Camping Responsibility

[Thats Camping]

I pose this question to all of you.

True or False? You are responsible for your own pleasant camping experience AND you are responsible for the pleasant experience of the other campground guests.

The campground owners and staff can only do so much, it is up to each camper to be courteous and respectful.

    * Do not litter on your site or anywhere around the campground.
    * Don’t burn toxic materials, like styrofoam or plastic
    * Pick up after yourself and your family in the restrooms. It only takes a second to wipe up some splashed water/soap on the sink counter.
    * Teach your children that is it not acceptable to run through other occupied campsites.
    * Keep the music on your own site. If you can hear your music playing on a neighboring campsite, then it is too loud! Turn it down!
    * Fireside conversations after quiet hour can sound very loud to neighbors trying to sleep. Be courteous and extinguish your fire by the specified time in the campground rules.
    * Watch your children by the pool or on the beach. Don’t rely on other guests to keep your children safe. It is your responsibility.
    * Pick up after your dog. Always keep a trash bag with your when walking your dog. No one wants to step in poop!
    * Do not speed, whether riding in a golf cart, bike or car, always stay within the posted speed limits.
    * From kimomjtb, a forum member: Do not feed the critters, no matter how cute they are. They can become a big nuisance for everyone if they become too “friendly” with humans!
    * From Danielle: Don’t leave your loud RV generator on for longer than 10 minutes, or at least longer than whats completely necessary please. Especially when you’re surrounded by tent campers.

So, what to you think? Comment here, or on the original article.
http://www.thatscamping.com/index.php/camping/single/camping-responsibility/

[GaryWT]

I agree 100%, everyone makes or breaks their camping experience and can have a positive or negative experience for other campers.  In addition to the items that you mention, which are important, it helps if you can entertain yourself in a responsible manner.  We laugh to ourselves when people camping say they are bored as there is just so many things to do. 

But yes, respect yourself, respect the campground and respect others.

[MonIvy]

I agree 100% as well!  Almost every camping trip we encounter the loud radio - music is great but not everybody enjoys the same kind.  Regarding burning things you shouldn't - we have had many a neighbor use lighter fluid to start/keep a fire going - the fumes (and extremely high flames) scare me!

[Sandlapper Camper]

I definately agree.  Being courteous and thinking about those around you make the camping experience much more pleasant.  Do unto others!

[Thats Camping]

I guess I should also add that loud talking and laughing after quiet hour is a no-no too. Even quiet talking can be annoying if your neighbor is closeby.

Mike and I always laugh when we smell plastic: "Remember to take the plastic OFF of the wood pile before throwing it into the fire!!!" -- I have to laugh, but wonder how they can stand breathing in that horrible smell.

I guess we are too old, Gary! I feel the same about entertainment! I remember when I was younger, my sisters and I used to ride our bikes round and round around our summer house (We didn't camp, but had a summer home near a lake) - and we would swim for hours...or play games, read a book, etc. I am saddened that kids can't find that same joy....

I have to admit, the fast pace of today's lifestyle has given me a shorter attention span. I can imagine that children feel the same way. I get bored very easily, and I know it has to do with TV, computers, etc.

[Thats Camping]

kimomjtb posted a great tip on another message.

Do not feed the critters!

[CHYDE]

   I too agree. There is nothing worse than stepping in doggie doo-doo from people that let their pets go anywhere and not pick up.
   Another I see is people cutting through sites or in case the people in back of me, I caught them dumping milk and other garbage  back behind my camper. Another time some kids on bikes hit and scratched up my rig. Then they took off. Cost me several Hundred to fix.
   Seems to be a lot of people that feel the rules are not for them. On the otherhand there are more  good campers than bad campers.
   In conclusion, I also agree it is up to each of us to make our own "Good Time" no matter what what the conditions. We have been in places where people would complain about various things and what a poor time they were having, yet we still have a good time. Just being out in nature and meeting other campers  is fun.

[NewEnglandCamper]

It was a quiet week here last week at Danforth Bay... today is transition Day and new neighbors moved in a couple of sites away... Country Music is blaring! Arghh!

I'm not a big country fan. Glad we are leaving tomorrow.

Agree with the music rule!

[Flintstones]

Sounds like New England Camper may be ready for a relocation.   A few choice waterfront sites on Sunapee are opening up this fall....... and more to follow all over that park.  That's the buzz I hear !!

[mdcamping]

I agree 100%.. If everyone followed these rules everyones camping experience would be so much better.

Mike

 

[Flintstones]

I agree with everything mentioned with regards to camping responsiblity.

My pet peeve is cutting through an occupied site.

Site cutters prevailed at Jellystone Camp Resort in Luray, Virginia.  While we were parking the rig a gentleman strolled thru our site at 9:30PM.  It was common place for kids to ride bikes thru our site, older folks apologized while they continued to walk their dog through our site, even though I asked them to stop cutting. Same kind of experience at River Plantation in Severville, TN with a woman and her three kids, cut our site to go to the pool three times, even though I asked her not to.

[mdcamping]

Flintstones,  We had a similar thing happen to us at Bayley's. My wife told me while she was in the camper that ( I was out fishing with my Boys ) two boys rode there bikes twice right under our camper awning!!  Before we go into a campground I allways go over the campground rules with my boys because they change from campground to campground.

Mike

[wersilly]

I agree with all of you...Be respectful and with any luck your fellow campers will do the same...The music thing drives me crazy...If you want to play music, please keep it down...My other pet peeve...Barking and misbehaved dogs!!  Mind you, I do not dislike dogs, as a matter of fact, I usually have 3-4 of mine with me, but mine are well behaved.  I correct mine when they are barking.  If your dog is a barker and you are not willing to discipline it, please do not ruin everyone's camping experience...Leave the dog with someone...

[Thats Camping]

wow, it looks like everyone feels the same!!

I think my number one peeve is the music thing....with a close second of the cutting through sites.

With the music problem, I have no qualms about letting the cg staff know. They can usually take care of it if it is really bothersome. hahaa, I am a tattletale I guess!!!

[NewEnglandCamper]

Another one: Watch your language! 

Two sites away I could hear fiith and vulgarity. I have to put up with this at work at times I shouldn't have to hear it while camping. I also have a very impremsible (sp) and rebellious 3 year old that likes to repeat words that are said. We are trying to break him out of the habit of saying "shut-up" to us when he doesn't like something. I'm not sure where he learned this from

I personally find crude language very offensive. Any thoughts?

[bowcamper]

I heartily agree! Language, (profanity, crudity, and taking the Lord's name in vain), are extremely offensive to my family. Unfortunately lousy language seems to be more tolerated and deemed not offensive.  What I mean is, people shrug it off and seem put out if asked, politely, to refrain from using any of the above referenced language. Again, it is just a matter of courtesy when you are camping or in a public setting to assume that your words ARE being overheard. When in the presence of families, yours or others, shouldn't you watch your language?

[Thats Camping]

Thanks Bob, I added it to the article!