OAKWOOD - Labor Day weekend traditionally marks the end of summer and while many took advantage of the extended weekend with a final vacation, others traveled just a few miles away from home and set up camp.

With the weekend's mild temperatures and three days to spare, there was hardly a camp site to spare at Kickapoo State Park. Many campers are repeat visitors who frequent the park during the summer, while others actually traveled from out of state to see what Illinois parks have to offer.

This labor day weekend, Boy Scout Troop 372 looked to get closer to nature, closer to home.

"Kids don't get enough time outdoors. I think now days there's too many video games, too much television things like that," says camper LaDonna Snyder.

But they were out of luck since home is actually Lafayette, Indiana.

"Actually I'm surprised it wasn't completely full because over in Indiana, all the state parks are completely full," says LaDonna.

So instead the boy scouts and their families headed a couple hours west to see what Illinois has to offer.

"It's a very very nice campground," says Amanda Snyder.

The troop along with hundreds of other campers spent the last holiday of the summer in the comfort of this campground.

"I think they're just getting back to the basics maybe just enjoying. You know you can get away from the everyday hassles and get out here and just enjoy life," says camper Steve Cruse.

While a weekend in a hotel can cost a pretty penny, those pinching their pennies opted for tent living.

"It's a cheap way to go I mean it's very affordable here and it just don't cost that much to camp and it's nice to spend family time together," says Cruse.

Be it the weather outside or the economic forecast, campground keepers can't say for sure what keeps Kickapoo full.

"About the time that we think we've got it figured out, we know we don't so it's hard to predict," says Campground Host, Dick Clark.

But Amanda knows what makes a good campground in her book.

"They have bathrooms everywhere so that if you have to go to the bathroom there's one right outside your tent," says the young camper.

Kickapoo campground hosts say this weekend wasn't nearly as full as last Labor Day weekend. However, 80 percent of electric camp sites were full and nearly 100 percent of tent sites were booked solid.

Those staying at state parks this year might notice a jump in price. While a regular night at Kickapoo runs $20 a night, that fee jumps to $30 a night during holiday weekends.

Reported by Kate Springer.Campers Head Outdoors For Labor Day Weekend