Why Do Some Campers Leave Campsites trashed?

[jymbee]

Beautiful spot on the water. Apparently built for gatherings given only a half dozen or so sites away from the main campground with a large covered area for shade/sitting/eating.

First time I walked by most of the sites were occupied with camping trailers with everyone mingling, kids playing all around, etc. A few days later when I walked by, all were gone and below is what they left behind. Ok, not the crime of the century but c'mon... nobody in that group, seeing that mess (and there were many more cans and trash strewn around) thought "Hey, maybe we should clean up a bit?"

Ok​

 

[Wasillaguy]

Some people should not camp. Kinda like some people should not have children.... Usually the same people.

 

[TheBar]

Right up there with rude people who love to crank up their music and then have to shout over their music. Most people camp to relax and enjoy nature after a long work week. Nobody and I mean nobody camps to hear someone's crappy music.

 

[Domo]

Years ago, at one of our national parks in the US, I was walking the dog and picked up a plastic bag off the ground and started putting trash in it as I walked the dog was really fine with this but never could figure out why I was interested in the trash, despite that, I was very surprised at how quickly it filled. I then started making it a (50%) habit and would purposefully stop in front of some sites open the bag and tell the children how some folks are damaging THEIR parks and how simple it is to pick up stuff and throw it out. I don't know if anyone learned from it. But it's still very easy to do years after we lost our dog, besides, I need an excuse to walk and bending over can still be accomplished.

Maybe a few of us should pick up trash when it's obvious to kids - well, at 76 I'm thinking pretty much all of us are kids...

 

[Wasillaguy]

Dad would say "let's play point and pick". He would point at the trash, and us kids picked it up. We played this game twice at each campsite- upon arrival, and when ready to leave.

 

[NY_Dutch]

Before I hung up the keys, I often walked campground roads with a bag and my "grabber" that let me pick up litter without touching it or bending over. I still have the grabber since it's handy for many other things now.

 

[Oldgator73]

When I leave a campground I pull the trailer out, park and then police the site and pick up any trash I might have missed while packing up. It only takes a few minutes. Plus sometimes you might find equipment you missed. And it gives you another chance to make sure your steps are up, your antenna is down and all bins are closed and locked.g

 

[Rene T]

Right up there with rude people who love to crank up their music and then have to shout over their music. Most people camp to relax and enjoy nature after a long work week. Nobody and I mean nobody camps to hear someone's crappy music.

The thing is you don’t have to listen to it. Just bring your complaint to the main office. Usually they’ll take care of it. I say “usually”.

 

[jymbee]

I don't know if anyone learned from it.

Seems it would have been a good opportunity to these folks to gather the kids around and everyone join in policing the site they are leaving. Would set a good example. After all, kids aren't born slobs, they tend to mimic their parents.

 

[RayIN]

Welcome to the normal day of a camp host. I've never done that, just know several couples who have been camp hosts for years, nationwide.
The 3 gospel words of any true outdoors people are: leave no trace.

 

[OldWEB]

I then started making it a (50%) habit and would purposefully stop in front of some sites open the bag and tell the children how some folks are damaging THEIR parks and how simple it is to pick up stuff and throw it out.
Maybe a few of us should pick up trash when it's obvious to kids - well, at 76 I'm thinking pretty much all of us are kids...

All fine and dandy until some busybody reports to the police that there is an old man offering candy to the local children...

 

[Firstime RVer]

Right up there with rude people who love to crank up their music and then have to shout over their music. Most people camp to relax and enjoy nature after a long work week. Nobody and I mean nobody camps to hear someone's crappy music.

We have had great success in just asking them to drop the volume at about 10 o'clock when we turned in.

 

[Domo]

All fine and dandy until some busybody reports to the police that there is an old man offering candy to the local children...

That's a whole different thread!!!! LOLO.

Reminder to self: Leave the candy at the RV...

 

[TheBar]

That's a whole different thread!!!! LOLO.

Reminder to self: Leave the candy at the RV...

These days I'm afraid to say anything to any child unless they fly thru my campsite on their bicycle @ 90 mph.

 

[Edd505]

Right up there with rude people who love to crank up their music and then have to shout over their music. Most people camp to relax and enjoy nature after a long work week. Nobody and I mean nobody camps to hear someone's crappy music.

add those that think the RV is a Christmas tree needing lite up all night. Pin the 7 pin to keep running lights, awning lights, under camper lights. Stay home it you want all the lights we don't need them to find our RV's.

 

[Derby6]

add those that think the RV is a Christmas tree needing lite up all night. Pin the 7 pin to keep running lights, awning lights, under camper lights. Stay home it you want all the lights we don't need them to find our RV's.

Under lights don’t bother me at all. I run some as they assist with keeping rodents away in the deserts. All mine run on shore power.
I could careless how many lights folks run as long as it’s not shining in my unit like a spotlight or keeping me up. I don’t run my awning lights except when needed as it attracts bugs. Lol

 

[SMR]

Welcome to the normal day of a camp host. I've never done that, just know several couples who have been camp hosts for years, nationwide.
The 3 gospel words of any true outdoors people are: leave no trace.

Yep got to deal with that a few days ago. Thankfully the majority of campers are respectful to the site.

 

[jymbee]

Thankfully the majority of campers are respectful to the site.

Exactly. The vast majority of campers "do the right thing" while it's a small minority who seem to be oblivious as to how their actions affect others. Or, they just don't care...

 

[Vanbrat]

These days I'm afraid to say anything to any child unless they fly thru my campsite on their bicycle @ 90 mph.

Yeah to many scary things for kids. I don't have a problem telling a kido to go ask their grown-up if they can talk to me if a kid wants to talk to me. Since we have never had a shortage of kids attracted to our big dumb dog and we like to play with stuff kids like too. It is never a question of 'if' but 'when' and I don't want a kido to think that the next person that tries to get close is always safe cause 90% of the time they are, but that means 10% they are not

Dad always as kids had us "CLEAN" up before we left. Though I don't know if we got that much and my kids had to clean up before we left. I'm sure there are a few He-Man figure and Batman figures and hot wheels that got lost at more than one camp sight.

 

[Wasillaguy]

I've still got a set of Jarts at home. Should bring them to the campground and see how many people let their kids wander over.