I am considering a mission trip to Camp Restore in New Orleans. The camp is a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod operation that works in New Orleans to help citizens rebuild from the Hurricane. I have read about the camp on their web site and a few from our Church are going there in November. I need some feedback from fellow RV'ers that may have attended the camp, as I am considering taking my trailer there and camping while on the mission.
Heres my question - I have been told there is a small RV park at the camp. How safe is it there? From Google Earth, it looks like an unsafe part of the town. I have seen so many news programs about how the crime rate is extremely high in New Orleans. Am I a total idiot to consider taking my camper there? Any info you can provide on the camp, neighborhood, safety in the area, or any other useful info would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance all.
Rick & Joan
Rogers, Arkansas
2005 32ft Jayco Eagle TT
2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD
Rick and Joan
Do you have an address of this camp? Yes there are some parts of town that I wouldn't want to stay overnight in but it was that way before the storm.
Dave
GEAUX TIGERS
Dave, Miss Sue & Lucy the Terrorist Scotty Pup
Big Easy Area.
FMCA 153192
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I don't know if this will help or not but try checking out Bayou Signet state park. It's at Westwego La. a suburb of N.O. They have wonderful security, great campsites and I highly recommend it.
Dave
2005 GMC Duramax 4x4 crew cab
2005 Cruiser CF28RL
The campground at Camp Restore is fenced and has barbed wire at the top. Security is not a problem inside the fence. I do know that vehicles owned by Camp Restore and those who drive in to stay in the living quarters park outside and I have not heard of any issues. A former assistant pastor of our church in Baton Rouge is in charge of RAI at Camp Restore.
I have been there several times to assist. Last year they were providing sandwiches and such for lunch and a hot meal at night. Showers and bunks are available. A couple from our church was cooking the meals at night and paying for it themselves but are now reimbursed. Good German food. They take the summer off but I believe thy will be back this fall. The site is actually still an active church although with small membership. It is a large facility with game room, huge gym, TV's, etc.
The parking lot that is fenced is not large, maybe room for 25 rigs so you need to make sure they have room for you before going. I have P.M.'d you. Contact me if you need more information. Faith based organizations are still the back bone of the work. You are to be commended for your effort.
Bayou Segnette is the closer state park and limited to 14 days. There is Fairview-Riverside and Fountainbleu state parks on the north shore. Recently rebuilt and great campgrounds with showers and laundry. Rates are $16./night but no sewer. Free WI-FI at all state parks. Distance is probably 30 miles. Half price at age 62 (?).
French Quarter is only a few miles and up and active.
* This post was
edited 08/19/08 09:52pm by Charlie D. *
Thats an area I've been in at all hours of the day and night before and after Katrina because of my job. I actually believe it is safer now than before the storm but I wasn't walking around the streets,and neither should you. You will be safe getting to and from the work sites. Let me be the first to thank you for helping us rebuild.
2007 Tundra DC 5.7L
Reese Dual Cam,Prodigy Brake Control 2008 Northshore 295 BS-DSL
I was at Camp Restore just last month with my youth group. Although the camp is in a not so great part of town, they have the RV park at the back fenced, barbed, and locked up. The entire facility is very safe, and it is strictly enforced that you lock the locks whenever you leave sight of them.
The building is an old school. It was flooded out when the levee just about a mile away broke. They have a game room, a big dining hall, and nice sleeping quarters. The room Amos is the one I stayed in. If you look on one of the beds, I put my name on it, just like everyone else that has stayed there, it wasn't vandalism!
Anyway, the facility is also very clean, it's cleaned daily. I even cleaned the showers one day, and mopped the floors. You'll also really like the Pastor, he's a great guy!
When you're there, look in the photo albums that have all of the group pictures in them. Look for Alive In Christ Lutheran Church, from Columbia Missouri. You'll see my youth group!
Hope this helps! It's a great place to go, and it really feels good to help the city get back up on its feet. I love it down there!
Tyler
Thanks all. If I go there, it will be for a week and I will take my camper. Something about staying in your own bed, etc. And I think the only way I would stay in the camper there would be to stay right at the camp so I am right there for the organization of the projects and sharing fellowship with the team.
Still praying about it, trying to decide. I just started a new job, so time off is limited. Keep the info coming.
Rick and Joan
Yep that's a bad part of town but as others who've been there say, it's secure. Just don't walk anywhere nearby. Also stated is the fact of how much has been done here by faith based groups. 95% of the work that has been done here post Katrina has been from these groups and the Hispanic workers from all over the country. If not for those groups very little would have been done 3yrs. later. Thanks to all
Dave
MCDDY, I guess that is one of the things I struggle with, is the fact that so much money was raised for Katrina victims, but yet as you say, 95% of the work has been faith based groups, and there is still so much left undone.
I cannot help but to ask myself "there has been enough money raised to rebuild New Orleans 2X over, but yet seems like there is still so much left to do".
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