We like (and need) shaded areas with a view, especially a water view, that are pet friendly. DH would always love to have sewer hookup, but that's at the end of the list as long as there is a dump station (IMHO). All the places we have camped so far have electric and water hookups, so that's top on the list for us, and we especially like CGs that have a feature such as museum, nature center, festival, or some historic significance close by.
I have to say our desires have changed over the past 4 years. Once we dry camped in our popup and DW didn't notice until I told her a few weeks later. I have batteries to run items and I am not afraid to unplug. However......we now have a 3 year old and a Class C RV with bells and whistles. I still dry camp with it but if I have a choice, I'll get Electric, Water, Sewer. When we started we did more State Parks but we have gone to more private campgrounds lately due to the kidde amenities.
Right now I'd say my choice is:
1-scenic stream, lake, woods, field, etc
2-Location to friends
3-bathroom location
4-electric
5-water
6-sewer
7-WiFi
Sometimes you have to give up one item to get something else. I'd love to have a perfect campsite all the time, but sometimes you can't get it.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
Well it usually just us 2 now, so our site selection has changed, and still changes.
1 Electric/Water
2 fairly close to facilities
3 shady & not too close to light if possible. Not real important though.
Now it depends on where/why we go as far as how shady or how big the site. Sometimes we dont stay at camper very long. (Site dont much matter then).
we like trees, privacy & darkness which usually means tent camping but if we are taking our trailer then level, elec, water & then the above -whatever we do we love to find water/view or a stream (preferably in a non-flood area/season-we learned that lesson in the middle of a spring night!) and I have learned lately to make sure the campground lets you have campfires
Ok heres one I do. I would also like your imput if you think I am wrong. I will also look and see if the people in the camp spot next to are an older couple without grand kids. If this is the case then usually I will not camp next to them. The reason being is I have kids and I know that they will be load and running around and playing. I feel like if I were to camp next to them my kids would be an annoyance. Does anyone else with kids do this also or is it just me?
[quote author=ridenred333 link=topic=2427.msg23308#msg23308 date=1367438011]
Ok heres one I do. I would also like your imput if you think I am wrong. I will also look and see if the people in the camp spot next to are an older couple without grand kids. If this is the case then usually I will not camp next to them. The reason being is I have kids and I know that they will be load and running around and playing. I feel like if I were to camp next to them my kids would be an annoyance. Does anyone else with kids do this also or is it just me?
On the surface, this seems caring and laudable. But, it feels an awful lot like profiling to your own narrow preconceptions. Had you done this with my parents (when they camped, years ago), you'd've made a HUGE mistake. They didn't get to take their two grandchildren with them very often, because their mother and I were divorced. But, both of them -- and especially my father -- loved kids, and he was great with them. When their neighborhood changed (they moved into it in 1953, when it was new) and some of the "originals moved out and younger families began moving in, some of them had small children. My parents took an interest, and even -- with some of them -- did some baby-sitting.
Okay, not all Seniors are like that, but who are you to tell, one way of the other? You're just as likely to be depriving a couple of Seniors, and your kids, of what might be a lovely experience, as you are of "saving" them a hassle.
I feel that what you are doing, while possibly well-intentioned, is ... not right. (Unless, of course, you allow your kids absolute free reign of expression without teaching them manners, courtesy, and respect for others. In that case, the Seniors would be fortunate. I know that I would be; I cannot abide kids and pets that receive no training in civility.)
[quote author=TKnecht link=topic=2427.msg23314#msg23314 date=1367485420]
it feels an awful lot like profiling to your own narrow preconceptions.
I dont see it that way. I do make sure my kids are respectfull however they are kids camping and playing and they can get a tendency to be load 😉 espcially if they are having water gun fights and such usually other kids in the campground join in and then there ends up being a group of kids running around and playing. I really hadn't looked at it in the point of view you stated about older folks enjoying the kids being there either.
[quote author=ridenred333 link=topic=2427.msg23308#msg23308 date=1367438011]
Ok heres one I do. I would also like your imput if you think I am wrong. I will also look and see if the people in the camp spot next to are an older couple without grand kids. If this is the case then usually I will not camp next to them. The reason being is I have kids and I know that they will be load and running around and playing. I feel like if I were to camp next to them my kids would be an annoyance. Does anyone else with kids do this also or is it just me?
personally, i appreciate your thoughtfulness.
though we love kids, we try and choose sites as far as possible from sites with kids.
though you may have well-behaved kids, the majority that we've camped around, do not.
this is one of the reasons we don't camp in the summer. we respect and support the rights of families with kids, to give them the wonderful experiences that camping brings.
so, we choose to camp in the spring and fall.
PRIVACY/PROXIMITY.
When I camp, I'm on vacation; I don't want to be worried about 'what the neighbors will think'. I don't feel that this is an excuse to have no manners, but, at the same time, there are certain aspects of our family dynamic that make us crappy neighbors, and I certainly wouldn't want to ruin the experience of other campers. This is why privacy/proximity is important to me.
I don't want to be so close to other campers that they can hear the conversations (in 'regular' speaking tones) that DH and I have when the boys are off on a bike ride (might be about issues with boys, or issues between the two of us as a couple (not necessarily bad ;)) I don't want the neighbors to be able to see if I have a messy sneeze (common with my allergy situation) or hear me reprimand my sons for leaving messes. I'm embarrassed by DH's tendency to belch after meals (he insists nobody can hear, while I argue to the contrary). I have hearing issues and often talk very loudly while being unaware that my volume permeates an entire block. I feel that hanging my bathing suit top and bottom on the line to dry is a necessity, but at the same time, it's not something that neighbors should have to look at. My youngest son talks loudly in his sleep; DH snores loudly, and I often have hot flashes and often get up and sit outside to cool off in the middle of the night.
While many of these things are uncontrollable (such as the snoring (medical attention is ongoing) and sleep talking) or personal preference (I'm not embarrassed about hanging up a a bathing suit as it needs to dry, and FWIW, I always hang so the supportive elements/liners face my own site), I do realize that we might be unpleasant neighbors, though we try to be considerate and would certainly try to make amendments with complaining neighbors (we haven't had any so far).
We try to be quiet and not create visual 'loudness' either, but we realize that we might not be perfect neighbors, and prefer to err on the side of caution and try to minimize offending by choosing sites that offer privacy and as much distance from others as possible. We are not trying to be unfriendly; we just don't want to offend.
Thingette 1s sister, You are too kind. We enjoy our camping experiences, but always worry that we're bad neighbors. I'm sure that we are a bit louder than most. We try to keep it down but I'm sure that our various hearing losses (bassist, violinist, trumpeter, all who enjoy earbuds/earphones, big mess). I'd like to use this opportunity to encourage other campers to politely speak up for noise issues (at least if you encounter us), as I worry that we speak too loudly and just don't realize it, as it's the norm in our particular household.
Sorry if I seem to have derailed the thread (unfortunately I often talk too much online just like in real life) 😉 my apologies!
Aside from privacy/proximity, I do obsess about being within a reasonable walking distance from a restroom. This is just for my own preferences, as my boys are old enough to not need an escort in the middle of the night. We don't have a potty in the PUP, so lack of a close restroom is a deal-breaker for me.
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