Camping

Camping at Whit’s End

By Mark Okrant Photos courtesy Whit’s End Campground

Among the Lakes Region’s 30 private campgrounds, their clientele of families is of paramount importance. This is in keeping with the nation’s camping business as a whole. According to a Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) study, there were nearly 95 million camper households in North America during 2020, with 79 million in the United States alone.

Camping appears to be in a very solid position for future growth, as 45 percent of campers engage in three or more occasions each year. Furthermore, the fact that more than one-half of this group consists of millennials (currently ages 25 to 40) bodes well for the prospects of the camping industry.

With the average family camping trip lasting one to two days, the motivations that fuel the current growth trend are not surprising. Participants use camping to escape from their busy, stressful lives. Most have a deep-seated love of the outdoors, and enjoy connecting with nature. Ultimately, however, it is the opportunities that camping offers to spend quality time with family and friends which are desired.

Situated at 140 Newman Drew Road in West Ossipee, Whit’s End Campground promotes itself as situated “where the mountains meet the lakes.” With its location along the Bearcamp River, the facility provides a water and woods camping experience. Whit’s End has 25 riverfront RV sites, each providing both clean water and electricity hookups. A majority (65) of the facility’s camping sites are wooded; each provides water and electricity. Importantly, a number of Whit’s End campsites have access to a WiFi hotspot. Whit’s End has space for a large number of seasonal sites, which are available from May 2 through October 18. They also have a number of recreation vehicles for rent.

Whit’s End prides itself on providing large RV sites. Some of these are able to accommodate pull-throughs—spaces designed to be easier to park recreation vehicles without the necessity to back into them. The campground has a free dump station, and its honey wagon service is available for hire at a reasonable price. The campground discourages group camping; however, day visitors are allowed, with reasonable rates offered to encourage them.

As refl ected in its policy statements, this is a family friendly campground. Smoking in public areas, weapons and other noise-making or potentially dangerous devices, and alcoholic beverages are all prohibited. Furthermore, the campground strictly enforces its quiet hours between 10 pm to 8 am.

Since camping parents hope to indoctrinate their children to this activity, youths soon learn to associate familiar forms of outdoor recreation as part of a camping experience. According to the Whit’s End website, www.whitsendcampground.com, a range of amenities is available on site . . . ideal for a family camping experience. A heated, L-shape swimming pool is open until Labor Day. There are numerous small beach sites on the Bearcamp River; and campers are encouraged to sunbathe or swim there. Additionally, there are tube rentals; and the Bearcamp is excellent for both tubing or kayaking. Adult campers are strongly encouraged to remain vigilant, as Whit’s End does not provide lifeguards.

For those who prefer land-based activities, the campground has a very interesting playground, complete with swings, climbing ladders, a slide, and other child-friendly equipment. There is a large wood frame building where the main offi ce is located. Inside is a general store, with a recreation hall, vending machines and tables for eating meals, a laundry, and showers. The building’s large veranda is a place where people can enjoy a perspective of the campground and its surroundings. Nearby on the grounds, there is a facility where movies are shown and campers have an opportunity to socialize.

During 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact upon most elements of New Hampshire’s recreation and tourism industry. Those campgrounds that remained open were forced to implement policies that dramatically reduced capacities, person-to-person interaction, and activities. Despite some remaining concern about the virus, most of those businesses have reopened and are providing an attractive list of events.

During weekends throughout August, September, and prior to closing in October, Whit’s End Campground will be offering an interesting set of activities:

On Saturday and Sunday, August 1415, the campground will feature Kids Craft, an opportunity to make your own boat from recycled materials. This will be followed by a recycled boat

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race. Adults will fi nd their own entertainment in the form of Poker Night.

During the weekend of August 2122, there will be a Penny Sale as well as Family Movie Night.

During the weekend of August 2829, the campground will feature more Kids Craft, a Corn Hole tournament, and an ice cream social.

During Labor Day weekend, September 4-6, there will be a Field Day and Karaoke for both kids and adults.

The weekend of September 11-12 will feature Kids Craft as well as a Chili Cook-off.

September 18-19 will be a special time for families with children. This is the campground’s Disney Weekend. Activities will include a trivia contest and a karaoke night.

The principal activity during the weekend of September 25-26 will be Paint Night.

During the holiday weekend of October 9-11, there will be a site decoration contest. Other highlights celebrating the end of the season will include a Halloween Party and a special event called Wildlife Encounters with Live Animals.

Readers who are looking for a family camping experience in a pleasant setting should visit the Whit’s End Campground website: www.whitsendcampground.com. To reserve space, contact the manager at (603) 539-6060, or via email at whitsendllc@aol.com.

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On Saturday, August 14, The Art Place in downtown Wolfeboro will hold its semi-annual Peter Ferber Gallery Show featuring new original paintings by local well-known artist Peter Ferber.

Peter Ferber has been showing at The Art Place gallery in downtown Wolfeboro since the early 1990s. His artwork captures the essence of experiences and places that the viewer has had or seen. With an eye for detail and a nod to the past, this well-known local artist captures life as it should be, fi lled with nostalgia and comfortable surroundings. However, there is a bit of intrigue and uniqueness in the gallery show this time. You will have to come see for yourself!

Peter Ferber hints at the upcoming show, “The group of paintings for the August show is marked by variety. No two is alike. They hit on all the subjects I love, with a few things I don’t often do, and one I’ve never done. Looking them over in my mind, I do see some pairings. Two of boats in the early morning. Two looking outof-doors–one from an upstairs cottage bedroom and one from inside a boathouse. Two where the sky plays a major role–one a sunset, and one in moonlight. They move you from a restful porch in the sunlight, to a brisk, breezy island mooring. They span the seasons from (mostly) summer, to fall, to winter. They span locations from our local lake to Chichester to Fougeres in France. This last one from a place I visited in college, and have had fun going through those photographs and bringing to painted fruition ideas that I didn’t get to work on at the time.

“Finally, there’s one that doesn’t fi t in anywhere and is unlike anything I’ve ever done. It, too, is an idea that has been waiting years to come out. I’ve even had the title in mind all this time. Though there is no cut-paper piece in this show, this one uses that medium in combination with a traditional watercolor. I don’t want to make too much of it, but it should be a conversation-starter, and maybe elicit a chuckle. I hope no one thinks I’ve ‘gone around the bend,’ as a British friend of ours used to say!

“All in all, I think this will be an interesting show to see. And I’ll say that the one thing these paintings do have in common is that as each one has gone out my studio door, I’ve wanted to take another look or two at it, because it has something special that I’ve really enjoyed, and I hope the viewer will too.”

The Peter Ferber Gallery Show is held twice a year –in August and in February– at The Art Place, located at 9 North Main St. in downtown Wolfeboro.

Many people, some traveling long distances, arrive early before the doors open at 9:30 am and line up to ensure they are fi rst to see the new works.

Peter Ferber will be present at the show during the day, providing a wonderful opportunity to hear the stories behind the paintings directly from the artist.

The Gallery Show will run until August 28 or before if all the paintings are sold. More information is available by calling 603-569-6159. K eep posted for updates on the Art Place Facebook page at theartplacewolfeboro.

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Tin Mountain Conservation Center in Albany has some great programs for late summer right into the autumn . From ice cream cones to a ghost town tour and nature hikes, there is defi nitely something of interest!

Field Program Naturalist Led Hikes in Jackson take place on Thursdays from 10 am to noon in August. Join one of Tin Mountain Conservation Center’s naturalists for weekly hikes at the Jackson Field Station property. Highlights include visiting the summit of Tin Mountain for the awesome views, exploring an abandoned tin mine and learning about the history of the property while visiting a historic homestead. You’ll also enjoy seeing the ponds that dot the property. Along the way, the naturalist will identify plants, trees and point out animal signs. The hikes are a great way to explore the trails of the Jackson Field Station. Participants of all ages are welcome, and advance registration is required. Visit www.tinmountain.org to register online or call 603-447-6991.

Cones for a Cause will happen on Wednesday, August 18 from noon to 9 pm at Trails End Ice Cream in Intervale. Eat delicious local ice cream and support Tin Mountain! Stop by Trails End Ice Cream in Intervale across from the Scenic Vista to help Tin Mountain.

On Thursday, August 26 at 7 pm, the program will be NH’s Karner Blue Butterfl y Population. The Karner blue butterfl y was once found readily from Maine to Minnesota, but is now limited to small pockets of pine barrens and oak savannas in eight states. New Hampshire hosts a small population of these federally listed endangered species on the 300 acres of the Concord Pine Barrens. For a number of years, biologists have been releasing captive-bred Karner blues in the hopes that they will begin breeding in the wild. In 2009, 250 adult butterfl ies hatched in the wild in the Concord Pine Barrens. It marked the fi fth straight year that scientists have reported Karner blues surviving in the wild in New Hampshire. Join Heidi Holman, wildlife biologist with NH Fish & Game, for an overview of the Karner blue butterfl y and the state’s management and recovery efforts. (A Zoom link will be on www.tinmountain.org.)

Environmental Book Group: Entangled Life will be the program on Wednesday, September 1 at 3 pm. Entangled Life travels below the surface to explore the world from a fungal point of view. This international best seller by biologist Merlin Sheldrake explores the fungi kingdom from yeast to psychedelics. All are welcome; you don’t need to have fi nished the book (or even started it) to join the conversation! Zoom link will be on www. tinmountain.org. (Tin Mountain’s Environmental Book Group is sponsored in part by White Birch Books

Do you love the fl owers of summer? Be there for the Late Summer Wildfl owers: Evening Program on Wednesday, September 1 at 7 pm. Join Executive Director, Lori Jean Kinsey, for a look at the wildfl owers of late summer and early fall. Some of the showiest and boldest fl owers, such as cardinal fl owers, gentians, and goldenrods are starting to appear. Not only are they beautiful, important pollinators, but they often have unique seeds and seed dispersal techniques. The program will look at a variety of different habitats to see what’s blooming. (A Zoom link will be on www.tinmountain.org.)

Late Summer Wildfl owers: Pondicherry Field Exploration takes place on Thursday, September 2, from 9 am to 1 pm. Join Executive Director, Lori Jean Kinsey, for a fi eld exploration of late summer and early fall wildfl owers at Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge. You should see Joe Pye weed, goldenrods, asters, and gentian fl owers, to name a few as well as some early fall bird migrants passing through. This is a moderate hike approximately 4 miles in length with minimal elevation gain. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes, bring water, lunch and bring binoculars for some early fall migrants. Advance registration is required. Register online at www.tinmountain.org. Sponsored in part by the Neil & Louise Tillotson Fund at the NH Charitable Foundation.

On September 9 at 7 pm, Fall Birds of the Bog: Evening Program explores the wonderful Brownfi eld Bog. Join Will Broussard for a virtual exploration of the diverse Avians that visit this

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