What You Will Need

  Understanding that not everyone camps on a regular basis, or perhaps ever, the following is a primer on what you will need to make this campout comfortable and fun for you and your family.

  Money - The Benevolent will be paying for your campsite; however, you must pay your way into the park, $12.00 per vehicle. Please  do not  call the park to reserve a spot. First come first served. Check in at gate then proceed to camp site then check in at the Canteen Van. We will be offering lots of free games and activities, and there are many beautiful trails near the campground.  But, you must pay your own way for any tour boats or canoe/boat rentals.

  Food – The Benevolent will be providing most of your food: Supper = Friday and Saturday.  Breakfast = Saturday and Sunday. Realize that it will be Canteen Truck food. If you require a special diet or you want something more than basic campout fare, you better bring it. No special orders. You also must supply your own lunches.  We will be supplying drinks (coffee, Gatorade, soda, water, etc., excluding liquor). Since the Canteen Van will be packed with so much food and drinks, there won’t be much room for snacks, so bring some.  If you plan on cooking, there is a grill in each site, or bring a portable stove.  We will supply the cooking and eating supplies for the meals we serve, so if you are going to make your own, bring your own cooking and eating supplies.

  Shelter – Obviously, if you’re one of the lucky few who has an RV, then you’re, well, lucky.  However, there are no hook-ups at Flamingo.  There is a dump station at the campground entrance.  For the rest of us, a tent is the way to go (with fly and ground cover).  Again, if you don’t camp much, you’re going to want to bring a Tent , a sleeping bag for each person.  Bring sleeping pads or an air mattress (fill it up at the Canteen Van), as well as pillows and blankets in case it’s cold. 

Generators, and RV generators will be turned off at 8:00PM Sharp each night. Park Rule.

  Other Basics – lantern, flashlights, bug spray (shouldn’t be buggy), sun block, soap and towels, (there are unheated showers) tooth brush and tooth paste, hats, chairs, fire wood, first aid kit, meds, binoculars, camera, extra shoes if your going canoeing or hiking, charcoal, lighter fluid, matches. There is a convenience store at the Marina in case you forgot any essentials, ie, ice cream.

  A word to parents – There are both gators and crocs in the Everglades , as well as panthers, bears, and bobcats.  They are not aggressive, and there has never been an attack in Flamingo.  That said, stay attentive to your small children, especially when near the water.  A more likely problem would be stepping on or near a pygmy rattle snake.  Closed-toed shoes are the best defense for that encounter.  Also, teach your children how to recognize poison ivy, poison wood, etc.  I take my kids to Flamingo a couple of times a year.  It is plenty safe as long as I remember that it is a wild place.  Cell phone service is available for Cingular and AT&T customers only.  There is a pay phone at the marina.