Have An Urban Campout - In Downtown Tulsa

By Rick Wells, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Lots of people would like to give camping a try but just don't want to deal with some of nature's inconveniences. Problem solved – with an urban campout.

It's as close as downtown Tulsa, and it's climate controlled and bug free. An old building downtown is the home for Just Camp, an Internet based camping supply business. It's the site of a very unique campground.

Two flights up the stairs and there is a wilderness of sorts. There are imitation camp fires and tent housing for lots of kids and adult supervisors. It's designed for a group.

"If you have one or two kids it won't work, but if you have 10 or 20 kids it's perfect," said owner Mike Lassman.

Mike Lassman bought the building, renovated it, then realized he had more room than he needed. He figured that since he's in the camping supplies business, why not create a campground.

He says there's nothing else like it.

Richard Muelenberg is a Tulsa police officer and also a dad. His daughter camped here on a friend's birthday party, and he came along.

"I'm not a camper, but it was the most comfortable camping I've ever done," Muelenberg said.

He said the girls stayed up all night watching movies and talking. They enjoyed the view of downtown at night and basically had a wonderful time.

"Plumbing is the best part of it," said Tulsa police officer (and father) Richard Muelenberg.

There's even a working dumb waiter that can take stuff up or down, from the main floor. It's like an elevator for stuff. Bring up your pizza and your fuzzy slippers.

There are inflatable sleeping mats in the tents and even a big boy bed.

There's room enough for church or school groups, though so far it's been all birthday parties. Campers check-in at 6 p.m. and check-out at 9 the next morning. Bring a pillow and a sleeping bag

Lots of people would like to give camping a try but just don't want to deal with some of nature's inconveniences. Problem solved – with an urban campout.

It's as close as downtown Tulsa, and it's climate controlled and bug free. An old building downtown is the home for Just Camp, an Internet based camping supply business. It's the site of a very unique campground.

Two flights up the stairs and there is a wilderness of sorts. There are imitation camp fires and tent housing for lots of kids and adult supervisors. It's designed for a group.

"If you have one or two kids it won't work, but if you have 10 or 20 kids it's perfect," said owner Mike Lassman.

Mike Lassman bought the building, renovated it, then realized he had more room than he needed. He figured that since he's in the camping supplies business, why not create a campground.

He says there's nothing else like it.

Richard Muelenberg is a Tulsa police officer and also a dad. His daughter camped here on a friend's birthday party, and he came along.

"I'm not a camper, but it was the most comfortable camping I've ever done," Muelenberg said.

He said the girls stayed up all night watching movies and talking. They enjoyed the view of downtown at night and basically had a wonderful time.

"Plumbing is the best part of it," said Tulsa police officer (and father) Richard Muelenberg.

There's even a working dumb waiter that can take stuff up or down, from the main floor. It's like an elevator for stuff. Bring up your pizza and your fuzzy slippers.

There are inflatable sleeping mats in the tents and even a big boy bed.

There's room enough for church or school groups, though so far it's been all birthday parties. Campers check-in at 6 p.m. and check-out at 9 the next morning. Bring a pillow and a sleeping bag.