Camping? When did you start.

[mpfireman]

When you were introduced to the camping lifestyle, was that first experience in your back yard, a KOA type park, Other types of private camps, or State, Federal or Local facilities.
When we as a family, ( there were 8 of us) started camping it was in State parks, and for the most part of these past 50 plus years, it still is our FIRST choice when we hit the road. There are probably 5 states that we have not camped in over these many years, mainly along the East coast. Our last long trip was out West and covered over 7,000 miles, covering 13 States, as we camped in 12 National parks.

[Nutinelse2do]

Started tent camping in the late 60's with my parents when I was a tiny squirt. That was the good old days when you could camp right down on the Black River in the White Mountains of Az.

In my early 20's, my boyfriend at the time ( now DH of 19 years ) borrowed his Uncle's Class C so we could park infield at PIR.

DH's parents had been RV'rs since the 70's, so that's when he started.

We were both hooked after that PIR trip in the early 90's, and never looked back. Will be hitting the road fulltiming Spring of 2015.

[mdcamping]

Very basic short history for me, I started in 1998, been doing it ever since.

Mike

[Escargot]

60 years ago as a 7 year old "inner city" girl when my mother sent me to summer camp for two weeks in the Catskills. I returned every summer as a camper, until I was a senior camper, Counselor in Training, and Counselor for three years, and then I was there for two full summer months each year.

Still in touch with many of the girls I attended camp with as a camper; and many of the boys from our brother camps. We are truly sisters and brother from different mothers.

[lfcjasp]

My first experience was camping in a family friend's trailer when my family was visiting the Seattle World's Fair back in 196????? Then Dad designed and built a big wooden box on wheels with a tent topper (Sears sewed the canvas). It had a rack to hold the outside kitchen Dad designed and built. The box held our clothes, food, toys, you name it. Mom and Dad would take the box top off and it folded down onto the ground. There were mattresses on the inside box top and the inside of the top (on the ground) had linoleum flooring. We two older daughters had our air mattresses and sleeping bags on that floor, flanking the door. Mom, Dad and the two younger girls slept on the mattresses on the box. He could maneuver the thing by himself, it was so well balanced! He towed it behind our 1953 Olds.

Years later, my new DH had a truck camper that we used for several years when our girls were little. Then no camping forever until we got into Civil War reenacting. Now it was a canvas A tent, cooking over a fire with cast iron cookware, a little porta-potty for nights, only "AC" was when we opened the flaps to let air flow through.

We finally took the plunge and got our MH and we've been loving that! We have AC, our own real bathroom, bed that's off the ground and not a cot...We're still sitting outside under the awning (yeay!), cook over a fire when we want to...so glad to be camping again...okay RVing:)

Our last reenactment was the first weekend in Nov. 2014 and it was cold, damp and raw. No tent this time...took the camper this trip (first time)...so nice to come home to a warm place and warm bed at night!!!

[Toolguy5]

Both my wife and I camped when we were kids growing up. When we met and got married we bought a tent and camped for several years. Then we just became to busy. My line of work it was hard to take time off in the summer.
Tried camping a few times on family vacations with a tent but always end up staying in hotels. Could not take the hard ground anymore.
Then in 2000 the local RV dealer had a sale right before Memorial Day. We bought a TT. We traded that off in 2004 on a larger TT and the last year of work we traded that have on our current 5er.
We made two long trips this year. Hope to make many more in 2015.

[tatest]

About 1955, tents, primitive campgrounds in public recreation areas and state forests, mostly with scouts. Tent camping through 70s, and still occasionally. But when I retired in 2004 we got a RV so we can go out to campgrounds and not have to camp.

[lbrjet]

I grew up in Antioch, IL. My parents never camped. When I was 12 they allowed me to start overnighting in the woods at Antioch Lake with a sleeping bad, no tent. Bought my first tent at 15 and had 3 different tents over the next 38 years, but only that one sleeping bag. Started with an RV 4 years ago. My 41 year old green Coleman cooler is still going strong, which my parents bought me for my 16th birthday. To this day they still don't understand the appeal. My wife grew up in CT camping every weekend with her family.

[Opie431]

In 1947 we went camping in a home made tent trailer. What I remember most is my six or seven year old brother getting drunk on my father's peppermint schnapps.Parents were sleeping and we got up early. Not sure of the spelling there.

[littlemo]

From the time I was born (1952). That was the only "vacation" we had. We had some old army cots and if it was raining we strung a tarp.
We lived close to a lake and river so had many places to camp. Favorite was taking an old trail to river.

Lots of wonderful memories.

[RoadAbode]

C-Bears wrote:


First Time: 1962 as a Boy Scout, there were about 20 of us. It was a lot of fun and we learned a bunch.

Second Time: 1971 Vietnam, there was a bunch of us. Not so much fun and we didn't learn anything.

Third Time: 2012 started full time in our fiver. Only two of us, and it is a lot of fun and we are learning a lot.

C-Bears, I think your post is my favorite. Thanks for your service and am glad you now have a chance to be "learning a lot" with Just the two of ya.
Hope you enjoy a wonderful holiday - and a great New Year!

[colliehauler]

wompusderg wrote:
I just bought a truck camper. gutting it, remodeling, haven't done this before, but can't wait to get out and camp off grid. this is my first reply so... thank you-

Welcome to the forum. Enjoy that truck camper when your done.

[down_home]

About age four or maybe three. Down by the crick and in the woods all around us. Down in the gulf, and down the spine, of the mountains. Didn't know I was supposed to be afraid until The women told me.
By myself of course just down to the crick and around the house or as far as I though I could get away with. Didn't have a tent. Rake pine needles under a cedar or group of small trees and pull a coat over me.
Different times. By age 6 I was cutting firewood with an axe hauling water from the spring and well and walking to town by myself.
Nobody messed with me or anyone.

[Dog_Folks]

wompusderg wrote:
I just bought a truck camper. gutting it, remodeling, haven't done this before, but can't wait to get out and camp off grid. this is my first reply so... thank you-

Welcome. Glad to see you participating.

Happy Camping.

[wompusderg]

I just bought a truck camper. gutting it, remodeling, haven't done this before, but can't wait to get out and camp off grid. this is my first reply so... thank you-