I was fortunate to find they have opened some sites for tent campers this year. And to get one of them the Friday morning before the Memorial Day weekend, I felt pretty lucky.

It had been nearly 33 years since I came to this kampground (as it's referred to) with my family as a boy. It's changed a bit. However, it still has amazing pan fishing and some sport fish to be had for those who enjoy fishing.

Lots of kids. This has a lot to do with the kampground being a permanent getaway for a good portion of the folks here.

My mother has a place just like this at the Canadian Lakes campground in Stanwood, MI.

Family friendly, family operated. Have a nice little store for the campgrounds. They'll soon carry a lot more than what they had over the weekend was the assurance I got from the manager, Jesse (Jessie?). Her and her staff are very helpful and very reliable when it comes to taking care of everyone.

For now, they have a little of all the immediate or important essentials. Snacks, sundries, and drinks. A few extra housewares are available in case you forgot silverware and such. The old cotton candy machine is likely going to be a kid favorite when/if it gets going.

The bathroom and showers are maintained well. The boat rentals are coming as soon as DNR shows up for inspection. The fishing dock will be in the water shortly. Definitely want to spend time here when I can for a great destination to do such just outside of Flint 45 minutes. About an hour and 20 from Warren where I grew up and my current neighbors for the weekend hail.

If you can't hang with the "it takes a village" approach to all the young kids 4 and up, well, this may not be the place for you. But as a weekend warrior Dad that would like kids for my 1 to play with, it's a goldmine. The old school playground is perfect. The one-way streets are easy for the kids and all to navigate. Be it by foot, bike, or golf cart. It gets quiet on a full capacity night by 11:00-12:00. But all in all, it's community camping. Great friendly folks.

Firewood was a good deal. $20 got me 15-20 nice pieces. Some could be cut in two, so bring a splitter or hatchet. Make it last even longer.