July is the perfect time of year to go camping in Wisconsin and if you find yourself up near Waupaca and the Chain O'Lakes, the Waupaca Camping Park is a nice option for families.

Within a short drive to downtown Waupaca and a few minute jaunt over to "The Chain," the Waupaca Camping Park is family owned and operated and offers the "above and beyond" conveniences for campers including a camp store, ice, firewood, laundry, propane, full hookups and dump stations. Mind you, at reasonable Midwestern prices.

For kids, the highlights include a giant swimming pool that can hold up to 100 people (the water was 82 degrees during our visit—while the kids could jump into open waters in the Arctic circle, I found this "brisk, yet refreshing."

Our campsite was located near the playground area, which features a volleyball net, horseshoes, open area for tossing a football, and toddler "area" for kids under age 5.

For rainy days, campers can stroll down to the arcade room or drive over to the bowling alley on the other side of Highway 54. Our campsite included a wooden deck, which made for a level picnic table spot. Behind us we enjoyed views of Old Taylor Lake (which you might think would add to the mosquito count, but bugs were barely an issue at all).

To the delight of the kids, were two tiny black kittens living under out deck. And, no, I refused to bring them back home. When I sent the boys off to buy firewood, they came back with a borrowed blue dolly. If tent camping or RVing is not your thing, Waupaca Camping Park rents one- and two-bedroom cabins, many of which come with lawn tables and an outdoor grill. All cabins have air conditioning, bunk beds, a small refrigerator, microwave, and table with four chairs (score!), but you must provide your own bedding and utensils.

You can also rent a Yurt, which is like a tent/cabin hybrid and includes a skylight to let the sun and moonbeams in. The yurt is "sleeping only," but does include an AC/heating unit. I would like to stay in the yurt sometime.

In general the campground is tidy and appears to run like a well-oiled machine. The bathrooms/showers were just about the cleanest I have ever seen in a campground (And I really think the level of camp shower nastiness can be used as a litmus test for campgrounds everywhere.). Also worth noting: Dogs are allowed, fireworks are not.

Rates vary based on how long you stay, how many people are in your party, and what time of year you visit. It's probably best to just consult the Waupaca Camping Park website or give them a call.