Whether or not you’re a seasoned camper or just starting out, these campsite tips for RV beginners will help you get off on the right foot with your campsite neighbors and mother nature.
Be Aware of your Volume
It’s a good idea to make sure your TV, radio, and pets can’t be heard beyond the confines of your campsite. Other campers are there to enjoy nature too and you want to make sure you’re not contributing to noise pollution. Enjoy that ball game, let the kids run around wild- just be mindful of how close your fellow campers are camping and estimate how much of their noises you’d like to hear if the situations were reversed.
Pick up after your Pet
Did you bring Fido along? Great! Family pets can make wonderful traveling companions, but it’s easy to get carried away with the excitement of setting up and maintaining camp, and letting them roam to do their own business. However, if you think your pet might have actually done some “business” in the surrounding communal areas, do your neighbors a favor and go pick it up. They’ll appreciate the courtesy. This is especially important at night, when others might be foraging in the darkness for a restroom.
Lights and Decor
Decorating your campsite can be really fun- lights and other personal touches can make the Great Outdoors even greater- just remember to be considerate of those around you. You never know who came to party and who simply came to stargaze, so at the end of the day, when the sun is going down, unplug and let the natural beauty of the night sky be the focus.
Say Hello to the RV Community
Most folks within the RV community are just like you- they love getting outdoors, communing with nature, and having fun with their friends. They’re often friendly and approachable- there’s no Elitist Classism here- if you show up in an RV, you’re already part of the family. You’ve bought your ticket into a wonderful world of camaraderie and solidarity. So don’t worry about going over and introducing yourself to any neighbors you may have- odds are they’ll be glad you came by, and if you’re lucky, there’ll be an extra s’more waiting for you. For your end of the deal, consider packing a few extra goodies for your new friends. Sharing a meal or some badminton racquets can earn you major brownie points in your new “neighborhood.”
Common Sense
Basically, it’s easy to make connections out there with all the fun people who camp in RV’s, but if you really want to be a good neighbor, it’s as easy as that! Just be a good neighbor in a more condensed version of how you already are when you’re at home. Common sense and The Golden Rule go a long way out there on the open road. And having extra s’mores never hurts, either.