Go Glamping in Mill Creek, Pennsylvania

July 13, 2020

Vacation plans have gone from plan A to plan B (or even C) in a hurry, but what is plan B? Hotels are iffy at best with all the safety concerns, and rentals pose the same problem. How about a fresh air option with all the comforts of home? Airydale Retreat is the answer for your next family vacation.

Glamping is the perfect introduction to camping because they take care of the hard part – setting up camp. We stayed at the Cardinal Glampsite. It is a family-sized tent with a slide attached. How cool is that?

Our family of five had plenty of room. The queen-sized bed was super comfy and all of the linens were waiting for us (queen sheets, quilt, pillows, washcloths and towels). The twins slept on the bunk bed cots, and we brought a twin-sized air mattress for our youngest. We packed linens and pillows for those beds. Even in the dead of summer, with 90-degree days, it was pretty chilly at night. We ended up at a local store buying extra blankets.

The owner of Airydale Retreat thought of everything. We had pots and pans, non-stick cooking spray, dishwashing tubs and drying racks, dish soap, dish towels, fresh water, a single extension cord, cooking and eating utensils, mugs, Coleman stove, firewood, kindling, picnic table, matches, coffee, percolator, cooler, lanterns, hotdog and marshmallow roasting sticks, basic first aid kit, a bar of eco-friendly soap, children’s books and two anti-gravity chairs on the deck. We also had bins for trash, recycling and compost.

We packed clothes, food, toiletries and ice. That’s it!

Just steps away from the glampsite, there is a huge outdoor shower with hot water and a well-maintained porta-potty. I was able to take all three kids into the shower to wash them off. It was fast and easy.

The area around the retreat is beautiful and very rural. We found a grocery store, ice cream stand, convenience store (be sure to visit Ye Olde Cheese Shoppe – they have ice too) and a farm that sells raw milk. Other than that, you’ll have to drive at least 30 minutes for much else.

Most importantly, we spent three wonderful unplugged days together. The kids dug for bugs and got super dirty. We chatted over firepit coffee and s’mores. We made amazing memories together, and we’re already planning to go back.