Being “good neighbors” extends to camping as well. Do you practice similar courtesies as the FMCA members below? Read their responses to the discussion topic this month:
How do you practice the custom of leaving a campsite, campground, or other place you visit better than when you arrived?
From the time we were tent campers with the kids, we were very aware of how the campsite would be for the next family to arrive after us. This has carried over to our motorhome “camping” days. Foremost is to be extremely careful with the sewer dump connections, using an airtight connection at all times to prevent any contamination of the area. When involved in group activities, we have a big plastic garbage bag for all to use. We carry a collapsible rake to tidy up the graveled area, and we place the picnic table back in its designated spot.
Bill Hendrix, F761s
Erie, Colorado
As full-timers for 15 years, we take pride in leaving our campsite better than it was when we arrived, just as we have done throughout our 44 years of camping. We start two or three days before we plan on leaving the site by doing little things so that by the last day, nothing of our own is left behind. We like to take care of any overgrown weeds or trash that may have gone astray. The water and sewer area should be left clean. Over the years we have noted how others have left their campsite — good and bad — and have taken tips from them. We feel it is a privilege to live our lifestyle. It is like being invited to someone’s home each time we visit a new campground, so we love being treated like a welcomed guest.
Eric & Bernadette Berland, F270976
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
We travel in a group of five motohomes. Upon arrival at a campground, our site usually has bottle caps, cigarette butts, and glass in the fire ring. Cleaning up others’ trash at my site makes me feel better, and it is clean for the next camper. The group sets out a pop-up trash can for our outdoor garbage, and we recycle when available. We all eat together and return the borrowed picnic tables to their sites. Even our grandchildren help clean up. Nightly campfires are fun, and we are careful to put ashes out when finished. When leaving, we give extra wood to neighbors. We practice the motto “Take out what you bring in.” We are happy campers!
Arlene Chiarolanzio, F181694
Florham Park, New Jersey
Many years ago we moved up to motorhoming from tent camping, via a camper and a travel trailer, because we were and are avid Jeepers and backcountry explorers (we love searching out Arizona ghost towns from the 1800s). Because of our off-roading background and our upbringing, my wife, Saraine, and I have always been “trash pickers.” I don’t mean that we prowl the cans on trash day; I mean we’re constantly picking up trash whenever and wherever we see it, whether it’s on the trail or around our dry camp. We have a Trasharoo strapped to our Jeep’s spare tire. It’s like a huge backpack for our Jeep, and it holds a contractor-size heavy-duty plastic trash bag. Any bottle, bag, or blowing trash we see along the trails goes into the Trasharoo. Whenever we’re packing up to leave our campsite — be it primitive dry camping, a Walmart lot, or an upscale RV campground — we both circle the area to make sure we, our pets, or someone else has not left an unseemly deposit for the next occupants to discover.
Jim Brightly, F358406
Kingman, Arizona
Future questions:
1. Recall a time when you were traveling and an unexpected delay turned out surprisingly well.
2. Where’s the best place to view the night sky when you’re camping?