RE: Bringing along relatives

[Jo Ann]

 
The following poll is to find out what percentage of ppl actually gladdly invite relatives on a camping trip sharing the PU, Hybrid, Tent, Truck Camper, ect, willingly.

[Starcraft Dad]

 Jo Ann
I do ask some relatives to go camping with us.  But I m very selective.  I have a couple of family members that can t or won t take care of their own house much less take care of our camper.
 
 Then there are the ones who have never camped before.  They are the fun ones that don t know what to expect.  For instance, one of my BIL and his wife came and stayed one night with us over Memorial weekend.  Never, ever camped before.  They picked up their new 03  off the lot PU on thursday.  Needless to say they had a great time and were impressed with pop ups.

[garym053]

 Jo Ann
OTHER- I will invite them all along and share my Site, but not my camper! I started out in a tent-THEY can start out in a tent! The exception to that rule is my daughter and grandchildren!! They sometimes will use the other bunks in the camper especially if it s a one night stay on their way home!

[kathybrj]

 Jo Ann
Other here- sis gia got her own pu and now we have lots of trips planned together.

[AustinBoston]

 Jo Ann
We learned about ten years ago to avoid vacationing with relatives (or friends, for that matter).
 
 Since moving into " vacations are for the five of us"  mode, we have:
 * quit fighting on vacation (well, mostly...[])
 * had more fun [8D]
 * had fewer people to argue with in the first place [8D]
 * generally enjoyed our vacations more [8D]
 * become more adventurous on vacation [8D]
 * travelled farther, longer, broader, more variety [8D]
 
 We have vacationed with relatives sonce, but not with the pop-up, and we just think of it as a visit, not a vacation.  A lot more peaceful that way. []
 
 Austin

[Jo Ann]

 Jo Ann
i my self don t invite...so far the only to share our popups with us is my one DD and DSiL for one night only when they are in the area at the time we are camping....

[Opie431]

 Jo Ann
There was a 25 year period when we did not camp, ostly because whenever we went my FIL thought he should come along.  If family members want to come along they have their own lot.  I am working toward cooking their own meals too.

[whitestar505]

 Jo Ann
Really a hard question to answer for me. I like my time camping, and then I like it once in awhile when relatives come along. More so a friend.

[Jo Ann]

 Jo Ann
my sis and i are camping at pymatuning next weekend and i found that its ok as long as our sites have some distance between us...that way if we want to go somewhere by ourselves...we can leave and the same for them...
 
 but my relatives are way too different from me and the quiet DH...

[LoveOurBayside]

 Jo Ann
I said other because we have never invited anyone or been asked.  I have a few relatives who just look at us like why would you want to go camping.  My mom and grandmother HATE camping - I only got into it because my grandfather enjoyed it and taking us out on his boat.  My sister camps from time to time but she s 12 hours away from us and camps in her horse trailer.  My uncle and family do camp but he s a " He Man"  kind of guy who thinks anything above a tent is for whimps (but I ll bet his wife and daughter would be happy to join us if we ever went together - and who knows maybe my boys would willingly give up their bunk to the ladies to sleep outside in a tent with my male cousins.)  DH s relatives are childless and on on the opposite coast so they won t be asking.
 

[whippetwrun]

 Jo Ann
The open invitation works really well.  
 
 The relatives are happy because we have invited them, we are happy because they say they d love to come along.  But the openness of the invitation keeps all of us postponing the " family"  trip, because our schedules don t match up and everyone keeps saying " oh, let s plan for next time then" .

[ForestCreature]

 Jo Ann
We say yes! (depending on who) But the Aliner only sleeps 2[] so if anyone wants to join us camping they have to bring their own sleeping arrangements, be it another camper or a tent.  
 The only one I have refused to go camp with is my cousins dog, she and her family are more than welcome without their noisy mutt.....tried it once, never again.

[startx]

 Jo Ann
We will invite family for certain outings, however, my preference is for club camping, or just my household.  When the relatives come they stay with us in the camper, and in our tents at adjacent sites.  It is taxing on us to provide all the housing, and all the cooking stuff, lighting, etc.  They do bring food, and their own towels, etc.  I however do most of the cooking, most of the planning, and so on.  It s like having to be responsible for their enjoyment of the weekend, I don t like the hosting aspect.
 
 I like campouts with the club because you can hang out together, but everyone knows they are on their own for meals, except the one pot luck, entertainment etc.  You invite others to join you for activities if you want, but it is understood that they don t have to attend, and it s all comfortable.
 
 The weekend campouts just the household are nice too, less to plan/prepare for, and more just sitting around doing nothing, or swimming, or taking walks etc.

[campingboaters]

 Jo Ann
startx,
 
 I am SO with you!  I m TIRED of being the hostess (with the mostest) every time we camp.  With a 5.5 month old, I just can t do it anymore.  The only people we will invite from now on are my parents.  They got me into camping, so they know " how"  to camp.  They stay in the camper, but they watch my kids while we setup/tear down and cook.  I think it s an even trade.  Everyone else is ON THEIR OWN!  I have this one couple still wanting to buddy up with us for everything (especially meals) even after I explained that I don t camp like that anymore.  I explained that it was too much work for me I wasn t enjoying myself.   I m sticking with this new me!  We just got back from a group campout where each family was on their own for meals except the one pot-luck.  It was SO much more enjoyable!
 
 I m just glad to hear that I wasn t the only one doing the hosting (and work).  []

[wiininkwe]

 Jo Ann
I love being with my family, but they have to understand that i m not going to wait on them or pamper them.   They will be expected to pull their weight in KP duty, etc.  And I m not afraid to let someone know when I feel taken advantage of.  
 T
 []