Jellystone Park locations are outdoing themselves this year with new activities and weekend themes.

Some have "Storm Chasers" weeks with wind chime crafting and tornado-in-a-bottle experiments with Yogi Bear. "Mardi Gras Mambo" weekends are also being planned, complete with mask-making workshops, dancing and Mardi Gras parades. Other locations are planning "Animal Encounter" weekends with petting zoos and safari parades.
    
"Our franchisees work hard to come up with new activities and themes each year as they work to create unique experiences for our guests," said Trent Hershenson, vice president of marketing for Camp Jellystone, the Southfield, Michigan-based company that franchises Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts across the U.S. and Canada.
    
Here's a sampling of some of the new activities and weekend themes at Jellystone Park locations this year: 

California

— Lodi: A "Dinosaur Journey" weekend is scheduled for Aug. 22-24. Activities include a dino egg hunt and Jurassic-themed entertainment.

Massachusetts

— Carver (Near Cape Cod): This location will have an animal encounters weekend, May 2-4, that features a petting zoo. There will also be a safari parade that includes a golf cart decorating contest. Guests with a sweet tooth will also enjoy a "Sweet Escape Weekend," May 30-June 1, which features a dessert potluck and games of candy bar bingo. 

Maine

— Madison: This location will have a dance party with blacklights and glow sticks over Labor Day weekend along with relay games and barrel rides. 

Michigan

— Grayling: This location is celebrating "Blast from the Past: Decades Celebration Weekend" over Memorial Day weekend. Each day the park will celebrate the iconic music and fashion of a decade from the 1970s through the early 2000s. Activities include a ‘70s disco dance-off, an ‘80s best dressed contest, a ‘90s neon glow party, and a 2000s trivia challenge. 

— South Haven: New themes at this location include a "Bear Tracks and Backwoods Fun Week," Aug. 1-7, with games like "Hub Cap Hurl" and a "Mud Pit Belly Flop Contest." For even more laughs, guests can participate in a game of toilet seat horseshoes. Other new themes include a "Roaring Twenties" week, Aug. 15-21, where the elegance of the 1920s meets the fun-filled, family-friendly charm of the park. On Wednesday and Saturday night, the location will offer a dazzling soirée, complete with lively jazz music. Guests can step into the spirit of the era and take part in a Charleston contest, where both kids and adults can dance the night away to the infectious rhythms of the 1920s. And no Roaring Twenties event would be complete without a costume contest. Yogi Bear, Cindy Bear, and Boo Boo will also be decked out in their dapper 1920s outfits!

Mississippi

— Pelahatchie: Guests can prepare for a whirlwind of excitement during the park's "Storm Chasers" week, Aug. 18-24, with weather-themed activities such as wind chime crafting, a tornado in a bottle experiment with Yogi Bear, lightning bolt races, storm cloud slime making, raindrop art, and an epic glow ride through the park. A "Prehistoric Party" week is set for Nov. 14-16 with a caveman costume contest, caveman story time, stone age games, dino digging, and a rock art contest.

New York

— Jamestown: This location will have a Dad Games competition for Father's Day weekend in which parents play games with the kids as teams. In response to guest requests, this location will also offer a second Christmas in July week, July 28-Aug. 3, which will be called "Winter Wonderland Week." The week will focus more on winter and snow (foam) activities and less on Santa, but still have a Christmas-themed campsite decorating contest. 

Ohio

— Nova (Cleveland / Sandusky Market): This location will have a "Mardi Gras Mambo" celebration from June 2-8 with a vibrant celebration of color, music, and fun that brings the excitement of New Orleans to the park. Activities will include a Mardi Gras parade where guests can show off their best costumes, dance to lively tunes, and catch beads and treats tossed by Yogi Bear and his friends. Guests can also get into the Mardi Gras spirit with a mask-making workshop and take part in a Mardi Gras scavenger hunt for a chance to win fun prizes. There will also be a Mardi Gras dance party, featuring lively music and dancing, plus a Jellystone Park talent show where everyone can join in the spotlight. Also new this year is Honky Tonk Week, June 23-29, which features line dancing lessons and country music. Guests can put their skills to the test during a country music dance party with live music. There will also be "Cowboy Craft Corner," where guests can create their own Western-inspired keepsakes, and a "Western Games Day" with sack races and horseshoe tossing. 

Texas

— Tyler: Animal encounters are planned for the weekend of May 2-4 at this location, along with a safari parade with a golf cart decorating contest.  

Virginia

— Chincoteague Island: This location will have a "Mess Fest" weekend on April 25-26 with a variety of messy activities, including shaving cream wiffle ball, crazy games featuring shaving cream, and painting with feet. "Summerfest Week," June 16-21, will feature a pool party, water balloon wars, and water balloon baseball. "Sportacular Week," June 23-28, will include a campground-wide color run and water volleyball. This location can also be used as a base camp to attend popular annual activities on Chincoteague Island such as the 100th annual "Pony Swim," July 28-Aug. 2, when wild young ponies, called foals, are guided from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island so that they can be auctioned. The annual Pony Swim includes a carnival and live entertainment. 

Wisconsin

— Warrens: This location is planning to offer jeep rentals for children over Memorial Day weekend, which they can use on a wooded trail. 

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, 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 information on franchising opportunities, please visit www.jellystonefranchise.com.