Kid Kamp~Week #3~America (Sorta)

Well, America week didn't really happen..  We were really busy, hence the lack in posting on my part. We went on vacation to PA Dutch, Lancaster county.

I themed everything around America being that it was the week of the Fourth.  But, really other than a BBQ and fireworks, we didn't do anything that I planned.  Eh, it was all good.  So, instead of posting about all the Kid Kamp stuff, I think I will share what we did out in PA.

First, I have to say PA Dutch is a great place to vacation with a young family.  It is super friendly to nursing mothers as well.  Pretty much every place out there has a nursing station.  PA Dutch was the first family vacation we ever took.  I only had two kids at the time.  My daughter was 2 years and my son was only 3 months and still nursing.

The second thing that is so wonderful about PA is the place that we stay.  We stay on a dairy farm in a guest house.  My kids just love it.  We stay at Meadow View K Farms Guest House in Mount Joy.  One of the things that makes it so great is the owners, Barry and Sharon Krieder.  They are so warm and welcoming.  Next thing, is the fact that it has 3 bedrooms, full kitchen and they have a washer/dryer.  We always bring food and eat many of our meals there.  Now, I am just going to list all the other wonderful things that they offer...

1. Kids get to feed the baby calves
2. Kids get fresh farm eggs right from the chicken coupe
3. They have a pony named Sunny
4. Barry will give the kids a barrel train ride
5. They have corn fields surrounding the farm house
6. It is an old farm house with an old barn which just adds to the ambiance
7. You look out the kitchen window and there are cows right there in the meadow or "medda" as they say
8. They have several John Deer mini-tractor toys for the kids to ride on
9. There is a really cool wind mill in the front yard
10. The farm has beautiful light in the AM
11. Lightning bugs, lightning bugs, lighting bugs EVERYWHERE
12. Swing set in the back
13. About 3 minutes away from food stores
14. About 15 minutes away from most of the attractions

Only a few of my favorite pix from the Farm

Every year that we go out we try to hit at least one new place.  This year we went to 2 new ones.  We live about 2+ hours away, so we like to stop somewhere in the middle to break up the drive.  This year we stopped at the Crayola Factory.  I can't believe we never went there before.  Just in case you plan to go and have never been, plan on staying there for a while--at least 3+ hours, probably closer to 4.  We got a late start and didn't get to see the whole place.  Now we know for next time.  

The Crayola Factory I think is a must.  And it wasn't terribly expensive--$12/person & children 23 months and under are free.

On our way home, we stopped at the Lancaster Science Factory.   This was another great find.  Affordable ($8/adults, $6.50/kids, 2 and under free) and fun.  If you are a teacher, bring your teacher ID.  Teachers get in for free.  My husband and I are both teachers so we only had to pay for 2 of our kids.  This is a single floor, open space science play land. When we first walked in, I was a little disappointed because it wasn't that big.  Well, three hours later, this was one of the best places that we hit out there.     

Yes, that is my awesome water tornado in the upper left corner there

Another great place, new to us last year, is the Turkey Hill Experience.  Again our kids had so much fun.  Plus, you get to sample some yummy ice cream.  We were also able to score some discounted tickets off Certifikid as well.

Another reason I love this place is because of this

You get to make your own commercial and your own flavor of ice cream.  Mine was Twisted Caramash Cake Crunch.  Now you don't actually get the ice cream but it is fun to create your own idea.



There she is.  Beautiful!

Other than my top three above, we also love....

1. Dutch Wonderland
2. Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
3. Strasburg Railroad
4. Choo Choo Barn
5. Strugis Pretzel
6. Wilbur Chocolate
7. North Museum of Natural History

We also really like...

1. Hands-on-House
2. Elmwood Park Zoo
3. Cherry Crest Farms
4. Hayloft Candles and Petting Zoo (homemade ice cream)--FREE

Places that we plan to visit in the future

1. Valley Forge--FREE
2. Washington Crossing National Park
3. Bube's Brewery and Catacombs (the art gallery is free)
4. Herr's Snack Factory Tour--FREE
5. Hershey's Chocolate World--FREE
6. Nissley Vineyards and Winery Estate--FREE
7. Take a buggy ride
8. Sight and Sound Theater
9. Dinner theaters
1. Dutch Apple Dinner Theater
2. Rainbow Dinner Theater
10. Living the Experience Underground Railroad Reenactment (reservations)
11. Indian Echo Caverns (no strollers)

Plus, I am sure there is a ton more as well.

I hope if you are traveling to PA Dutch this helps out a bit.