Camping At Jellystone

Are you and your family looking for a little fun and relaxation? Some quality time that won’t bore the kids to death or have mom and dad pulling out their hair? Try a Jellystone campground. With many all over the United States and several in Canada, there’s probably one closer than you realize.

My family enjoyed the Jellystone Campsite in Robert, Louisiana. Maurice and Me-Me Leblanc own this Jellystone campsite. Maurice’s mom and dad started the campsite franchise 30 years ago. Maurice’s daughter, nieces and nephews work there now making it a third generation business.

At Jellystone you can rent a reasonably priced cabin, hook-up your RV or pitch a tent. Some of the cabins have a private pool for the cabins in that area, others are on the lake or pond and all are close to the main pools.

The main pools are located behind the Ranger Station/registration/store, which is right next to Yogi’s Café with Boo Boo’s arcade snuggled in between with the arts and recreation center on the other side of the café and a very nice playground on the other side. Campsites surround it all with a lake running behind the café and cabins on the other side.

Most people walk, bicycle or drive golf carts around giving an even more laid back aroma to the experience. Little children are keep busy all day, falling asleep fast still singing “Where is Yogi” from the daily “hey rides.”

Personally it was the first time my daughter was allowed to go to a playground without me. That meant I didn’t have to sit in the hot son or walk through the sand. I was able to enjoy a nice conversation with adults in the shade, not be bombarded with “Mommy, I want to go slide, swing, play in the sand, etc.” I sat under the covered pavilion at the recreation center where the bingo games, arts and crafts and movies take place.

I could see my daughter but while I would not be able to get to her in time had someone tried to grab her, I had no doubt that she was safe and that the entire community of Jellystone would shut down if anyone tried to escape with her and no one would make it out of those gates with my daughter. I felt safe. For the first time in her four-year old life, my daughter was allowed to play like I had grown up… With parents watching but not always present. Being close and keeping an eye on her was enough.

At the main pools they have a wet playground, which reminds me of a mini Yellowstone, for the kids with water coming up suddenly and disappearing catching little ones delightfully off guard. There is also a kiddie pool with a little water slide and tunnel. The water is shallow and perfect for little ones just learning how to swim or wanting to play but not swim. There are two big pools and a whirlpool. It is very nicely set up and keep clean. The only complaint would be the lack of shade for the fairer skinned.

The cabin we stayed in was almost brand new and came complete with a full kitchen and everything except our sheets and towels. Personally, I prefer a much softer mattress (problem solved with an air mattress) but to other members of my family it was prefect. A broom, dustpan, mop and mop bucket are even provided. There was a pool at our site with an incline instead of steps and it was four feet deep. It was very nice and allowed us more pool time than if we would have only gone to the main pools.

Each morning, the children meet Yogi at the flag poll, and then it’s off to the hay ride. It’s called a “Hey Ride” because there is no hay and it is to greet the other campers by saying “Hey!” The little kids pile onto the tracker pulled wagon and they go off singing songs such as “Where is Yogi,” (my daughter’s favorite) and other songs. Some days there are many hey rides as the junior rangers (staff) strive to make as many trips as needed so all the children who want to ride on the hey ride get a turn.

The Forth of July is a very special time at Jellystone as it is very patriotic. They have a parade where many golf carts are decorated and tour around the campsite. Many of the campsites and cabins are decked out as well. There is an all Male Ms. Jellystone contest, which is side splittingly funny! You will laugh the whole show through and continue through the night. They also have a wonderful firework display.

The best part to me was not having to worry about the drunks on the road afterwards. It was by far the best Forth of July ever and our family plans to make it a yearly trip. We might even try out other Jellystone campsites around the country and Canada but we will always be partial to Me-Me and Maurice LeBlanc at the Jellystone in Robert, Louisiana.

So a plus for Jellystone campsites:
• Nice, clean affordable cabins (if you don’t like to rough it or have an RV)
• Nice clean “lots” with hook-ups for RVs
• Nice clean “lots” for tents (for those who like to really rough it)
• Many pools
• Clean
• Large Playground
• Numerous activities (swimming, arts & crafts, bingo, horseshoes, volleyball, basketball, baseball, picnic tables, swings, slides, hey rides, mini golf)
• Entertainment
• Café (reasonably priced and great food)
• Something for almost everyone
• Weekend entertainment (bands, karaoke or dances on most weekends)
• Safe
• Fun

On the downside:
• Cabin mattresses (for those who prefer a softer sleep, bring an air mattress)
• Not enough shade by the pools (bring an umbrella if you’re very fair skin or your medication tells you to avoid the sun)

Over all many more plusses than minuses and all the minuses would not be shared by all and can be easily overcome without any trouble. Jellystone truly is a wonderful safe place for you and your children. Give it a shot and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed! You children will love Jellystone (all children from toddlers to teens). It’s a great time for family’s to reconnect, enjoy each other, and relax!

Abstract:

My family enjoyed the Jellystone Campsite in Robert. At Jellystone you can rent a reasonably priced cabin, hook-up your RV or pitch a tent. The cabins have a private pool or are on the lake or pond and all are close to the main pools.

Jellystone in Robert, Louisiana’s email addresses: http://www.jellystonela.com/