Camping Buddies

[Scott_85]

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.

[Markiemark32]

Statistically the cards are stacked against you. Many young families do not RV/Camp routinely and you are in the minority, although stats are changing some.

Like several have said, introduce friends to the adventures, and investigate campgrounds with kid activities.



Several you all are taking his comments/question incorrectly (no offense anybody).
~~** He never says they do not interact with the older people, just “ would like to meet people to hang out thats our age and have kids that close to our sons age.”

“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. “

“First of all that is your loss as you will miss out on learning more about RV'ing, etc. by not interacting with seasoned campers”





This is a pretty good take on the situation, we also run into:

We've struggled with making friends in our day to day life, and much more for camping friends. We've got one family that we've done things with about once a month for the last 10 years. Outside of that, everyone in my life is just an aquantence that I have to talk to early enough to get on their calendar. Even then, they'll only see us if nothing better comes up.

I think this is a comment on modern society as a whole. Technology has taken us all further apart, not closer. I have a few hundred people that will hit "like" when I post a camping picture, but none that will actually come along.

Now, before you go thinking I'm hard to get along with and the problem, you must know that my wife is very sweet and this phenomenon still happens to us!

We have had camping friends come along as guests a couple of times, and I was left feeling like a "host", not a camping buddy. Expenses went up, the amount of work went up...my time relaxing in a lawn chair went down.

Where to find friends that have their own camper and kids that match us? That's a tough one? I will say, our boys have made friends on almost every trip. Within minutes.


We have one routine family that camps with us, due to our shared RV/camping and Mtn Biking passion.
This has also run it's course and has become less and less, due to difference type of travel (they tend to not travel far and we get out further distances), we did change to a Class C, vs. a travel trailer situation and friend have a larger Toyhauler (not as easy to travel distances).


Get out there and make lasting adventures, you may or may not find that optimal camping buddy!

Markiemark:C

[fla-gypsy]

Started off camping with friends from church and then found a small local camping group through an on line page. Pretty much just keep it to one or two others we met there but none of us have minor children now.

[azrving]

Possible resource

[michigansandzil]

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.

We are in our late 30s and our kids are 12, 10, and 6.
If you have an 8 year old boy, try your school cub scouting group. That's where we found our camping family.

We camp at Yogi Bear type campgrounds often with lots of other young families. We've made friends there, but only the campfire type friends. Nobody we've ever kept in touch with or made other plans to get together.

We met our camping family 6 years ago through cub scouts. The friendship started off slowly of course, but has built over time. First one invited the entire pack to a family campout and we had fun. Then, we organized a family campout and they came and we had fun. Their boys are out of scouts now but we still enjoy camping together at least 4 times a year.

[murphysranch]

Never heard of Jellystone CG's. Looked it up. No wonder. There is one on the West coast.

[samhain7]

We have camped with different families of people we hang out with at home and it wasn't a good match camping 3 out of 4 times.....

We usually meet people at the site, and my kids are usually the ones that do the seeking (They are very social through sports).

I like it that way because taking people with you, I felt the obligation to hang with them. When you meet strangers, if it isn't a good match, you just stick to your campsite....

BTW, i am 43 and have kids your age...LOL. So much for being young...

[rockhillmanor]

Wife and I are both 29 and it seems that every campground we go its filled with older people (no offense to anybody)

First of all that is your loss as you will miss out on learning more about RV'ing, etc. by not interacting with seasoned campers. :C

1. Look for CG's that are close to attractions, big amusement parks, etc.
Those CG's are loaded with campers with kids!

2. AND don't forget to stop at any and all

Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park CG's

= kid havens!
http://www.campjellystone.com/find-a-park/

All us 'old folks' as you call us, over the age of 30, don't go near those so you will be safe. :W

[Tvov]

One of the families in our "group" grew up camping, and we tented with them a few times until we decided we wanted to get a TT. We "grew away" from that first family, but another family we are close with ended up buying a TT a few years after we did and we ended up camping with them a few times a year, for almost 10 years. Then we had another family join us for a couple trips for a few years.

Then all our kids grew up, activities change, weekends just become clogged with other things to do. Our last "hurrah", Memorial Day weekend, is not happening anymore. It is just life.

Actually, no one we know well camps as much as we do. Our kids are in college now, and basically don't camp with us anymore.

Wife and I are still camping, and we have 5 trips planned for this year.

As to meeting people to camp with? Hmmm.... When you go to "kid centric" or "family" campgrounds, many times kids will just start playing with other kids. We've met a few other families when our kids brought over new "friends". Think about buying a bunch of "dollar store" toys that your son can share without worrying about them breaking or getting lost. Go over to the campsite of kids that your son meets, say hello. "Feel them out" a little bit (or a LOT bit) - Invite them for dinner, lunch, or breakfast. Ask if they are going to the Bingo or show or movie the campground is showing. Of course, always compliment and ask about their camper - everyone wants to talk about their camper!

One thing to try is consistently going to certain campgrounds. We ended up seeing a couple families more than once over the years because a couple campgrounds we always went to on the same "theme" weekend - Halloween weekends are HUGE around us, and then there is "Christmas in July", and our favorite campground has a "Cowboy Weekend" (yes, kids actually run around with cap guns!).

Keep your attitude and campsite open and friendly. I always make a point to at least say hello to our immediate neighbors when we are camping... that way we kind of keep an eye on each others campsites, and our kids will "know" our neighbors for the weekend. Try not to "push" it... you'll run into people and families as time goes on. Some want to be friendly, others just want to get away from their house on the weekend.

Just go camping!

[2112]

We met most of ours at our daughters sporting activities (softball & soccer). We became friends with their teammates parents while hanging out during practice and games.

We didn't own a camper so we rented different campers for several years. Our families passion for camping spun from there.

Over the years we have all drifted in different directions. My oldest DD is now 34 and youngest DS is 25. As far as I know none of them are still in touch with the kids they camped with nor are we with their parents.

We currently do not have camping buddies and kind of like it that way.

[tragusa3]

I can appreciate your topic. My wife and I are creeping up on 50, so I think/hope I fall in the middle somewhere. LOL We did have children late in life, and have twin 10 year old boys.

We've struggled with making friends in our day to day life, and much more for camping friends. We've got one family that we've done things with about once a month for the last 10 years. Outside of that, everyone in my life is just an aquantence that I have to talk to early enough to get on their calendar. Even then, they'll only see us if nothing better comes up.

I think this is a comment on modern society as a whole. Technology has taken us all further apart, not closer. I have a few hundred people that will hit "like" when I post a camping picture, but none that will actually come along.

Now, before you go thinking I'm hard to get along with and the problem, you must know that my wife is very sweet and this phenomenon still happens to us! 😉

We have had camping friends come along as guests a couple of times, and I was left feeling like a "host", not a camping buddy. Expenses went up, the amount of work went up...my time relaxing in a lawn chair went down.

Where to find friends that have their own camper and kids that match us? That's a tough one? I will say, our boys have made friends on almost every trip. Within minutes. If I can take any clue from how they do it, you must stand in front of someone's camp site and stare at them until they come over and say hi. Last time I did that, the camp host asked us to leave. Hahaha.

[tpi]

I have early 30s friend with a big motorhome so they're out there. I agree with the idea of seeking out the most kid friendly campgrounds. There has to be younger parents at these. One that strikes me, just as example, here in CA is the Petaluma KOA. There's so many kids I'm probably not going back myself but for you it would be perfect.

Also open yourself up to a broad definition of camping. Some of my camping friends camp in tents. Be flexible that you're not always in full hookup RV park.

Keep your eyes open around the neighborhood...

[Goostoff]

Wanna make freinds really quick. Get yourself a big "scarey" dog. Every time I walk my Rottweiler I have a swarm of kids wanting to pet him. This always brings out paranoid parents. This gives me the opertunity to educate people about how certain breeds get a bad reputation for no reason, and make some freinds at the same time. I think some of them actually like the dog more than me but I am OK with that.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

We made friends and then talked them in to going camping with us!

[colliehauler]

There are campgrounds geared for younger families, Jellystone KOA ect that have activities for kids. State and federal campgrounds tend to draw a younger crowd as well.

None of my friends or family camp or RV. I've met a lot of likeminded people camping. You already have something in common, you like camping, travel and adventures.

[Mountain_Mama]

Maybe have your son invite a friend to go camping with him. Maybe he'll get his parents interested! If not, invite someone different the next time.

As suggested, walk the CG and meet people!

There is also a Family Camping section on this forum. Have you checked it out?