Generators!!!!

Rude neighbors who feel the need to share their music with you. Other campers who don't see the 'invisable' boundry and either setup way too close to our camp or constantly walk through our camp. Screaming kids is another that is high on my list.

During the year we only go to improved camp spots early in the season or towards the end... whenever school is in session seems to produce the least amount of undesirables.

When people with kids set up and tell the kids to go play and let them wander and visit whoever they feel like and never seem to be looked after the whole trip. Some parents really make me wonder what they're thinking.
Lynda

I don't do much camping anymore..mostly for reasons listed here. Same reason I sold my boat. Seem to run into every As****e wherever we went. People launching their boats before you even have the time to get out of the way....impatient people who can't understand why it takes more than 15 seconds to launch a boat etc. But camping is the same thing. Unless you are out in the boonies..and even that doesnt guarantee anything..whole different set of weirdos out there! I once had a couple proceed to pitch a pup tent and hang out in my campsite! What the he**!!! The degree of idiocacy in the human race is simply staggering. Sure, I have run into some very nice folks,,shared bait and beer etc. But the bad sure seemed to be taking over. By the way I sold the boat..spent the money on a greenhouse and 'camp' in my backyard with a firepit and barbeque...and if it rains...I go inside and order a pizza!

People arriving all night long!
my word... nothing like high beams as someone is trying repeatedly to back in and out of a spot at 3 a.m. did these folks say: "let's leave NOW, so we can get there at 3 in the morning? Or, those who get into a domestic dispute and decide to "pack up" at 3 a.m. and leave?
Just when I roll over and say" amen! they're gone!
That's when the other folks who've been driving 18 hours on the road finally get there to take their spot.

I usually avoid campgrounds and find places way back in the backcountry. I usually never see another soul by the time I make camp.

ugh, all of the above...

hey, you guys are bumming me out, with the whole camping season ahead of me I try to avoid thinking about all the negative aspects, ruins the anticipation.

I'm always stunned by how inconsiderate people can be of their fellow campers: noise, trespassing, did I mention NOISE?????? I realized awhile ago that for some people, the minute they get into the campground they decide that manners and good behavior aren't required or needed.

I guess that's what a backpack, hiking boots, and a trail are for...... ;-)

Crying babies.

Hey, I'm a mom. I've dealt with crying babies...in my house. I wouldn't inflict them on the general public. Sure, when they were little we did things and occasionally they'd cry. That is not the same thing as taking a baby - a SMALL baby that is EXPECTED to cry - to a campsite. There are no walls to muffle the sound. All Night Long.

This was the case at our campsite last summer. Ugh. Some may be able to tune it out, but as my youngest is 6, I can't yet do so. Waaaah...by 3 a.m. I felt like wailing too. I was tempted to go over there and help rock the baby! Was it colic? Was he sick? Hungry? Need diapers? Did he need to GO HOME?

If you have a small baby that will cry - and it's not the baby's fault, babies cry - do not go camping!

Hearing other people's music

Loud drunken behavior after quiet time

dogs tied outside and continually barking

Really, the good far outweighs the bad. I avoid campgrounds that offer a lot of entertainment amenities. I prefer rustic, quiet and undeveloped. I avoid koa and the like and also places that have a lot of seasonal sites. I also avoid camping holiday weekends as many times they seem to be nothing more than big party weekends! I really appreciate a quiet natural setting where the campground management is serious about the quiet hour rules.

Many of you may have seen this before but ...

#1. Don't let your kids run wild
We should all be having a great time, but know where your children are and what they are doing at all times - for their safety.

#2. Loud drinking parties
Have a party if you want. Have a great time, but just remember not everyone enjoys the same kind of music as you, and there is really no reason to yell to your fellow party goers - they are only a few feet away. THEY CAN HEAR YOU!!!

#3. Running or cutting through other sites
They may have a dog which is hiding and someone could get hurt. That would ruin everyone's visit to the campground. Plus, how would you like it if a bunch of people you didn't know just started to cut through your yard at home whenever they felt like it. I mean you pay your mortgage/rent, why should anyone have the right to go on your piece of land, right? IT'S THE SAME THING!!!

#4. Barking dogs
Most folks like dogs. They are great companions, but nobody likes a dog who barks excessively. If your dog is barking, go check on them and calm them down. Your neighbors will be happy and your dog will love the attention!

#5. Quiet Hours
Please respect quiet hours. That is the time little kids are in bed and adults may be relaxing from a big day, or even sleeping.

#6. Please put your fire out
Don't leave your fire unattended. Every year we hear of a fire that got out of control and somebody lost everything. Could you imagine if your camper caught on fire or even if somebody else got hurt trying to save your campsite from burning.

#7. Please pick up your dog's poop!
You don't like to step in it. Neither do I !!!

#8. Loud radios
If you have a really nice radio, then show it to me. You never know, I might enjoy your music if I could hear it at a nice respectable volume. Just because the volume goes up to 10, doesn't mean you have to keep it there!!

#9. Please obey the speed limit
Could you imagine if a young child ran out of their site (away from their parents) and came out from behind a car and in front of you. I mean all you were doing was cruising along minding your own business, and now they are under your car - badly hurt or even dead. You don't need the nightmares and neither do their parents!

#10. Don't let your fire just smolder
It smells really bad, then it gets into your camper . . . and mine also.

#11. Dogs on a leash
Some children and adults have been bitten before (by somebody else's dog) or have been really frightened by one. Your dog may be really nice and wouldn't hurt a flea, but dogs really scare some people. So leash them up.

#12. Cigarette butts
Please don't throw them on the ground It's really messy, Plus a spark can smolder and start a fire. If you don't have an ashtray, take a walk over to arts & crafts and ask some little kid (8-13 years old) to please make you one. They will love it.

#13. Don't throw things in the fire
A) Wood burns at 500 degrees. Tin cans melt at 1220 degree's. THEY WONT BURN!!! So please, use the trash barrel and throw them away.
B)Don't throw trash into the fire. The fumes will kill you. JUST THROW IT IN THE DUMPSTER.

#14. Please clean the dump station
After your done using the toilet, you flush everything down the little hole. After your finished using the dump station rinse everything down the little hole.

#15. If you have a dangerous dog
A)Leave him home, have a friend watch them or use a kennel. ACCIDENTS HAPPEN! Its not good for the dog or the people around you if your dog hurts someone. It will ruin everyone's visit.
B) Talk to your children about approaching a strange dog. You wouldn't let them do it at home and they shouldn't do at a campground either. That goes for adults also.

#16 Do not throw bottle caps or pop tops on the ground
If someone is barefoot and steps on them, THERE'S GOING TO BE BLOOD!!! Or a young child could pick it up and put it into the their mouth THERE'S GOING TO BE LOTS OF BLOOD!!!!

#17. In the bathhouse
A) Please clean up the counter after shaving/brushing your teeth. Nobody wants to use the sink with water, spit, shaving cream and toothpaste all over it. That's nasty! Just wipe it with your soiled towel or face cloth.
B)Don't walk around naked. You're not at home and some folks feel very uncomfortable with it.
C)Please don't smoke in the bathhouse. We just took a shower and are nice and clean. Then we have to walk through your cigarette smoke. So much for smelling nice and clean.

#18. Fireworks
They should not be used unless park owners OK it. Somebody could get hurt bad. Plus it drives the dogs nuts.

#19. Honking your horn
Don't honk your horn. WAVE! Everyone waves back. Or just get out of the car and say Hi. When leaving, there is no reason to honk. THEY KNOW YOU ARE LEAVING !!!

#20. If you have a loud generator
Only use it for short lengths of time. Sometimes they can be louder than a radio, and that's really annoying.

#21. Loud motorcycles
God bless America and God bless American-made motorcycles, but not everyone likes the way they sound. Especially after 10 p.m.

#22. Flashlights
Don't shine your flashlight into my site. You have no reason to do that unless you are looking to take something.

#23. Loud trucks (pipes or diesel)
Please don't leave them idling. Yes, it sounds great. But you know what, its going to sound great in 10 minutes Save your gas and turn it off.

#24. Car alarms
I'm glad your car is safe at home but you don't need it here. Everybody brought their own and don't need to take yours. So please turn it off.

#25.Earlybirds and Night Owls
There is absolutely no reason to slam (or let slam) the door. Everyone knows you are excited about your big day of fishing or what not. Or maybe its late and you're reflecting from a great day of fishing. That is no reason to wake us up by slamming your doors.

#26. Vehicle parking
A) Please don't block my site with your vehicle. I also would like to see what's going on around us.
B) Please keep your slide out on your site, not mine. The sites are small enough.

#27. Diapers
Oh what a beautiful baby! So precious, so pure, but what they leave in a diaper shouldn't be on the ground. It will attract wild animals. Also don't throw it in the fire. Just throw it away in the trash, or better yet, put it in your car until you can dispose of it properly.

#28. Kids playing with a campfire
They don't go together. There's nothing like a beautiful kid with his hair or cloths on fire. It's not good! DON'T LET KIDS PLAY WITH THE CAMPFIRE!! EVER!!!

#29. Leave guns at home with the dangerous dog!!

#30. If your child doesn't have a motor vehicle license to drive, then don't let them drive golf carts.

To sum all 30 items, use the Golden Rule:
"Don't do it to me and I promise I won't do it to you !"

Oh yes, and don't be afraid to WAVE and say HI. Its free and doesn't hurt. Plus, it makes everyone just a little bit happier. TRY IT - YOU'LL SEE.

On that note, "Hi! Welcome my new neighbor."

Ken, I think that you hit the nail on the head. Let me add one more: As a woman and mother of 2 young children, I do not encourage my children to urinate outdoors and I don't think that it's appropriate for men to do so either. Plus, I don't want to walk in it and even though you "try" to hide, everyone (including kids) know what you are doing. If you are back in the boondocks, and alone, that is different. Just don't do it in campsites.

Now there you bring up a funny story. My family lives on a few acres fairly remote from other houses. We have horses and a barn. One day while in the barn with my 8 year old daughter she gets this paniced look and said she had to pee "reallly bad". I told her if she didn't think she'd make it to the house that she could go outside between the barn & the large stock trailer. She disappeared for a while and came back with a real big smile and all proud of herself for peeing outside.

Well, I guess I should have explained to her the limitations of such activity...

Last weekend I was away from home camping with my son's Scout group. When we returned my wife told me that sometime during the day on that Saturday my daughter came into the house just beaming with pride and telling my wife that she had just pooped and peed outside ... just like the dogs. To say the least my wife was horrified.

My wife explained to my daughter the many reasons why this wasn't acceptable and then quickly headed outside to pick up the mess. Well ... when she got out there the mess was gone. Apprently one of the dogs cleaned it up for her. Yuck!!

Yes, and after that last message, how soon are you going to let your dog "kiss" you on your mouth? HMMM??>?
by: Rustyj

And please, if you have children, and they want to play with my children's things (bikes, balls, gloves, shovels, etc) just have them ask me. I can't tell you how many times I've had my 3 & 4 year old kids wailing because some "big" kid just helped themselves to one of thier toys.

just a little note on "quiet time".a few years ago i went to cades cove tenn. to enjoy a quiet few days of camping and hopeful of seeing some wildlife.i was in a tent and had a nice cookout but the reallity of the generators blaring till 10 pm(quiet time) really ruined the trip.no birds chirping,leaves rustling or anything.and thats within the rules.just seems silly.

WOW what lists!! Unfortunately in my camping yrs have been witness to most of them as you have.
I sum it up by lumping all under "don't be stupid". Do you really think I want to hear your loud music and 3 dogs barking?? Don't be stupid. YOur rights stop where mine start.

Annoyances are bad enough, but safety (especially child, with 4 of my own to care about) blunders make me crazy. At a campground in VA last year, I made 3 small girls get out of the olympic pool(no lifeguard), and we were the only family at the pool. The older one told me it was ok cause she could swim and the younger ones had life jackets, but I showed her the "parent must accompany" sign and made them get out. They were maybe age 5 to 7 or 8 yrs tops, and their parents stayed at the campsite (hmm....)and had sent them on their bikes to the pool BY THEMSELVES! Are you stupid? or just stupid.

We don't go camping alot but Ive found Stateparks to enforce rules. But privitely owned ones are a community party. I stayed at a Jellystone park had a horrible time golf carts with music all night long. I stayed three nights I seen police drive through two of those nights and an ambalance I dont know why but it couldn't be good.

here's two more that I'm sorry to have experienced:

when having guests arrive at your campsite for a visit, there's really no need for them to BLARE THE CAR HORN to get your attention as they pull in. (And once again upon leaving too).
Newsflash: people are enjoying the quiet of the woods, to get AWAY from sounds like that.
and,
When arriving with your motorcycling friends after dark to set up camp, the blaring music, loud conversation and revving of engines is not polite to your neighbors, some of whom have gone to bed or at the very least are enjoying a quiet evening by the campfire. We know that while riding you have to yell over the sound of the engine but when the engine is off, YOU DON'T NEED TO SHOUT ANYMORE!!!
(Those who've replaced their legal Harley mufflers with the aftermarket loud type should be seriously concerned about their hearing loss, it's obvious).
And you don't need to start your bike up during the middle of the night many times. Oddly enough, most people are trying to sleep around 3 a.m., go figure.

Thanks, I feel better now.

So, I'm a little late on this topic, but here it goes:

1. Litter

2. Loud music

3. Screaming kids/babies

4. Dogs barking way too much

5. Drive-in campsites

6. Litter, again. I hate finding trash in the wilderness left by lazy city-slickers. Feel free to destroy your surroundings, just leave mine as you found it.

People that don't take care of their dogs.

I love my dogs, and I want to continue to enjoy the privilage of taking them on trips and to the beach. Those few pet owners that don't clean up when they poop, and allow them to bark are going to ruin it for the rest of us.

Keep your dog on a leash unless you are at a remote part of the beach where there are no other people or pets. Our dogs might not like each other, and some people are afraid of dogs. It isn't fair to anyone when you aren't responsible.

We spend a lot of time at the beach. When your dog takes a dump in the sand, please pick it up! I don't want to come trotting through and step in the pile you left or covered with sand.

Reading all these responses, I'm just amazed! We've been camping for years, and have never encountered most of these problems at all. We usually go camping at one of the state parks in Cape Cod and other parts of New England, where the sites are roomy, private, and very quiet.

But now, we're spending two weeks at a 'resort campground' here in CT. The sites are small, the people are up all night partying, they go to bed and leave their fires burning. But what really gets me is that we've got all kinds of kids coming over to our site and no sign of parents. We have kids ourselves, who want to play with these others, so I can't toss them out completely. But the first day I was going seven different directions as they tried to untie our dogs, snoop through our cupboards, asked me for snacks, drinks, and even for dinner. I lined them up and told them the rules for playing at our site, and a seven year old girl told me that her mother says she doesn't have to obey strangers, a boy points out that his big sister is developmentally delayed and I'll just have to watch her, 'cause she doesn't understand.

Last night at nine o'clock, the seven year old girl was knocking on our camper door. She'd been watching for us to come back, she said, and she wanted to come in and watch a movie with our son now. What kind of a parent lets their kid go alone at night to a camper they can't even see from their site, and sit inside with people they've never met?

There was a quote by an author (Cal Thomas) about living fifty or sixty or more years ago as compared with today -

"Things were cheap then,
but life was valuable.
Now life is cheap and
things are valuable".

Not a bad list,twsii, except for:
#29. Leave guns at home with the dangerous dog!!
What you had in mind posting this one I can't imagine, but it's plain foolishness here in the SouthWest US. Several folks have been killed since the ban on cougar hunting in these parts, and me and mine don't plan on becoming one of them. I wouldn't leave the house for work without my P4, let alone be in the back country without my M4-gery.

Well we have not had to many bad expericences with our camping neighbors. We have found most of them to be friendly. The only thing we really wish is that parents would control their children more.
I also believe that tent camping should be seperate from campers, just do to the extra noise.

~Mary Ann

Here is a link that might be useful: Yahoo Group for Campers in WV-VA-MD-PA area.. come check it out!