May's campout was held at the NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.  The weather was perfect and allowed us to enjoy the outdoors.  Those that stayed on the fairgrounds were able to enjoy the antique cars that were there for the auction.  Other ventured to shopping malls, the flee market, and of course, many of the local restaurants.

Sharon and I were not able to make the Spring Samboree [April 2007] in Concord.  However, a large number of the chapter did attend.  From all I heard, everyone, and this was a first Samboree for a few, had a great time.  Tragedy did strike, Rob had to be hospitalized and spent the next two months in the Charlotte hospitals.

Our March campout was at the Neuseway Nature Center in Kinston.  In honor of Saint Patty Day, Frank and Suzanne treated the group to a fine corned beef and cabbage dinner.  The group stayed busy with a variety of activities: checking out the dogs involved in the field trials that were going on, sampling some of the local cuisine, shopping, and of course... spending time with the rest of the chapter.

The February [2007] campout was held at one of our favorite gathering places, the Bridgersville Campground.  Jimmy Bridgers was under the weather and we surely missed his usual hospitality.  However, the wood stove was kept stoked and the water attended by the chapter members.  The campout was well attended and nine members were on hand to deliver the school supplies, bought by the chapter, to the Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf, as well as take a tour of the facilities.  The remainder of the weekend was spent, huddled around the wood stove, in the clubhouse with members engaged in conversation, games, and even some video watching.

The January [2007] campout was a little chilly.  However, our host keep out innards warm with some hot foods and strong coffee.  We were once again camping with the fine folks at the Fayetteville/Wade KOA in Wade, NC.  The campground made its meeting room available to the Chapter for the weekend and the Chapter made good use for meals and gatherings.  While others went their way on Saturday, a group of us visited the Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville.

Our November [2006]] campout was hosted at the Neuseway Nature Park in Kinston, NC.  Those that showed up on Thursday were treated to a few inches of rain.  The rest of the weekend's weather was beautiful and perfect for the weenie roast on Friday night.  Saturday we watched as the river (the Neuse) raised, from the heavy rains earlier, though they never came close to cresting the banks and held our annual Christmas Party.gift exchange that evening. 

In October [2006] we were once again camping in Kenansville at Mildred's farm.  Mildred's son, Wayne, keep us feed well both Friday and Saturday evenings.  After a couple inches of rain falling on Friday night, Saturday was a perfect day for visiting some of the local attractions.  Our group visited the Cowan Museum in Kenansville before heading to Pearsall Family Restaurant to dine on the local cuisine.   Our evenings were spent around the wood stove, and its blazing fire, enjoying each other's company.

Our September [2006] campout was the NC State Good Sam Samboree in Marion, NC at the Tom Johnson Rally Park.  The attendance was good and we had two new couples join the Chapter.  Our members began arriving as early as Monday and used the time to do some sightseeing, setting up for the Samboree, or just socializing and sampling some of the local restaurants.  The Kelly's kept us supplied with fresh coffee and provided a great meatball dinner.  The chapter stayed in Johnson's new 70 site campground and enjoyed their concrete pads and patios as well as the full hookups with 50 amp electrical service (regular camping prices are now $24 for the older rally park and $28 for the new campground).  The Samboree was attended by more than 460 RV's.  Games, entertainment, and a variety of vendors kept everyone busy and all had a great time.

August 2006 found us at the White Oak Shores Camping and RV Resort in Stella, NC.  With only seven rigs in attendance, this campout was the least number present in a long time.  Those of us there did enjoy ourselves.  The wagonmasters treated the group to a pancake and sausage breakfast on Saturday morning and most of the group drove out to the T&W Oyster Bar & Restaurant for dinner while others [those familiar with the poor food and service at the T&W] dined at Mazzella's Italian Foods a little further down the road.  The campground had a nice club meeting room available for our use.  On Saturday night the campground was holding a home made ice cream contest.  Needless to say, many of our group could be found sampling the entries.  With such a late checkout time (by midnight), some of the more adventuress could be found at the pool and trying out the water slide.

July 2006 we were at the Smithfield (NC) KOA.  Trips to the outlet malls were made by many of the group.  I myself spent most of Saturday touring the Bentonville Battlegrounds.  The campground here was very clean with all the amenities.  WiFi was free.  A number of the group enjoyed the pool while others lounged in their spacious meeting room.  The dogs that were with us were able to exercise and take care of the 'nature calls' in the campgrounds "Bark Parks". 

March [2006] we camped at Ocean Lakes Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC.  While there, most of us toured Brookgreen Gardens.  In addition to the many gardens and statues a boat ride was available to tour the old rice fields and view some wildlife.  Ocean Lakes Resort is a very nice, and large, campground right on the ocean.  We had a very good attendance and had a great time.

Pictures from Brookgreen Gardens -
  

Pictures from Bridgersville -
Any clubs looking for a site to hold their group campouts should consider the Bridgersville campground.  Jimmie Bridgers is a great host.  His campground has 18 sites with 30 amp electrical connections, water at every other site, and a convenient dump station.  His shop/clubhouse was clean, warm, and has stove, frig, sink, etc...  There is room for 40 - 45 people in the clubhouse, but no restroom facilities other than an outhouse.
 
Bridgersville Campground
Jimmy & Helen Bridgers
6345 NC 42 Hwy. East
Elm City NC 27822
252 237 1958
8 miles east of Wilson
9 miles west if Pinetops

February [2006]- After weeks of beautiful weather, temps in the 70's, our stay at Goose Creek Resort in Newport was chilly, gray, and rainy.  While some were praying that it wouldn't snow, others were praying it would.  Oh well, no snow.  The facilities at Goose Creek made our stay pleasant regardless of the weather.  Most jumped in and helped assemble the 'goody bag stuffers' that we preparing for the upcoming Good Sam Samboree.   While our wagonmasters keep us well feed, the members keep themselves busy playing games and chatting. 

January 2006 - A great time was had at Jimmie Bridgers, Bridgersville Campground.  We had eleven units attending which was a large group, being it was the January campout.  A big THANK YOU! to our wagon masters for the arrangements and the wonderful food that they provided.  I also like to thanks Helen for the new vest she helped assemble over the weekend.  Part of the group did some shopping in Wilson while others toured the country side, visited local antique shops, and sampled the corner grill's great BBQ.  Jimmie was a great host over the weekend.  His "barnyard campground" suited the group well.  Jimmie had the wood stove blazing each morning so that we arrived at a very cozy clubhouse.