It was a Saturday morning and our car was packed to the gills with stuff. We were ready(ish) for a new adventure, our first camping trip together.
*cue Mom’s list making and nail biting*
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous. Planning a camping trip with a 7-year-old and a 7-month-old… Were we sure about this? As any parent knows, with kids, it’s complicated. There’s more gear, more food, more conflict and, of course, more dirt.
However, camping at Yogi Bear Jellystone at Kozy Rest is for absolutely everyone and they made is SO easy to enjoy our time together as a family. We had made the perfect choice in booking one of their FullService Luxury Cabins for the weekend.
Are you ready to make unforgettable family memories casted over a campfire? I’d highly recommend planning a weekend getaway of your own!
5 Reasons to go Camping at Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest
Rekindle Family Time
Admittedly, we’re a tech loving, fully plugged in family. However, it was time turn off the electronics and tune in to family time. Even when the weather didn’t cooperate we didn’t let it rain on our parade. We pulled out the Uno Cards, swam in the rain, sluiced for gemstones, rode a 4-person pedal bike and laughed our butts off.
Bring a deck of cards, a board game, bocce ball, frisbee, go on a hike, play on the playground or enjoy the planned activities throughout the themed weekend. Kozy Rest family vacation includes the four-legged family members, too (please check campsite/cabin rules regarding pets). They even have a dog park!
Spend Less, Enjoy More
Get away without spending an arm and a leg. Located about an hour away from Pittsburgh, a trip to Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest means no huge travel costs, no flights, no rental cars and no hassles! Besides, no one really wants to travel long distances with kids in the car anyways, amiright?
Once you’re there you’ll find a charcoal grill, picnic table, and firering right outside at every cabin site everything you need to have a little fun cooking dinner instead of eating out. Food just tastes better when cooked over an open flame.
On our last night, we grabbed all the extra food out of the cupboard and proceeded to play “Will It S’More?” We tried everything from melted marshmallows on Pop Tarts, fire roasted pepperoni sandwiched between cheese and Pringles and classic s’mores with Reese’s Cups… calories don’t count when you’re camping, do they?
Escape and Relax
“Would you like a wifi password?” the woman behind the counter asked as we checked into the cabin. Decisions, decisions. “Sure,” I replied as I tucked it away in my back pocket, just in case.
Don’t sweat the small stuff. You’ll find the Kozy Rest Camp Store located at the front entrance with plenty of snack and supplies. They have everything from iced coffees, sweatshirts, Tylenol, board games, campfire supplies, etc. We grabbed a couple fire starters and even order firewood and had it delivered to our cabin. They also had these super awesome colorchanging flame crystals that, when placed in the fire, made it glow beautiful shades of purple, green and blue.
Cabin amenities also include air conditioning, heating, flat screen television with built in DVD player, a full bathroom, and a fullservice kitchen with a refrigerator, stove top, sink, microwave, table, benches, coffee maker, toaster, pots/pans, silverware, dishes and glasses/cups. In the words of Meredith Blake from the camping scene in The Parent Trap, “Can someone pass me my Evian?”
In a cabin that slept up to 7 people, our 7yearold had fun picking which bed he was going to sleep in. The first night he chose the loft area above the kitchen (a kids’ dream come true) and the second night he opted for one of the bunk beds in our room.
Have FUN!
Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest does a great job providing a variety of entertainment and amenities that keep kids occupied. Something about the relaxed atmosphere turned us ALL into pool swimming, bike riding, trampoline jumping, playground climbing big kids. I even found myself getting giddy and chasing down Yogi Bear for pictures.
Play at your own pace with daily activities, themed weekends, pool, playground equipment, jump pad, miniature golf, fire truck rides, bike rentals, gemstone sluicing, an arcade and, yes, even character appearances from Yogi Bear and friends.
Reconnect With Nature
Camping is the perfect opportunity to inspire children to get outside, explore nature, stay active and try new things. Be sure to take advantage of the beautiful walking trail while you’re there! Try stargazing, build a fire, teach kids how to be safe around one, learn about insects, sit around a campfire and watch the fireflies flicker.
About Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest
Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest is an award winning campground resting on 34 acres in the beautiful countryside of Western PA. They were recently ranked in the Top 100 campgrounds nationwide and it’s easy to see why with their super friendly staff, impeccably clean bathrooms and plenty of activities for kids.
Kozy Rest offers tent sites, fullhookup campsites for RV’s, FullService Luxury Cabins and yurts. Every weekend they have theme with activities and camping season extends from April through October. Be sure to check out frequent camper appreciation promotions (because you’ll want to visit more than once!).
We had such an unforgettable weekend we’ve decided camping at Kozy Rest needs to be an annual family vacation. …Because we all need more smiles smeared with melted marshmallow goo in our life.
Huge thank you to Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest for hosting me and my family! I’m always grateful to have these fun experiences to enjoy as a family. We received a stay in exchange for this post but, as always, all opinions remain my own. Plus, we know you’ll have as much fun as we did! 🙂