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Message |
    
Ponsonby
Citizen
Username: Elizabeth_s
Post Number: 40
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, January 28, 2006 - 2:48 pm: | 
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I'm having little luck with the search feature, so I'm reopening a familiar theme. Can anyone suggest a good family vacation destination (kids will be 1 and 4) for a summer vacation within an 8 hr driving distance? Rustic is fine, the option of planned activities and good meals even better. I grew up going to a "family camp" on the west coast and LOVED it, looking for similar in the NE. Thanks.
Elizabeth |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 881
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, January 28, 2006 - 3:17 pm: |
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Don't think this counts as camp, per se, but a friend raved about: http://www.nemacolin.com/nem_cms.asp?sectionID=25
I seem to recall this topic last year - maybe try searching...seems like there was a super cool sounding place in the Berkshires or similar.
Think there is a yoga retreat center in hudson valley area that does a family thing
Sundance in UT for when the kids are older (& you want to fly) - I have been there w/out kids & loved it...great activities, skiing, spa, classes, wonderful lodging & super food...just dreamy. Hope to go there with kids someday.
http://www.sundanceresort.com/ |
ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 4431
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, January 28, 2006 - 3:31 pm: |
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There are some in Vermont like Basin Harbor CLub and there's another one, can't remember the name, but you could do a search. |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 353
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, January 28, 2006 - 3:48 pm: |
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check out Smuggler's Notch in VT. It's great in Winter and Summer! |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 1417
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, January 28, 2006 - 4:09 pm: |
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Montagne Coupee in the village of St-Jean de Matha, Quebec, about an hour northeast of Montreal. Small inn with excellent cuisine, lots of outdoor activities (hiking, mountain biking),nature walks, and a bit of non-American atmosphere.
Since it's Canadian bucks, you still do get a bit more there for your US dollar. You can google Montagne Coupee. It's also a great place for X-C skiing in winter, and is a short drive to downhill ski areas. |
josophbella
Citizen
Username: Josophbella
Post Number: 17
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 9:27 pm: |
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My family went to Woodloch Pines (in the Poconos) last summer. It was fantastic. We have four young kids (at the time ages 1 1/2 - 5) and they all had the best time. There is so much to do there, constant activities, fantastic pools. The kiddie pool in particular was great for our young kids. They are situated on a lake so lake swimming was an option. All activities are included, like sailboats, paddle boats, waterskiing, go carts, race cars, numerous events for the kids, arts and crafts activities...the list goes on and on. We did not stay on the actual resort (we rented a house from their other property 2 miles away called Woodloch Springs - which also boasts a great golf course and country club). But if you stay on property all meals are included in the price. Also, they are opening the Lodge this spring which will be a full service spa resort.
We really all had an awesome time and it's only two hours away. Definitely worth looking into.
www.woodloch.com |
bmpsab
Citizen
Username: Bmpsab
Post Number: 188
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 9:54 pm: |
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We are very big fans of Tyler Place in Vermont. They have terrific programs for the kids starting as young as infants (so you really do get to rest) and it is significantly cheaper than smuggler's notch. We have gone for two summers now and plan to go back again this summer. www.tylerplace.com |
LibraryLady(ncjanow)
Supporter
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 2957
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 11:19 pm: |
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Lots of Maplewood/So. Orange families love going to Eagle Island on Upper Saranac Lake during Family Camp Week.
Family Camp
August 18 - 27, 2006
Adults and family members of all ages can enjoy a quick getaway or a full-fledged family vacation at Eagle Island. Come partake of a vast array of water activities, arts and crafts, campfires, and all-camp events, or just relax on the porch with a book. Visit the Olympic sites, explore Lake Placid and the surrounding area. Tent, cabin, and limited room accommodations are available. Children under 18 must attend with a supervising adult.
Fees cover lodging, meals as purchased, boat transportation from/to the mainland boat launch, swimming, canoeing, and all camp events. Water skiing, sailing, crafts, and pixie program require an additional fee.
Check-in time is 3:00 p.m. on arrival day; check out is before 11:00 a.m. on day of departure. Participants must provide their own transportation to the mainland boat launch. Boat transportation is not available between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Fees:
Room: $50 per family/per night (up to five people)
Tent/Cabin: $40 per family/per night (up to five people)
Meals:
Adults: $35 per person per day
Children (5-12): $25 per day
Children (1-5): No charge
Tent Camping/Cookout Only: $15 per family/per day
http://www.gscgehc.org/camp/summer_camp_brochure/ei_events.html
Nancy Chiller Janow
On a coffee break..or something like it.
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sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3081
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 7:15 am: |
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Like Eagle Island, many other Girl Scout, YMCA, church, etc. camps offer family camping ... usually at the end of their summer season. I know that Camp Hoover (Girl Scout - http://westfieldnj.com/girlscouts/Hoover%20Family%20Camp%20Brochure%202006.doc) and Camp Johnsonburg (Presbyterian - www.campjburg.org), both in northwestern New Jersey, have these programs. It is a way for them to extend their season a bit past the time when their seasonal (mostly college student) summer staff have to leave, but there is still prime summer camp weather to enjoy and also to offer a great vacation opportunity to their alumni and camper families as well as others from the public. |
LibraryLady(ncjanow)
Supporter
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 2959
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 8:53 am: |
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SAC that is true. But what I found so nice about Eagle ISland is, tho it is located 6 hours from here, all the folks seem to be from Essex County, New Jersey. I met some of my closest So. Orange/Maplewood friends there and we've remained friends for many years.My kids meet other kids from their neighborhood. Sort of like a home away from home!!
Nancy Chiller Janow
On a coffee break..or something like it.
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shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 1161
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 11:04 am: |
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I second Woodloch Pines -- although it's a lot more expensive than Eagle Island or some of the other rustic places. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 3901
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 12:22 pm: |
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Library Lady, do you have to be a member of any organization to go to Eagle Island? It looks like the kind of vacation we'll need this summer!
Also, how early do you need to book it? |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 362
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 1:01 pm: |
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Shoshannah and josophbella -
What is your recommendation regarding housing at woodloch? What level full accom. room and what level house do you recommend? And how is the food if you do full accomodations (especially for picky kids)? Thanks! |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3084
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 1:11 pm: |
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I wasn't discounting Eagle Island at all, but just sharing some more options in a similar vein. My daughter loves EIC for sleepaway camp and our family had a wonderful time at a work weekend there last year, although we have never made it to Family Camp so far.
I think that the reason so many are from Essex County is because Eagle Island is owned by our local Girl Scout Council and so it is Essex (and Hudson plus a couple of Union County towns) folks who receive the brochures about it. But it is open to anyone who cares to sign up. |
shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 1167
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 4:32 pm: |
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Not sure what all the levels of accommodations are at Woodloch. We stayed in a nice room, similar to a hotel room, in the main building. All meals are included. They serve family style, and there is plenty to choose from. You have an assigned table with the same server for the length of your stay, and as soon as you sit down they start bringing the food. No waiting -- so that part is good for kids. |
J-9
Citizen
Username: Newtotown
Post Number: 39
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 5:05 pm: |
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My favorite place in the world as a kid was Timberlock in the Adirondacks. It's still fantastic. www.timberlock.com |
LibraryLady(ncjanow)
Supporter
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 2960
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 9:45 pm: |
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SAC, I agree there are many other camps as well that are great.
VG, no, you don't have to be a member of any organization to go to EI. Back when my kids were young, we signed up early to get the better accomadations (The Boat House was our favorite). Give the Girl Scout Office in Montcalir a call for more info aws mine is decidedly old.
Nancy Chiller Janow
On a coffee break..or something like it.
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josophbella
Citizen
Username: Josophbella
Post Number: 18
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 10:59 pm: |
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Pdg,
Since we did not stay at the actual resort (we stayed at their Woodloch Springs property 2 miles away, which were single family homes), I cannot attest to the food. We did purchase sandwiches at the pools and the lake and the food was fine. I went with some of my extended family, so we rented a five bedroom house. The houses are on the newer side and are all fully equipped. Obviously the cost is less if you rent a house and cook your own meals. But then you have to deal with cleanup.
If you stay on the main resort, you have to get the all inclusive food package. If you stay at Woodloch Springs, I think you have the option of getting the all-inclusive food or not. (If you get it though, you're a five minute drive away so you have to figure that in your plans). |
Chalmers
Citizen
Username: Chalmers
Post Number: 163
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 9:47 am: |
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We enjoyed The Tyler Place on Lake Champlain in Vermont last summer. They have supervised activities for young kids that our 3-year-old really enjoyed. Our 1-year-old missed us a lot but I think if we went back this year she would like all they have to offer. My husband and I were actually able to do things we never get to do at home, such as hiking, tennis and eating without the kids. It's expensive, but we went in September when it's cheaper and the weather was perfect. |
Ponsonby
Citizen
Username: Elizabeth_s
Post Number: 41
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 9:37 pm: |
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Many thanks to all of you. Great suggestions, I already have received brochures from many of these places based on your recommendations. Looking forward to summer now! |
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