​Kampers near Knoebels XVII. Indian Head Campground, Bloomsburg, PA

September 1-4, 2017
By Ben Stiles, Ed.D.
 
What do you get when you combine, a 1962 Corvair Greenbrier van camper, a 1964 Airstream, a 1966 Serro Scotty, 13 VW buses, a small smattering of tents, and a fun-loving group of people to fill them with camping memories? One great campout: Kampers near Knoebels XVII!

For the past 17 years, we have hosted Kampers near Knoebels at Indian Head Campground in Bloomsburg, PA over the long Labor Day weekend. In the early years, the campout focused exclusively on camper vans (and VW bus campers in particular). Camper van conversions by such well-known companies as Adventurewagon, Dormobile, Travel Equipment Corporation, Turtle Top, and of course Westfalia have graced the group camping area over the years. Due to the changing interests of the host family, the event has evolved over the years to include owners of vintage camper trailers manufactured by Airstream, Apache, Burro, Compact Jr., Eriba, Nimrod (tent trailers), Serro Scotty, and Sprite. Basically the love of camping in most anything small denotes the current theme of the event.

The annual event logos are created by event organizer Lynn Stiles, who has a graphic design background. Each logo is based on a different ride attraction at Knoebels Amusement Resort, but with a twist. Camper vans and vintage camper trailers are integrated into each ride design, thus infusing the theme of the campout. Amusement rides such as the Phoenix roller coaster, Italian swings, train, bumper cars, carousel, ribbit, pony carts, and many others have been the basis for event logos over the years.
 ​

---

From the beginning, the campout has been a laidback affair with just a smattering of organized activities. A Friday evening dessert social has fallen to the wayside while the Saturday morning caravan to Knoebels Amusement Resort, the 12 noon group “bumper car bash” at Knoebels, and a Sunday morning potluck brunch at the campground remain steadfast. The brunch itself is a sight to behold. Normally scheduled at 9:30 on Sunday morning, breakfast/brunch dishes begin to arrive in the group pavilion before the start time and continue to trickle in over the course of the next hour. Campfire-cooked egg and vegetable dishes, pancakes, fresh fruit, and a variety of pastry delights eventually fill the table and are then consumed by hungry campers. One regular attendee is a Tastykake delivery specialist who always has an array of treats to share.
 
In addition to the organized group activities, the campground boasts access to Fishing Creek and the Susquehanna River, so kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding (bring your own equipment) are often undertaken, in addition to hiking, biking, and no shortage of friendly campfire conversation and food. Locally, several covered bridges, antique shops, and other attractions easily occupy and entertain the interests of event attendees.
 
It has been our pleasure to host Kampers near Knoebels over the past almost-two decades. We have had many great adventures and made many great memories, but the best part of the whole experience is the friends we have made, and continue to make, each and every Labor Day weekend.
http://kampersnearknoebels.weebly.com/

---