By Barbara A. Schmitz
A new campground area in EAA’s Camp Scholler is getting good reviews, especially from those arriving in large, heavy motorhomes.
Camp Scholler Southeast, located south of Ripple Road and west of Knapp Street, is EAA’s response to member and visitor feedback. The change moves drive-in campers from less desirable locations to areas closer to the flightline, while also creating additional vehicle parking for attendees who drive in for the day. Campers can access the flightline through a new South Knapp Gate and admissions center just south of the Fun Fly Zone in the Ultralights area, or they can use the continual shuttle service to get to the grounds.
Jerome and Marsha Roads, of Dawson, West Virginia, were the first campers to arrive about 5 p.m. Friday. About two hours later, Randy and Cord Riley, a father and son who live near Springdale, Arkansas, became the new campground’s official second campers.
Jerome said they first came to the Oshkosh air show in 1986, then came for 10 consecutive years before life got too busy. 2025 is their fourth consecutive year coming in their 28,000-pound, 38-foot motor home.
“We chose this area because other areas were wet and we don’t need a 24-hour generator,” Marsha said. “When we first saw this campground, it was a pleasant surprise.”
“With a longer camper, being able to get it almost level is important,” Jerome added. “Plus, there’s a little more space out here.” The southeast campground also has all the traditional camping amenities, including bathrooms and showers.
A pilot who is no longer active, Jerome said he is looking forward to visiting vendors, checking out displays, seeing airplanes he hasn’t seen before, and meeting people you don’t usually get a chance to meet. (He’s met EAA founder Paul Poberezny and Voyager pilot Dick Rutan, for example, in the past.) Marsha said she was looking forward to seeing the two Goodyear airships up close.
The Rileys first learned that their usual camping spot had become a parking lot a few days ago, so they decided to come earlier in hopes of getting a better location. The two weren’t disappointed.
“We typically stayed in what is now the Purple auto parking lot,” Cord said.
“With a 35,000-pound, 40-foot motor home, you can’t park just anywhere,” Randy said. “We need it dry at the end of the week if we’re going to be able to get out of here.”
Randy said they typically camp in areas that allow 24-hour generator use, but here, they need to shut their generator off at 10:30 p.m.
“But we turned the fans on and slept like a baby,” Randy said. They also are enjoying the additional space in the new campground, plus the fact that it is more quiet and peaceful with the tree line nearby.
Plus, the location will allow them to get out and onto the highway quickly, Cord added.
“In the perfect world, we’d also be able to the watch the air show from our campsite,” said Cord, a pilot with about 500 hours logged. “But any day at Oshkosh is a good day.”
He added that that’s because everyone in Oshkosh loves aviation. “I love the people and camaraderie,” he said.
Randy agreed. “I’ve never talked to a soul here who isn’t nice,” he said. “There’s a different group of people at AirVenture.”