We Don’t Need No Sticking Rules
Every camper should already know the rules and the camphost is responsible for rule enforcement. So as a camphost, I say that when you go camping, you should know and follow the rules? Why are there rules for camping anyway? Yes I get asked that. Why does the Camphost interfere with my trying to have a good time? Where are the rules anyway? To answer why there are rules, a campground is a mini community, with neighbors, families, and friends. Everyone came to have a good time. But your good time should not take away your neighboring camper’s enjoyment of the campground. The campground host, also known as, the Camphost, is tasked with facilitating the enjoyment of all campers in the campground. The rules are based on principles of safety, comfort, and respect for the individual, the environment, and the property.
The rules that campers are asked to obey are universal to every campground in America, they are clearly posted at the entrance to the campground. This means that it is the camper’s responsibility to read and know the rules. As a Camphost. I just don’t understand why campers feel that by removing the walls of a house, they can cut loose and not be respectful of others.
What are the rules?
Pay your camp fees- If a camper does not have a reservation, they must pay their camping fees, within 30 minutes of choosing your camp site, these fees are clearly listed at the entry kiosk and pay envelops are likely provided.
Speed limits- Camping is a family activity, you never know when a child may dart into the road; animals such as squirrels, fox, deer, and bears can be on the road; few campgrounds have sidewalks, campers use the road to access campground amenities. 15 MPH is a safe braking speed in a campground.
Site condition- Don’t leave trash laying around the site, Forest Rangers can cite you for trash on the ground. You should leave the site cleaner than it was when you arrived. If there are no trash containers available, take out what you brought in. Pack It In, Pack It Out.
Campfires– It is the camper’s responsibility to know if there are fire restrictions in place, to know if permits are needed and where to obtain them (online on the US Forest website or at a Ranger Station), and to know if the they are allowed to bring firewood into the campground. Fire safety is ALL camper’s responsibility, do not go to bed, take a walk, or leave the campground with a fire going. Most of the wildfires in America were started by careless campers. Be fire aware.
Pets- Going camping with your dog is a great experience, not picking up after your dog or keeping your dog on a leash is bad manners. A barking dog is annoying to all campers. Last season, the Forest Rangers told me that a camper had lost two dogs, the camper believed that the campground host should be responsible for finding their dog, I found out that they went 4x4ing and left the dogs tied to the picnic table, the dogs got loose. It is not the camphost responsibility to watch or find a camper’s abandoned dogs.
Dishwashing- It is bad form to wash your dishes in the fresh water spigots or bathroom sinks, a camper should bring a pot for hot water and dishwashing pans in order to wash dishes in their site. Using hot water will assist in the health and enjoyment of all campers in your group. Dispose of your dirty water safely.
Children- Camping is a great family activity, guests are responsible for the behavior, activities, and the where-a-bouts of their children at all times. The camphost may send out for law enforcement or emergency personnel if needed, but it is not the hosts responsibility to look out for camper’s children.
The rules in a campground are for safety, comfort, and respect for other camper’s, the environment, and for individuals. The Camphosts responsibility is to enforce the rules of the campground, it is the camper’s responsibility to know what the rules are.
All of the articles on my blog come from being a camper from the time I was eight years old. I bought my first RV when I was 30, a tent trailer. I traded the tent trailer for a 26′ bumper pull trailer, then a 5th wheel, and I now have a 38′ Newmar Mountainare Class A motorhome. Once I retired from the Motion Picture Industry after a 39 year career, my wife and I sold the house, and moved into the motorhome. We have been traveling, managed an RV Park in Washington, worked at a lake in Southern California (I was the Maintenance Manager), and are planning our seventh season as the campground hosts at a campground in the Los Padres National Forest, in Southern California. We love the Full Time RV Lifestyle. See my course on https://howtofulltimerv.com
