What are the exact check-in and end times?

Check-in opens at 10:30 AM Saturday and the campout concludes at 10:00 AM Sunday.

How many campsites are available?

The event is limited to 25 campsites to keep the program intimate and manageable.

Organizers provide a communal campfire dinner (hot dogs and s’mores) Saturday evening and a pancake breakfast Sunday morning as part of the program.

Can I park on East Shingle Mill Road or arrive late?

Please do not park on East Shingle Mill Road; arrive on time to check in and claim your campsite.

Are pets or accessibility accommodations allowed?

Accessibility and pet policies are not specified in the listing—check the member agreement or contact Camp Bennett Community Association for details before booking.

Camp Bennett Family Campout: Unplug, Play & Sleep Under Sandpoint Skies

Q: Is membership required to attend?

Yes. A signed Camp Bennett Community Association member agreement is required for each family; general membership is free but mandatory.

Camp Bennett Family Campout is a 24-hour, family-oriented overnight at Camp Bennett in Sandpoint, Idaho, United States. Built around old-school field games and simple camp routines, the event revives the kind of screen-free, hands-on play that defines many folks’ summer memories. Families check in Saturday morning, collect wood-cookie name-tags, and set up a tented basecamp among the property’s open playfields and conifer groves. From there the weekend runs like a neighborhood block party scaled to a campground: scheduled rotations through arts and crafts (friendship bracelets and God’s eyes), a nature scavenger hunt, tug-of-war, and a cool water-balloon toss that’s perfect for hot Idaho afternoons. The program peaks in a property-wide game of Capture the Flag, followed by a sunset Flag Ceremony and a communal campfire dinner of roasted hot dogs and s’mores. After the fire, families settle into tents beneath clear northern Idaho skies; with limited light pollution the stars feel close enough to wish on. Sunday morning brings a pancake breakfast and plenty of time to trade stories before packing up at 10:00 AM. What makes this offering notable is its membership-based stewardship. Camp Bennett Community Association runs the campout for a small, private community—only 25 campsites—so the feel is intentionally intimate and cooperative. That structure keeps group sizes manageable, programs hands-on, and the pace relaxed for little kids and grandparents alike. The requirement for a signed member agreement and adherence to quiet hours (10:00 PM–7:00 AM) emphasizes safety and neighborliness, and organizers enforce common-sense rules around tools and obstacle activities. This is an ideal first overnight for families new to tent camping as well as a nostalgic weekend for veteran campers. Practical benefits include on-site programming (no need to plan activities), structured check-in, and a built-in community of participants. The site’s grassy fields and tree edges provide flexible tenting areas and plenty of room for games, while volunteers staff stations so parents can join in or take a break. If you’re visiting Sandpoint and want a low-pressure, high-connection outdoor experience, this campout is a seasonal highlight that puts family play back at the center of summer. Bring a tent, warm layers for the night, and a willingness to be part of a communal weekend—this short, deliberate retreat is all about shared memories, simple pleasures, and the kind of game-day triumphs kids and parents still talk about years later. Check-in opens at 10:30 AM Saturday; the campout ends at 10:00 AM Sunday. Arrive on time to collect wood-cookie name tags and claim one of 25 campsites. A signed Camp Bennett Community Association member agreement is required for each family. Organizers ask guests to avoid parking on East Shingle Mill Road. Quiet hours begin at 10:00 PM—use soft voices and camp lanterns only.

Difficulty

easy.

Duration

24 hours (overnight).

Fitness level

Family-friendly; light activity such as walking, running games, and basic obstacle elements—good for most fitness levels.

Wildlife

Deer
Songbirds (warblers, finches)

History

Pursuit is a project of the Camp Bennett Community Association; the campout is run by the local membership to foster community ties.

Conservation

Limited campsite capacity and enforced quiet hours reduce impact; guests are encouraged to follow Leave No Trace principles and pack out all trash.

Camp Bennett Community Association is a community organization based in Sandpoint, Idaho, that operates outdoor programs, youth classes, and family events at Camp Bennett and the Pursuit barn gym. The association offers a variety of experiences designed to build confidence, teamwork, and outdoor skills for children and families. Programs include Weekly Classes at Pursuit, Pursuit Workshops, Pursuit Birthday Party Package, Pursuit Summer Camp: Build Stuff. Burn Stuff. Blast Stuff., and the Family Campout at Camp Bennett. Weekly Classes at Pursuit focus on movement-based games and parkour fundamentals in a heated barn gym or in nearby forest settings. Coach Will leads sessions that emphasize fun, physical development, and character through play. Pursuit Workshops provide short, skill-focused sessions such as parkour basics, Nerf battles, and jumping drills suitable for mixed-age groups. The Pursuit Birthday Party Package gives families a private, facilitated celebration in the barn gym with guided activities, a party room for cake and presents, and setup and cleanup included. The Pursuit Summer Camp centers on fort-building, tactical games, and teamwork in outdoor woodlands. The Family Campout at Camp Bennett is a 24-hour experience with classic camp games, arts and crafts, a water balloon toss, Capture the Flag, and a campfire dinner. As a named community association running programming on site in Sandpoint, Camp Bennett Community Association relies on local facilities, experienced instructors, and structured activities to create safe, engaging experiences for participants. Families can expect organized sessions, supervised events, and community-focused programming. Registration details, schedules, and contacts are available online.

Base locationSandpoint, Idaho

Tours offered5+

Specialtycamping-overnight

StewardshipLeave No Trace

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