The Great Melanated Beach Escape: A Coastal Camping Experience

The Great Melanated Beach Escape is a two-night, adults-only beachfront camping experience designed for rest, connection, and good energy. Set along the shoreline at Huguenot Memorial Park in Jacksonville, Florida, this First Annual gathering blends laid-back beach vibes with intentional community moments, shared meals, and space to truly unwind.

From welcoming arrival vibes on Friday to a full beach day on Saturday and a slow send-off on Sunday, the weekend is thoughtfully curated to feel relaxed, inclusive, and unhurried. Guests can choose the level of comfort that fits them best, from bringing their own gear to enjoying fully hosted setup or glamping accommodations.

Expect ocean air mornings, build-your-own meals cooked together, friendly games, sunset wind-downs, and campfire conversations under the stars. Whether you come solo, with a partner, or as part of the broader Melanated Adventurers community, this experience is about showing up as you are and enjoying the beach together.

This is not a party trip or a tightly scheduled retreat. It’s an intentional escape built around comfort, community, and creating memories you’ll carry long after the weekend ends.

We offer multiple ticket options so you can choose the level of comfort and ease that fits you best. All overnight tickets include campsite fees, hosted meals, group activities, and access to the full weekend experience.

🌊 The Beach Escape – Basic (Single & Couples)
This option is ideal for guests who enjoy traditional camping and don’t mind setting up their own space. You’ll bring and set up your own tent and sleeping gear while enjoying all hosted meals, group activities, and the full community experience. This is the most hands-on option and a great choice for seasoned campers or anyone who prefers a DIY setup.

🏕️ Set-Up & Relax Experience (Single & Couples)
Designed for guests who want the camping experience without the setup stress. With this option, your tent will be provided and fully set up before arrival and broken down after the weekend. You’ll arrive to a ready sleeping space and can immediately relax and enjoy the beach. Guests should bring their own bedding or sleeping bags unless added separately.

✨ The Glamping Escape (Single & Couples)
This is the most elevated and comfortable way to experience the weekend. Glamping guests enjoy a premium, hotel-style campsite complete with upgraded sleeping accommodations, bedding, lighting, and thoughtful comfort touches. Everything is fully set up before arrival, allowing you to walk in and unwind. Glamping spots are limited due to the level of preparation involved.

Meals during The Great Melanated Beach Escape are thoughtfully planned to be comforting, flexible, and community-centered. All overnight tickets include meals from Friday dinner through a light breakfast on Sunday, allowing you to relax and enjoy the weekend without worrying about food logistics.

🔥 Friday Dinner – Build-Your-Own Beach Kabobs
Friday evening kicks off with a relaxed, interactive dinner as guests arrive and settle in. You’ll be able to build your own kabobs by choosing from marinated proteins and fresh vegetables before they’re grilled on site. This casual, come-as-you-are meal allows everyone to eat at their own pace while connecting, unwinding, and easing into the weekend.

🍳 Saturday Breakfast – Big Beach Breakfast
Saturday morning begins with a hearty, communal breakfast designed to fuel the day ahead. Expect classic breakfast favorites, fresh fruit, and coffee served in a relaxed setting where everyone can gather, wake up slowly, and start the day together.

🥪 Saturday Lunch – Beach Sandwich Bar
Lunch on Saturday is a self-serve sandwich bar available over an extended window. Guests can build their own sandwiches using a variety of breads, fillings, and toppings, then head back to the beach or relax at camp. This flexible setup keeps the day flowing without interrupting activities.

🔥 Saturday Dinner – Campfire Foil Packet Meal
Saturday evening brings everyone together around the campfire for a warm, comforting dinner. Guests will build their own foil packet meals using a selection of proteins, vegetables, and seasonings before they’re cooked over the fire. This meal is grounding, satisfying, and one of the most memorable shared moments of the weekend.

☀️ Sunday Breakfast – Light Breakfast & Coffee
Sunday morning features a light, grab-and-go breakfast with coffee and tea. This easy meal allows guests to pack up, say their goodbyes, and head home feeling rested and refreshed.

Meals are designed to be approachable and inclusive, with build-your-own options that allow flexibility for preferences and dietary needs.

Activities during The Great Melanated Beach Escape are designed to be relaxed, inclusive, and easygoing, with plenty of space to participate as much or as little as you’d like. This is not a tightly scheduled retreat. It’s a balanced mix of shared moments, optional fun, and personal downtime.

🌊 Open Beach Time
Throughout the weekend, guests are encouraged to enjoy the beach at their own pace. Swim, lounge, explore the shoreline, read, nap, or simply take in the ocean air. Large portions of the schedule are intentionally unstructured so you can truly relax.

🎯 Melanated Games
Saturday afternoon features Melanated Games, a signature part of the weekend focused on laughter, light competition, and community connection. Games are beach-friendly, beginner-friendly, and designed to be inclusive and fun for everyone. Participation is completely optional. Guests are welcome to play, cheer others on, or relax nearby and enjoy the energy.

🔥 Campfire & Community Time
Evenings bring everyone together around the campfire for laid-back conversation, connection, and winding down after full days at the beach. These moments are unstructured and centered on good vibes, shared stories, and simply being present.

🌅 Sunset Wind-Down Moments
Each evening includes time to enjoy the sunset along the shoreline. Whether you’re walking the beach, taking photos, or sitting quietly with others, this is a chance to slow down and reflect.

Activities are designed to support connection without pressure, allowing you to shape your experience in a way that feels right for you.

Info: Arrive at Huguenot Memorial Park, get oriented, and head to your campsite. Guests with Set-Up & Relax or Glamping accommodations will find their spaces ready upon arrival.

Info: We’ll gather briefly as a group to officially kick off the weekend, share a welcome, and walk through the flow of the days ahead.

Info: Dinner will be available during this window. Build your own freshly grilled chicken, beef, and veggie kabobs with simple sides. This is a casual, come-as-you-are meal to accommodate staggered arrivals.

Info: Gather around the fire for laid-back conversation and connection. No agenda, no pressure, just good company and easy vibes.

Info: Start the day with a hearty group breakfast. Enjoy classic breakfast favorites, fresh fruit, and coffee as everyone gathers and eases into the morning.

Info: After breakfast, enjoy open beach time. Swim, relax, explore, nap, read, or connect with others. This time is intentionally unstructured.

Info: A self-serve sandwich bar will be available during this window. Build your own lunch and eat whenever you’re ready before heading back to the beach or relaxing at camp.

Info: Join in for Melanated Games, a fun, laid-back mix of beach-friendly games designed for laughter, light competition, and connection. Participation is optional, and all games are beginner-friendly and inclusive. Come play, cheer others on, or just enjoy the energy.

Info: After the games, enjoy open time to cool down and recharge. Lounge on the beach, take a walk, shower, nap, journal, or simply relax before dinner.

Info: A warm, comforting campfire dinner will be available during this window. Foil packet meals will be cooked over the fire and include protein and vegetables. This is the main shared meal of the weekend.

Info: Gather around the fire for laid-back conversation, laughter, and connection. This is a low-key evening focused on community and good vibes. Or take time to enjoy the water along the shoreline or relax at camp as the night sets in.

Info: Enjoy a light, grab-and-go breakfast with coffee, tea, and simple morning options. This is a casual start to the day with time to wake up slowly and connect one last time.

Info: Begin packing up personal gear, cleaning your campsite, and exchanging goodbyes. Guests are encouraged to take their time, help one another, and soak in the final moments of the escape.

Info: A brief final check-in to ensure campsites are cleared and everything is in order before departure.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Huguenot Memorial Park, 10980 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville, United States

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