Camping at KOSH during EAA venture airshow

[Ibra]

Hi Mooniacs,

I am visiting KOSH with family from 22 July to 25 July, we are planning to camp at Camp Scholler and make most of it, especially the airshow night.

I have some questions for those who have done "drive and camp" at Oshkosh, 

* Are there any nearby outfits where one can rent camping gear and tent for few days? I am looking for decent 4 people tent, folding chair/table and inflatable mattress. We are less keen on buying as we will be driving back to Canada to see family and fly airline back to France.

* Is there an on-site transportation to move around? does one have to reserve spots?

* Any tips or things to do for keeping kids busy and happy? 

I only visited by air once (without two toddlers and wife), so I did not have to ask these silly questions 

[Z W]

I don't know of any places to rent tents and chairs and a mattress, but I do know that many people purchase those types of items at a nearby Wal-Mart and throw them away at the end. Wasteful but common practice.

There is great on-site transportation. Busses will take you from near your campsite in Camp Scholler to the show, where you can get on trolleys or more busses that will get you anywhere you want to go. No reservations required.

For the small kids - use the busses and trolleys so they don't get worn out walking everywhere. There's a section called Kid Venture aimed at the little ones. Tons to do. Have fun.

[Ibra]

Thanks for the information ! 

[bradp]

Target has equipment.  As does Walmart.  Be aware that there are occasional “runs” if a bad storm comes in and a bunch of tents get knocked over.   The preferable thing to do instead of chucking the tent after the week is to donate it back to the goodwill store.  
 

I’ve got a friend that has no room in an experimental and has done the buy a target tent thing and hasn’t had any issues so far.  

You can occasionally find bikes or razor scooters for a few bucks at the goodwill stores.  Use those for the week in areas that bikes are allowed, and donate them right back.  

[Pinecone]

There are also available RVs to be rented.  The company brings them to the site and sets them up.

[Fritz1]

Camping at OSH is a unique experience, done it a couple of times in my 20s, usually there is at least one massive downpour, camping done right requires a lot of equipment, wife and toddlers sounds more like a RV or maybe a hotel room within driving distance, these days I typically leave the airplane in Milwaukee or Waukesha, hotel room in Miwaukee, drive up for a day or two, the night airshow is impressive, transatlantic flight adds another level of complexity, not trying to be a party proper, in order to do the camping you need to hook up with some guys who have all the stuff, I keep fingers crossed

[moodychief]

In addition to Target or Wal-Mart, there is an Eddie Bauer store at the outlet mall across the highway from Airventure.

Depending on the age of the kids, there is KidVenture where they can do hands on projects/activities. Vintage aircraft now has a kid area where they can build things and the museum is a nice place to chill and cool down if it is hot outside.

Donating back to Goodwill or leaving next to the dumpster instead of throwing into the dumpster may make it easier for someone else (late comers) to recycle/use.  When needing a tarp one year there was one someone left next to the dumpster.

 

[Wes]

Don't forget about the dorm rooms that they rent also.

[Pinecone]

I went in 99 and 2000.   There was a housing bureau that listed rooms for rent in people's houses.  That worked great and met a very nice family.

[KSMooniac]

I think camping is by far the best way to experience Oshkosh, but I will add that using "lesser" quality tents or other gear increases the risk of having a miserable experience if (when) the thunderstorms roll through.  Coming across the globe commercially without the ability to bring quality gear would likely make me want to find housing in the dorms or other houses as Pinecone described, just to eliminate the chance of a disaster.  Imagine getting your tent flattened and all of your gear soaked on the first night, and then have to deal with finding a new tent or place to stay and drying out your gear after a night without rest. 

I have read on Beechtalk or the FB group (North 40 or something like that) about people that share a local storage unit and keep all of their camping gear in town vs. lugging it back and forth in a plane without a lot of room.  Perhaps there might be a possibility that someone has gear there that won't be used all week, or aren't even going this year, or a deal could be found for someone to buy your gear after you use it for the trip, or similar.  I'd hate to buy risky cheap stuff and throw it away at the end of the week.  

It also seems there might be a business opportunity for a motivated local to acquire quality gear and rent it out for the week, including delivery to a plane on the field, and collection later.  

[Ibra]

Yes backup is dorm if camping is not possible.

I was warned that every year or two "the flying tents" gets added to the airshow list 

Edited 22 hours ago by Ibra

[Brian2034]

We camped at kosh ( camp schooler) a couple of times, we always rented a van in the area or rented and drove from wherever we fly into. We would purchased a blowup mattress and a couple sleeping bags at Walmart. Worked great, high and dry, close to the action, could leave our campsite whenever necessary to pick up  for food or supplies.

 

[67 m20F chump]

Cruise America rents rv’s.  I see them and other rental rv’s like Monte’s parked for the show.  I’m planning on driving in with my RV this year.  EAA used to have a link for a local place that rents trailers too.  That place would set up and place them at the show.

Edited 17 hours ago by 67 m20F chump