A frustrating weekend of camping

[Gary_LHC_Arizona]

After 1.5 years my wife and I went camping over the weekend. We were disappointed to see so many people walking thru other occupied campsites. I will give some slack with children walking thru the campsites, but there were children, adults (ages 20 - 40s), and adults with their children! My wife were sitting outdoors and 3 young boys walked thru our site. I asked them not to walk thru.. they just stared. When I was young, my parents told us not to do what we observed.

Has camping and campsite etiquette changed?

[Woodworker]

No it hasn't changed. It's just not taught to children. As for the adults, times we live in

[JFlightRisk]

No, nothing has changed, just a lot more newbie campers that aren't aware, or just think the whole park area is theirs too. If it's not noted on the park rules, it should be. If it is, everyone should be asked to read them first.

We've already had a few instances at home of kids cutting through people's yards, and in one instance a bunch jumping the fence in our yard.

[THE MEEKER]

Yes, it is getting worse every year, it's just some people are very ignorant about camping etiquette. I learned from my parents, passed it on to my kids and so on.

As far as people walking through my campsite, I have found a solution that never fails - an orange road construction cone with the sign "CAUTION! YELLOW JACKET NEST."

I also use the orange cone as a guide to help me back into tight campsites.

[Jagiven]

I have found it is much worse at private parks than at state parks.

We like it a little more quiet, and found reserving sites on the outside loop.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

snip....... We like it a little more quiet, and found reserving sites on the outside loop.

X2

Bob

[Bugzilla46310]

Camp sites need to post expected behavior rules where you check in. These should be standardized rules that are the same at every campground, short, simple and clear, similar to the standard gun safety rules you should see at every gun range. Newbies are ignorant of the expectations as the are new. Too many people are also just rude and don’t care. Posting the expectations would at least give some people a clue.

[TWP723]

I've never experienced a problem with it so far. I have had kids walk through but I'm on them about it. I have stuff sitting out that I'd prefer to keep. Not only that, but I paid to have this as my temporary property for my stay. I'm not nasty about it, I just explain it very quick and they get it. It's the same as if it were my home. I'm not letting kids and adults cut through my yard, so why should I permit it to happen in my site? Mostly, it's kids running from each other and playing. I'm ok with that as long as they don't repeat on a constant basis. I do have a problem with adults strolling through with their dog and kids in tow. Then just look at me and say "sorry". So that tells me they know it's wrong but are doing it anyway.

[herewego]

Hello ! Where is your Leader ? ( Parents) I do not walk in your Paid for site please do not walk through mine , educate them Chances of seeing them again are slim.
This is my Area ( Reminds me of the red Stapler in office space ) if you don't get it watch the movie .) the parents will tell them to stay away from the Strange people in site #1234 Have a wonderful Day .

[curver900]

all of society is this way now.. it has been beat in that we all "share" and we are all equal etc... so what's yours is mine... you are seeing the results of all the years of this socialistic banter...

Get used to it, it is going to get far worse before it gets any better.. on a positive note though there will be far fewer people camping shortly.. the price of gas is going to keep allot of people home...

[Route 66 Traveler]

Originally Posted by Gary_LHC_Arizona

Has camping and campsite etiquette changed?

It's not only camping, but almost every other daily aspect of living. Screaming kids in restaurants, kids...and parents...throwing trash on the street instead of into trash cans, parents watching their kids running around in waiting rooms, and no respect for other peoples property.

My pet peeve is when flying and the plane lands, pulls into the gate and shuts down the engines everyone jumps up like they want to be first off the plane before the door is even opened. Push and shove and get out of MY way...I'm more important than you! Kind of like people pushing and shoving at a Walmart on Black Friday when the doors are unlocked!

[Stavman]

I believe the Stand Your Ground law applies here

Or just have a Velociraptor Dog like I do...they will stay away

Or even better...go boondocking like I do 97% of the time...then it's just those damn Deers and Elks who harass ya...dang wildlife anyways...lol

[wiscampsin]

It's not just camping, sadly it's everywhere. IMHO any kind of etiquette, respect, courtesy have gone the way of the rotary phone. The all about me, I'm first, rules don't apply to me mind set is here to stay and will only get worse.

[pconroy]

Originally Posted by JFlightRisk

No, nothing has changed, just a lot more newbie campers that aren't aware, or just think the whole park area is theirs too. If it's not noted on the park rules, it should be. If it is, everyone should be asked to read them first.

We've already had a few instances at home of kids cutting through people's yards, and in one instance a bunch jumping the fence in our yard.

I agree with this.

We were newbie campers (we all were at one point) and I didn't have anyone to teach me all of the ins-n-outs. So for those things we learned, we passed them along to our kids.

Agreed on having this posted someplace.

But frankly, someone passing thru my campsite doesn't spin me up much. They're just passing thru, taking a shortcut. It doesn't happen very much to us.

Honestly, I'm more whizzed off by the lack of Golfing Etiquette exhibited these days. "Stop walking on my putt line!"

[muckinfuss]

Once upon a time: A Scout is:

TRUSTWORTHY. Tell the truth and keep promises. People can depend on you.

LOYAL. Show that you care about your family, friends, Scout leaders, school, and country.

HELPFUL. Volunteer to help others without expecting a reward.

FRIENDLY. Be a friend to everyone, even people who are very different from you.

COURTEOUS. Be polite to everyone and always use good manners.

KIND. Treat others as you want to be treated. Never harm or kill any living thing without good reason.

OBEDIENT. Follow the rules of your family, school, and pack. Obey the laws of your community and country.

CHEERFUL. Look for the bright side of life. Cheerfully do tasks that come your way. Try to help others be happy.

THRIFTY. Work to pay your own way. Try not to be wasteful. Use time, food, supplies, and natural resources wisely.

BRAVE. Face difficult situations even when you feel afraid. Do what you think is right despite what others might be doing or saying.

CLEAN. Keep your body and mind fit. Help keep your home and community clean.

REVERENT. Be reverent toward God. Be faithful in your religious duties. Respect the beliefs of others.


These scouts grew up to be fathers who, often times, used these words to teach their own. I know I did. Not sure when it ended, but it did.

[CAG]

Honestly, I'm more whizzed off by the lack of Golfing Etiquette exhibited these days. "Stop walking on my putt line!"

That sounds like you need to have a talk with the rest of your four-some. Who else is no the green beside you and them? That is a problem that would get some education for those not in the group.



This topic is and has been brought up recently and often. Especially since there are so many "newbees". Most RV parks, camp grounds have posted rules. If you did not get a handout when you check in, check the website where you booked it because few locations operate without rules. It becomes a legal issue for them if they do. The location where we spend the summer has pretty strict and well enforced rules about invading other's sites and keeping your dog on a leash and quite as well as other behavior. Some have been asked to leave and not come back because they failed to follow them.

[TWP723]

Originally Posted by pconroy

I agree with this.

We were newbie campers (we all were at one point) and I didn't have anyone to teach me all of the ins-n-outs. So for those things we learned, we passed them along to our kids.

Agreed on having this posted someplace.

But frankly, someone passing thru my campsite doesn't spin me up much. They're just passing thru, taking a shortcut. It doesn't happen very much to us.

Honestly, I'm more whizzed off by the lack of Golfing Etiquette exhibited these days. "Stop walking on my putt line!"

Somebody walk on my green while I'm putting and we're having words. Or at least a LW to the head.

[RAurand]

Originally Posted by Woodworker

No it hasn't changed. It's just not taught to children. As for the adults, times we live in

Not much is TAUGHT to children anymore! It OFFENDS them!

Not only were my sister and I explicitly told NOT TO WALK THRU OTHERS CAMPSITES, BUT to "police the area and pick up anything that don't belong there before we leave".

That has been passed on to my kids!

[craigav]

Originally Posted by Gary_LHC_Arizona

After 1.5 years my wife and I went camping over the weekend. We were disappointed to see so many people walking thru other occupied campsites. I will give some slack with children walking thru the campsites, but there were children, adults (ages 20 - 40s), and adults with their children! My wife were sitting outdoors and 3 young boys walked thru our site. I asked them not to walk thru.. they just stared. When I was young, my parents told us not to do what we observed.

Has camping and campsite etiquette changed?

I see this problem even in 55+ campgrounds. In many cases I believe the issue is with poor planning of the campground layout where in some cases, especially with loop style campgrounds, a walk to the facilities could be a very long walk along the road vs simply cutting across. Fortunately for me, I have a high tolerance to things like this and I am rarely (if ever) offended. Although, when I have the opportunity to choose my campsite, I usually choose one that appears not to be located where it could be a shortcut to anything. ~CA

[JFlightRisk]

snip...[QUOTE=craigav;1050476 a walk to the facilities could be a very long walk along the road vs simply cutting across. ~CA[/QUOTE]

X2 on this. We had a site that was between the tenters and the facilities. If you're under pressure to get there, the route along the road may be too far and cause a disaster. I'll let it slide once or twice just to save them a possible embarrassing "accident". More than that, and I'll mention it's not proper etiquette.