the spray park, swimming in the pool, swimming in the lake, and playing in the sand. Unlike my sons, the girls were not hesitant to ride the paddle boats, kayak, and row boat….alone. This trip was also MY first time on a kayak. It takes a lot of energy and once you get the paddling together, you can move around pretty good.
Jellystone is the only campground (I know of) that has a rather large and diverse staff. This was the first time we’ve seen a diverse campground staff AND diverse campers. We were shocked that we were not the only black family camping. That was great to see. Now about the large diverse staff. The staff was diverse in sex, race, and age. And, when there is a large number of staff, you will run into some mess. And we did. All I will say is that some people should not work at places where they are required to be around a lot of families. I have very little tolerance for old grumpy men. I am all about respecting my elders but I will let you know who I am with the quickness. This is not the 60s homie.
Back to the positive. Jellystone has a great general store. They serve all the regular stuff but have a kitchen that delivers. Will had an emergency run home and I am not a grill master like him so I ordered pizza.
Overall, I highly recommend Jellystone; especially for beginners. They have a large amount of cabins, lots of space for ten campers, laundry facilities, clean bathrooms, and plenty of activities to you busy all day.
BlackCampers 
Glad you enjoyed the Jellystone. We too are camping this holiday weekend. We were pleasantly surprised to have 3 other African American couples in our area. We love to encourage other minorities to RV and we are glad to see more of us out here.
As for your staff comments, we couldn’t agree more. Campgrounds are made for families and kids ( unless over 55) so the staff should be screened for family friendliness. We would love to connect with you and other minorities traveling. Check us out at soulfulrvfamily.com or find us on social media soulful RV family.
We currently are camping at a KOA in Connecticut. Have a blessed day
Keith and Tia sims
Soulful RV Family
Hello fellow campers! Thank for taking the time to stop by my blog and leave a beautiful comment. I actually follow you on IG under the name justsewpeazy. I have two great hobbies, camping and sewing, but could not see myself managing to IG accounts.
We started camping at a KOA when we had a pop-up camper back in 1999. We went there all the time until someone told us there were other campgrounds in the area. WHAT?? LOL! This was before we had the internet, we were young, and the learning curve for camping was brutal. No one said we needed pots! 🙂
Also we live in chicago.
Read your blog and thought that you might like to visit our website http://www.joylandrvpark-leesburg.com
Thank you, Bob and Joy Johnson
Hi, I don’t have an rv, but I want to rent one for new years eve. We want to go somewhere warm. Perferably on the beach. Was wondering if you had any suggestions. Would like a comfortable place to go where we wouldn’t have to worry abut anything. I gotta 2 and 5 year old. Just wanna be comfortable. Thx
Thx
Wife and I started the same journey a year ago (July 31, 2015) First time at EVERYTHING. I’m military so starting here in northern VA (Quantico) was painful, but we’re good now. Love your posts that give us hope. Best decision I could have made between more mancave stuff and memories.
Hello Kendrick, what kind of camper to you have? When we purchased our first camper, a pop-up, the only camping experience I had was during basic training Army during bivouac training. It was a long and cold week.
Glad you enjoyed it. We have a Jelly stone here in Ga too. We have camped there before and like it. We need to book another weekend as well. Some time in the future we want to get to the jelly Stone in Fla.
We have two Jellystone near us. They are night and day. The smaller one we went to once was managed by an mean fella. He had security cameras at the swimming pool and when he saw you doing something he did not like, he’d yell at you over the loud speaker. The stream running through the camp was GREAT! You could lie down and gently float down the stream but the lack of activities and the other drama was not worth the trip. What kind of camper do you have?
I am so glad I found this blog. My family and I thought we was the only ones who felt left out when it came to this camping thing. We started our new journey 2 years ago with two teenage boys and a little girl of ten. Our first trip was to Jellystone in Emporia, Va. It was a nice trip something for everyone to enjoy but the boys were looking for a little more diversity. Our second trip we travelled to an KOA in Virginia Beach, Va. again it was a nice getaway with nearby things to do. Our boys have outgrown our love affair for camping but my daughter loves it still. I often wish to meet new families that would like to link up so she could enjoy herself more. We travel with a travel trailer.
Thanks great insite Thank God for love and understanding Peace PT
Hi, I like your site… I don’t have an RV yet, but it’s on my bucket list!!! I have not done much traveling so I’ve made it a mission to obtain an RV and do some major traveling. My ultimate goal is traveling from VA to California. I’ve already went online and created an itiniary with camp grounds etc and created a budget…I’m determined, I know I will make it happen!
Hi. I am so happy to read this blog. My family and I are getting ready (well in the next year or so) to purchase a travel trailer and I am looking for more families like my own. Please keep this blog going. Much love 🙂
Hi Amber, I’m a newby as well… but I have a plan in effect, I’m looking forward to hitting the road. Any places in particular you want to visit?
I’m sorry for the late reply. We want to eventually camp at Cedar Point Amusement Park, the Grand Canyon, and travel to the south for a rib festival! 🙂
I am so glad I found this site. My husband and I started out with tents. We now have graduated to our first RV which is a travel trailer. I absolutely love camping. I’m just tired of the looks like we don’t belong there. If you know anymore diverse friendly campgrounds in PA, MD, or NJ please let me know.
https://www.naarva.com/ they have groups of people in your area.
I’m sorry for the LATE reply. Unfortunately, I don’t think there is any diversity in the camping world. I now embrace those looks. The campers around us watch our every move and eventually warm up to my husband after they see how he gets busy with the grill. We know that we are representing our community in these environments and we let are awesomeness show! After interacting with us, they can only say…they are a fun family. We are proud black campers! Welcome to the club!