Enjoyable Campground Activities Enrich Senior Living

by Laura Weaver

When staying in a campground for an extended period of time, it’s nice to have activities in which to participate.  These can range from daily routines to weekly endeavors to special events occurring once or twice a month or once a season.

In the “seniors” campground we’re currently staying, the variety of activities from which to choose are numerous…practically everything anyone would want to do.  Participants can pick and choose depending on their interests, their abilities, and their time.  Campers can be as active (or inactive) as they want to be.

Daily activities include, but are certainly not limited to, playing games such as horseshoes, shuffleboard, croquet, bocce, and corn hole.  Many people routinely participate in daily exercises such as bicycle riding, walking, aerobics, yoga, tai chi, as well as swimming.  Card games like euchre, pinochle, canasta, and poker or playing a game of dominoes or BINGO are quite enjoyable for those who prefer things that are less strenuous.  Bridge is an excellent way to keep one’s mind sharp.

Some weekly activities that are scheduled consist of clubs and classes.  Book Club is ideal for those who enjoy reading and discussing.  Bible Study is a wonderful way to strengthen one’s faith and deal with everyday situations and problems that may arise. Dance Classes include instruction in ballroom, line dancing, clogging, and square dancing.  Craft classes teach how to knit, crochet, make paper tole pictures, design cards through stamping, decorate flip-flops, and create jewelry.  Woodcarving Class allows you to develop the techniques needed in making a variety of creations ranging from simple wooden chains and whimsical houses to detailed wildlife and elaborate designs on canes.  Art Class enables you to experience painting with watercolors, acrylics, and oils; as well as learning how to sketch and draw…the end result very satisfying, indeed!  There is also a Computer Club to help us navigate the internet, set up face book, and bid on e-bay.


The monthly events are very popular and always eagerly anticipated.  These include a variety of dining experiences:  a Pancake Breakfast; a Hamburger and Hot Dog Cook-out; an Ice Cream Social;  a Pot Luck Dinner.  A Live Entertainment Show is also scheduled monthly, featuring a variety of professional entertainers:  singers, musicians, comics, magicians.  The Red Hat Ladies meet monthly for their outing which often consists of a luncheon, shopping, and a show.  The Bingo Bus is a very popular outing which transports participants to the Casino for a day of gaming.  Dances and Karaoke are also scheduled monthly, featuring the talented and the not-so-talented, alike, but a lot of fun, nevertheless.

Seasonal activities consist of the Thanksgiving Dinner, the Christmas Eve Service (including a fun and inexpensive gift exchange), the Christmas Dinner, and the Easter Dinner.  The annual Memorial Service held in memory of those who have passed away during the past year is a very meaningful event shared by all.  The Park Owners also host an annual Pig Roast Bar-B-Cue as a thank-you for staying in their park…free food, free drinks, free blue-grass entertainment.

Our senior campground offers quite an assortment of “things to do”.  Being active makes us feel healthy and young; staying active keeps us healthy and young.  Participating in our campground’s numerous activities offers an ideal way to meet new people, allows us to strengthen friendships with those we have common interests, and teaches us new skills.  The activities offered in our campground definitely enrich our lives and make a very enjoyable stay.