Travel Camp offers outdoor getaways

By Rick Musselman, Belvoir Eagle Sports EditorJanuary 16, 2014

Travel Camp
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Whether you're looking for a quick retreat from the hustle and bustle of Northern Virginia or planning an extended vacation with the Family, Fort Belvoir's Travel Camp is just the ticket for relaxation and fun in a scenic waterfront environment.

The 52-pad Recreational Vehicle Travel Camp, operated by the Fort Belvoir Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, is located in the Tompkins Basin area of the installation along the shores of the Potomac River. The facility offers campers all the modern amenities, including 40-foot long by 15-foot wide solid concrete surfaced pads (pull-in and back-in), wireless internet and cable TV, on-site direct water and sewer hookups, 20/30/50 amp electric service, coin-operated washers and dryers, restrooms and shower facilities, two fishing piers and access to Castle Park which includes a playground, volleyball net, horseshoe pits and two pavilions.

"The location is perfect, on the shores of the Potomac River and close to D.C.," said Brianna Kipper, Outdoor Recreation director.

According to a DFMWR press release and the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, there are 8.9 million RV-owning households in the nation. A 2011 study by travel industry experts, PKF Consulting, found that a typical Family of four can save up to 59 percent by traveling in their RV, even when considering the RV purchase price, maintenance costs and gas prices. The comfort and convenience of traveling in your own home on wheels combined with the freedom to take a mini Family vacation makes RVing inviting for many people. A good portion of those people are active-duty and retired military personnel.

Fort Belvoir's DFMWR recognized this trend towards RVing and began the process of developing a Travel Camp a number of years ago. After many years of planning and a fall and winter of construction, the new Fort Belvoir Travel Camp officially opened May 22, 2013.

"There have been millions of dollars worth of design and study; there have been people involved in all branches of government, from the Pentagon to Soldiers, civilians and Families. (This facility) not only preserves the area but it also does what is most important, and that is provide an opportunity for our Families, our retirees, our Soldiers and our DoD civilians to have a wonderful place to be in the National Capital Region," said Kim Mills, DFMWR director, during the grand opening ceremony last spring. "This is part of the history of this installation, and our children and our children's children, and the Soldiers who are right now deployed and in harm's way, will also appreciate this area and this site."

"Being in the military you learn to be independent, you learn to be flexible and you learn about Family -- and owning an RV adds one more component to that and it's called freedom," added Col. Joseph A. Simonelli, Jr., director, House Affairs, Office Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs and avid RV camper. "It's the freedom to pick up and move around when you want to. Parks like this give us an opportunity to be in an area where we're comfortable and where we know each other."

Col. Gregory D. Gadson, Fort Belvoir garrison commander, noted the importance of having such a facility available to the installation's personnel and the command team's aims to continually enhance the morale and welfare of military personnel and their Families.

"This is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful places for you to enjoy the beauty of Fort Belvoir. Our focus is always on quality of life and our commitment to improving that quality of life for our servicemembers, our civilians and our retirees, and this is one more addition to what we have to look forward to."

Fort Belvoir's location, directly off of I-95, a main artery for travelers going north and south, is an easy stopover for weekend sightseers or for those just staying overnight. Visitors wake to the sounds of nature and a woodland or river view and can be in D.C. within 30 minutes.

The Fort Belvoir Travel Camp is open seven days a week, all year long, to accommodate seasonal and holiday travelers. The 52 fully-loaded camping spaces each include a picnic table, fire ring for grilling and campfires along with a perfect view of the Potomac River. Castle Park, the piers and Accotink Wildlife Refuge hiking trails are all within walking distance from the campground.

Outdoor Recreation offers additional services like equipment rental, hunting, fishing, hiking, biking and boating.

Check-in is at Building 778, the main Outdoor Recreation Facility, at 10155 Johnston Road, Fort Belvoir.

For more information regarding the Travel Camp and to inquire about reservations, contact Outdoor Recreation at (703) 805-3081.