Family Campout Fall 2026
9/11/2026 5:00 pm
Family Campout Fall 2026
🏕️ Join Us for the Annual WDLA Family Campout!
Join WDLA families for a weekend of outdoor adventure, friendship, and community at Double Lake Recreation Area in Coldspring, Texas, October 9–11, 2026.
Never been camping before? No problem! First-time campers are welcome. Families may camp overnight for one or two nights, or join us for the day on Saturday.
📅 Event Details
📅 When: Friday, October 9 – Sunday, October 11, 2026
📍 Where: Double Lake Recreation Area
301 FM 2025 Rd, Coldspring, TX 77331
☎️ Park Phone: (936) 653-3448
⛺ Overnight Camping: Friday and/or Saturday night
☀️ Saturday Day Visit: Families may attend Saturday without camping overnight
🍴 Saturday Family Potluck: 4:00–6:00 PM at the Lodge
🎬 Community Movie: Saturday evening
🚙 Sunday Departure: All WDLA campsites cleaned, packed, and vacated by 1:00 PM
✅ Start Here
All families attending the Campout must complete the Family Campout Registration, whether staying overnight or attending Saturday only.
🏕️ 1. Family Campout Registration
Use the Family Campout Registration to register your family, select Overnight Camping or Saturday Day Visit, provide your attendance information, and pay the WDLA camping fee if staying overnight.
REGISTER FOR THE 2026 FAMILY CAMPOUT
🍴 2. Saturday Potluck Signup
After registering, families participating in the Saturday Family Potluck can select the food, drinks, or supplies they would like to contribute.
🙋 3. Volunteer Signup
Registered families can select one or more volunteer opportunities that work with their schedules.
⚠️ Important: The Potluck and Volunteer Signups do not register your family for the Campout. Please complete the Family Campout Registration first.
💵 WDLA Camping Registration Fee
⛺ Overnight Camping — $20 per family
The WDLA PTO registration fee is $20 per family, whether your family stays one night or both nights.
💳 Cancellation Policy: Overnight registration fees are non-refundable. If your family cancels or is unable to attend, the $20 registration fee will remain with the WDLA PTO to support PTO programs and activities.
☀️ Saturday Day Visit — No WDLA Registration Fee
There is no WDLA PTO registration fee for families attending Saturday only. Saturday visitors must still complete the Family Campout Registration so we know which families will be attending.
🚗 Double Lake Vehicle Fees
Double Lake vehicle fees are separate from the WDLA PTO registration fee and are paid directly to Double Lake.
🌙 Overnight Vehicles — $9 per vehicle, per night
Families staying overnight should plan to pay $9 per vehicle for each night of their stay.
💵 Please bring exact cash to pay the vehicle fee at the campground entrance.
Examples:
1 vehicle × 1 night = $9
1 vehicle × 2 nights = $18
☀️ Saturday Day Visitors — $7 per vehicle, per day
Families attending Saturday without staying overnight pay a $7 day-use fee per vehicle directly at Double Lake.
🅿️ Parking: Parking immediately adjacent to the group camping areas is limited. Families may unload camping equipment near the camping area and then may be directed to park in the central parking area.
Final parking instructions will be provided to registered families before the Campout.
🚗 Friday Arrival & Check-In
Families are strongly encouraged to arrive between 3:30 PM and 6:30 PM Friday so there is adequate daylight to locate the WDLA camping area, unload, and set up.
⏱️ Please allow approximately 45–60 minutes to unload and set up your campsite.
🌙 Families arriving later are welcome but should be prepared to set up after dark.
🏠 Friday Lodge — Welcome & Check-In Center
The Lodge will be available to WDLA families Friday from 3:00 PM–10:00 PM.
On Friday, the Lodge will serve as the WDLA Welcome and Check-In Center. Families can check in, receive camping information, and get assistance locating their camping area.
🔒 Important: No access is permitted for newly arriving campers between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM. Families arriving Friday should plan accordingly.
🏠 Saturday Lodge
The Lodge will be available to WDLA families Saturday from 9:00 AM–10:00 PM.
The Lodge will serve as our shared gathering, eating, and activity space throughout Saturday.
🍳 Saturday Breakfast: WDLA will not provide an organized breakfast. Families should bring their own breakfast and may use the Lodge to eat and gather.
🍴 Saturday Family Potluck
📅 Saturday, October 10
🕓 4:00–6:00 PM
🏠 Lodge
The Family Potluck is an opportunity for WDLA families to share a meal together.
Families participating in the Potluck should use the Saturday Potluck Signup to select one or more available food, drink, or supply contributions.
📋 Potluck categories have a limited number of spots to help us create a balanced meal.
🥘 For food contributions, use the Comments field to tell us what your family plans to bring.
🔌 If your dish requires a crock pot or electricity to stay warm, please include that information in your comment.
🙋 Volunteer Opportunities
The Family Campout is a community event, and parent and family volunteers help make the weekend possible.
Volunteer opportunities include:
👋 Friday Welcome Center and arrival assistance
⛺ Campsite setup assistance
🎯 Saturday activities and event support
🍴 Potluck and food coordination
🪑 Tables, chairs, and event supplies
🎬 Community Movie setup and breakdown
🗑️ Cleanliness, trash, and grounds
🧹 Sunday breakdown and final cleanup
Adults and teens may volunteer, and younger children may help alongside their families when appropriate.
Use the Campout Volunteer Signup to select one or more opportunities that work with your family's schedule.
⛺ Campsites & Facilities
WDLA has reserved group camping space for participating families at Double Lake.
⚡ Individual camping areas do not have electrical hookups.
🚿 Restrooms and showers are available within the recreation area.
Families should come prepared with the camping equipment and supplies they will need for the weekend, including:
🔦 Flashlights and headlamps
🏮 Lanterns
🔋 Power banks
💧 Drinking water
⛺ Tent and sleeping equipment
🍳 Food and cooking supplies
👕 Weather-appropriate clothing
🧴 Personal and hygiene supplies
🔥 Campfires & Fire Restrictions
🔥 Campfires are permitted only in designated fire rings.
Weather and fire conditions may result in a burn ban or other fire restrictions during the Campout. A burn ban may prohibit campfires even though the campsite normally provides a fire ring.
⚠️ Please do not assume that campfires will be allowed.
Current fire restrictions will be confirmed at campground entry. All families must follow Double Lake's current fire rules and posted restrictions.
🪵 Firewood
Help protect the forest from tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site rather than transporting firewood long distances.
⚠️ Important Double Lake Rules
Please help WDLA be a responsible campground guest.
🔥 Fires: Permitted in designated fire rings only.
🚫 Alcohol: Alcohol is not permitted.
🚗 Vehicles: Street-legal vehicles only.
🔒 Late Arrival: No access for newly arriving campers between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM.
🧻 Flushable Wipes: Do not dispose of disposable or "flushable" wipes in the campground wastewater system. These products can cause significant blockage problems.
🪵 Firewood: Obtain firewood at or near your destination when possible to help prevent the spread of tree-killing pests.
🕚 Sunday Departure
All WDLA campsites must be completely cleaned, packed, and vacated by 1:00 PM Sunday.
Each family is responsible for:
⛺ Breaking down its own campsite
🚙 Loading all personal belongings
🗑️ Removing trash
🔍 Checking for forgotten items
🌲 Leaving its camping area clean
Please allow sufficient time Sunday morning to complete your campsite breakdown before the 1:00 PM WDLA departure deadline.
Click on picture links below to register or signup
🎒 Before the Campout
Registered families will receive additional information as the Campout approaches, including:
🎒 Packing recommendations
🌦️ Weather information
🔥 Current fire restrictions
🚗 Arrival and parking instructions
🍴 Potluck reminders
🙋 Volunteer reminders
🎬 Community Movie information
📢 Other important event updates
Please monitor the email address associated with your Membership Toolkit account for Campout communications.
❓ Questions?
Monica Silva
Camping Event Chair
📞 832-755-3661
✉️ community@whartonpto.org
🏕️ We Can't Wait to See You at Double Lake!
Thank you for being part of the WDLA community. We look forward to a weekend of outdoor adventure, friendship, community, and great memories with our WDLA families!
