Evaluation

Away from the interstate highway and the sound of traffic, but not to far off the beaten track this secluded getaway is a great place to escape from the everyday game and be yourself. Attitudes are checked at the gate and the very diverse group of people all coexist in peaceful surroundings without many rules or the typical infringements that we all typically endure in our daily routines.

Once you travel down the gravel driveway and through the gate you will arrive at the main house which serves as the office, main shower and restroom facility, and the owners living quarters. Once inside we were greeted by John, one of the owners, and checked in. The office is very basic and offers a few novelty items for sale. While we were in the office the other owner Tom came in and introduced himself, in what we discovered to be his typical outgoing, exuberant and personable style. He then excused himself because he was busy replacing a failed water pump and told us that he would catch up with us when he was done to take us on a tour of the property. John then showed us to our site.

Our site was located near the main house on top of the hill with beautiful views in all directions. Set up went smoothly as we had plenty of room to maneuver and the site was mostly level. The site was equipped with 30 and 50 amp connections, septic, and after a patient wait while Tom, Jim, and Randy got the water pump replaced, water. Annual sites are equipped with Dish Network satellite feeds.

The property has been carefully laid out and not over developed which gives it a very natural and rustic feel. Most of the RV sites are spread throughout the woods and open spaces while some are terraced on a grassy hillside. The tenting sites are all located under the cover of the canopy of trees in some very beautiful and private spots. Some of the annual site holders have elected to take part in the u-build-it program. This provides a credit back to the member for annual dues with respect to the cost of the structure and also requires that all building plans be approved by “In The Woods” which; amongst other things assures the aesthetic quality of the structure.

For those not bringing their own accommodations we saw a variety of lodging choices available. They range from a bunk house sharing a kitchen with another separate large bedroom that has a bathroom en-suite, to several sleeper cabins which all have a microwave and refrigerator.

The amenities at “In The Woods” are not glamorous but certainly meet the needs of the average camper. The shower and restroom facilities at the main house have a contemporary rustic quality that is very inviting. The wall at the front of the house is 2/3’s windows revealing the gang showers and vanity area while the toilets are separated within their own stalls. Down the hill from the main house is the pool/clubhouse area. The pool is 20×40 with a concrete deck. Nice landscaping frames the area and the deck is well stocked with lounges, chairs, and tables with umbrellas. Some of these items were in disrepair, but as the pool is scheduled for a major upgrade I imagine these will be replaced at the same time. Music is fed out to the pool from the clubhouses sound system with speakers placed all around so the volume is never too high in one spot. Also at one end of the pool is a structure used for a video screen which is referred to as “Screen on the Green”. This is a great feature, but what I don’t understand is why you wouldn’t call this something like “video float” or the “swim-n-movies” when the movies are viewed from the pool. The clubhouse is not large but it has sofas and chairs, TV’s, a video screen, karaoke equipment, and a full kitchen big enough to prepare for an event or allow several campers to fix dinner at the same time. The clubhouse has two restrooms, one private and the other semi-private. These have not been updated in a while but are all functional with separate shower surrounds and toilet stalls. The last area that I need to talk about, but far from the least is the “Training Camp”. Off the trail, down in the woods you can find an area that has a variety of permanent wooden structures. Some have camouflage screening, some don’t. Some have straps while others have hook eyes and chains. This is a private area where you may choose to go engage in some familiar activity or go and explore something new. Either way discretion is the norm. “What happens at Training Camp stays at Training Camp”.

More so than any fabulous set of amenities, what truly sets one place apart from another is the character or mood it possesses. In The Woods is no slacker in the service that they provide but they are outstanding at providing an inviting and comfortable environment. Tom and John meet, greet and take everybody on tours and will check in to be sure everything is ok. You will never be at a loss to find someone if you need something. Special events occur regularly and are imaginative. The community of regulars is a great group of guys that welcomed us without pretence. No aggressive advances or public displays ever occurred. We really enjoyed our stay at this five year old campground. A lot has been done in a short time and I am sure there is a lot more to come.