We were taught in my house as children to "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".

I guess that covers how I believe on the whole camp manners thing.
I don't do things that might cause others discomfort or annoyance, and base that off of what would bother me.

On the other hand, I'm (politically) a Constitutionalist/Libertarian.
This means I have a real STRONG respect for the rights and freedoms of tohers to do as they wish as long as it doesn't cause others HARM.
(notice I didn't say "annoyance")

So teaming these things together, I think we should act the way we would like others to act (and be an EXAMPLE), while respecting their RIGHT to do as they wish as long as it doesn't INJURE our persons or property.

Oh,
And we should mind our own business instead of trying to be the "camp police" by acting like a 3rd grade hall monitor.
It's not our place to "enforce" the rules, or to snitch on others.

But that's just me.
Feel free to add your opinions on this matter.

I think you said all, & properly. There are so many people who feel the need to make the world around them the way THEY WANT IT, with no thought as to what is right or moral.

Don,

You have made me think that we might just be distant relatives as what all you said on this topic is exactly the way I was raised and the very same traits and characteristics that my wife and I have live by and have instilled in our children.

I only wish that everyone was just as conscientious and respectful of others.

Lightning

I've avoided reading this thread for fear that is was going to be a 'list' of how I should behave, something like the Escapees like to publish.

Thankfully I was wrong. I feel the same way, it's not my job to enforce the rules or even 'inform' someone on how they should act.

I'm definitely NOT a member of the 'campground' police or for that matter a member of the 'WalMart' camping police either.

The only time I'll "police" is if someone's dog does his thing on MY site or if children are doing something that may damage MY rig. I've had to in the past, and I'll do it again. But as for being a tattle-tale and believing I have to be the manager of every campsite I go to....NOPE, not me. :P

I agree that we are each free to do whatever we like as long as we don't infringe on the rights of others. Certainly my neighbor's rights end where mine begin and vica versa. Everyone has the right to protect one's family and property.

There are areas of contention, however. If a camping neighbor moves in next door and starts blaring loud, obnoxious, perhaps even vulgar music, or starts to behave in a drunken, vulgar or antagonistic manner (especially during quiet hours) I will not confront them directly - as that will create a conflict which may end badly. I will, however, express my displeasure to the camp host or ranger. If they allow the campers to persist, I'll simply move.

However If I'm assigned a campsite in a campground next to some "party-goers" (which has happened) I'll simply ask to be assigned another site on the other side of the campground, believing the first campground occupants have the right to enjoy their camping experience however they see fit, even though it may be different from mine.

I try to avoid antagonistic conflicts whenever possible, especially if it involves inebriated or impaired individuals. Having served in the Army when everyone had a weapon and could kill at any time, given sufficient provocation, I learned to treat everyone with respect and tact. Contention leads to violence, which has a way of quickly escalating to the use of deadly force. When I'm offended, I always try to pause and ask myself, "Is it really worth killing someone (or dying) over?" If the answer is no, I let it pass and turn the other cheek, to avoid the inevitable strife.

Chip,

That was really a tremendously well said synopsis of how I think that most people
approach this, and many of life's day to day situations.

Thanks, Lightning

Having been the camp police - A.K.A the camp host - tolerating what would be called an "annoyance" is not acceptable.

Rules enforcement is the job of the host, but snitching on others is indeed your job, albeit I would not use that term. Making the host aware of issues that annoy you or other campers is sometimes the only way they come to the attention of the host. A good one isn't going to sit in the middle of the campground waiting to pounce on rules violators, but will solve the problem so that everyone has an enjoyable experience. A good one doesn't carry a hammer or use a sharp tongue for enforcement. Common sense, being polite, and tact is very effective with all but those who extremely few who need rubber bullets to get the message. That goes well when others talk with fellow campers over annoyances.

If you do nothing, I suspect you will be driving away at the end of your stay with a negative attitude about the campground not having given the staff and opportunity to get address your concerns. A loss for both parties.

When I use the word "you" above, I do not specifically mean you MarionMedic. It's everyone who RVs.

Now, that was my serious moment for the day. My not so serious suggestions is that I think that there is a need for exclusive camp grounds:

OLD FARTS ONLY
DOGS OWNERS ONLY
NO DOGS ALLOWED
BEER GUZZLERS ONLY
LOUD MUSIC PARTIERS
SLOBS ONLY
CAN’T BE PLEASED NO MATTER WHAT, BY YOURSELF CAMPGROUND

Since I'm on a roll, I made a second post to the work camping section. There was nothing there. It's seemed lonely.

I'd fit in to either of two of your categories, the Old Farts or the Beer Guzzlers or maybe you could just combine the two
into one and you could call it the Real Happy Old Farts Campground ? :D :D :D

i kind of agree with NOTB49 on this one. It's not my place to tell someone to stop doing something it is the campground personals job. Now with that said as long as you aren't doing anything to my Family or Property I don't care what you do. Well I do draw the line at Country and Western music! B)

Don

Got home last night from I think was the first stay on public campground with no incident!
Some campers had dogs that barked through the day, but we beat them having 4 on our site B)
The RV part of campground wasn't overcrowded. Even with all the reservation taken about 1/3 sites were vacant. Few people only slept overnight on Friday and took off.
I guess the $45 a night fees keep the rednecks away?

We live in a camp ground, probably because we have never liked staying in them and this is our karma. :lol:

We've met some really nice folks and some of the most inconsiderate bas----- ever. :angry:

The sad thing is that the neighborhood we moved from had some of the same people living there. <_<

We actually dislike camp grounds even more than we did before.

Money has no boundries.

Around here 45.00 is cheap,most are 75.00 plus,there are a few less then 75.00 but not many.
There are some on state parks that are cheaper,but I can't think of any less then 50.00 a night with full hook up.

Boy am I glad I don't live in the high rent district. I paid $75/night only one time for 4 days in the Keys and never again, anywhere. RVs are self contained and that's what we do when it comes to those rates. :D :ph43r: Where in the world do you live, that even state parks are $50/night???

WOW - That is insane. :huh: :huh:

It seems like most of our typical campgrounds are in the $24 to $30 range for a full service campground. Then the State Parks are in the $14 to $18 range.
The Kansas State parks and the COE parks honor the Golden Age Passport memberships and then it is only in the $7 to $9 range. :rolleyes:

Larry

Make it $55 if you have a motorhome and you invite someone with a car. Toads are not charged.
I believe this is standard charge in CA state parks right now.
Time to post location in profile :o

Where we are it's $27 for 30 amp and $32 for 50 amp, no other charges apply.

The biggest downfall is that we are not located in the center of Marysvale but rather 8 miles away. That's an extra 16 miles per day on your ATV on the worst trail here.

Although it is the prettiest rv park here.

Yep, that's why I used to live in CA. ;)

I hate when they charge you for Toads. I guess they consider it a pet, huh. :D

Now I live in Louisiana and camp mainly in TX, AR, TN and NC. I belong to a discount club called Recreation USA (sort of like Passport America, Happy Camper, etc.) which offers it's club members $10/night FHU camping with much fewer restrictions than the others. Last October I stayed in the Smokies (during peak color season) for only $10/night (OK, I did pay $2/night extra for cable for DW.)

Next Month I'm planning on a trip to the Ozarks and will be staying at 4 AR SP CGs (all with FHU). Prices range from $13/night to an astronomical $24/night, (which is the most I've ever paid BTW) but that's what it costs to camp atop the highest mountain in AR. Of course Golden Age would be 1/2 of that (still 9 yrs away for DW and I.)

The total cost for my next 9 day vacation will be less than $800 including all the food we can eat and beer we can drink, gas, camp fees and every attraction I can think of. Last October we spent 2 weeks in the Smokies for just under that - but I was a little more frugal then (except for the food and beverage part.)

I guess I'm a cheapskate, but I would never pay over $30 a night - for a spot to park my camper. It would have to come with a "Happy Ending" for that price! :rolleyes:

I guess I'm a cheapskate, but I would never pay over $30 a night - for a spot to park my camper. It would have to come with a "Happy Ending" for that price! :rolleyes:[/QUOTE]
I am sure with you on that. I am just real excited thinking about that "Happy Ending" feature. ;) :blink: :P

Larry

Haven't been out there this season, but for last 20 years my favorite sites are Sierra Lakes at Crystal Basin, just miles in straight line from Lake Tahoe (60 miles on paved road),
Coincidentally they are also the cheapest. Last summer the campground with water faucets was $12, the one without faucets $8 a night. With my present coach I can stay next to the lake for weeks and the first thing I will run short on will be the beer.
Take a look
http://images.kajtek1.multiply.com/image/1...&nmid=153895811
http://images.kajtek1.multiply.com/image/1...&nmid=153895811
http://images.kajtek1.multiply.com/image/1...&nmid=153895811

why this script is not allowing me to hotlink those pictures anyway?

I have asked the same question and not received an acceptable answer. I do the same as you with text links and with pix I just do a photo link.
Bob

These folks stayed one night.

They left empty bottles and other garbage and dumped their used briquetts on the grass. :angry:

That sucks. I guess people like that are why they coined the term "trailer trash." Don't they teach The Golden Rule in school anymore? I guess not, as teaching decent, moral behavior would probably be misconstrued as verboten religious teaching. :rolleyes:

I may be cheap, but I'm not filthy. I believe in cleaning up not only my site's trash left over from the previous occupant, but the adjacent sites too. I also believe in leaving the bath house sink and shower in better shape than I found it too.

A couple weeks ago I discovered a half dozen smelly egg shells in the fire pit the last place we camped at Mt. Magazine SP in Arkansas. And this was in bear country!

What's the point of trying to enjoy a little nature and seeing (and smelling) other people's garbage strewn everywhere? I guess some folks have no pride in themselves or in God's handiwork.

Chip

People kill me. :angry:

Chip that was the way I was raised also. Leave it better looking than when I arrived. And in fact I have a habit of leaving enough firewood stacked for an evening fire.

I understand the concept of live and let live with regards to campgrounds. Sometimes intervention is needed.

At times other campers are not aware of things that may bother their neighbors.

For example, on a recent visit with Kenny and Lovebug at the campground they are staying at, I had a opportunity to speak to one of his transient neighbors.

There were about a 10-12 adults sitting around Kenny's chimnea when the motor home (Cruise America type rental class C) in the adjoining site started its generator. Exhaust port pointing at us about 25 feet away at the most. Maybe I exceeded my boundaries but found the renters at the group camp fire and asked them politely why their generator was running (these are full hookup sites). They claimed they didn't know it was running. Apparently one of their kids hit the generator start switch by mistake and left the motor home. They promptly turned it off.

I have found that some people are not aware of certain things that could bother others and with a polite inquisition matters can be changed so all have a great camping experience.

Jim

Nope Jim you didn't over step your boundaries and you last statement is also very true.

I've left my outside lights on more than once and I feel really bad when I do since I know it bugs some people a lot. I always make sure to check the switches before bed now.

Jim - I think that you have really hit the nail on the head with your comments. It seems to me that in most instances when something is done that really bugs or irritates a nearby camping neighbor, the offender invariably isn't even aware of the problem.
Then when you tactfully mention the problem they will quickly take what ever action is necessary, in order to correct the matter.
Now if you go over there with a bad attitude and you start ranting and raving and raising your voice over something such as that, this is only going to create an ugly scene and you may have much more significant problems than you wanted.

Tact and diplomacy are the primary keys to a very pleasant resolution of the problem.

Most everyone out there camping is there to enjoy themselves and they don't want to have any problems with their neighbors.

Than there are exceptions. I had situation on 4-th of July years ago, when multifamily party having 5 trucks and boat trailers that didn't fit on the pad design for 2 cars - didn't feel motivated to move them to alternate parking lot and just left them on my drive trough site even after I asked them not to.
Even my party moved to other site of the campground after first night, those people focused whole weekend on making situations that included police visit.
It is not too hard to find people who for purpose of their life take making their neighbors life miserable.
Take BG for example :lol:

Chip,

That was very well said. I would totally agree.

I know that when I use hotels, the more $$$ the less likely I will end up with a loud idiot in the next room. I've found that the quality of a room does not always match the price, but the chance of a next door person playing the TV at concert volumes (or having a wild party) goes down with the price of the room.

Our camp ground is now empty. B)

Life is good once again. ;) :lol:

Kenny,

You are staying right there for the winter period aren't you ?

Yep we are. :D

We are going to endure the sub-freezing temps. :lol:

Kenny

How harsh is your winter weather there in the Marysvale area ?

It's a little on the nippy side this morning. :lol:

Do you get much, if any snow?

Just a skiff. B)