I think this is funny - not ranting, just sharing:)We have a seasonal right next to 2 other families who are friends. Out of this little clump of 4 sites that are kind of together, we have 3 of them. We are very "communal" in that everyone's site is kind of part of everyone elses, one fire pit, shared toys, etc. Between the 3 families we have 12 kids, and 8 of them are 4 and under. Last weekend somebody pulled into the open site connected to ours, backed in the trailer and plugged the power into the pedestal. They got out and looked around at all our kids running around playing (and we didn't even have the bounce house set up yet). They talked for about 10 minutes without setting anything else up, then one walked back to the pedestal to unplug. One of our group said, "we didn't scare you away, did we?" "No," he said. "Somebody in our group isn't feeling well." Riiiiiight;) They pulled out, drove around the campground, and backed into a spot 2 sites down on the other side of a big fifth wheel:) Must be a lap around the campground made them feel all better:)Seriously, If I didn't have all those kids (5 of those are mine) and pulled in next to that and there was an opening elsewhere, can't say I wouldn't do the same thing. Hanging with us isn't for wimps:)

it's good that you can see the humor of it and also understand that a herd of kids isn't everybody's idea of fun.when our family gets together it's the same as yours, but since they're all "ours" we like it just fine. :)

Well, that would have been me.Not saying that you and your group and your 12 kids don't have every right to be there and to do what you were doing. But, it's also my right to not be part of it and to politely move...just what they did.win win for everyone.

hahaha I love it--I have 5 of my own kids and usually we always have a couple extra to boot. Plus all the neighbor kids that my kids are friends with. Thankfully we are right on the "frontline" across from all the activity fields etc.. Glad you took it with a grain of salt.

Daughter has 6 kids. She wonders why I only make short visits.

I think it was handled gracefully. We all have different ideas of what we want in a camping experience. If they didn't think that particular spot was what they were looking for, it's nice that they moved on, rather than everyone being irritated all weekend.

Too many kids? | Good Sam Community

KFS
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
And when the kids get older it gets more fun!

Our DD is 14 and runs with a gaggle of pretty young things we camp with. When the girls are out it's pretty much constant teen boy traffic in front of our camp.

Last weekend we watched one poor young boy spot the girls in our boat coming back from the ramp, and promptly ride his bike into a pole.
michigansandzil
Explorer
Jul 15, 2013
Too funny. My kids would be bored out of their minds if we didn't have kids around us. We'd be your neighbors for sure.
I can understand those that want a little space from kids finding a new site........but really ANY campground is just flooded with kids. They are everywhere! It's not just the jellystone type parks. The state parks are have kids running and riding bikes nonstop.
If you don't want to be around kids I can't imagine camping would be a really fun experience anyway.
MScampers
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
There is one campground about 24 miles from us has several family areas. But one area they allow the travel trailers, tents, popups etc to settle in a circle/square like covered wagons and all awnings and door are located to the center. Everyone knows where their child is and usually this is a big group.

This same area is the most popular area when they have their Fall Festival / Halloween Party !!
Stefonius
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
I don't like camping with poorly behaved adults. When children are unruly, undisciplined or obnoxious, it's because their parents aren't doing a proper job raising them. Therefore, the parents of these kids are the "poorly behaved adults" in my book - and they're the ones I'll want to get away from.
KFS
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
We camped with friends and had a similar situation. On one trip we numbered more than 15 kids.

My heart still beams over the time a gentleman approached us at the close of a campout to say that he had dreaded the start of the trip when he realized we were all there (reserved sites). At the close of the trip he wanted to congratulate us on what a pleasure our collection of kids was. :)

It's nice when someone goes out of their way to pay a compliment. We made sure the kids knew that GOOD behavior is noticed and appreciated as well.
Chock_Full_o__N
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
TomHaycraft wrote:
Nothing better (in my humble opinion) than the sounds of kids outdoors playing. It wears them out, they aren't the ones loud and partying until midnight! Thinking back on our travels over the last year, can't remember irritation with the kids, but can remember a few adults who I wondered, "was that the way your parents raised you?"!

Isn't that the truth! We recently had the pleasure of camping near a large extended family of Mennonites. There were 4 campers and about 18 kids, 12 and under. (FTR, we were there first). They were delightful! Even the two boys who rode their bikes through our site twice were apologetic after we spoke to their dad about it. I never heard an adult raise their voice to a child and there was no bickering amongst the kids. We spent a week camping next to this group and thoroughly enjoyed our time.
Kittykath
Explorer II
Jul 09, 2013
Seasonals don't always = kids and crowds. There are only 8 seasonal campsites in our park. Only four well-behaved kids total, among all of us. Gets kind of lonely actually without all the activity.

We're happy when one of the little ones pops over to sit down and share their knowledge. We simply fill them with sugar, and send them back. We're happier when all four kids ambush us with their cute little squirt guns. Gives us a chance to pull out the big artillery and show 'em who's boss. Makes for a lot of laughs and a memorable summer.
YamaDooed
Explorer
Jul 09, 2013
I usually avoid setting up next to seasonals if I can just to avoid the great crowd senario. Golf cart derbys Baggo champianships and screaming kids are not what I look for as a great camping experience. .
TomHaycraft
Explorer
Jul 09, 2013
Nothing better (in my humble opinion) than the sounds of kids outdoors playing. It wears them out, they aren't the ones loud and partying until midnight! Thinking back on our travels over the last year, can't remember irritation with the kids, but can remember a few adults who I wondered, "was that the way your parents raised you?"!
happybooker1
Explorer
Jul 09, 2013
Once my son & I were camping @ Lady Catherine SP in Arkansas. We'd been there a couple of days when in pulls a family with 5 kids from about 7 down to 1. "Well there goes the neighborhood" I thought privately.

In the next 3 days we were there, NOT ONCE did I hear a crying child, a tantrum, a squabble, yelling parents etc. I wish I knew what their secret was. My son 9 at the time was invited over for s'mores every night, & he went on several bike rides & hikes with that family. We even shared cooking a meal one night.

We still talk about that family. You just never know.

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