We plan on taking our 8th graders to Gettysburg in May. There 15 kids,4 chaperones. We need some ideas for great side trips/adventures to keep our hyperactive boys and girls happy. Also if anyone knows of some great cabins, lodges or camps in the area that would be cool.

Hershey's a little over an hour's drive away from Gettysburg. You could go there and check out Chocolate World and Hersheypark/ZooAmerica (a ticket to the amusement park includes admittance to the zoo, or you can buy a separate and less expensive zoo-only ticket if you'd rather give the rollercoasters a pass).

Thanks, I thought Hershey would be too far away, but the kids would love it.

The drive grom Gettysburg to Hershey is an easy one on good, well-signed roads, and there's enough to do in the Hershey area to easily fill up an entire day. It would make a fine day trip if you can get the kids up and moving early. In addition to Chocolate World and Hersheypark, you might also wish to check out Hershey Gardens, walk through the Hotel Hershey, and take a tour of Indian Echo Caverns in nearby Hummelstown. Hershey also has an outlet mall on the edge of town if you'd like to do some shopping as well.

If you decide to go to Hersheypark, you should know that a lot of area grocery stores sell discounted tickets. It's a good way to save a few buck on the admission price. Like most amusement parks these days, the admission cost's a bit steep, but once you're in there's no additional charge for the rides.

I'm afraid I can't help too much with the lodgings question, but Gettysburg has a Visitor Information Center which might be able to provide you with some suggestions. You can email them at [email protected]. If you're willing to stay in Hershey and drive down to Gettysburg, the Simmons Motel might work for your group, as they have several large apartments as well as interconnecting motel rooms. They have a webpage (http://www.simmonsmotel.com) if you want to check them out.

Thanks Moongoddess, you had some really good sugestions. The kids would love Hershey Park and the caverns.

I know we are dragging out the answers but you may want to consider Cowans Gap, a PA State Park that is nearby. Very rustic with cabins that have electricity and basic cooking.

Thanks for the tip, I'll definitely check it out.