GA Camping '24 - hints/advice

[Gomeral]

Hi, all - headed back to OSH this year, after a 22-year hiatus. I'm planning to fly in and camp under the wing with my daughter, who is extremely eager to go to her first Ohskosh and camp in the middle of the summer with a huge number of strangers! We are traveling with a friend who is attending for his employer's booth for the week (he gets a hotel room...), so we're planning to be there Sunday through 2nd-Monday. I'm a little concerned about spending 8 days there with a teenager who may discover what she's signed on for isn't what she thought she signed on for (although, I love that her comment was, "it'll probably suck, but it'll still be Oshkosh!"). Any advice to share with someone who's been 3 times, but it was back when I was young and fit and could sleep on the ground? Any ideas for taking my daughter somewhere to break the monotony of the week? The whole Uber/Lyft thing now exists (versus '02) so I suppose that is an option, but where to go?

Also, given that it's been 22 years, what can I expect arriving on the first Sunday? In the past, that would put me in the North 40 near the warbirds (both times in the past, that's where I wound up), but now I'm concerned we'll wind up in the South 40 far away from that nice gate that makes Petco and other teenager distractions such a reasonable walk. Also, beer. ̶T̶r̶a̶v̶e̶l̶i̶n̶g̶ Camping with a teenager, I think I might want to be near beer.


daniel

[steve]

There's no shortage of beer in Oshkosh. They even sell it now in all the on-site Red One markets. You are correct that the North 40 is much closer to various stores and restaurants than the South 40. Don't forget the centrally located bus park is the hub for trips to Seaplane base, downtown, the local Target store, and the museum.
There's live music, dancing, food, beer, and pop nightly at the SOS tent west of the tower just off-field. We usually eat dinner at the downtown Roxy, TJ's on the Lake, or the nearby Mineshaft restaurant. We eat breakfast at the cafe down by the ultralights, the Sacred Heart tent, or the Mineshaft.
Sunday arrivals can be a crap shoot. You might be the only plane in the sky (rarely) or mixing in with mass arrivals or the jockeying with the dog pack.
See you at Oshkosh.

[CHICAGORANDY]

"IF" you end up somewhere in the South 40, all is not lost. There are frequent school buses running all along the S40 which intersect with the Blue tram route just South of the Ultralight runway. Using Blue to Yellow to Red gets you all the way North past the Forums and Warbirds to the turnaround at the N40 gate. 22 years later? The event is considerably larger, many more attendees, MUCH higher prices for everything, including said beer, drinks and foods. And still the same phenomenal place to be for aviation enthusiasts. Be sure to check out the EAA's AirVenture website for maps and info.

[Auburntsts]

Per the NOTAM add an “N” to your GAC sign (either on the GAC sign as in “N GAC” or as a separate sign you hold up with your GAC) indicating you want North 40. No guarantees but as a Sunday arrival you shouldn’t have any issues. That said as Randy noted Osh is getting busier every year and folks arrive earlier and earlier, so the sooner on Sunday you can arrive the better but be mindful that Cirrus has a mass arrival scheduled for 10am. In the end you’re gonna have a blast no matter what.

[CarlOrton]

I don’t think you mentioned your daughter’s age. I know that in recent years, they’ve made a lot of news about things geared for teens. As in, full schedules of activities days into the evenings. Don’t know if they’re continuing that program.

[Inspector Fenwick]

Regarding beer, my usual entry point to the secured area at the ultralight Red Barn (lets say I go to the red barn store and buy a 6 pack)....they check backpacks for contraband and BEER has been on that list. Make sense to any of you? A lot of beer is brought in on the aircraft coming in....that is my suspicion :P. I have to haul in a case of silver bullets for a friend, and keep it iced down....and that crap isn't even CLOSE to beer. Take your daughter to the seaplane base (ride the school bus). Maybe Pioneer Airport. Go to the movies. Theater in the Woods. I am bringing my 8 and 11 year old grandsons....going to keep them busy.

[Auburntsts]

For your daughter, the GirlVenture Camp might be an option: EAA GirlVenture Camp | EAA (https://www.eaa.org/eaa/youth/eaa-aviation-and-flight-summer-camps/girlventure) As for beer, that's a non-issue. Lots of options, especially for N40, just don't sherpa it through one of the main gates during show hours. PM me for other options. :D

[gmatejcek]

Welcome back!

We camp right near Warbirdds... first thing Friday morning. A couple years back we were delayed a day for weather and ended out at the west end of the runway.

The good news is that between the busses and the new shower houses, camp stores, and eateries, camping anywhere is okay.

I've not camped to the south yet, but I know they've done a lot of development down that way, including a camp store, improved taxiway with in-ground perf matting, and an additional 11 acre plot of land.

I've not camped in Scholler for a while, but there used to be a spot by the far northwest showers and camp store where teenagers would congregate, play volleyball, and spend some time amongst their own. I have no idea if that is still in place-

Beer isn't allowed on the flight line, but you can bring whatever you like into the campground, several of the eateries on the ground serve beer after some particular time in the afternoon, and as previously mentioned, the camp stores stock beer.

Uber is quite organized there now, and getting a ride into town is pretty trivial. Drivers come in from several states to meet the need. A must-do for us is dinner at Fratello's / Fox River Brewing. It's right on the river, has low key outdoor music, and is normally an indoor / outdoor destination for boaters. However, one week a year the docks are empty and there's a Cirrus parked in the grass, and the food is always good.

The quality of the food on the grounds just keeps increasing, almost as fast as the prices.

Welcome back, and have a blast!

[Auburntsts]

Per the aircraft camping guidelines alcohol consumption anywhere on airport property except in specifically designated areas (eg the eateries) is prohibited. That said I’ve never seen that rule enforced in any of the aircraft camping areas. In fact there are a number of ersatz bars that spring up in N40 and Vintage. I know because I’ve been to most of them one time or another.

[Gomeral]

Thank you all, for your replies! The night I sent that, I 'tweaked' my back getting off the couch (I've already ordered a cot for OSH!), so I've been out a couple of days and am late responding...going to try to consolidate my replies. But again, thank you to you all for your thoughts!

Regarding the replies, somewhat in order:


Good to know about the beer availability. I've been mildly concerned about bringing beer or wine back to the N40 from off-property, but it sounds like it's not an issue at certain hours. (Todd, I'll definitely PM you!)
Very nice to know of the buses to Target/etc. as even with my research, somehow I was unaware of these! It'll make it easier if we decide to make a mid-week run for more food/supplies. I'm not sure I want to plan on cooking every night, but I also am not sure I want to plan on heading into town every night. Could be a good opportunity to show off my camp cooking ingenuity...
Glad to hear that all is not lost if we're in the S40. I'm probably overly worried because I'm familiar with the (old) N40 experience and don't want to start from scratch with my daughter in tow! It doesn't help that much of what I could find re: S40 is older and mostly complaints, but it does sound like they've been upgrading the facilities.
Definitely already read the NOTAM and printed the signs (including the "N"). I even watched the videos, brought back some memories!
My daughter is (a very mature) 13 and a CAP cadet with a strong aviation interest. I looked into GirlVenture, but by the time this trip was an option, it had filled up. I am going to try to drag her to KidVenture and I've put a reminder in my calendar to look for the opening of AviationTech registration (she's a rising 9th grader).
The anecdote about arriving Saturday and being at the west end of the runway is helpful, thank you. We're in NC, so it's going to be a long day of flying to get there! Right now, the plan is to depart at o-dark-thirty on Sunday morning to get ahead of weather and try to arrive by late afternoon. Depending on the weather, we may file IFR and try to get in ASAP, I'd hate to get diverted and overnight somewhere until Monday morning!

As for actual camping detail, I haven't done a lot in the years since, in part because an absolutely terrible first experience put my wife and son completely off the idea! My daughter has started to enjoy it, though, so as I've been outfitting her for CAP, I've been picking up additional items to help flesh out the gear. I've got a very large family tent that I don't think I should bring (7'x16', I think that's too large for GA camping area...?), and a 2-person tent that has up until now been just for my daughter at Ranger training and other overnight CAP events. I'm either going to borrow another 2P tent for myself, or perhaps find a decent 4P tent for the both of us. I've got a 10x20 tarp that I intend to bring (to toss over the wing), some folding chairs and a folding table, and some miscellaneous backpacking gear. (And a cot, now!) Anyone have any particular thoughts about anything else we might want to bring for the full week? I'm not hauling the Coleman stoves up there (but I do have an alcohol stove and can get HEET over at the auto parts store), and I will probably bring a medium-sized cooler.

Thanks again for the discussion, I'm already getting excited to go - camping and airplanes?!?


daniel

[Auburntsts]

PM sent

[Pnancoz]

What kind of plane are you flying? Will space or weight be a concern?
Are you planning on eating out? or cooking at your plane?

I've stayed in the N40 four times since 2018. I'd say you have a 50-50 chance of getting into the N40. As others have said, if you end up in the S40, you may have to take shuttles, but you'll have access to everything you'll need.

Choosing the best tent is always difficult. Everyone will have different opinions. You will have at least one thunderstorm with high winds. Smaller tents do better in high winds, but it's nice to be able to stand up inside your tent. You should get a decent tent with a full rainfly. Throw out whatever stakes come with the tent and replace them with stakes that screw into the ground and will hold in high winds. Make sure you use every stake and guy rope and make sure your cot will fit inside the tent without touching the side walls. Adding an air mattress on top of the cot will make it even more comfortable.

Even if you don't plan on cooking at your site, bring a cooler. Ice is easy to get at the stores in the N40 and S40. It's nice to have snacks and cold drinks at your campsite. Adult beverages have never been an issue. You can take the Target bus and walk over to the supermarket next to Target to stock up on supplies for the week.

There are plenty of activities for you both. There are forums geared towards women, activities at the museum, different things going on at the ultra-light field each night to list only a few things. There are people in the N40 and S40 from all over the world and it's great to chat with them.

You'll want to be able to charge your phones and any other devices. I've used a small charging block and a solar panel.

[Gomeral]

It's looking like if I get to fly in, we'll be in a Cessna 206. At the moment, there are only 3 of us, so I'm thinking neither space nor weight will be a concern!

The plan is to try to keep some costs down by eating at least half of our meals at the campsite, but I may drop that to 1/3. I plan to pre-prep a lot of meals before we leave (e.g. precooked pasta) so I am mostly heating things up. I have a vacuum sealer, so I might even just make meals, vacuum seal them, and potentially boil them in the bag to heat them up. Makes cleanup a lot easier!

I'm going to go over plans with my friend and see what we can do to get to OSH as early as possible on Sunday, because the more I look at it, the less I want to be reliant on trams or buses or shuttles in the S40. In the past, I always walked because by the time something came by, it was already full and you had to either wait longer or just give up and walk anyway. If we do get N40, though, I am still going to head down to the S40 to check it out so I can be aware for future trips. I've some (other) friends that may be in Sleepy Hollow next year, so I'd like to check that out.


daniel

[Auburntsts]

It's looking like if I get to fly in, we'll be in a Cessna 206. At the moment, there are only 3 of us, so I'm thinking neither space nor weight will be a concern!

The plan is to try to keep some costs down by eating at least half of our meals at the campsite, but I may drop that to 1/3. I plan to pre-prep a lot of meals before we leave (e.g. precooked pasta) so I am mostly heating things up. I have a vacuum sealer, so I might even just make meals, vacuum seal them, and potentially boil them in the bag to heat them up. Makes cleanup a lot easier!

I'm going to go over plans with my friend and see what we can do to get to OSH as early as possible on Sunday, because the more I look at it, the less I want to be reliant on trams or buses or shuttles in the S40. In the past, I always walked because by the time something came by, it was already full and you had to either wait longer or just give up and walk anyway. If we do get N40, though, I am still going to head down to the S40 to check it out so I can be aware for future trips. I've some (other) friends that may be in Sleepy Hollow next year, so I'd like to check that out.


daniel

We stay in a rented RV in Sleepy Hollow. You’re more than welcome to swing by and we can give you the nickel tour.

[steve]

The supermarket next to Target is Pic n' Save, a division of Kroger, so if you're in the Kroger system at home you'll accumulate points. They have an excellent beer selection. I always bring a case of Spotted Cow home along with a case of Phillips XC.
If you do end up in the N40, hopefully it will be near the big new (13-ish years old) shower house up by the warbirds.

[Pnancoz]

The earlier you get there the better. Likely if you arrive anytime on Sunday, you'll be in the South 40. I believe that the North 40 is typically filled up on Saturday. At best, you'll be on the far side of 9/27 and have to take the N40 shuttle. I highly recommend arriving on Saturday if you want the North 40.

There are some great restaurants walking distance from the N40. Friar Tuck's is right on the edge of the field, The Mineshaft is across the street, and I highly recommend West End Pizza. Uber or Lyft is easily accessible and there are some really good pubs in town. I typically have lunch on the grounds and breakfast is something small at the campsite.

[Gomeral]

The earlier you get there the better. Likely if you arrive anytime on Sunday, you'll be in the South 40. I believe that the North 40 is typically filled up on Saturday. At best, you'll be on the far side of 9/27 and have to take the N40 shuttle. I highly recommend arriving on Saturday if you want the North 40.

I'm crossing my fingers that we hit the "at best" scenario - I'm trying to see if we can head out earlier, but since my friend is the one who has a fixed schedule and his lodgings don't start until Sunday, I think we're kinda stuck. Perhaps at best we can stay overnight close(ish) to OSH so we arrive early Sunday, but the plan right now is to depart NC sometime o-dark-thirty on Sunday for a long day of flying. (Part of this is access to the aircraft, too.) Time to spare, go by air!


daniel

[Inspector Fenwick]

It's looking like if I get to fly in, we'll be in a Cessna 206. At the moment, there are only 3 of us, so I'm thinking neither space nor weight will be a concern!

The plan is to try to keep some costs down by eating at least half of our meals at the campsite, but I may drop that to 1/3. I plan to pre-prep a lot of meals before we leave (e.g. precooked pasta) so I am mostly heating things up. I have a vacuum sealer, so I might even just make meals, vacuum seal them, and potentially boil them in the bag to heat them up. Makes cleanup a lot easier!

I'm going to go over plans with my friend and see what we can do to get to OSH as early as possible on Sunday, because the more I look at it, the less I want to be reliant on trams or buses or shuttles in the S40. In the past, I always walked because by the time something came by, it was already full and you had to either wait longer or just give up and walk anyway. If we do get N40, though, I am still going to head down to the S40 to check it out so I can be aware for future trips. I've some (other) friends that may be in Sleepy Hollow next year, so I'd like to check that out.


daniel

Daniel, just my opinion but I would not gnash my teeth about getting put in the South 40. It has been suggested that the N40 will free you of trams and shuttles. Thanks to Google Earth, here are the details. From the north extreme of the N 40, about where the hole in the fence is, it is about 10,000 lf to the Tower. From the southernmost extreme of the S 40, it is 9,300 lf to the tower. Trust me, you will either walk or use the trams at least some of the time. The S 40 is greatly improved from the stubble field it was when first created. I parked airplanes down there and thought to myself...."poor devils" (to have sleep on that stuff). It has gotten better each year. Now, let it be said that if you crave the goods and services only available thru that hole in the north fence, then your way is clear. Know this, however, you will have the best time ever, where ever you end up...

[Rogerthat]

Last year my 13 YO daughter flew with me to her first Airventure and had an awesome time. I should mention she is airplane-crazed, thanks to me! She never got bored, just tired. We made a game of seeing just how many free pens and pencils we could amass. The vendors are very kind to kids who can speak airplane. She really liked the youth activities that included riveting, safety wiring and simulator flying. We did a lot.

Flying in early Friday morning got us close to the warbird entrance in the N40. We put up our tent but did hotel it for the first 3 nights, sort of a hybrid housing situation. My daughter had her own smaller tent to sleep in and that worked out great for both of us. It was fun watching all the green dot arrivals over the weekend.

Donuts, coffee and juice for breakfast from Red One Market. At the market we bought ice and cold bottles of lemonade. We patronized the on-site Subway for lunch finding it very good and affordable. Dinner was early offsite at Mineshaft, Friar Tucks or Supermarket-sourced salads and cheese curds! We never did actually cook.

Looks like I now have a 14 year old that can’t wait to go again.



Roger

[Gomeral]

Last year my 13 YO daughter flew with me to her first Airventure and had an awesome time. I should mention she is airplane-crazed, thanks to me! She never got bored, just tired. We made a game of seeing just how many free pens and pencils we could amass. The vendors are very kind to kids who can speak airplane. She really liked the youth activities that included riveting, safety wiring and simulator flying. We did a lot.
Thanks, Roger. Mine is a bit airplane-crazed on her own, and I do everything I can to pour gasoline on that fire! I need to look for some of those activities to see if I need to register her in advance for them like the AviationTech program (which I'm checking daily). Good idea on the pens and pencils, and I'm hopeful we can find a lot of stickers for her. I already bought her a hat and she has a pin for this year, so we're starting that, as well!

My friend and I have revisited our options and have decided to head out early SATURDAY morning to try to get up there late that afternoon, so hopefully a better shot at N40. While I understand that the tower is potentially closer to the S40 (thank you, Larry!), I'm hoping to be close to the gate and to Friar Tuck's, etc. so it's not a huge event to get the teenager off site for food or a break. One way or the other, though, I'm sure it'll be fun.


Looks like I now have a 14 year old that can’t wait to go again.
Well, mine is 13 and will be 14 at the end of the summer, maybe we can connect up there if you're going again this year and they can each make a new friend!


daniel

[Rogerthat]

My friend and I have revisited our options and have decided to head out early SATURDAY morning to try to get up there late that afternoon, so hopefully a better shot at N40. While I understand that the tower is potentially closer to the S40 (thank you, Larry!), I'm hoping to be close to the gate and to Friar Tuck's, etc. so it's not a huge event to get the teenager off site for food or a break. One way or the other, though, I'm sure it'll be fun.


Well, mine is 13 and will be 14 at the end of the summer, maybe we can connect up there if you're going again this year and they can each make a new friend!


daniel

Sounds like a good plan. We watched Saturday arrivals and they were stilll able to park westside N40 and wrapped toward Friar Tuck’s. Lots of mass arrivals Saturday so check the schedule for the various types. We will be at Airventure Thursday through Thursday and would be happy to meet up! PM me.

[gmatejcek]

There's lots of good advice in this thread. I would add that I got tired of firing up the grill after a long, hot day on the grounds and now only bring breakfast bars and a bag of apples for munchies during the week. You will need a source other than onsite vendors for the first weekend. The coffee and bagels at the camp store provide a pleasant breakfast on the deck with other aviators from far and wide.
Kidventure is a pretty cool thing. The first 1,500 kids (I believe) to get their ticket punched for all the learning stations there get a free tool kit, just for participating. Sounds pretty perfect for a young aviation junkie. Speaking of the young aviation junkie factor, do make sure to make it to the seaplane base, especially if you can be there for the watermelon social. That will require getting tickets at the SPA booth in the exhibit buildings. And then there's the helicopter tours of the grounds.... :)