Weekend with Friends that Feel like Family

In 2008 our parents started a “Schoen Camping Weekend”. It has quickly become one of my all time favorite weekends of the summer. Some bring their campers, some bring tents, some bring a duffle bag and sleep in my grandparents house or some bring what feels like their entire house. (The ones bringing their entire house is me and we drove home every night!)

Friday night starts with a delicious, Rob Schoen famous fish fry. This night I think most look forward to. Some invite their friends and their family to this. We usually have a big turnout. I think this weekend we had about 74 people? Don’t quote me on that! It’s such a nice time for everyone to relax, enjoy good food & even better company.

Saturday…this time it was “The Day for the Girls”! It really wasn’t, but it turned into that. The dads and grandparents took care of our kids while we sat out in the lake and enjoyed ourselves. It ended up being an early night for some and a “this is why we don’t drink” moment for others. We eat food galore all day, play games, watch our kids/grandkids play together & go on pontoon/boat rides.

Sunday is our last day. We take a group picture, then head to the lake to watch the kids swim or go on pontoon rides…and eat more food!

Here’s the real reason why Schoen Camp is my favorite weekend. Every year we keep adding more kids or significant others. Everyone is always laughing, we never run out of food or adult beverages. All of our friends have become family over the years. I hope we can always continue this weekend that our parents have started. These are memories that last a lifetime.