Pa Open for Camping

Went last weekend - so May 15-17. A Thousand Trails property in PA. In general it was handled very well in terms of distancing and people wearing masks. All facilities were closed so no problem with picking up COVID from a shared surface. The only staff interaction was getting my parking pass at check-in, which was handled at the entry shack and not in the office. Fishing was still 'open' on the creek frontage. I will say not everyone wore a mask all the time including me. We just weren't in close proximity to anyone else at any time. On paper you needed a mask if leaving your site. I'm much more concerned going for groceries than camping.

pasusan wrote:

wildtoad wrote:
No miracle required, just don’t hug the guy in the next campsite...

Pennsylvania has a total estimated population of around 12,820,878.

To date, 42,050 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19. This says that .32% of the TOTAL population has been diagnosed with Covid-19, and/or have received treatment.

Of the people who have been diagnosed only 3.7% (1,597 deaths), died from it. The vast majority of these have been elderly, and had preexisting conditions. Not inferring that these deaths should be taken lightly. These are not huge numbers.

When compared to the total population, the number that have died represents a .012% of the population,

I think the numbers point out most residents and visitors to PA can go camping with a good sense that they will make it back home again NOT infected with Covid-19. Maybe a rash from poison ivey or some bug bites. So go camping and have fun.

This makes total sense for folks with completely self-contained RVs. We have been camping in our class B, so we use the dreaded restrooms. That's why we are hoping for a miracle. ;)

Build a bathroom in a 8' cargo trailer and tow it behind the B =)

huskyfan68 wrote:
Probably a stupid question- but I am getting conflicting info. PA private campgrounds are open- does that include cabin rentals?

Totally depends on the campground and location. We have camped twice already and will be heading out again this weekend all to private campgrounds. 2 of the 3 we had state park reservations canceled so we scrambled to get private. Anyway, some of them say yes with a limit of 1 family unit per cabin and others are just saying no. Seems every website has a COVID19 document to read that gives their specific info, or you can call/email.

Definitely going to be an interesting weekend. State park canceled our reservations on Monday for this coming weekend leaving us little time to adjust. After looking online and calling no less than 20 campgrounds (all sold out) we finally found a site. Hopefully everyone will be respectful and keep distance. My biggest concern is the kids. Last week the park we were had full 5 v 5 basketball games going, large kid groups playing some sort of hiding game (manhunt??), etc.

Yes. My daughter rented a cabin 2 weeks ago.

Probably a stupid question- but I am getting conflicting info. PA private campgrounds are open- does that include cabin rentals?

dedmiston wrote:

Lantley wrote:
I trust everyone was wearing face mask during this conversation?
I'm not against relaxing the rules and opening things up for camping however I'm not naive enough to believe that opening things up does not come with the risk of additional spread.

We were outdoors and ten yards away from each other. No masks.

AS I said I'm OK with camping I think its great however it will come with additional risk.
Mosseater Wrote:
Can anybody explain how me camping 50 feet away from another family outdoors is anywhere near an considered risk?
My point was there will be interactions associated with the trip.
I'm not saying you did not practice social distancing however if there were no mask used there was a chance of droplets,aerosols and transmission.
One of the reasons mask are mandatory in retail places in MD is to eliminate droplets and aerosols.
I agree the risk was minimal, but it was certainly more than if camping were still shut down and you stayed home.
As much as I want to go camping and get things going. I do understand and accept that opening up society will increase the risk of spread. Nevertheless I accept those risk and plan to camp.
I do think we need to be mindful of all our interactions and understand the inherent risk of a simple conversation.

Lantley wrote:
I trust everyone was wearing face mask during this conversation?
I'm not against relaxing the rules and opening things up for camping however I'm not naive enough to believe that opening things up does not come with the risk of additional spread.

We were outdoors and ten yards away from each other. No masks.

dedmiston wrote:

zb39 wrote:
In todays world it is easy to buy gas, food, and firewood without interaction with anyone. I can do it in my small town of 1200 people.

I bought firewood last week. I always go to the same place and I always help unload the wheelbarrows into my truck when the guy isn't there and his wife is working or when the guy is there and he's loading up the next wheelbarrow while I'm unloading one. Last week though, I wasn't paying attention and realized that the guy stood there talking with me while I unloaded all three loads myself. He totally suckered me. :B

So yeah, we were both wearing gloves and not standing near each other. Totally safe.

I trust everyone was wearing face mask during this conversation?
I'm not against relaxing the rules and opening things up for camping however I'm not naive enough to believe that opening things up does not come with the risk of additional spread.

zb39 wrote:
In todays world it is easy to buy gas, food, and firewood without interaction with anyone. I can do it in my small town of 1200 people.

I bought firewood last week. I always go to the same place and I always help unload the wheelbarrows into my truck when the guy isn't there and his wife is working or when the guy is there and he's loading up the next wheelbarrow while I'm unloading one. Last week though, I wasn't paying attention and realized that the guy stood there talking with me while I unloaded all three loads myself. He totally suckered me. :B

So yeah, we were both wearing gloves and not standing near each other. Totally safe.

In todays world it is easy to buy gas, food, and firewood without interaction with anyone. I can do it in my small town of 1200 people.