Kids I can sometimes understand, as some parents do not teach their children proper manners. In most cases where we have experienced prob lems, we've only had to say something to the kids and the problem usually comes to an end.
But, there is always a surprise that you don't count on, and we had ours on Labor Day weekend.
The two sites to our left were occupied by two families that were either related or were just good friends. They did everything together, campfires, meals, games, etc. One morning, while my wife and I were eating our breakfast at the dinette table, our neighbors decided to play croquet. No problem. They started setting up their course... right into our campsite along the back of our trailer. They actually had to move one of our folding chairs to set up their course. I could hardly believe that the adults had the audacity to do this!! I decided to step outside and have some gentle words with our neighbors. As I stepped out, the first thing I saw was one of their kids climbing around in the box of my pickup. He was about 12 years old, and he immediately jumped out of there when he saw me come outside. I turned my head in the direction of the adults setting up their croquet game, and I never had to say a word. I stood there with my arms folded over my chest and with what must have been a pretty grim look on my face. The two adults took one look and immediately set to work picking up their game pieces. After that they all kept to their own two sites.
If I had not seen it with my own two eyes I would have a hard time believing it, but it is amazing how some people must leave their brains at home when they go camping!!
I know a lot of people go camping to be with their families and don't want to parent anyone else's kids, but... I figure if a kid from another camp sight wants to join in the fun at our sight, the more the merrier. I just have him go ask his folks to come over and join us. I figure we can all learn something from the social interaction.
We have to say things like joang suggests. They do work. Sometimes they need to be repeated a million times. It can really take the peace and family time out of a trip.
Sometimes it is sad, but there are sometimes neglected kids in need of attention, food, etc. Other times it is just lack of parental supervision - like young (age 6? or so) kids setting campfires at empty sites!
We like to spend time with our kids while we camp, not send them off to explore and play somewhere else in the CG. To each his own. Some families seem to love having their kids find other kids in a CG to play and hangout with. Guess we just like to play it ultra-safe. Never know who else is camping.
Our kids also know and follow camping etiqutte rules - no cutting thru sites, etc.
joang wrote: Try this "Ok, guys, thanks for playing. Time for you to go now!" Kids are used to being told what to do just tell them to leave in a confident voice and they'll scurry away! If they question you for why, just say "Our family has things to do now, so you need to go."
One time, we had it so bad, adults and kids alike were walking through our site and family were with-their site, and we weren't even in the path to the bathroom!!! So the dad's decided to hang a wash line for the swim suits and beach towels across the way so they would have to walk around our sites. It didn't help! Kids ran through knocking down our laundry. The adults just ducked underneath. It was crazy and not to mention rude. So the next time it happened, I politely said "HI! Can I help you?". They looked at me and said 'ahhh, no', I responded with 'well then, I would like to kindly ask you not to cut through this site then and request you walk around, and I will respect your site in the same manner'. Did this for adults and children and it seemed to work, they went around from that point on. I just figured the washline thing would be there first clue but it wasn't!
2003 Ford F350 SuperDuty Short Box
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2007 Jayco Jayflight 30.5 BHS
RetiredbutWorking wrote: I know a lot of people go camping to be with their families and don't want to parent anyone else's kids, but... I figure if a kid from another camp sight wants to join in the fun at our sight, the more the merrier. I just have him go ask his folks to come over and join us. I figure we can all learn something from the social interaction.
Yep, in the neighborhood where I grew up, the homeowner would come out with a plate of cookies too.
Personally, I enjoy seeing kids have fun instead of being inside in front of the phone texting or on a computer.
COE and State Parks are going to be like that though. When I want some quiet, I just choose a different campground like one of those resorts everyone likes to complain about with rules, and in a site not next to the bathrooms, on a corner, or by the beach.
Cheers...
Michael, Kay, Hans (our Mini-Schnauzer co-pilot) and Prissy (Hans' Malti-Poo co-pilot)
'05 Coachmen SportsCoach SE 372DS a.k.a. "Mana's Cabana"
There is a difference between children in camp wanting to play with our kids and people walking through the site. Follow our rules while here and you are welcome to play. You might eave get a snack if you play your cards right. If our kids are not there or you start misbehaving, you must leave. People cutting through are never welcome.
07 F150 SuperCrew 5.4L Tow Package
04 Jayco Jay Flight 27BH
Having 4 kids of my own ranging in age from 7 to 17, We get lots of visitors from other sites. I let them play if they are respectful,.. and when I am ready to do something with my kids, or if its time to eat,.... I say,.. OK guys , its family time see you tomorrow. If they arent being respectful,.. I simply say,.. It is bad manners for you to do that,.. you can either use nice manners or leave. If they dont change,.. I tell them to "go back to your site, I told you that was bad manners. " Ive only had one parent come to me and have issues,.. then I schooled her on why I sent her little angel home,.. I was tired of taking beer from him after he dug through my cooler!. She seemed to change attitude very fast.
Queen Bee and the Hornets Nest
Jill, Jason, the Boy, 3 Girls and our Poodle Mix, Rascal.
2005 Keystone Hornet 24 RSL
2007 2500 HD CHevy with a duramax.
joang wrote: Try this "Ok, guys, thanks for playing. Time for you to go now!" Kids are used to being told what to do just tell them to leave in a confident voice and they'll scurry away! If they question you for why, just say "Our family has things to do now, so you need to go."
This is exactly what I do. As far as I'm concerned when you're in my house or my campsite or in any way on MY turf, then it's MY RULES. I have absolutely no qualms about telling a child to get their feet off my couch, or to put something down because it's not a toy, or whatever -- and I'll do it right in front of their Mom & Dad, when necessary. If their parents won't do it, then I will because it's MINE. I say it very nicely, but firmly. It always works and I've never had a parent get upset with me. Same in the campsite. I just lay out the rules and say "I'm sorry but we don't allow kids to play inside the camper." or "We have something to do, so it's time for you to go back to your own camp now." I'll even tell them not to come back until a certain time, simply by saying "My kids won't be available to play again until after 3 o'clock."
Just be nice, but firm.
Teri--the RV.net addict!
DEAR and WONDERFUL husband Eric (& furry faced Angus!) Western Washington
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GACampnGirl wrote: We have to say things like joang suggests. They do work. Sometimes they need to be repeated a million times. It can really take the peace and family time out of a trip.
Sometimes it is sad, but there are sometimes neglected kids in need of attention, food, etc. Other times it is just lack of parental supervision - like young (age 6? or so) kids setting campfires at empty sites!
We like to spend time with our kids while we camp, not send them off to explore and play somewhere else in the CG. To each his own. Some families seem to love having their kids find other kids in a CG to play and hangout with. Guess we just like to play it ultra-safe. Never know who else is camping.
Our kids also know and follow camping etiqutte rules - no cutting thru sites, etc.
joang wrote: Try this "Ok, guys, thanks for playing. Time for you to go now!" Kids are used to being told what to do just tell them to leave in a confident voice and they'll scurry away! If they question you for why, just say "Our family has things to do now, so you need to go."
I tried checking the boxes on that checklist, but it won't work.
Actually, those are all good directives. I am thinking about taking along printed copies and suggest others around who are less than savvy have a copy.
Myself, The Boss, and two wanna-be Bosses
2006 Jayco 1007 There are 10 types of people in the world: Those who can count in binary, and those who can't.
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I decided to step outside and have some gentle words with our neighbors. As I stepped out, the first thing I saw was one of their kids climbing around in the box of my pickup. He was about 12 years old, and he immediately jumped out of there when he saw me come outside. I turned my head in the direction of the adults setting up their croquet game, and I never had to say a word. I stood there with my arms folded over my chest and with what must have been a pretty grim look on my face. 
The two adults took one look and immediately set to work picking up their game pieces. After that they all kept to their own two sites.
