RE: Camping alone as a woman

[garym053]

 JemJen24
I think it s very unlikely that you will encounter any problems, BUT on the other hand, I m glad to see you are looking at ways to protect yourself. We live in Vermont, and Camp and XC Ski in VT and NH. About two years ago, a lone female hiker was killed, almost within shouting distance of the Pinkham Notch AMC headquarters, near where we ski. To this day they have not arrested anyone in connection with it! NH is a state that has a handful or less murders every year and most of those are probably spouse vs spouse, or some family relation gone mad! (I tell ya, the Winters up here get to everyone!) But seriously, the woman was from Quebec, Canada, and as far as they know was just hiking and camping minding her own business!
 So it is far better to be safe than sorry!

[mike4947]

 JemJen24
Actually I ve found women alone have less trouble than men alone.  After my divorce when the locals found out I was deluged with cassoroles and dinner invites to others campers. Of course they always seem to have an unattached female with them. What is it about a man alone that brings out the matchmaker in others?
 It got to the point I d lie about when I was going camping to get a little piece and quiet.

[byrdr1]

 JemJen24
I have a friend who camps without her Husband and has for the last 3 years, first year with a tent and then the last 2 with PU and Now she has bought herself a 19 TT.  SHE has her son who is 12 help her and she always has a good time. If she has ever had problem she has never shared that with us. She camps mainly State CG s and she is going with us the beach this Spring break. Her first long tow with new TT and truck pulling it. She will travel down with my family and another couple pulling their PU to make sure she doesnt have any problems..
 I would think you will be OK as long as YOU know what you are doing with camper and towing and set-up.. My friend did have one bad problem 2 years ago, we all went to the mountians and she pulled out her back and we had to help her finish setting up and take down.We cooked for her and her family the rest of the weekend and one of the other wives had to drive her down the mountain and home.. That is the only time she ever had a problem..
 Have a great campin  year!!!
 Randy

[ShirleyT]

 JemJen24
My DD and I go down to the cabin by ourselves but I guess I don t worry too much about it since it is lake lots and everyone owns their lots and we don t get a lot of strangers. I do however keep the cabin locked at night and when we are going to town or out on the water. I dont lock it if my family is down there with us or my neighbors are around.
 
 I use to let my daughter go walking by herself but after so many things have happened she has to have someone else with her if she wants to go for a walk.

[CathyAnn]

 JemJen24
Jen, we would love to go camping sometime with you alone, or with your hubby!  Just let us know!  And if Mr. JemJen (lol) can t go, my hubby will look after both us girls. []
 
 
 CathyAnn
 
 P.S.  We like to fish too, and I usually out-fish dh.  He hates it cuz I am too big a wimp to get the thing off my hook!!!  Hehe.

[Gamecock Camper]

 JemJen24
Hey Jennifer,
 
 You should be 99.9% safe when camping without your DH as we have always met only very nice families and family types when camping.  Most people are more than willing to help just for the asking or if they see you might need a hand with something.  I agree with what others have said here about the men s boots and other gear though.  I ve always been told that when you want to be security conscious that you need to just make your neighbor s house (or campsite in this case) look like an easier target.   Theives and bad people are mostly lazy, so they won t go after something that looks like it will be a difficult or dangerous target.   I also agree with the cell phone comment.  In one of our favorite campgrounds my cell phone will work, but the DW s cell phone will not.   We have different phones, but the same service, so go figure.  You could also make sure that when you are in the campground you have the car keys nearby to turn on the car alarm (if your car has one) if you need to.    If not, you do need to carry a whistle, a small airhorn, or some other kind of attention getter...... I always err on the side of safety.........    The same rules apply in a campground that would apply to a female jogger.... be aware of your surroundings, use the buddy system when possible (your dogs should help in doing that), look confident in what you are doing, and let your gut tell you if you need to change your course or plans.    
 
 You ll do fine, but do plan ahead and you should never encounter anything but a good time.

[JemJen24]

 Gamecock Camper
Wow...so much great advice!  It s good to see that no one s tried talking me out of it yet..ha!
 
 CathyAnn......thanks for the offer! []  If you ever see me post about going somewhere, and ya ll wanna join up, jus  lemme know.
 
 Jen []

[CamperJones]

 Gamecock Camper
One thing you can do is join a camping group in your area. Texas has some great clubs and I am sure they would love to have you join them.   We have solo folks in our group and they appreciate knowing that there is comfort in numbers.  We ALL use FRS radios while in the campground tuned to Channel 7 and everyone knows that they can reach another member should an emergency arise. In almost all instances when you hear something outside your camper it is usually an errant critter trying to steal a goodie from the cooler and not some crazy nut looking for a victim.  Camping is probably one of the last places where one can truly feel safe and unless you are going deep into the boonies,  mainstream campgrounds and state parks should offer you a safe place to camp and enjoy the outdoors.  So, park them boots by the door, leave a twinkie out for the critters [] and enjoy your time camping!
 HAPPY CAMPING!

[sandykayak]

 Gamecock Camper
JemJen, camping with two doggies is NOT camping alone.  I have two wee ones and there ain t anyone getting even close without them letting the whole world know.
 
 I admit that they can t help with setting up (except to keep me company) or backing in (for that I ask my neighbor!), but they do force me to take walks and meet more people.
 
 I haven t been able to find men s boots, but I do hang a Miami-Dade Police Department cap on the edge of the awning.  Also, I got 3 neat folding chairs from Camping World and set them all up....Anyway, with all the crap I have laying around nobody would believe one person could create such a mess.[]
 
 I usually invite a friend or two, but I am sooooo looking forward to my solo April 18-20 camping trip to WP Franklin Lock & Dam CG (west of Lake Okeechobee/nr Ft. Myers, Florida). ( $16, waterfront sites, pets allowed.  Foghorn rating: 7)
 
 Best of all, one of the guys in the Scampers group (single campers of s. fla) coordinated it so I don t have to do any planning.  
 
 So far four have signed up...me and THREE MEN [8D].  We all have our own popups and we re all kayakers, so we ll be paddling the Caloosahatchee River.
 
 Life is good.........[]

[Trlrboy]

 Gamecock Camper
CamperJones:  Miss Jemjen24 is our very own popup princess in the NTPUCA.

[JemJen24]

 Gamecock Camper
why yes, yes I am!
 
 Hey...those are some NICE odds! Three men..one woman.....oh yeahhh! [&:]

[SheBantam]

 JemJen24
JemJen, Randy, Byrdr1 came he closest. Raymond camps with me but if close to home, he may only stay the first night.
 
 I like group campouts and try to arrange to be at as many as possible. We do go outon our own, Raymond is always there, if not with a group. But it is my camper(s). I drive, I back, I set up, I take down, I cook and I clean. Raymond is along for the ride (he is the same way at home) at the TN rally last year, I was suprised when he actually pulled out the hoses (but CamperJones Family was next door setting up, so he had to do something.
 
 Yes, I do get help from the almost 14 year old son. He can set either trailer up by himself if need be. When we had the Rally at Eagle s Peak last year, I took a vacation day and Raymond and Jeffrey came up after Raymond got off from work and Jeffrey got home from school. Jeffrey was suprised that I had the camper totally put up, including a tarp fastened to the awning to keep rain off the stove. Raymond left before dawn the next morning.

[sandykayak]

 Gamecock Camper

But it is my camper(s). I drive, I back, I set up, I take down, I cook and I clean. Raymond is along for the ride (he is the same way at home)

 
 SheBantan:  um....what do you " get"  out of this arrangement?[]  Sounds as if you re the one getting taken for a ride!!!
 
 

[Starryart]

 JemJen24
I think all women should be able to handle the camper, in puttin  up, takin  down, and pullin  around even if there is a man in their life.
 Case in point, was a lady whose husband was injured at the campground and she was totally helpless. She had to get the rangers to take down the camper and store it for her because she couldn t pull it home (or so she thought).
 I don t know why some people think that only the male species is capable of that.
 Like all things, it just takes practice and determination. My DH and I learned to handle the camper together (though I m better at it now than he is ...LOL).
 Frequently, I take the camper down to the CG a day ahead of him and set up by myself, or stay a day longer than him and so I break camp alone. No biggie!
 Also I like to set the camper up for cleaning and repairs when needed.
 Any way, girls practice the set up yourself. One day you may be glad you did.[]

[Wayfarer]

 Gamecock Camper
Camping alone as a woman?  Huh?[]
 If I camped as a woman I d dang well have to camp alone!! []