Rate yourself/family

[dademt]

I saw this on another site and really enjoyed reading the comments.
 
I myself fall into the #1 category.

Please make your own category if you feel its fit. These three just are my observations of the basic campers out there.

1. The Family Camper - This is the person who camps with the spouse and kids. This person enjoys camping and being with the kids primarily as the #1 reason for camping. All events center around the kids (with a few selfish events that the kids are used as excuses to go see). Campfires and S'mores are a must almost every night and the camping budget revolves around it including the groceries, Glow sticks and sparklers. Typically this person is aged 25-45 and camps almost every other weekend, holiday weekends with a few weekly trips carefully scheduled. The camper is as large as they can comfortably pull with their semi-overloaded basic TV. There is not a square inch of extra space anywhere in the TT or TV.

2. The Kids All Grown Up Camper - This a person who's kids have reached the age where they can typically drive and their friends are far more important than a trip out with the family. Typically this person is aged 45-60. This camper still enjoys the outdoor world of camping and meeting new people. This camper typically camps with a spouse alone and sometimes meets up with friends to reminisce about the good times they had with their kids camping. This person still has the campfires nightly but the S

[AustinBoston]

While it is certanly an interesting poll, I think it is flawed in a couple of ways.

First, I am both Group 1 and Group 2, depending on circumstances, plus a third - love to camp with the grandchildren, which isn't on the list.

Second, I know people who would not fit in any of those groups.

For example:

Bill is a single guy, and goes camping alone in order to attend caving events.

Mike & Jo'Anne are a newly married couple who don't really fit in the "family camper" bucket yet.  They can't be considered "being with the kids primarily as the #1 reason for camping" because they have no kids yet.  They are certanly not the "The Kids All Grown Up Camper" because, um, they have no kids yet.

Bob, Fred, and Frank are hunting buddies and they camp for four reasons - beer, hunting, fishing, and a  weekend escape from the wife/girlfriend.  Oh, and beer.

I'm sure there are more reasons people pop-up beyond those you and I have listed.

Austin

[dademt]

I am sure there are many people who don't fit into the 3 examples listed but that is part of the fun to have people post about how they don't.  Believe me, I know people are far to interesting to every define into distint groups.  In case you wanted to read on some of the responses from the other site, here is the link: http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/20219965/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1

I know this was originally for a TT forum but most of my camping friends are the ones that I meet on COTOC.

[Russinator]

Right now we're in group 3 and I don't see that changing, unless we figure out how to get younger each year [instead of older].

Years ago we were in the other two groups. Those were wonderful years, filled with good times; however, group 3 is also wonderful and good.

I had a great job and loved going to work, but, as good as that was, being retired is even better.

Russ

[rjh8115]

We are firmly in the 1st group.  DW and I are 40 and we have two DSs (8 and 10).  All of our trips are to areas where we can do family activities.

[naganthunter]

We are firmly in the 1st group.  DW and I are 40 and we have two DSs (8 and 10).  All of our trips are to areas where we can do family activities.

Yep - group one here.  BUT, I can't wait to make the move to group three in like20+ years.  However, at that time I hope to be cruising in something that's comparable to what this represents today  

[Sue Hardee]

Yep - group one here.  BUT, I can't wait to make the move to group three in like20+ years.  However, at that time I hope to be cruising in something that's comparable to what this represents today  

We were in the group 1 catagory but now in group 2 but love to camp with grandchildren...but also enjoy being with friends and no kids...We love to camp Started out in a tent.  then Moved into popup then moved to hybrid and now considering a toyhauler..I am getting tired of poping to sleep..plus all hard sided and you can carry toys...we are wanting to get into toys to enjoy with grandchildren.  We are 56 and 57 and going to retire in 3 or 4 more years.

[dademt]

Right now we're in group 3 and I don't see that changing, unless we figure out how to get younger each year [instead of older].
 
Years ago we were in the other two groups. Those were wonderful years, filled with good times; however, group 3 is also wonderful and good.
 
I had a great job and loved going to work, but, as good as that was, being retired is even better.
 
Russ

Really neat but I have to ask one question....Does part of the fun of being retired mean you get to watch people like me struggle to figure out how to do the same things you did?  My wifes grandmother is 88 and laughs at us sometimes for that very reason.

[Lifeangel1]

I put myself in group 1. I don't camp with a spouse as he really doesn't like camping but I love camping with my grown children and my DD two boys ages 6 and 7. I semi fall into category 3 as the nights by the fire are alot shorter. I love sleeping in the camper. I have a very stressful job and  the relaxing sleep I get in the camper is like no other. I don't have a budget anymore as I know the importance of the camping trips for my well being as well as the memories I am making for the children. When I am gone I know my grandchildren will always remember the camping trips with Grammy.

[PattieAM]

I kinda fit between categories 2 and 3.  My children are grown, and I'm semi-retired.  I've always loved traveling, and have been a tent camper for years, but when Rheumatoid Arthritis hit, I could no longer pack/unpack/setup, etc.

Rather than give up camping, I changed my lifestyle and bought an '06 Fleetwood Niagara pop up.  My grandbabies are young, and hopefully once mom gets settled in her new house, she will bring the kids for a camping trip.

[dcampbell1969]

We are group 1 but about 1/3 of our trips are just me and her, leaving the kids at grandma's, or where ever possible.

[A2SuperCrew]

We're group 1.5.    Our kids are teenagers..........but they still love camping with us.

[ksugrad]

The wife and I are over 50, but we are raising three grandchildren so I guess we fit group 1 more than anything. With our own kids we tent camped. The grandkids really like the pup as do the wife and I.

One of our daughters and her husband go on many camping trips with us, so it really ends up being a family affair. Suits the DW and I just fine.

[dademt]

Hey Lifeangle1 and Pattieam, I notice both of you are relatively speaking close to me.  Hopefully will catch you guys on a camping trip sometime.  
 
Lifeangle1, my son is 9 so he would love to have some other boys around his age on a trip.
 
To all:  It is neat reading how different in some ways all of our lives are and yet we all find the beauty and relaxation in camping.  Ironically in all that is the best time to bond with family or make new friends with very similar interests.  Thanks everyone for posting.  It has been enjoyable to read.  Lord willing I hope to meet more of you guys over time.

[campdaddy]

We are very firmly and definitely right between Groups 1 & 2. This is our second marriage for both of us (and the last I might add). So there are older kids that don't go with us. There are/is  teens (DS-93)- sometimes he'll go, sometimes (mostly) not. Sometimes one of his buddies will tag along. We also have DD'03 which makes her 4. We do love doing all those things she wants to do. And she does love camping. so we are extremely 1.5.