As the summer begins to wind down and another school year is on the horizon, parents can get a jump and start class a little early at these featured campgrounds, where outdoor fun meets education. By trading routine weekends for the open road, families can visit these immersive locations and bring the fun of learning to their children’s lives. A Frontiers in Psychology article analyzed outdoor learning as a way of improving student engagement. Their findings include quantitative and qualitative data to support that on-site learning programs boosted student motivation and engagement along with skills like communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking.
These campgrounds can integrate a full educational experience with a full weekend of family fun camping.
Chesapeake Bay RV Campground (Virginia): Located in Eastern Virginia, this campground serves as the ultimate getaway for those who want to experience the birthplace of modern American democracy and learn about Virginia’s “Historic Triangle” of Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown. In addition to the abundance of history lessons in the area, the campground features a variety of amenities from playgrounds for elementary school students, swimming pools for high schoolers who just want to chill, and fishing sites for family bonding.
Mt. Hood Village Campground (Oregon): Located in Oregon, a hub for outdoor education, Mt. Hood Village offers immediate access to old-growth forests, geological foundations, and the historic Pacific Crest Trail. Mt. Hood, the highest peak in the state of Oregon, allows for educational lessons on the region’s active volcanic history, while the nearby Mt. Hood National Forest offers a chance to study ecosystems and biodiversity up close. With amenities like a playground, a pool, and barbecue area, and a Tiny House Village full of colorful cottages with big personalities, there’s no shortage of community spaces for relaxation after a day exploring.
Gettysburg Farm RV Campground (Pennsylvania): In the heart of Pennsylvania farm country, Gettysburg Farm has the perfect mix of agricultural learning and American history. Campers can walk through 120 acres observing active cornfields, can participate in the working onsite farm, or take a quick 20-minute trip to the Gettysburg National Military Park to see the turning point of the Civil War. Pull up in a RV or rent a cottage and get ready to learn how to milk cows and take care of the pigpen.
Thousand Trails Natchez Trace (Tennessee): In the historic city of Hohenwald, campers can follow in the footsteps of history, exploring the Natchez Trace historic path that Lewis and Clark made famous. The day trip possibilities are endless with the nearby Lewis County Museum, Loretta Lyn’s Dude Ranch in Hurricane Mills, and the home of President James Polk in Columbia. Natchez Trace has its own Tiny House Village that makes for the perfectly unique, modern-day accommodations after a trip of historical encounters. Relaxation can be found throughout the campground’s 830 acres with beautiful forest views, the large community pool, a 3-mile lake, and direct access to miles of hiking trails.
