This week’s $30 family adventure? An unforgettable night of camping at Pocomoke River State Park, where a tent, some s’mores, and a little imagination turn into something pretty close to magic.
If you’re ready to trade bedtime screen time for glow-in-the-dark bugs and campfire giggles, this is your sign.
🏕️ Why Camp at Pocomoke?
Pocomoke River State Park — especially the Shad Landing side — is perfect for first-time (or seasoned) campers. It’s wild enough to feel like a forest adventure, but comfy enough for families who like working bathrooms and outlets for charging phones.
Here’s what you get:
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Campsites with electric hookups (yep, for air mattresses and phone chargers)
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Fire rings and picnic tables
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Clean bathhouses with showers
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Grills and plenty of shaded space
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Easy walking trails right from your site
The whole vibe is laid-back, friendly, and just rustic enough to make your kids feel like wild explorers — without the “are we gonna get eaten by bears?” panic.
🌲 Check it out on the official website
💸 Booking Your Campsite
Most of the tent sites at Shad Landing run between $20 and $30 a night. Book online and grab a spot near the bathhouse if you’ve got littles.
Don’t forget to bring your confirmation email and ID!
🛒 What to Pack (You Can Keep It Simple!)
Camping with kids doesn’t mean dragging a trailer full of gear. Here’s a starter list for a super chill overnight:
Tent Set-Up:
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Tent (with stakes!)
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Tarp or waterproof mat (for under the tent)
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Sleeping bags or blankets
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Air mattress or yoga mats
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Pillows
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Flashlights/headlamps
Campfire Essentials:
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Firewood (sold on-site or bring your own)
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Fire starters or lighter
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Skewers/sticks for roasting
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Marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate (mandatory)
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Campfire-safe pan or pot (if you want to cook)
Extras That Make It Awesome:
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Camp chairs
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Citronella candles/bug spray
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Lantern or string lights for nighttime glow
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Coloring books, playing cards, or storybooks
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Reusable dishes + a bin for washing
👕 Clothes Tip: Dress in layers. Even in June, temps can drop after dark.
🍔 Dinner Ideas That Don’t Need a Full Kitchen
Let’s be honest — you’re not whipping up lasagna out here. Keep it delicious and easy:
🥪 No-Cook Dinner:
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Chicken salad wraps
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Hummus, crackers, and carrot sticks
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Pasta salad with cheese cubes
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Apples and peanut butter
🔥 Over-the-Fire Favorites:
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Hot dogs on sticks
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Grilled cheese in foil packets
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Corn on the cob in foil
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Banana boats (banana + chocolate chips + marshmallows wrapped in foil and grilled)
🌌 Evening Activities to Make It Special
The sun starts to set, the bugs start singing, and this is when the real fun begins. No electronics needed. Just flashlights, fireflies, and some good old-fashioned goofiness.
🔦 After-Dark Ideas:
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Flashlight tag around your site
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Shadow puppet shows on your tent wall
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Spooky campfire stories (kid-friendly, or slightly scary if you're brave)
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Glow stick dance party at the picnic table
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Stargazing contest — who can spot a constellation or shooting star first?
Want to go super chill? Just lie on a blanket and listen to the night. You’ll hear owls, rustling leaves, and maybe even a frog choir.
🌄 Morning Wake-Up
There’s nothing like that early-morning camp vibe. Everything’s dewy and quiet, and even the grumpiest kid looks cute in pajamas and bedhead.
Bring:
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Instant oatmeal or cereal
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Travel mugs of coffee (a must)
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Muffins or granola bars
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Baby wipes for the “I’m not getting in a shower at a campground” crowd
After breakfast, hit one of the nearby trails. You’ll see some neat stuff:
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Ferns and mushrooms along the path
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Birds darting between tree trunks
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Deer prints and turtle crossings
🎒 Bonus: Bring a notebook for kids to sketch what they see. Instant science lesson!
🧾 Budget Breakdown
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tent site (1 night) | $25 |
| S’mores + camp snacks | $5 |
| Firewood (optional from park store) | $5 |
| TOTAL | $30 ✔️ Boom! |
Already have firewood or snacks? You’ve got wiggle room for ice cream on the way home.
👧 Why Your Kids Will Remember This Forever
Here’s the thing: kids don’t need a five-star resort to feel like they had the best night ever. Give them stars overhead, a flashlight in their hand, and permission to stay up past 9 PM, and you’re winning.
Your crew will:
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Learn how to build a fire (safely!)
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Sleep in a tent (with bonus midnight giggles)
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Hear sounds they never hear at home
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Feel like wild forest heroes by morning
And don’t be surprised if they beg to come back every weekend. 🐿️
🙌 Why You’ll Love It, Too
And that moment when everyone’s tucked into the tent, bellies full, cheeks warm from the fire, and you're all whispering stories in the dark?
That’s the good stuff.
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