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2chiefsRus's avatar
2chiefsRus
Explorer
Apr 17, 2019

Military Campgrounds

If you are active duty or retired military, you may already use the website to find information about military campgrounds but you may not receive the newsletter. If you register on the website, you will receive the newsletter. The following is an excerpt from the latest newsletter.

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• Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs, CO - Over 15 months ago, Peterson AFB reported they were going to build a new FamCamp. There's been no mention of it since. I'm currently trying to find out the latest status, but could use your help. Do you know anything about this new proposed FamCamp?
• Luke AFB, Glendale, AZ - Another USAF base that announced they were building a new FamCamp. The latest known status on this project is that it's on hold. The location has been determined and the land is clear, but I've received reports they list their funding and the FamCamp hasn't yet been designed. Any other updated news?
• San Onofre Recreation Beach, Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base, CA - There is a good bit of on-going renovation and construction here. They are replacing some of the "cottages" and working on some of the beach-front sites, removing old trees, etc.
• Joint Base Andrews FamCamp, MD - They are (were) closed for construction to upgrade the sites until further notice. Their recommendation was to call back, starting in April, every two weeks or so until they get everything up and going.
• Foster Creek RV Park and Villas, Joint Base Charleston, SC - Last month, I reported this campground was closing for a year for a remodeling project. However, they lost their funding and the remodeling project has been delayed. They are NOT closed as previously reported.
• Offutt AFB Bass Lake FamCamp, Offutt, NE - Due to severe flooding, this campground and the boathouse is closed until further notice.
• Little Creek MWR RV Park, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Norfolk, VA - I received a report that "this location is to be refitted completely". I currently don't have any other information on what's to be done, dates, etc.
  • azdryheat's avatar
    azdryheat
    Explorer
    Apr 17, 2019
    Nice to see they're building and upgrading FAMCAMPS. Whose pockets are these building funds coming out of? I sure hope the money comes 100% from the users of the camps and not from taxpayers.
  • Tom_Barb's avatar
    Tom_Barb
    Explorer
    Apr 17, 2019
    azdryheat wrote:
    Nice to see they're building and upgrading FAMCAMPS. Whose pockets are these building funds coming out of? I sure hope the money comes 100% from the users of the camps and not from taxpayers.


    The money comes from the MWR budget (Moral, Welfare, And Recreation) it is the same money that buys basket balls, base balls, maintains the tennis courts, marinas, and other facilities for the military.
    And Yes I use them. USN Chief Retired.
  • dedmiston's avatar
    dedmiston
    Moderator
    Apr 17, 2019
    I deleted some of the posts that were taking this thread off-topic.

    The question of funding has been asked and answered.

    2chiefsRus: Thank you for your service and thanks for posting this helpful into.

    EDIT: And as a time-saver, let me add a general "Thank You" to all the other service men and women who post in this thread in lieu of thanking you one by one.
  • monkey44's avatar
    monkey44
    Nomad II
    Apr 17, 2019
    Just to follow up, the money from CG and RV storage rentals goes INTO the MWR fund as well. So, like many of the military auxiliary services today, pays the bulk of its own way.
  • azdryheat's avatar
    azdryheat
    Explorer
    Apr 17, 2019
    Didn't mean to create a fire storm. For the record I wore 4 stripes in the USAF but didn't make it a career making me ineligible for these parks.
  • imgoin4it's avatar
    imgoin4it
    Explorer
    Apr 17, 2019
    Additional info on funding source. Famcamps like clubs, bowling alleys golf courses etc are referred to as non-appropriated fund facilities. Non appropriated means not appropriated by the government from taxes. These facilities must generate enough funds to pay there own way or cease operations.
  • Roy_Lynne's avatar
    Roy_Lynne
    Explorer
    Apr 17, 2019
    Here is Washington and Oregon, we have some awesome military camps. Jim Creek is nestled in the foothills of the Cascades north of Seattle. It is beautifu, fun for kids, awesome shower/baths and of course mostly drippy weather. Unfortunately, even though Jim Creek was a communication base, cell service is horrid.
    And if you like the ocean, Pacific Beach is another goody run by the Navy. Not only are there cabins and a motel and the RV park, there is a great little restaurant. The only problem with it is on a cliff and a steep walk down to the water. Fort Lewis, McChord, and Camp Murray all have RV parks but usually full so call first for reservations. Fairchild in Eastern Washington has a famcamp but I've never been there. Oh and I forgot Whidbey Island has RV parking also and while I've been to the base, I never stayed at the famcamp.
    Not to be outdone, Oregon also has a nice little National Guard training base that offers RV parking. Its not much, tiny tiny but a great place to explore the Astoria area and its also right on the ocean. Camp Rilea is on 101.
  • Tom_Barb's avatar
    Tom_Barb
    Explorer
    Apr 17, 2019
    Roy&Lynne wrote:
    Here is Washington and Oregon, we have some awesome military camps. Jim Creek is nestled in the foothills of the Cascades north of Seattle. It is beautifu, fun for kids, awesome shower/baths and of course mostly drippy weather. Unfortunately, even though Jim Creek was a communication base, cell service is horrid.
    And if you like the ocean, Pacific Beach is another goody run by the Navy. Not only are there cabins and a motel and the RV park, there is a great little restaurant. The only problem with it is on a cliff and a steep walk down to the water. Fort Lewis, McChord, and Camp Murray all have RV parks but usually full so call first for reservations. Fairchild in Eastern Washington has a famcamp but I've never been there. Oh and I forgot Whidbey Island has RV parking also and while I've been to the base, I never stayed at the famcamp.
    Not to be outdone, Oregon also has a nice little National Guard training base that offers RV parking. Its not much, tiny tiny but a great place to explore the Astoria area and its also right on the ocean. Camp Rilea is on 101.


    FYI, NAS Whidbey did a complete restoration of the camp ground 2 years ago, now there is 100 full hook ups right on the bluff, they also have yurts to rent. full bath and laundry facilities and a full time attendant to manage the park.

    Clifside park
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Apr 17, 2019
    I too only had a few years from Air Force Miltary service but then went on and retired from Civil Service giving me a total of 42 years of Militray service. When I retired I was issued a Military CAC card that allows me to use the FAMILY CAMP GROUNDS. I have used several of them on my RV trips... I was a E5 in the Air Force and a GS12 STEP 30 in the Civil Service hehe...

    This also gave several other benifits associated with retired military service. I however always felt I was abusing my rights and would be the first one to give up my room or camp site if I knew it was going to bump an active Militray Service person...

    When staying in BOQ areas I always informed the front desk to bump me if any military people showed up needing room space...

    I probably was bumped three or four times over several years of doing this - always at a BOQ facility...

    Roy Ken
  • lmpres's avatar
    lmpres
    Explorer
    Apr 18, 2019
    Retired Marine here. I've used the Military campgrounds many times. Never had a bad experience and they have always been very reasonable on price!

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