How did you meet your camping buddies, the Wife and I are both 29 and it seems that every campground we go its filled with older people (no offense to anybody). We would like to meet people to hang out thats our age and have kids that close to our sons age (8). It just seems difficult, my in-laws camp but they will only travel within an hour of their home and don't go that often.

It is difficult. Our group at one time consisted of DW's boss, who was a few years older, a co-worker and one of her husbands co-workers. Plus another couple a bit younger. Our girls were really the only kids. That group lasted several years then we drifted apart for a lot of reasons. To be honest, we camped a lot, almost every weekend. Our girls usually found things to do and could always find other kids. Start camping in state parks and NF camp grounds, places where families can aford to go, not resort type places.

Co-workersFriends your age group......take them camping and get them interestedCamp close to home...walk around and visit with younger folks with kids....make new friendsAnd some of us old folks like to camp with others.....even the ones with kids :B

We are what you refer to as "old" and we like to meet people while walking our dog around CG or RV park. We never have problems meeting others, but we are friendly to others and outgoing. It seems to me that younger people are UNFRIENDLY, as if "their world" excludes anybody that doesn't have little kids or an electronic device jammed into their ear!Give it a try....approach others in a friendly manner and see what happens.

We are friendly and make it a point to walk the dog around the camp ground and talk to everyone we see even if we don't get to say hi we smile and wave.

Been camping all my life, ever since I was a kid with my parents. Only for a short time in my life did I have a circle of "buddies" and that was when I was 11 to 15 years old. Mom and Dad took their camper where they could pay for the entire summer. Others did also. Over those years, there were about 5 families and everyone had boys about the same age, given a year or two either direction. We became good friends over the years. But as time moves on, as we all entered into adulthood, each one whet their separate ways and I've not heard from any of them in over 40 years now. As an adult myself, we've really never made "camping" friends. I don't think we've ever run into the same person twice, in over the last 30 years of camping.We have camped with family in the past. I belonged to a church once and the men had an annual fishing trip they went on. If you have a camper, you shared bed space with someone who did not have one. And if you had a boat, you shared boat space with someone who did not have one. It was an annual event, I went twice (when we had our pop-up), and it was a great time we had. Then once we went camping with another family we knew from work. Actually, there were 4 of us that had campers and we planned a long week-end together.Now to be HONEST with you .... my wife and I prefer to not go camping with someone we already know, work with, family, or have some kind of association with because of an organization (religious or other). Actually, we have found we prefer not having to engage on someone elses schedule or expectations. We have found our interests are simply too boring for "active" campers. We don't consume alcohol (except a little wine on very special occasions), and definitely don't have any "wild hairs" left in our old bones. I think all of our "wild hairs" have been pulled out one-by-one.We do really enjoy engaging in a conversion, or sitting around a neighbors campfire and enjoying the "moment". But the "moment" is really all we expect from a short term acquaintance. Maybe that's because I've lived a transient life, college, employment in several states for a year or two and then moving, the military, and job changes. Old friends make better friends on Facebook than in person we have learned.I know this may not answer your question as you were expecting. But I think, if you are looking to develop camping friendships, your best avenue is to camp in campgrounds where others your same age camp (state, federal, and private campgrounds), and stay away from "RV Resorts" that are designed for "old farts" like me! Once at the campground, just strike up a conversation with someone and see if it develops into a friendship. Be prepared to say "bye" when you check-out and never see them again. Or, make friend and keep them friends on Facebook to keep in touch, find out where they are camping and perhaps even plan to cross paths at the same campground sometimes. In today's age of technology, they my be the best way to do it.Good luck, and if we are ever in the same campground and our paths meet, I'll glady share a campfire with you, and we'll swap stories. Who knows, what may become of it. You're the same age as my son.

Camping Buddies | Good Sam Community

bigred1cav
Explorer
Apr 23, 2015
There are also clubs, if you belong to FMCA look up clubs in your area.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Apr 23, 2015
As a solo camper, I understand the desire to have others join in on your camping fun. But, it can be hard trying to find someone interested in camping with you. I would start with your existing friends and your son's existing friends. Rather than trying to commit them into a full camping trip, tell them your plans and say "we'd love it if you could come out for a day or two". This makes it less intimidating.

For me, I did this with one friend who I knew camped, then started inviting a couple clipper club folks to join me, and then inviting another friend out for a day when I'm in her neck of the woods. It has resulted in most of my trips having someone drop by for a full day or overnight at least. With the exception of the one "day-trip friend", there is no commitment - just a "we might try to stop by". The day-trip friend, we normally pick a day in advance and I make sure I have meals planned that she will like since she just drives out in a car.
bigred1cav
Explorer
Apr 23, 2015
Scott_85 wrote:
bigred1cav wrote:
Try weekends with places that have beach's and kids places. Now, don't give us old people a short shrift. We know things and may not like your music and noise but we do like people, even young people. Give us a try sometime, walk up say hello and offer a cup of coffee as we walk by. You can tell the old grouch asses, we don't like .

We like bluegrass so a lot of people don't like our music.

Just keep the volume down so others don't have to listen. Same for all music. Music is personal. Same as religion and politics.
1L243
Explorer II
Apr 23, 2015
We don't like Bluegrass but we go to a Bluegrass festival just to campout with our friends who do...

I just stay in the RV and turn up the light rock!
Scott_85
Explorer
Apr 23, 2015
bigred1cav wrote:
Try weekends with places that have beach's and kids places. Now, don't give us old people a short shrift. We know things and may not like your music and noise but we do like people, even young people. Give us a try sometime, walk up say hello and offer a cup of coffee as we walk by. You can tell the old grouch asses, we don't like .

We like bluegrass so a lot of people don't like our music.
bigred1cav
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015
Try weekends with places that have beach's and kids places. Now, don't give us old people a short shrift. We know things and may not like your music and noise but we do like people, even young people. Give us a try sometime, walk up say hello and offer a cup of coffee as we walk by. You can tell the old grouch asses, we don't like them either.

Scott_85 wrote:
How did you meet your camping buddies, the Wife and I are both 29 and it seems that every campground we go its filled with older people (no offense to anybody). We would like to meet people to hang out thats our age and have kids that close to our sons age (8). It just seems difficult, my in-laws camp but they will only travel within an hour of their home and don't go that often.
allen8106
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015
We don't have camping buddies. We are each others camping buddies. I don't go camping to hang out with others (no offense). I go camping to chill and mind my own business.
1L243
Explorer II
Apr 22, 2015
29! You are ahead of the curve...At 29 the wife and I were camping on a motorcycle and sleeping in a tent....

I have traveled a lot and find younger crowds at National Parks, State Parks with attractions. Family's with Toy Haulers headed for the Dunes.... Parents showing their kids what it's all about and maybe reliving great times from when they were kids..

If your looking to camp with a circle of friends I would show your friends what a great time your having camping and RVing... Invite them along. Encourage them to get an RV....
shadows4
Explorer III
Apr 22, 2015
I didn't read all the comments but did see a mention of RV clubs. Does the dealer you bought your Coachmen from sponsor a local club? We are about 20 years older than you but have met several younger families with kids through our Coachmen club. There are monthly campout, State rallies and of course the International Coachmen rally.
Might be worth checking out. Good luck, John
minn_camping_fa
Explorer
Apr 21, 2015
I don't think anyone's mentioned this yet, have you thought of trying a seasonal site? You'd be in the same cg with the same people all season and it would be much easier to get to know them and make friends. Many CG's have regular events like potlucks, etc. to make getting to know others easier.

Just a thought, I realize seasonal sites aren't everyone's cup of tea.

Forum Discussion

Camping Buddies

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

New camping buddy

New camping buddy

Break Buddy

Brake buddy alert

brake buddy