May be a controversal question...

[Dougandbeth]

Actually it should not be!

We just took delivery of our 2011 G2 32BHDS and we are seasonal. We have two young boys age 5 and 3 and we really do the camping thing on the weekend to spend time as a family.

My questions does anyone out there with kids carry or leave a wii system in the camper?

I obviously want them outside but I am thinking if it rains or maybe quiet time at night?

Thoughts?

[Derek700]

Our friends kids have a PSP system.

[edatlanta]

I have a PS3 and I am an adult.

[Terry]

My kids (8 and 9) have DSes and iPods....I tried to resist them while camping, but came to the realization that if I let them have some time on them they are much happier campers. I give them a down period during the middle of the day and allow them to play...they go crawl into their bunks and play...then at night while we are making dinner I let them play again....

I have made the compromise because that is their culture and if I let them have some time, they are more willing to go camping and do the outdoor activities at other times without them. As much as I hate it, I think it does give us a better overall experience.

As a side note -- last week when we were at a state park they had a ranger led activity called "toys of the past"...they were all from the 1800s. We had cup and balls...sticks and hoops...jack straws...etc...They absolutely loved it....in reality I think this new generation just needs constant brain input...as long as I keep them busy...they are happy weather it is ipods or cups and balls....

[healthi]

Don brings his xbox and plays it at night usually. When our Grandkids tag along, depending on the weather they will spend lots of time outdoors swimming, riding bikes, hiking. So when they come into the tt, we don't mind them playing games including their computer games. They also spend some time reading :)

[Crabman]

It looks like Crabman is in the minority on this one, but I am trying a no video games policy while camping/vacationing. We also try to keep TV to a bare minimum. We`ll see how it works and if we have to make adjustments to "the policy". I just feel they get too much of it at home. I know our Scout troops do not allow them and the boys seem content as long as we keep them busy and active. -Lee

[dg1971]

Being the "old fogie" I am, I let my grandkids bring whatever kind of gameboy or electronic game/computer thing kids have nowadays to keep them occupied on the road to the campsite, but once there, I keep them busy outside as long as there is daylight, then we will burn a few marshmellows, then it's time for games of my era...monopoly, dominos, and others.....and I guess because they have never played these old games, they are intrigued with them and never seem to get around to digging their electronic marvels out of their bags. Works for me and so far, they still look forward to a weekend in the RV.

[Seann45]

I carry a PSII but have not touched it in 2 years

[paflyfisher]

My better half just got an iPad 2, so I guess it's going with us. Granddaughter just loves to play games on it. Me, all I need is my fly rod and some water. We do have a DVD in the TT to watch movies but no TV receptions at our permanent site, yet!!!

[FPM III]

Fortunately(?), back in the the "olden" days (starting in 1984) when my boys were young and we went camping, all this technology stuff didn't exist. The only thing we ever took along with us (and only on camping trips longer than a weekend) was a 5" GE Spacemaker color TV from our kitchen at home. During our trip, it lived in a box in the back of the truck and was only brought out and used when the weather was so inclement that we were going to be cooped up in the pop-up all day. As soon as the weather cleared- back in the box it went. Ahhhhh... wasn't life (and camping) much simpler back then?

Today, with just my wife and I, the only technology things we bring camping are cell phones and laptops (yes, those are plurals). In the TT, we have an old 12" analog CRT TV and a VCR/DVD player (with a digital tuner) if we ever get the urge to watch something. For music, there's always the TT's radio/weather/CD player.

[av8arkie]

Put what ya want in it!

[Spike99]

Dougandbeth.

During rainy days and at times when kids need to settle down - on somet
LCD TV, PS3, Wii, CD/DVD Player and Media Server player are great devices hing different. If wondering, I have a Media Server Player (Partiot Box Office) and when approprite, we play both HD Movies and play music tracks off it. Especially for our disabled son - who needs his "own space & calming music" at times.

As av8arkie stated above, install what you want inside your own TT. After all, it's your TT and being "a man cave" (at times), one can install what they want. Thankfully, we live in a free country....

.

[clutch]

Busy kids are quiet kids.:D

[Seann45]

Busy kids are quiet kids.:D

Quiet kids are DANGEROUS.

[clutch]

Quiet kids are DANGEROUS.

With 38 years in a middle school classroom I still stand by my first comment. If they don't have something to do they will find something.

[rog4kneer]

When we camped with my children there were no video games, however, when we started taking the grandchildren they wanted to bring their video games. Seems my wife (won't take credit for it) felt it was a good time for family bonding so we resorted to board games and they left the video games home. Never heard any complaints and I firmly believe we all benefited.
Have no preference either way, but to be honest the grandchildren looked at camping as the highlight of their summer.
My daughter relayed to us that when they needed to write an essay of favorite summer activities, camping was all they could write about.
Maybe the other answer is that if they select to bring their video games you have them teach you how so you can compete with them. Would make it a win, win situation.

[dg1971]

Thanks,rog4...your grandkids and my grandkids both survived without the video games and obviously both had a great time. I am not against the games but my experiment was to see if they could make it w/o them and play board games I use to play....and they did, and did well. To tell you the truth, I really don't care if they use them or not as long as they still show an interest in camping with us.

[bertscampers]

We have kids the same age and don't bring the wii but we allow them to watch a cartoon in the evening. Not sure what the difference is. We want them out playing and in the evening by the fire but lets be realistic if my wife and I want quiet time its a half hour of TV.

We have friends that canoe in to camp with kids this age and think we are crazy. Everyone has a different level of comfort and what ever works.

Cheers

[lovecamping]

As a side note -- last week when we were at a state park they had a ranger led activity called "toys of the past"...they were all from the 1800s. We had cup and balls...sticks and hoops...jack straws...etc...They absolutely loved it....in reality I think this new generation just needs constant brain input...as long as I keep them busy...they are happy weather it is ipods or cups and balls....

I think you are dead on here! As long as the kids have near-constant stimulation they are engaged and happy. As soon as they don't have that. . .let the arguing begin!

[Tanker42]

We have a PS3. When raining, that's our plan B. If it's fair weather, it's plan A which is enjoy camping and the outdoors.

[19H F250]

When we had popups & our 2 boys , it was just a few beach toy's & bikes, the only" amusment" around the CG is minature golf, not evan a Mickey D's within 20 miles. Now with the 19bh & 2 grandsons (5&7)it's the same except for a real rainy day, there can be a dvd if we are well behaved." Life goes on"& the world changes.

[bulldogs116]

I just bought a Jayco G2 33rlds. I have 3 tv's 2 inside one outside. I enjoy my ESPN in the morning and coffee. I enjoy baseball games by the fire. So how can I say no to my son who enjoys playing his PS3 and Wii.

We usually let him play before bed as we adjourn to the outside for some downtime alone...

It's 2011 its the way it is. Your still together having fun and sharing good times... I swear my sit-N-spin ruined me as a child, that was my ps3 back then...

Go for it and let him have his system...

[Coleman 6]

All of my kids have ds's, PSP's or gameboys (depending on the kid) they are allowed to bring them camping, but only allowed to play in the early morning (when we're making breakfast) or at night before bed, and if it's raining so they don't make me crazy. Rain and a popup with 4 kids and 2 dogs is akin to waterboarding.

We have a tiny television, and it has a dvd player. I bring it, but have yet to use it in 4 years. If one of them was sick and had to stay in, then I'd pull that out.

In the TT we're considering, there is a 26 inch tv, but I don't see myself using it much. They watch too much as it is during the other 3 seasons. My kids would love to bring the xbox, but then they'd never go outside...that would be BAD. :)

There is a stereo, and THAT I would use all the time. Music makes everything more fun!

[clutch]

Sallie and I usually bring our computers camping. We don't always have internet but we always have games incase of bad weather.

[WestTXmed]

I have a PS3 in our TT for 2 reasons:

1) The PS3 is the BEST, most reliable and stout DVD/blueray player on the market. Period.

2) Call of Duty! I mean comeon guys, who wouldn't love a few campaigns on a rainy day....


My kids really don't like video games- they get bored really fast with them, and would rather be outside. I'm the one who likes them. He he...

[Ranger431]

We used to bring a PS on trips, and it never really got used that much. Then we forgot it, and no one really noticed, now it doesn't come at all. That's not to say it doesn't get used at home, because it does, but it just doesn't get used much in the TT. My older kids have I-pods and laptops that they sometimes bring, but I don't really notice too much because they don't spend too much time on them. Thankfully the kids are either playing, swimming or exploring most of the time. If they're not, they're usually "bugging" me to do something - which is the reason I bought it - to spend family time.

if you think your kids enjoy it and use it, I wouldn't discourage you from bringing one - to each their own. If you notice that they start "hibernating" with it, then you might want to limit it of "forget" it.

Hope you enjoy your 32BHDS as much as we like our - it fit's our family of 8 (6 kids) as well as any camper could. (Actually I'd love a Recon 5th wheel TH, but can't find a 8 seater TV ;) )