Camping is a summer rite of
passage in Wisconsin,
and today we're exploring
some of the state's most
Family-Friendly campgrounds.
Let's check them out on
Discover Wisconsin.
Hello and welcome
to Discover Wisconsin.
Today, we're exploring
four different campgrounds,
and they all have one
major thing in common
when you're here,
you're camping
for the fun of it.
Camping for the fun of it
is a group of 14 campgrounds
throughout the
state of Wisconsin.
Their mission is simple:
to remain
the preferred destination
for overnight and
seasonal campers
looking to create
family memories that will
last a lifetime.
We start our tour
at Jellystone Park
of Fort Atkinson,
where we caught up with
one of the original
pioneers of the camping
for the fun of it concept.
Camping for the fun of it
is a co-op of campgrounds
here in Wisconsin,
and the whole idea
is to tell everybody
in Wisconsin that
these campgrounds
have the fun stuff
for the family
to come and enjoy.
And it is all about
the stuff.
So describe
what the stuff is.
Well, you know, we thought
people like experiences,
so it's
all about the cool stuff
like dunk tanks.
Where do you go to
go in a dunk tank?
Nowhere, you know,
water balloon fights,
swimming pools,
ponds, with it.
It's all about
those experiences.
We've been around
a long time
and we're
constantly upgrading
our fun stuff to play with
and a lot of our customers
are repeat customers.
But every year
they're one year older
and they come to see, "what
did you get that's different
from last year?"
So we have to
constantly upgrade
and change the fun inventory
because that's
what they expect.
So this is
harder than it looks.
I'm definitely
getting my leg workout,
but not going to lie,
it's super fun!
So what was the big
new thing this year?
This year, the big
new thing was the pond.
It was a fishing
pond at one time
and that was fun
for a lot of people.
But,
you know, putting in
the inflatables today
in today's world,
you can see that
it's well received.
And it's a busy place.
Water is king.
Any place that has water
attracts families.
Children love water
in the summertime.
And in the summertime
now, with the inflatables,
they can experience
a whole lot of
different fun things
without going to a
giant water park.
Calling the upgraded pond
the big new thing
is actually a bit
of an understatement.
The water is treated
and constantly monitored,
and the soft sandy beach
makes it the perfect place
to spend a sunny summer day.
It's a waterpark-like
experience within walking
distance of your campsite,
which makes kids
happy and parents as well.
For the parents,
we enjoy the water
just as much as the kids do,
I think.
Just watching the kids
have fun, that's
what it's about.
As a parent,
you want your kids to have
a great experience.
There's something
for everybody.
Adults and kids alike.
Now, if camping in a
tent isn't your thing,
check out this camping cabin
that you can rent with a TV,
a full blown kitchen
so you can save money
on meals, a separate bedroom
for your
kids, essential, and,
of course,
your very own bedroom
with a comfy mattress.
Who said camping has
to be uncomfortable?
And, most importantly,
a real bathroom.
Not only is Jellystone
Park in Fort Atkinson
perfect for kids, it's
also perfect for feeling
like a kid again.
I haven't played mini golf
since I was a teenager.
Let's
see if I still have it.
That's about as good
as I was back then.
You might be wondering,
what's the inspiration
for this experience?
Well, for Bud,
that's an easy answer.
We grew up
in northern Wisconsin,
basically with nothing.
We had each other
and our idea of a
really good time
was a truck tire
inner tube in the lake.
That was it. And we did....
We did a lot of things
with that inner tube.
And to come here,
we can take, you know,
whatever we dream up
or think about or see,
we've pretty much gone
out and bought it
so that everybody here
can have that experience
I didn't see
when I was their age.
So it's kind of cool
to to bring that,
you know, to the public.
All my decisions
are based on
if I was ten years old,
what would I want?
So you get to
relive your childhood.
I live my childhood
every day.
I mean, I really do.
Plan your adventures in
every corner of our state
by watching
Discover Wisconsin
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Coming up,
our tour of Wisconsin's
most family friendly
campgrounds continues.
Don't go anywhere.
We're camping
for the fun of it.
Welcome back to discover
Wisconsin.
One of the best parts
about the camping
for the fun of it
brand is you'll notice
all the campgrounds
are similar but different.
They have some of the
same awesome stuff,
but their own unique
charm as well.
And that's why we're
at Hickory Hills.
I'm going to show you
why this is the perfect spot
for your next family
vacation.
Hickory Hills
Campground is in Edgerton,
just a short drive
from both Madison
and Milwaukee, making it
a great destination
for your family's
quick weekend away
from home.
Hickory Hills sits
on about 60 acres
here on Rice Lake.
There are 186 seasonal sites
and about 79
overnight sites.
And for those
who aren't familiar,
what do you mean
by seasonal versus
overnight?
A seasonal site is one
that's open
from about May 15th
to October 15th,
so folks come in
and they sign a contract
with us
to use a piece of land
here at Hickory Hills,
and so they keep
their campers on it
for a whole season.
And so then they can come
whenever they want
and use all of the amenities
during the week
and the weekends,
whatever
fits their schedules.
So they basically get a
second home away from home
for an entire season.
Yes.
Yeah,
you get to spend your time
hanging out
at the lake or the pool,
and you don't have to worry
about any of
the maintenance.
Why go camping
once in the summer
when you can go
every weekend? Exactly.
And Hickory Hills
is the newest campground
in camping
for the fun of it.
Yes, it is.
It was recently purchased,
but they've added
so many new amenities.
The Wibit,
the jumping pillow,
the super shot,
and the new store.
Folks can now order
hot pizzas, pretzels,
get a slushy,
some ice cream.
And we have all of the
the staples
you may have forgotten
to pack before you came on
your camping trip,
so you can pick that
all up in the store.
And I heard
you had a donut bar,
which I'm very excited
to check out.
We do have a donut bar,
we actually have a donut bar
and an ice cream social.
So the donut bar is
Saturday and Sunday mornings
we provide the donuts
and all of the toppings.
Do you know, I've never
had a donut sundae before?
I'm going to treat this
like I treat
my sundaes, right?
You need
a variety of toppings
for sure you need
some chocolate.
Then
you need some more color,
hence the Sprinkles.
Breakfast of champions
right here.
Here
at Hickory Hills,
breakfast and dessert
are the same meals.
And that's what I call
vacation.
Besides a sweet treat
to start the day,
campers we spoke with
told us why they get excited
about a trip
to Hickory Hills
and what they look
forward to doing
once they get here.
Relaxing.
The adults are most
excited about relaxing.
Relaxation for us means
watching the kids have fun
and just sitting back
and watching them
sitting around a campfire,
reminiscing about old times.
We've been doing that a lot.
It's been a great time
so far.
I like how wooded it is.
Shaded, shaded, definitely.
So you're not getting
beat in the sun
all the time.
It's really quiet.
It's a good time.
There's no question
that parents
enjoy their stay,
but believe
me, Hickory Hills
is definitely a favorite
for the kids as well.
Featuring fun, arts
and crafts projects,
not to mention
plenty of stuff to
get kids moving.
What do you think
is the highlight
for kids that come here?
Most definitely our brand
new jumping pillow.
We have kids on that
all hours of the day.
They're there
from the morning
until the evening.
They just jump away.
It's just amazing
how much time they
can spend out there.
Had to discoverwisconsin.com
to get started planning
your next weekend getaway
to a camping for the fun
of it campground.
Coming up, camping for
the fun of it is more
than just fun in the Sun.
Eric checka out a spooky
celebration at Boulder
Creek. Up next.
Welcome back to our
tour of the states
most family
friendly campgrounds
on discover Wisconsin.
You know, throughout spring,
summer and fall, people
love
camping for the fun of it
again and again .
And every time
you come back here
to Boulder Creek Campground,
there's always a fun event
celebrating something.
Boulder Creek
Campground is in Bagley,
just a few hundred feet
from the Mississippi River,
making it
a great destination
for families on the
western side of Wisconsin,
not to mention campers
coming across the
river from Iowa.
It's a campground
with a strong tradition
and a modern feel.
Boulder Creek campgrounds
been here for a while,
but in the last
couple of years,
you've really added
some new amenities.
We have.
We have
a brand new heated pool.
We have water basketball.
You have inside
seating in there.
We have a new playground.
Mini Golf.
And one of the crowning
jewels is our Tree House.
Kids can go up
and they can climb
and come down on a slide.
Can Grown-Ups go
in the tree house?
They can.
It's too small for me.
Sheesh,
and this is all in
the middle of an area
that's otherwise,
you know,
it feels way out there.
It does, but we really have
a Midwest feel here.
Everybody helps everybody.
It's just wonderful.
We're one big family here.
And I think that's
what our campers love
the most is when they come
they're appreciated.
We enjoy having them
and I love people,
so it's easy.
And the mini
golf looks great.
That waterfall is beautiful
and you're setting
right here.
I mean,
the Mississippi River
is right over the
tracks on this side.
And then on this side,
these beautiful bluffs
just frame
the whole grounds.
It is just stunning
right here.
That is one of the things
people come here for
is just the beauty
of the whole area,
not just the camping alone,
but it's the beauty.
It's the eagles that soar
overhead all the time.
So joy, it's late summer.
The weather is so ideal,
but you're already prepping
for Halloween here I see.
We are.
It's
one of our biggest weekends
is Halloween.
We do a lot of activities
right up
until the middle of October.
They can camp any time.
And what are some
of the activities
people can enjoy
for Halloween weekend here?
Well, we're going to do
pumpkin painting.
We have our haunted house.
Site contest.
There's a lot of activities
to be had today.
I might want to get
in on some candy,
so I need a costume.
An Angel.
Nobody's
going to believe that.
How about a Packer
bobblehead?
That's going
to hurt too much.
I know.
I'll be a kid.
OK.
I may not have gone
site to site
with the rest of the
trick or treaters,
but I did feel that sense
of community
that Boulder Creek
prides itself on.
There's no denying it.
I get to be Katy Perry.
So all of these visitors
who come to your
campground and stay,
they get to enjoy
all these amenities.
What do you like
most about it?
I like the campers.
I love people.
And everybody has
a unique story.
And it's fun to
interact with them.
And they come back time
and time again,
year after year,
and they truly get
to be like family.
They get really close
to them.
What brings you back
here year after year?
People. People do.
We first started coming here
in a pop up camper,
you probably
a pop up too, Terry.
You know, you come here
with your little kids
and you have a good time.
Then you come back later
and now Eli's 20 years old.
This year he's turning 20.
He still enjoys coming here
because of the people.
It's good family experience
for a weekend
and the whole season.
Yeah, yeah.
Young kids are the same way.
And they got married
had kids of their own.
They're up here
as much as they can be.
They love their grandkids
and my grandkids love it.
It's a lot of fun.
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Coming up, the fun
continues at a resort
that might seem more
like a day at the beach
than a campground.
We're back and camping
for the fun of it
in one last destination
on discover Wisconsin.
You know, when you go
camping for the fun of it,
you can be assured
of one thing
every campground has
its own unique charm.
And here
at Chaparral Campground,
that's definitely
a true story.
Chaparral Campground
and Resort is in Wonewoc,
just outside of
Wisconsin Dells,
which puts them within
30 minutes
of plenty of family
friendly activities
outside of the campground.
So I'm here with Dennis.
He's
the owner operator
of this place.
Now I see a lot of RVs here.
Do people mostly
use our RVs now?
Do
they still use some tents?
How do they do this?
RV has
become a real big industry.
We still have tent sites,
pop up sites,
we do offer cabins.
So let's talk
kids and Grown-Ups.
There's a lot for the
whole family here.
What especially do
the kids love here?
Kids love the beach area.
They love the fishing.
We've got a well-stocked
fishing pond over there.
We've got the inflatable
water park.
We've got the kayaks,
paddleboats, paddleboards.
Trampolines I saw.
Trampolines
out on the water.
We've got some slides.
We've got obstacle
course on the water
and
half mile of sandy beach.
You heard that right,
a half mile of beach.
On one
end of the campground,
it's just that, a campground
with all of the amenities
you'd expect from
a modern destination.
But head to the other
side of chaparral
and you're in an
incredible water park.
We seem to be
in the epicenter
of family fun here.
Because what I'm
seeing behind us
is pretty epic.
The beach, the water
and what all is there
to do here.
Because I also saw
fishing poles. Yes.
Well, they can come down
and they can play on
the inflatables.
We've got mats,
we've got trampolines,
we have fishing
for them back here.
If anybody wants
to go fishing, it's
catch and release.
And then we also
have a place where
people can bring their dogs
to go
swimming and play with them.
So there's a lot to do here.
We have all
the sunshades out, so people
don't have to be gathered
in the same spot.
They can be spread out.
You can have a lot
of people here
and they can have fun
and not be on
top of one another.
Yeah, there's a lot of room
for people here.
Also, you rent kayaks
and you rent paddleboards.
People that are camping
get to use all the boats
for free
that's
included in their stay.
But if people want to
come in for the day,
they can pay $5
and they can be on the beach
or they can use boats,
and for $10, they
get to do all of it.
And this is on a pond that's
fed by natural springs.
So it's like actual
spring water.
You get to swim in.
And you can fish.
And you can jump in it
and do all kinds of
cool stuff.
You and the pooch.
And the... Oh, and the kids.
We can't forget the kids.
Yeah.
Mom and dad, the kids
and the dogs.
Bring your cat, too,
if you want, but
they won't like it.
Yeah.
So you've been building this
for over two decades,
there's clearly a lot
of family memories
for guests and for you,
I met your granddaughters
and they're back there
playing right now.
Yes, they are.
They they love coming here
because
we have one granddaughter
that loves to fish.
We have
another granddaughter
that loves being on
all the toys out here.
Well, they both love
being on the toys, but
it gets them out of the city
and they can come out
and see us and have fun,
and we get to make a lot
of family memories here.
And what are some of the
stories you've gotten from
some of the other guests?
Everybody loves that
we are family oriented here,
that they can come here
and they can spend
time as a family,
do things as a family
and just create a
lot of memories. You know?
But that's
what it's all about,
and that's
why we built this.
It's the same theme
that resonates throughout
all of the camping
for the fun of it
campgrounds.
It's clear that you don't
go into the camping business
without a deep passion
for creating memories
for others.
I love the people.
I love the families.
You know, people
come back
year after year after year
and several
times a year or so.
That's the that's the most
important part for me.
You know, we've seen four
campgrounds just
in this episode.
And when you go camping
for the fun of it,
you can be assured
of a lot of things,
including a lot
of natural beauty
and that they're
always working
on improvements,
they're adding amenities
and they're making sure
families have fun.
So get out.
Camp for the fun of it
and have some fun.
Make some memories
for the whole family.
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Wisconsin anytime, anywhere
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