Camping in this economy

The older we get, we want to get "away" for a purpose. We live in the country and, as far as 'getting away' for the sake of just 'getting away'.... fact is ... we're already "there

Beautifully put.

We live in the country so our camping is for destination purposes also. I joke that we are a reverse "Fresh Air Fund." We take country kids used to land and privacy into a "suburban/city" setting. My kids scarcely know the thrill of pavement so bike riding is fun. We go to boat and be close enough to enjoy morning coffee or an evening campfire with friends.

We can actually reach our favorite lake within 40 minutes so boating for the day is possible - but somehow not the same. I love being back at the site with family and friends. As the kids grow older there is a certain sweetness in being in a small, set space, sans wireless with your kids.

We may also travel to sport tournaments. Again it's about the destination - not being IN our camper (although we love it). While the gas to get the camper there - and camp fees - do add up, I really think we save enough in not eating out 3x a day with a family of four to make up for that.

We flirted with getting a new rig just last weekend but then economy trumped desire and we realized that for our needs we just don't have any reason to make a payment when Big Tiny provides all our needs (and leaves us more money for boat fuel!)

That doesn't mean I don't drool over newer rigs though. So pretty! :) Our chosen park runs $20/night so when factored into other things we can do - it still feels like a bargain. If it's not, I don't want to know :B

What gets me is here in California, they have closed many State Parks because of budget cuts but then they find $54 million in surplus the director, Ruth Coleman and her Chief Deputy, Michael Harris hid for 20 years. All the while they suck up fat salaries, bonuses and loa payouts. Then to add insult to injury they raise the prices for admission, camping and day use fees to all the State beaches, campgrounds, picnic (day use) areas etc. You can't even afford to go to State Parks anymore. They have priced them with private campground facilities that offer amenities like full or partial hookups; something State Parks don't even have.

This economy can make it rough, that's for sure. But working all my life and recently retired, I'll be hanged if I'll not do what I've worked all my life for. Health is deteriorating faster than I care for, but you just gotta do what ya gotta do! I feel the biggest impact on the economy is that campgrounds have become more and more crowded. Families can no longer afford to stay in motels and eat in restaurants on a trip, when campgrounds and campfire meals are a fraction of the cost.

This has been the toughest year for camping. So much has been working against us. DW's ever decreasing income completely vanished last fall, and I am losing 24% of my take home for the summer (thanks congress), so we are down over 50% of our income and are probably going to have to file BK. To add to this, DW's aunt fell and cracked her knee cap at the end of April. No surgery but she had to have it imobilized so she is on disability and can't drive. Her husband passed a few years ago and we are her closest family. She has been living with us. Our house is already small, so in order for her have some privacy she has been sleeping and keeping her stuff in the TT. This makes it impossible to just pack some clothes and go anywhere. we are actually going camping this comming weekend, the 5 of us plus aunt, and I can't even get excited about it. All I can think is how much work it is going to be to clear out the TT, get it prepped, pack everything... I just pray things get better.

Rookie Rver :C here and we are camping every chance we get. When it all adds up its much, much cheaper getting on the road and going camping than trying to go on a "family trip" somewhere. The money that is spent on a "family trip" somewhere can be used toward two or three camping outings for us.

A friend sat her kids down a few years ago and laid out 10 days at Disney/FL v. 3x that camping.

The kids chose camping.

For us it also pays when we take it to soccer tournaments and such. Sure we can probably get a hotel room for the price of what we pay in gas and camp fees - but the ability to make our own meals saves us a mint! Eating out 3x day x 4 people in any healthful way adds up!

We just got back from our Alaska trip (we flew). I'm now hoping to take us on a trip in the MH before July ends. If I don't, it'll be the first time since we've had the MH that we haven't made at least ONE big trip during summer vacation.

Due a job change a few years ago I have less vacation time so we don't get to go as often. Nor are going to take anymore long distance trips. But certainly within a day's drive. We just bought a new HTT so we're never giving up!

As far the economy goes, RV sales are the best they've been since 2008. We saw more new rigs in the campgrounds than older ones this year. People are not going to stop camping.

mister_d wrote:
We are a family that is struggling in this economy... part of the middle class that is slipping down. The way I see it, my kids will only this age once and as a parent I'm going to do my darndest to give them every experience I can. We sacrifice in every way possible so that our camping season is filled. We have 53 nights planned over 8k miles this year.

Kudos to you for giving your kids a great experience! I've always said that camping is one of the best things you can do with your kids. But why would you need to struggle to do it? The same memories can be made in a tent or less expensive rig. Our daughter grew up tent camping and in a PUP. We couldn't afford a truck and trailer 25 years ago. We had a lot of fun on weekends where we had only $100 to spend and that included everything.

We do 6-7 trips of 1 week to our favorite campground in northern Idaho on the Salmon River. Than a trip to Yellowstone after labor day.. Than a trip to McCall, Id. :)

Will be doing our first long distance trip this year. Seattle to Yellowstone. Wife and 2 teenage daughters in the camper for 10 days should be fun.