Pocono News Section

A Water Park Within A Water Park

A Water Park Within A Water Park - Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at 4:55PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Wednesday, Jul 2, 2008 @ 04:55pm EST
TANNERSVILLE - There's a new place to splash and play this summer. Camelbeach water park and tells us how it will help the "Staycation" trend.

Melissa Smith lives just about ten miles from Camelbeach Waterpark in Tannersville but she's never visited until now.

She said, "I kinda forget that I just have to get in the car for twenty minutes and be home."

It's a short drive that makes her feel like she's at a far away vacation spot.

She brought a bunch of kids to check out Pharaoh's Fortress. It's the newest attraction at Camelbeach.

"It is really really cool," said Allison McNeill of East Stroudsburg.

The kids couldn't seem to get enough. "I went on the red slide, the light blue slide, and the dark blue slide," said Allison.

She tried all eight slides and splashed in just about every corner of the 10,000 square foot fortress.

Families we talked with said they really liked this place because it has things like fountains for little kids, along with slides and bigger things for the older kids and adults.

"I have a big age range with me today and it helps me to keep them all in one spot. But everybody gets to enjoy themselves," said Smith.

Allison added, "It's the coolest beach, I mean I like it more than a regular beach - like with sand and everything. I love it."

If every kid likes the new play place as much as the little ones Eyewitness News met, then many parents will feel relieved. They can save some money on gas and enjoy the new "staycation" trend, vacations close to home.

Smith said, "As far as gas prices we wouldn't have a long commute and you can eat at home before you come here - just the cost of admission and the kids get to have all the fun."

Camelbeach has put up seven new attractions in the past ten years. Its managers and other local business people say it gives the local economy a boost, by giving tourists new reasons to visit all the time.