First Camp Bø in Telemark – family camping with many activities

Text and photo: Helena Bergström

After our visit to First Camp Lunde, we continued to First Camp Bø, also in Norwegian Telemark. Here we were met with a completely different type of campsite – larger, livelier and with a clear focus on families with children and activities. We checked in with the camper, played mini golf and took a trip to one of Norway’s most impressive stave churches.

First Camp Bø in Telemark

First Camp Bø is a well-maintained family campsite located in the beautiful Telemark region of Norway, surrounded by forests and mountains. It has a setting with beautiful red wooden buildings and a wide range of activities for children, such as a pool, mini golf, playground, pedal cars and much more.

The red buildings give the campsite a special character, and the design is repeated in everything from the service building to many of the cabins.

We ourselves spent the night, in collaboration with First Camp, comfortably in our camper on a large camping site with both electricity and fresh water.

A campsite with a strong focus on families with children

The campsite's pool is very nice, as is the large playground and the green mini golf course. Of course, we are not the campsite's main target group when it comes to children's activities, but for families with children we can really understand the appeal. There is a lot to do here without even having to leave the campsite area.

Mini golf – and a prestigious match

After all, we found an activity that suited us perfectly – mini golf! It had been a long time since we last played a game and the nice course enticed us to take on the challenge.

It was really fun to challenge each other in a match, and not least, it all gave off a bit of a "real holiday feeling".

Who won? Not unexpectedly, Peter emerged victorious. but I (Helena) made the only hole-in-one of the match. And that has to count too... right?

High & Low – climbing park next to the campsite

Right next to First Camp Bø is the climbing park Høyt & Lavt – a large and popular park with lots of courses among the tree trunks. When we were here it was full of activity among both children and young people as well as adults.

Bø Summerland around the corner

Just around 500 meters from the campsite you will also find Bø Sommarland, which is described as Scandinavia's largest water park. The fact that this park is located right next door of course contributes to the campsite's popularity among families with children.

Stay in a cabin or charming pod

There is a wide range of cabins at the campsite, many of which, but not all, are red. The cabins come in all sizes, and there is a wide range of accommodation for larger families.

What is a pod?

The accommodations that we thought looked the coziest were those called pod. This is a small and compact camping accommodation, which is usually a little smaller and simpler than a traditional cabin.

Restaurant and service at First Camp Bø

At First Camp Bø you will find all the services you need, including nice kitchens and washing machines. There is also a bistro with various dishes and coffee.

Excursion to Heddal Stave Church

During one of our days at the campsite we chose to take a trip to Heddal Stave Church, just over half an hour away by car. Heddal is not just any small stave church. This beautiful church, which dates back to the 13th century, is Norway's largest stave church, 25 meters long, 17 meters wide and 29 meters high.

The well-preserved church is truly impressive in both size and design. With its many roofs, towers and dark wooden facades, it almost looks like it came straight out of a fairy tale. According to legend, the church was built by a mountain troll in just three days.

Inside you can see several exciting details such as the unique Bishop's Chair from the 13th century as well as wall paintings and an altarpiece from the 17th century.

Our experience of First Camp Bø

First Camp Bø was a nice and relaxing stop for us, and we can imagine that the benefits are even greater for a family with children. There is plenty to do here and two major attractions right nearby.

The campsite itself is green and pleasant, we liked the charming red buildings and the mini golf match was unexpectedly entertaining. The campsite is also a good starting point for excursions in Telemark – not least to the fantastic Heddal stave church.

More campsites in Telemark

• First Camp Lunde – by the Telemark Canal
• First Camp Norsjø – by the water with wakeboarding

The overnight stay at First Camp Bø was done in collaboration with First Camp. As usual, all views and opinions are our own.