RE: Camping clubs... the best & the worst

[Trlrboy]

 
A lot of you have been on club campouts over the years.  What specific things did the organizers do that you liked a lot and what did they do that you thought should be trashed?

[Red neff Barchetta]

 Trlrboy
I think what makes our group such a success (besides the terrific people) is that there are NO rules, dues, guidelines, restrictions, etc...  Heck, we even have tenters, TT s, Westafalia s, and Caravan s included.  Our monthly rallies run from 12 to 20 sites usually.  Some do day trips together, others go exploring by themselves, and others just relax.  You can eat/hang out by yourself or with the group it doesn t matter.  You can bring something to share or not, nobody cares.  We always end up with 3 times too much food anyway.  Kids and adults come and go throughout the sites all day long.  Some will sit by the fire, others will hang out by the food, and others will play horseshoes or play guitar.  The only real organization that occurs is that someone suggests a rally and becomes wagonmaster to handle reservations (if needed) and the like.  As long as we all arrive at the same cg on the same w/e then the rest is free-form.
 With that said, we will be having a very large 4-5 day rally in June that Brian/SactoCamper (who I m sure will check in here soon) is commandeering incredibly well.  With the numbers that will be there, it will be nice to have a more structured way of checking out each other s PU s and having events for kids and adults scheduled for those who want to partake in them.
 What I like to say about our group is that nobody will ever be hungry, sad (at least for very long), or cold.  If someone needs a heater or blankets for example, they re usually offered twice as much as is needed.
 In my experiences, people that like the outdoors and camping are usually friendly people so the rest takes care of itself.

[garym053]

 Trlrboy
I probably should not be the one to answer this for our church s Fellowship Club because I m the one that organizes the camping trips!!!
 What works for us is freedom! The freedom to do whatever you please while still camping together as a group, if that makes sense! We have a potluck supper together and a church service on Sunday mornings together but other than that everyone is free to do as they please.
 We have tried to add different programs at different times, but they are sparsely attended. We did a Loon presentation once, as my wife and I are volunteers for the VT Loon Recovery Project, and even that was attended by less than 10 of the club members.
 It seems just letting people do their own thing is best.

[tlhdoc]

 Trlrboy
I also have found that the freedom to do what you want is the best part.  Nothing to structured.  Just relax and enjoy.

[Camping Coxes]

 garym053

What works for us is freedom! The freedom to do whatever you please while still camping together as a group, if that makes sense! We have a potluck supper together and a church service on Sunday mornings together but other than that everyone is free to do as they please.

 So, so true!  Our pastor schedules our campouts to the minute practically.  If you sneak off to see some of the local sites, you are informed that is a no-no when you get back.  I tried to explain that just hanging out and being together where you can get to know someone is fellowship in itself, but he doesn t see it that way.  Guess that s why we don t go anymore.

[JemJen24]

 Trlrboy
Yep, the NTPUCA is really laid back and easy going.  You are not bound to an agenda and you can still do " your own thing" .  They have a Saturday night potluck where you can meet and greet and get to know MOST everyone (I think it ll take me MANY trips to really get to know everyone!).
 
 Here are some specific things the NTPUCA did that I thought were pretty neat:
 
 1.  Potluck
 2.  Scheduled a golfing outing for golfing enthusiasts
 3.  The margarita party (yum yum) [8D]
 4.  Placing yellow, easily identifiable,  " This space reserved for the NTPUCA"  signs at each campsite
 5.  All the dog owners were VERY respectful and responsible.  You didn t see dogs just running ammuck.  That was a definite plus for me. [&:]
 
 
 I also think our group has some of the sweetest, most well behaved kids!  The parents did an excellent job raising these sweeties.  I don t think I heard or saw one fit, tantrum, or fight the entire 3 days.[]
 
 Jennifer []

[SheBantam]

 Trlrboy
PUT Rally last year at Eagles Peak started with a bang. What should have been done differently?
 
 Have people that run the office in the campground know how to open attachments. If they do not know how to open attachments, then the campground should have blocked off a section and had people reserve but pay through PUT first with a unique verification number called into campground and individual sites reserved.  This campground was just not prepared nor organized.  This was my 4th trip there and by far not what I had experienced in the past.
 
 Campground needs to coordinate better with group s scheduled activities.  If seasonals cannot do without their bingo, then the groups plans need to be placed elsewhere.
 
 What went right? Most of the campout. Good friends, meeting new friends, getting along, having fun and enjoying each other s company. the dinner and breakfast were great. Campground did help settle rowdy neighbors (having their own rally, not part of ours) down when it was pointed out to them.