Indoor YMCA Camping During EAA Airventure Oshkosh

An aviation celebration called "Airventure" attracts over half a million people to east central Wisconsin for one week each year during late July/early August. Airventure attendance in 2008 was estimated at approximately 540,000 by its host organization, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). Many, if not most of the attendees are pilots, families or aviation enthusiasts who enjoy the air shows, workshops, speakers and abundance of viewable aircraft at the event.

There are many lodging options listed on the EAA website at http://www.airventure.org/planning, including on-site camping at Camp Scholler. An excellent but lightly advertised alternative only three miles away, however, is the YMCA on 3303 West 20th Avenue in Oshkosh. During Airventure week, this facility closes its indoor soccer field to its regular membership and marks off over 100 "camping sites" on the artificial turf for use by campers.

I have "camped" at the YMCA twice so far; it is a great way to experience Airventure. A 10' x 10' camping site for one or two people at the YMCA cost only $26.25 a night in 2008, compared to $21.00 a night at Camp Scholler. A 10' x 20' "family" camping space for up to four people at the YMCA cost $42.00 a night in 2008. I've never camped at Scholler, but I've heard stories of the bug bites, heat and evening thunderstorms endured by Scholler campers. None of that is a problem at the YMCA. 2010 Update: In 2010, an individual camp site costs $30.45 a night; a family space costs $46.20. 2011 Update: An individual site is $33.02 a night; a family space is $49.56.

Here are some of the advantages and amenities of EAA camping at the 20^th Avenue YMCA:

1. The YMCA has air conditioning, and you are protected from the weather.
2. You may pitch a free-standing tent, but you are not required to have a tent for your cot, air mattress or sleeping bag. It is like camping in a friend's living room either way. A tent gives you some privacy and a place to corral your belongings.
3. Airventure campers receive full YMCA membership privileges for the week, including the use of locker rooms complete with showers, hair dryers and towel service. The YMCA opens and closes to the local members at the usual times each day, but a staffer or YMCA volunteer remains on duty during the night so that campers may come and go as they please.
4. The YMCA has a cafe on site, complete with a nice, reasonably priced breakfast buffet during Airventure week. In the evening, you can get an order of nachos and watch cable news on one of the cafe television sets.
5. There is a shuttle that runs a couple of times in the morning and evening that will take you to and from the Airventure site. If you don't have a car and miss the shuttle, you can always call a local taxi.
6. The YMCA has weight machines and exercise equipment if you don't get enough exercise walking at Airventure. It also has several swimming pools and a whirlpool available for your use.
7. The YMCA personnel---from the cafe staff, to the cleaning crew, to the EAA camping organizer, to the volunteers---are five-star friendly and helpful.
8. Did I mention the air conditioning? If you've ever been to Airventure, you know (or can guess) what a difference that makes.

   Although the 20^th Avenue YMCA does not have Wi-Fi, campers are allowed to use a broadband-connected computer in the camping office to check their email. There is a "Subway" sandwich shop about a mile away that has free Wi-Fi, and you can go there to do more extensive emailing or web surfing (on your computer or theirs) while you enjoy a sandwich.

   The Oshkosh YMCA posts EAA camping information on its Web site when they are ready to accept reservations for the current year. You can call (telephone: 920/230-8439) for additional information about EAA Airventure camping.

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