We got a great boost in my desire to go camping this past year by getting a boat. We mix camping with boating, and it truely is a blast. We have a state park with a great lake and campground just 40 miles from us. This keeps the expense way down, and the kids just love it. I think for many it's a good idea to have a lot of activities planned when you go camping. I know with my family they get bored if we don't. We enjoy hiking as well, and the state parks are perfect for that.
Of course, there's camping at Disney and other amusement parks. Unfortunately they closed the campground at King's Island this year, but we may venture out next year and find a different campground in the Cincy area.
We went to Kings Island this summer and stayed at a campground in Lebanon called Cedarbrook. It was a beautiful campground. It had cable, I believe, and a small pool. We only thought it odd that we had to pay extra to use our A/C. Other than that, we liked it a lot and will definitely go back if we're in that area again. Also, my sister and BIL are season pass holders for Kings Island and they told me that KI is building a new campground behind Son of Beast. I think it's supposed to open in 2007.
We never feel like that. We've been camping since BK (before kids). Now both our teenage daughters love camping. I'm not sure we will ever tire of getting out in nature and enjoying all the sight's and sounds.
After tenting for 19 years we finally moved up in Oct. of 2004;
2005 Four Winds Windsport 32R w/Ford V-10, 2 slides
When we had our HUGE motorhome, we were beginning to feel that way as it seemed we were limited to just the concrete RV resorts. We enjoyed them, but it got to be a bit boring going to the same few places all the time. Kids were more interested in the game rooms than hiking, fishing, biking. Also had a hard time getting them to sit around the campfire or play cards when they could watch a DVD. So, dh and I decided to trade in our mh for a tt with NO t.v. It's a bit soon for comparison as we've only taken it out once, but we had a blast the first weekend! We hiked, played chess, Uno, read books, hiked some more, rode bikes. No dvds and no complaints. We were also in a state park - woodsy and secluded.
It may be you need to try a different venue as others have suggested. You might be surprised at how well your children adjust to being outdoors and not in a pool - though that is fun occassionally too. It's just nice to vary the activities.
Good luck with your decision!
2009 Keystone Bullet 282 bhs
2005 Dodge Durango Limited
2003 Dodge Ram with Thule rack system
5 bikes
3 kayaks
1 Bayliner 185
1 Mini Australian Shepherd
3 kids
2 Tired, But Happy Camping Parents!
Z400ACDC wrote: We are on our third tt and I have just got burned out this year. ....I guess those cg sites just seem to get smaller over the years. ..... Do any of you ever feel like this?
No, we don't. But the primary reason is that we specifically don't "go RVing".
We don't ever go anywhere simply to use the RV, sit inside of it, or just stay at the campground/RV park. We go camping to do stuff, and just happen to sleep in the RV.
We camp near fishing spots, boating spots, geocaches, hiking trails, amusement parks, museums, national park visitor's centers, quaint little tourist towns, beaches, etc...
When planning trips I make sure that the wife, the kids, and I always have things that keep us interested. The type of RV we use and where it's setup is almost irrelevant, as long as it's quiet, clean and safe.
We do most, but not all of our family camping with friends. In the last seven years this has caught on with other friends, and friends of friends and now we have an "RV club" now effectionally known as the "Trail Mix Camp Club" among our group.
The kids look forward to seeing all of their camping buddies and the adults have a chance to socialize with other adults. We plan group meals and activities for the little ones that keeps everyone busy. It's a GREAT time.
We do annual trips during Thanksgiving and Easter that are now bringing 14 families together this year. We also do smaller trips of 2 to 3 families that are week long adventures - usually out of state, or at least 7 to 10 days long. Some of us have known each other for nearly 30 years and we hope another 30 years are in our future.
John
The Rutters
2004 Ford F350 Crewcab Lariat FX4 (4x4) DRW
6.0 PSD, Torque Shift, Jack Rabbit roll top cover, Rosen widescreen DVD system
We do a mixture of things. We sometimes go to a private campground, but this is mostly if we're traveling somewhere, like on vacation, and we're using the camper/Rv more like a motel. More often, we head to the state parks, this is far more relaxing than being stuffed into a camp ground like a bunch of sardines...but, that's JMHO. Our main problem is we live up north, and have to put the TT away for the winter--BIG BOO HOO!!!
DH 1959
ME 1962
3 boys at home
1 DD college grad living and working in Houston, TX
1 DS college (Go Huskers!) 1 DDIL
1 DS college University of Houston
2005 Jayco 19H
2000 Dodge Ram Van 1500
2001 Gulfstream Cavalier Class C
Z400ACDC wrote: I start asking myself, why do I want to camp in the middle of all these boxes when I sold my house in the subdivision for a house on 13 acres.
My first trip out after we moved onto 20 acres in the country was to a family reunion held at a combination RV park & cabin resort. I looked around and said "wow, this is much more urban than home. Most are going camping and it's less crowded. I'm going camping and it's more crowded."
We avoid the RV park type places except when traveling through. Now that I own my own camper rather than begging/borrow or renting, we want to make many more summer trips. We definitely intend to stick to boondocking, forest service & state parks that have things to do away from the campground.
Even the family reunions have shifted focus to going places more conducive to getting out of the campground to do things. Next summer we're looking at http://www.twinlakesresortoregon.com/
As someone who has been wanting a camper for over 13 years (as of Oct. 4 - but who's counting) I can't imagine that you would give up something that your kids love doing like camping. You have a great opportunity to make great memories with your kids. I will have memories with my 5 children as well, but there will be a HUGE hole because I have so desperately wanted to take them camping, but don't have a spouse who is in ANY WAY interested.
When your kids are grown and gone, then you can do (or not do) whatever you want, but for now, I'd say you would be making a big mistake in giving it up. I certainly wish I had your "problem".
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