Could you do it?

[GeneF]

I see a lot of posts with people mentioning all the electronic stuff they or their family members bring along such as ipods, pcs, videos, etc.

My question is:

Could you and your family go on a camping trip wihout any of these electrical amenities and what would you substitute.

Be interesting if anyone actually does an experiment and tries this out on a family camping trip.  Especially if they always take electronic stuff with them.

Guess I am an old fogey but when our kids were young, we didn't have any of this kind of stuff.  Books and Board games were the entertainment plus our campfires.

I will admit that we have a stereo, tv, laptop, and cellphone in our tt, however, dw and I still enjoy a card game together or a good game of Scrabble or working out a crossword together.

[fshnfool76]

We went to Yellowstone last year for a week. We didn't camp but stayed in different cabins around the park. From the time we entered the park, till we left a week later, the kids were not allowed to use ANY electronics. No ipods, gameboys or TV's (the cabins didn't have any anyway). They brought books for any down time.
 They got their stuff back when we left the park and were on our way back to the airport.
 Surprisingly, they did not complain or ask to use the stuff once!

 We don't do that on local trips tho, as long as any campground chores are done, they can use their stuff.

[JimS]

The only things I take are a short wave radio and walky -talkies to be able to talk to the wife if I'm out on the lake in the kayak or she is riding her bike and we need to contact each other.  Occasionally, I take my GPS.

[tlhdoc]

Yes we can do it and we do camp that way.  Not all of the time, but several trips each year.  Next weekend we will camp that way.

[ForestCreature]

We used to camp that way exclusively till the past couple years.  Our son never knew what camping with ele was like when he was growing up, tonka trucks, hikes, frog hunts, what ever natures play ground could provide was his entertainment .

Even with ele sites we get lately our habits haven't changed a whole lot..still a small battery operated TV that gets used rarely (you have to remember to take it to use it)

I am guilty of one...my GameBoy, but that runs on battery so does it count?

OK 2.. since I started with the pyrography, my burner is ele and that comes with on every trip since we've been camping closer to home (no good dry CGs close)..I even thought about a spare battery and the inverter to run it when we do dry camp...this would be my one if I had to choose.

[PattieAM]

Just got back from a 5 nighter - although I had the laptop in the truck, television in the camper - never hooked up either one.  Did a few crossword puzzles while enjoying my morning coffee (waking the brain), read a few books before bedtime.

[sewserious]

Sure, we can and have.  Most of the time when we take those things, we don't even use them.  Except the radio/CD player, even if I have to use batteries.  I like music, and it is part of my vacation.  I can't listen to it all day at work, I have to listen to people talking in my ear all day instead!  Even then, it isn't usually on unless its while I am cooking or cleaning up the camper.

[AZsix]

We let the kids bring their Nintendo DS's in the car for the drive but once we arrive that's where they stay. One big reason I wanted a camper so badly was to get away from all that stuff. The only reason I would bring my laptop would be to download pictures if it where a long trip or one where I knew I would be taking a lot of pictures. We don't bring a TV though we do have a portable DVD player in the car for the ride. They can enjoy all that stuff at home. Camping trips are for enjoying each other and what nature has to offer. It's a time for us to reconnect. We do bring a radio. There's nothing wrong with a little music. Besides, with 6 of us there isn't much room for all that other stuff!

[austinado16]

I'm old school as well.  The only thing we own from that list is the portable DVD for on the road.  It was either that or umpteen hundred hours of "I spy."  

A little combination AM/FM/flashlight camping radio is what's on board the PUP.

Last time we camped, I introduced Kate to "Battle Ship."

[harleywolf]

Yup we can do it. Since we're new to RVing it

[ScouterMom]

we normally camp without the electronics.  A habit from Scouting - they don't allow electronics - other than cameras and maybe GPS or walkies.  We always have our cell phones - they reach further than Walkie-talkies, and since the whole family (his and mine) are on the same provider, generally they work further than walkies and don't cost us anything to use.

The last time we camped I did bring the laptop to transfer photos from my camera to a CD for the kids - and then we forgot it anyway and left it in the van the whole time. :rolleyes:

We DO prefer sites with electric, because then we can have lights in the camper, and string lights (christmas lights) for a nice  glow under the awning - the low, gentle light doesn't attract bugs as much as the bright propane lantern, either, when doing dishes or just sitting & visiting. when the weather gets cooler, I like my heated mattress pad - and in our old camper or tent, in late Oct or nov, an electric heater.  This PUP has a Propane furnace that we have yet to test - but we plan on using it or the Mr Buddy.

Occasionally, with the past PUP, I might bring along a radio and CD's - country or classical, or books on CD.  my son and I would listen to a story while playing cards or a board game. However, I find it annoying to hear loud music at a campground - In the daytime, I want to want to hear happy kids, birds, etc.  At night, I want to hear crickets, owls, soft conversation and the wind in the trees or the water rolling into shore.  I do NOT want to hear a ball game, movie, cell phone rock music, etc - I camp to get AWAY from all of that noise!  :yikes:

LAura

[dthurk]

Well, let's see...we take cell phones, but are usually out of service where we go.  We take a laptop and some DVD's but save those for rainy days.  We refuse to install a television in the camper.  DD has a mp3 player and uses it till the battery dies then has to wait until we get home to recharge it.  We use FRS radio to keep track of DD in the campground.  We use GPS in the tow vehicle to find our way around.

Could we do it without all this stuff?  The only items in the list we use regularly would be the FRS and GPS.  Sure, we could do without.  I'd be hesitant to let DD out into the campground without FRS, as that would force at least one of us to go with her, but that's the point, isn't it?

[CajunCamper]

We take our cell phones along with us, and a small portable TV in the fall incase we want to catch a game, but 98% of the time we are electronic free. I don't even own an IPOD. Hearing music coming from another campsite irritates the heck out of me. I like to hear the sound of nature while camping.

[stewartlittle]

Cell phone is a must,didnt always have one but comes in handy when you need it.I have very few poeple to call me anyway.

Never camped myself at a site with power,so TV,DVD and such are out of the question.MP3 player,my son listens to on the way but very seldom listens to it at camp.My wife loves to read,my son can sit and widdle for hours.

But the one electronic thing I could not do without is a camera,I have a Canon DRebel,but any camera would do to catch those memories.I love to take pictures anyway.In the future I hope to get a laptop, for photography purpose.

I normlly dont listen to music,so no radio.Although a weather radio would come in hand at times.

[GeneF]

We take our cell phones along with us, and a small portable TV in the fall incase we want to catch a game, but 98% of the time we are electronic free. I don't even own an IPOD. Hearing music coming from another campsite irritates the heck out of me. I like to hear the sound of nature while camping.

A few years back, dw was very into the Olympics.  We were going camping during this time and she insisted that we take the tv with us so she could watch the games.

Once we got there she was ready to turn on the tv, however we were dry camping.

Actually, neither of us even thought that we were dry camping as we never took a tv with us before.