“Glamping? What’s that?” my 8-year-old son asks.

I’m packing our bags for a Memorial Day Weekend getaway with him and my husband “glamping” in a tent at River Island Adventures (RIA) in Longs, a short, 45-minute drive, but enough to feel like an escape.

“Glamping is camping, but more fancy or glamorous than regular camping in a tent,” I explain, “so it’s glamping.”

That seemed to satisfy, so I continued to prep for our trip.

The outdoor adventure resort that is River Island Adventures is the result of the blood, sweat, and tears shed by owner Jeff Cline, who gave up his 20-year career in real estate to follow his dream of opening his own camping resort. Inspired by a similar treehouse-like campground he visited on the Edisto River, Cline discovered this 48-acre slip of land on the Waccamaw River near North Myrtle Beach, cleared the land himself with a push mower and chainsaw, and welcomed his first guests on Memorial Day Weekend 2018.

Today, I couldn’t be happier that guests, like my family, are able to enjoy his labor of love that survived the flood of Hurricane Florence’s wrath later in 2018, forcing RIA underwater for nine weeks. 

Here’s why you will be happy, too:

ACCOMMODATIONS
We checked into Glamping Tent #1, which is closest to the river and one of three other glamping tents and one double glamping tent. These tents are ultra-cute, perched on a second level deck with a front porch that has two high-back stools—perfect for a bird’s eye view of the outpost below. The tents feature a metal framework and are covered by a tin roof, which was a God send during Saturday night’s thunderstorm. Inside, it’s cozy and charming, with a soft queen-sized bed, two nightstands with a lamp and table fan, a chest at the foot of the bed, and a chandelier overhead.

RIA books the glamping campsites through AirBnB; three tents sleep two and the double tent accommodates four in two queen beds. A portable power station, which you charge at the front desk each morning, is stored bedside, and powers lights and the fan.

Additional RIA accommodation options include the River Bend Treehouse on a private island, accessible only by boat or kayak for a larger group of six guests (two bedrooms, four beds, and one half-bath). If you want to rough it, bring your regular tent or small RV to camp in one of their wooded campsites without utility hook-ups. 

AMENITIES
During your stay at RIA, you’re surrounded by the woods and water of the great outdoors, but the experience is not completely primitive. Never fear, they do provide some of the comforts of home.

The bath house is located near the main lodge and is equipped with four hot showers (bring your own bath towels) and four restrooms with a vanity and mirror. The front desk sells snacks and drinks; a kitchenette around the corner is equipped with a K Cup coffeemaker, mugs and a few dishes, sink, microwave, and ice machine; an outdoor kitchen pavilion has propane grills and a prep area with a few pans and cutlery; and rows of picnic tables are located river side. If you forgot to pack something in your cooler, there is an IGA grocery store located only about 2 miles from the campground.

Fun and games are to be had on the main grounds of the resort, where yard games, like Jenga, Connect Four, an oversized chess game, slackline, playground, hammocks, and swings await. RIA also features a central fire pit, and boat dock and ramp.

ENTERTAINMENT
On Friday night, we were treated to RIA’s Adventure Luau, an amazing two-hour live performance  featuring Polynesian fire handlers, hula dancers, and Pacific island music. All three of us sat, jaws dropped, through this unforgettable outdoor show performed by this talented troupe of all ages performing beautiful hula dances and heart-pounding acts with poi balls, fire knives, and more. It was absolutely breathtaking!

The night also included (for an added cost) an authentic Polynesian dinner buffet, a lineup of delicious dishes, such as Kahlua pork, Hawaiian slaw, grilled pineapple, shrimp with mango relish, teriyaki chicken roasted vegetables, Hawaiian rolls, and pineapple poke cake. Water and lemonade are included with the buffet, and the Luau Bar also sells soda, beer, and Piña Colada wine slushies. 

The Adventure Luau continues on Friday nights through Sept. 6, and is open to featuring a pontoon shuttle ride to the haunted island of horrors, and Christmas at the Outpost, a holiday celebration with lights, games, snow blowers, s’mores, and more.

EXCURSIONS
Offering a variety of excursions or adventures, as they call them, RIA also invites you to play the day away on the river. 

On our visit, we kayaked on the river in a double and single kayak to the private island, both a relaxing ride gliding past centuries-old cypress trees rooted in the Waccamaw and a hefty exercise that worked up a sweat. They also have guided kayak tours. 

We also rented three tubes to float down the river to the island. Tubes and a floating cooler were connected together. Once we disembarked on the island, RIA’s pontoon boat picked us up to return us to the campground. Guided pontoon boat tours to educate on the area’s wildlife and history are also available.

For the more adventurous, sans kiddos, there is the popular Escape River Island challenge a la “Survivor” and “Amazing Race” style, with teams of two or three competing in 10 challenges; Survive River Island pitting two tribes of 12 people total who compete in challenges and vote each other off the island for up to 24 hours; and Almost Naked & Afraid, where a team of two people need to survive on an island for 24 hours with no food, water, or shelter to win the reward of a VIP Glamping Weekend.

Overall, I can’t give enough stars and glowing reviews for my weekend getaway experience at River Island Adventures. On top of the fulfilling accommodations, amenities, entertainment, and excursions, the staff here is so friendly and hospitable. They’re in their twenties, very knowledgeable, but not condescending, which goes a long way for me. For more information or to book your getaway here, visit Riverislandadventures.net