Gettysburg and Drummer Boy Campground

We started going to Gettysburg back in the early 80's and have returned a few times over the years. Our first trip was with an early 70's Rockwood popup that we purchased used from a friend. Our little car wouldn't handle the trailer and our family and gear for such a trip so I borrowed my dad's station wagon.

It was a memorable trip. Our first long trip with 2 little girls, a rag tag station wagon with a blown air conditioner motor in the middle of July... Looking back I loved every minute of it.

We first headed to Amish country and had a great time. As a matter of fact we were only going to spend our time there. We decided to visit Gettysburg "on the way home."

We pulled into Drummer Boy Campground and the girls instantly wanted the pool and some relief from the heat. The next day we went to the visitors center (Highly Recommended) and viewed the Diorama presentation. We only had a short time to spend in Gettysburg so I convinced the family to spend some of our limited budget on an individual guide.

The retired gentleman we were lucky to be assigned to sat in the front seat as I drove. Did I mention that it was July, hot and NO air conditioning. We really didn't care much about air conditioning back home (Cape Cod) at that time, but in the heat of that July in PA it would have been nice. We had the most interesting tour of Gettysburg, our guide was knowledgeable and was able to impart so much history and actually make us image the battle(s) taking place. It was probably the best investment we made.

We've returned to Gettysburg & Drummer Boy Campground a few times over the years and enjoyed every trip. In our later trips we return to pay homage to the battle and the boys of both sides who gave their lives.

We also enjoy the surrounding area and have had some interesting side trips and experiences like the second trip in our new Coleman Pop Up a few years later. It was another hot, humid July and we truly appreciated the pool at Drummer Boy. One day after touring the battlegrounds and surrounding area we decided to break habit and go out to eat. Just after we ordered our meal a vicious thunderstorm tore through the area. Worried about the new Coleman I excused myself (guy thing).

I thought I'd drive the 2 miles back to Drummer Boy, check out the camper and get back just as dinner arrived Well there were trees and limbs down all over the place. It took me at least a hour round trip. (the restaurant kept my dinner warm.) At the campground 4 or 5 trailers and campers were damaged or destroyed. Our site and rig were untouched much to my relief.

After dinner we drove back past Eisenhower College and we were shocked to see that a very large tree had crushed the magnificent bronze bust of Eisenhower. The next morning the damage was cleaned up so well that unless you knew the statue was there you would not have known about the damage.

We've made it a point that when we are going anywhere close to Gettysburg to stop for a visit. It's been awhile since our last trip so I'm sure that we will be stopping by sometime soon.