July 7 is World Chocolate Day, established in 2009 to celebrate the supposed day when Spanish explorers first brought cocoa beans back to Europe. To celebrate, Jellystone Park locations across the country will host activities such as chocolate eating contests, chocolate finger painting, chocolate wrestling, and even a chocolate dunk tank.
The Aztecs used cocoa beans to make drinks, but they were too bitter for Europeans, who added sugar, vanilla, and other flavors to create the wonderful chocolate treats we enjoy today.
Years later when chocolate found its way into Yogi Bear’s paws, chocolate suddenly became not just a treat, but a gooey substance that Jellystone Park guests could use as their key ingredient in everything from finger painting to wrestling matches to eating competitions, according to a release.
“It’s hard to pinpoint precisely when Yogi Bear got his first taste of chocolate or slid on his first chocolate slide, but what we do know is that our chocolate-themed weeks and weekends are some of our most popular activities,” said Trent Hershenson, vice of marketing for Camp Jellystone, which franchises more than 75 Yogi Bear-themed campgrounds across the U.S. and Canada.
Hershenson, however, has a few words of advice for families that wish to experience a chocolate-themed week or weekend at a Jellystone Park location: “Don’t bring any clothing you want to wear again!” he said with a laugh, adding that chocolate-themed activities are among Jellystone Park’s messiest adventures of the year.
Chocolate-themed activities taking place at Jellystone Park locations across the U.S. this year include Choc-O-Palooza the week of August 1-7 at the Jellystone Park location in Bloomington, Indiana. Kids will enjoy chocolate chip pancakes and decorating chocolate donuts and play games of candy bar bingo and a chocolate drawing game. There will also be a chocolate slide and a chocolate pudding eating contest. More candy games will also be introduced this year.
In Bremen, Georgia, this location will have its chocolate activities on the weekend of July 15-17. Activities will include chocolate cookie eating contests, candy bar bingo, a chocolate slide, and other chocolate-themed activities.
While Jellystone Park Caledonia, Wisconsin will offer two consecutive weeks of chocolate-themed activities. The week titled “Cindy Bear’s Sweet Tooth” runs from July 18-24 and features chocolate pudding wrestling, a candy board game, chocolate pudding art, candy bar bingo, a candy building challenge, and various eating contests. The next week, July 25-31, titled “All Things Messy,” includes a chocolate slide, an apple smear, chocolate pudding art, a pie-in-the-face game, a game of “Messy Twisting,” and a human sundae competition.
Another property celebrating the event is in Cave City, Kentucky. This location will have a chocolate week July 11-17 with a chocolate slide, candy bar bingo, and chocolate milk chugging.
Meanwhile, Jellystone Park Cherokee (North Carolina) will have a “Chocolate Mania Week” from August 2-8 with a chocolate pudding eating contest, chocolate finger painting, and other chocolate crafts, chocolate candy tasting, and other chocolate-themed activities.
In Grayling, Michigan, campers will have a “Chocolate Sweet Tooth Weekend” August 5-7 with a chocolate slide and candy bar bingo while guests at the park in Mill Run, Pennsylvania will enjoy a chocolate-themed weekend May 20-22 with chocolate wiffle ball, a messy craft, candy bar bingo, a slimy craft, a game of messy kickball and a chocolate slide.
June 3-5 and July 15-17 will be chocolate-themed weekends at the Pittsfield, Illinois park. Activities will include a Family Choc-O-Lympics, a chocolate slide, a pie-eating contest, and candy bar bingo.
The Silver Lake, Michigan park will also celebrate by having a “Chocolate Bliss Weekend” June 22-24 with sweet crafts, a human sundae, a chocolate slide, and a performance by Rod Snow, a ventriloquist, and chalk artist.
Another property in Michigan, South Haven Jellystone Park will have a chocolate-themed week from June 10-16 with messy chocolate games and crafts, a chocolate pie eating contest, and a chocolate dunk tank! Chocolate donuts and chocolate waffle cones will also be served in the Cartoon Cafe that week.
Planning a “Messy Memorial Day Week” from May 26 to June 1 with plenty of activities with chocolate and other treats is the Jellystone Park Wisconsin Dells (Wisconsin). Activities include a gelatin wrestling contest, a chocolate pudding slide, mud painting, a bobbing for donuts tournament, and a messy twisting game.
About Camp Jellystone
With more than 75 locations across the United States and Canada, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts feature fun attractions such as pools and water slides, non-stop family activities, and up-close fun with Yogi Bear characters, and glamping-style accommodations. For more information about Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts, please visit www.jellystonepark.com. For more information on franchising opportunities, please visit www.jellystonefranchise.com. Camp Jellystone is part of Sun Outdoors’ family of brands.
About Sun Outdoors
Sun Outdoors is a leader in outdoor hospitality and is committed to its mission of offering guests exceptional and transformative outdoor experiences. With over 150 locations across the U.S. and Ontario, Canada, Sun Outdoors offers guest several ways to stay: from RV sites to vacation rentals, from tent camping to glamping, whether they stay for a weekend, season, or longer. Visit www.sunoutdoors.com to learn more.
Featured image from Jellystone Park.
Prepare for a delectable adventure at Jellystone Park! Engage in the delightful fun with chocolate scavenger hunts and movie nights.