Winter Holiday Campout at CMNC

It was a crisp winter evening in Florida, and the Crowley Museum and Nature Center was decked out for the holiday season. String lights glimmered through the oak trees, and the scent of pine and the campfire filled the air. Families gathered for the annual Winter Holiday Campout, an event packed with stories, games, and, most importantly, the magic of the season.

The Arrival of Santa and Friends

Santa rolled in, not on a sleigh but on a bright red airboat, his beard blowing in the warm Floridian breeze. Red, the Christmas Cracker Cow, pranced behind him, jingling with bells tied to her horns. Noah the Elf, a meticulous toymaker with a talent for knots, and Dixie the Southern Belle Elf, always cheerful and ready to share a story, waved from the boat.

“Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas, Florida style!” Santa bellowed as he disembarked, his boots crunching on the sandy soil.

The resident animals of Crowley Museum were eager to greet the new arrivals. Myakka, the wise pig, nudged Piggles and Sweetpea, urging them to join the festivities. The Crowley Goats stood on their hind legs, nibbling on tinsel dangling from a nearby tree.

But not everyone was thrilled. Grumpy, the mean alligator, sulked in the swamp, muttering, “Bah humbug! Who needs this holiday nonsense?”

Setting Up Camp

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the group set up their campsite. Santa lit a fire with a sprinkle of magic dust, and Dixie whipped up some hot cocoa. Noah began stringing popcorn garlands with the help of the Crowley Goats, who were more interested in eating the decorations.

Red, ever the diva, took center stage to organize a carol-singing session. Her booming “moo-sic” led everyone in a raucous rendition of “Jingle Bells.” Piggles and Sweetpea attempted to harmonize, but their oinks added a comedic twist.

“Let’s tell stories!” Dixie suggested, clapping her hands. “I’ve got a Southern holiday tale about how Rudolph’s cousin, Rudy, got lost in the swamp.”

The group settled in, and Dixie spun her tale, her accent making the story all the more delightful. Even Grumpy the alligator edged closer, his curiosity piqued despite his scaly scowl.

An Unexpected Adventure

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from the swamp. Everyone turned to see the Cracker Cows, Red’s herd, galloping toward them in a frenzy.

“It’s Grumpy!” Red cried. “He scared them off while trying to steal the candy canes!”

Santa stepped forward. “Grumpy, come out! We know you’re not truly mean, just misunderstood.”

The alligator slithered out from the shadows, his grumpy expression softening. “I don’t hate the holidays,” he admitted. “I just don’t have anyone to celebrate with.”

Santa placed a hand on Grumpy’s scaly head. “Well, tonight, you’re part of our family.”

Grumpy’s eyes glistened. “You mean it?”

“Of course!” Noah the Elf said, handing him a garland. “You can even help decorate!”

A Festive Finale

As the night wore on, the animals and elves worked together to transform the campsite into a magical winter wonderland. Myakka and the pigs danced around the fire, while the goats balanced ornaments on their horns. Grumpy even helped hang a star atop the tallest tree, his tail acting as a ladder for Noah.

The evening ended with Santa reading a special story under the stars. Everyone, from Red the Christmas Cracker Cow to Grumpy the now-friendly alligator, listened intently as Santa’s voice carried the warmth of the season.

“Here at Crowley Museum and Nature Center,” Santa concluded, “we’re reminded that the holidays are about more than gifts—they’re about togetherness, no matter whom or what you are.”

And with that, the Florida night filled with laughter, the glow of firelight, and the spirit of the season.

Author, Jeanene Arrington-Fisher

Camping Guide