"rate Is Based On A 2 Person Occupancy".., rates Options

[coacbcps]

Am I the only one very irritated by this practice?
We have 7 kids (ages from 1 to 17) and had camped our way from Vt to AZ.
All but the dumpiest places charged us between $5-10 extra PER kid!
Are we really going to use that much electricity and water in one night to warrant this?
(we're really eco-friendly but thats besides the point)

Anyone else travel with kids and found exceptions to this rule?

AngelB I feel your pain. I had the same complaint a year ago when I first started camping. My husband and I have only 2 kids and were surprised when we were charged per child at campgrounds advertised as family campground. I try to stay away from campgrounds that don't consider a family of four as their base rate.

[SharieG]

We just moved from SC to FL and I'm just now running into this issue of being charged for my children!! I have a 4yr old and a 10yr old and I'm not paying $4-$6 a night extra on top of the $38-50 a night site fee!! It is the most ridiculous thing I've heard of charging for children!! I too see family friendly as meaning I shouldn't be charged extra for my kids. Adult would me kids not welcome. Pet friendly means pets are welcome there right??!! I've asked several campgrounds why they charge for kids and the only answer I get is it's just policy. NOT good enough for me! Then my policy is to not stay at your campground!

[iradi8]

The answer as to why they do it is simple: greed. There is absolutely no way my child will use an extra $5 of water/electric/sewer or labor. No way. As far as electricity, that is negligible. The a/c will be running and lights will be on whether or not we have children. Maybe a dollar a day to recoup the cost of the children, if necessary. Some campgrounds charge an extra $5-7 per child per day all year round even if there are no planned activities, pool is closed, no playground, etc.

No one will ever convince me that it is not greed. It is. They do it because they can. We have been to over 80 campgrounds this year as we have been on a year-long road trip. I avoid the ones that charge for kids if I can. Because of their greed, they will be left with another empty site for the night making no revenue at all all due to the extra charges. I'll go down the street where it doesn't cost more and it's probably nicer.

As far as hotels charging more for kids -- I haven't been to any. Hotels sometimes have free breakfast, too, and kids can eat even though we haven't paid extra for them. Contrast that to the KOA with the free pancake breakfast -- good for only two people. Kids cost $5 extra there, but don't get free pancakes for that $5 -- that costs extra, too!

[Sean Mcaleer]

I couldn't agree more that it is GREED that causes campground owners to charge for kids.

These excuses that RV park managers and owners use for charging kids is actually laughable...leaving water on in restrooms, messing up the place. That's what happens in campgrounds and every where else. It's not just kids that don't know how to behave either...it's the cost of doing business. I noticed that the advocates of these ridiculous charges fail to point out that it's the "kids" that are pouring quarters into their snack machines, feeding their camp store cash registers with ice cream and candy, and often broken arcade games and pool tables.

I look for kid-friendly campgrounds and state parks because I refuse to give a greedy campground owner one dime extra for my kids. Camping is a family event and to even think about paying extra for my kids is infuriating to say the least.

I couldn't agree more that it is GREED that causes campground owners to charge for kids.

These excuses that RV park managers and owners use for charging kids is actually laughable...leaving water on in restrooms, messing up the place. That's what happens in campgrounds and every where else. It's not just kids that don't know how to behave either...it's the cost of doing business. I noticed that the advocates of these ridiculous charges fail to point out that it's the "kids" that are pouring quarters into their snack machines, feeding their camp store cash registers with ice cream and candy, and often broken arcade games and pool tables.

I look for kid-friendly campgrounds and state parks because I refuse to give a greedy campground owner one dime extra for my kids. Camping is a family event and to even think about paying extra for my kids is infuriating to say the least.

[joez]

Another holiday weekend just passed. One of the available sites next to us was filled Friday night (10 pm) by a family with a pop up, 2 tents, 2 cars and a bunch of kids. One street over another large family arrived Saturday morning with at least six children. Folks, I don't care how well behaved bunches of children make a bunch of noise - they have to they are children. Even dinner time is noisy. I grew up with seven siblings - we were the same. Bathhouses and laundry facilities get stressed and dirty just because of the numbers. Kids should get dirty when they camp, but they do have to clean up. They should clog the roads with bicycles. Balls are going to get loose and clunk the side of a neighbor's rv. They are going to want to play with the neighbor's dogs. God bless kids = they should have a chance to be kids. But they are disruptive.

For those who think it is wrong (greed) for a campground to maximize profits by charging extra because they can, I'm sure in your mind you think businesses can make too much money. The real reason for the extra charges, IMO, is to discourage a specific type of customer. My guess is that campgrounds are easiest to manage and most profitable when sites are generally occupied by two people. To encourage those customers they charge more to others. They are trying to run their business in a manner that is best for them. I certainly cannot fault them for that.

[MCRANE]

Now I must disagree with this opinion. We in the "gigantic RVs" almost never use the showers or restrooms at all, while you and your family do. The park staff does not need to clean the shower or toilets that we use, but they do yours. Labor is a much larger expense than utilities.

I have work camped in a few campgrounds now and will disagree with you. I have a 45 foot fifth wheel and my 4 kids , wife and I never use the parks restrooms, showers or laundry room. The last park we were in had over 400 sites , was about 80% full and only 1 other familly besides us in it this winter. more than half of them used the showers and bathrooms every day and they all had big rigs. I cleaned 4 sets of bath houses this winter so if anyone in the park would know it was me.

[Galli]

It is a very common practice to either limit the number of guests in a site or charge for extra people and vehicles over a certain amount. Surely you realize that extra people do create extra expenses for the campground and increases the wear and tear on the facilities. And I don't have a problem with them collecting more than it actually costs because they are providing a service and deserve to be compensated more than just their costs. You have to pay extra for all those children when you go out to eat, when you go to an amusement park, a ballgame or most anywhere else and they don't give you the extra admissions or meals at the cost of the food or the utilities costs of an extra guest. They get full price because the additional people are using the services of the restaurant, ballpark or amusement park. A hotel would not allow you to cram all 9 people into one hotel room and I don't see where it is unreasonable for an RV park to charge for extra guests. Also, most all RV parks have their facilities sized for an average amount of guests. A park with 100 sites would get awfully crowded if every one of the 100 RVs had nine people in them like yours does. Things like restrooms, pools, laundries etc would probably not be adequately sized to meet that kind of demand. I have stayed in parks where large family groups were also in residence and when the group pulled in you could count on the restrooms and showers being unavailable for an hour or two as they would take up all the facilities and have a line of kids out the doors. They paid their fees and it was their right, but it is still kind of rude for one family to monopolize an entire bathhouse.

I have to agree with you, a campground is a business and the owner or administrator must make a profit or it fail the purpose of going into this business.
if the camp policy states 2 persons or two persons and up to two children it means that the cost for running that spot is based on such occupancy, I don’t see a problem for an extra charge for any addition to the number of people indicated.

[MCRANE]

What ever a owner charges is their right but it is not fair to assume because someone has 2, 3 or 4 kids that they are costing the campground more. So many of the parks that cater to seniors in Florida have entertainment, bingo, rally halls for playing cards, ect. So to say that there is only 2 of us and 5 of you that we use less in stupid. I see more seniors in big busses use park amenities and think they own them than families in florida. I have cleaned bath houses in campgrounds that were almost all seniors and I have cleaned them in State parks where they were full of families and I can tell you the seniors made worse messes on average. I went to a KOA in Starke Florida that was reasonable price for a monthly rate plus electric. When I said I had kids they wanted $40 a month more per kid. now how can they possibly say they are family friendly when I'm paying my own electric. Needles to say I didn't stay there and I wouldn't ever recommend anyone with kids too.

[rkw99]

We are the "typical" family of 4- 2 adults and 2 children. Now that my children are getting older, we make our campground decisions on whether they charge extra for kids. I am not going to pay $10 extra on top of the $50-$60 we are paying per night. If the campground has fancy amenities that children will use, it is already reflected in the higher prices for a more upscale campground. I can always find a different campground that suits my needs that doesn't charge for the first 2 children. I sympathize with the OP because most everywhere, even if they don't charge for the first 2 they charge after that. We choose to camp for our vacations because it is more economical in that we can prepare our own food and not go out to restaurants. Other than that we are usually out on the economy, sight seeing etc. We come back and use the pool in the afternoon. I dont' see how a child can use $5 each worth of resources at a campground. And like a previous poster said, they will more than make up for it with the money they spend at the game room and snack bar. And whether one showers in the restrooms or in the rig, the water is being used. It's the propane for the hot water that is at issue. Also, I always bathe my children in our camper for the tub but use the campground showers. I like a loooong hot shower. Hot water seems to me to be the only thing that is not a fixed cost. One campground we go to charges .25 for the showers. I don't mind paying the .50 for a nice hot shower. And not my husband has started using the restrooms as well. So our kids are not using them but we are and I always have even before we had kids. So there!

[Galli]

We are the "typical" family of 4- 2 adults and 2 children. Now that my children are getting older, we make our campground decisions on whether they charge extra for kids. I am not going to pay $10 extra on top of the $50-$60 we are paying per night. If the campground has fancy amenities that children will use, it is already reflected in the higher prices for a more upscale campground. I can always find a different campground that suits my needs that doesn't charge for the first 2 children. I sympathize with the OP because most everywhere, even if they don't charge for the first 2 they charge after that. We choose to camp for our vacations because it is more economical in that we can prepare our own food and not go out to restaurants. Other than that we are usually out on the economy, sight seeing etc. We come back and use the pool in the afternoon. I dont' see how a child can use $5 each worth of resources at a campground. And like a previous poster said, they will more than make up for it with the money they spend at the game room and snack bar. And whether one showers in the restrooms or in the rig, the water is being used. It's the propane for the hot water that is at issue. Also, I always bathe my children in our camper for the tub but use the campground showers. I like a loooong hot shower. Hot water seems to me to be the only thing that is not a fixed cost. One campground we go to charges .25 for the showers. I don't mind paying the .50 for a nice hot shower. And not my husband has started using the restrooms as well. So our kids are not using them but we are and I always have even before we had kids. So there!

I see your point and cannot deny your logic but I can only agree with your complaint only if these additional costs were not advertised or kept hidden until the moment of payment.
Going to an RV camp is just like of going shopping, namely, before entertaining the trip you should call and find out what would be the charge and then decide accordingly.
I agree with your breakdown you presented regarding your children’s cost but that it reflects your own children, an other family may be careless and misuse the facilities, the camp administration cannot prescribe a specific cost of your children and the cost of some one else because it would be one hell of discrimination. Unfortunately the good is going to pay for the bad; I make you an example, I am a 73 years old Canadian that spends every winter in Florida, I am perfectly healthy but notwithstanding that I still have to pay almost $ 1,000 as an emergency Medicare because of my age , I tried to complaint and I was told that I belong to a high risk age and there are more possibility that I have to use medical need than a 20 years old. Do you think is fair ? I never had a problem and I am still penalized because the majority of people of my age incurred in certain needs and this is exactly what is happening to you , you are paying for a negative behaviors of others.
I am sorry, I didn’t want to patronize you but I understand your feeling but you have to understand also the resort management position.

[kcmoedoe]

We are the "typical" family of 4- 2 adults and 2 children. Now that my children are getting older, we make our campground decisions on whether they charge extra for kids. I am not going to pay $10 extra on top of the $50-$60 we are paying per night. If the campground has fancy amenities that children will use, it is already reflected in the higher prices for a more upscale campground. I can always find a different campground that suits my needs that doesn't charge for the first 2 children. I sympathize with the OP because most everywhere, even if they don't charge for the first 2 they charge after that. We choose to camp for our vacations because it is more economical in that we can prepare our own food and not go out to restaurants. Other than that we are usually out on the economy, sight seeing etc. We come back and use the pool in the afternoon. I dont' see how a child can use $5 each worth of resources at a campground. And like a previous poster said, they will more than make up for it with the money they spend at the game room and snack bar. And whether one showers in the restrooms or in the rig, the water is being used. It's the propane for the hot water that is at issue. Also, I always bathe my children in our camper for the tub but use the campground showers. I like a loooong hot shower. Hot water seems to me to be the only thing that is not a fixed cost. One campground we go to charges .25 for the showers. I don't mind paying the .50 for a nice hot shower. And not my husband has started using the restrooms as well. So our kids are not using them but we are and I always have even before we had kids. So there!

A group of four people will use more of everything than a group of two. More water, more electricity, more wear and tear on facilities etc. Parks pay for the water that is at your site as well as the water that is used in the showerhouse. Same with the electricity. Cost of those services is irrelevant. Restaurants don't provide the meal for the first diner at regular price and the rest of the people at the table get their food at cost. Each person at Disneyworld are charged an admission, not the first person in the group charged and the rest let in free. And they don't take into consideration whether or not someone in the group actually intends to ride the rides or how much they intend to eat when they set their prices. It is not a matter of level of usage. Businesses do not have the luxury of having ESP to actually know what a patron is going to use or not use when they accept their business. That fact you and your family may or may not use a park's restroom, shower, pool, etc is really not an issue.

[dalsgal]

A group of four people will use more of everything than a group of two. More water, more electricity, more wear and tear on facilities etc. Parks pay for the water that is at your site as well as the water that is used in the showerhouse. Same with the electricity. Cost of those services is irrelevant. Restaurants don't provide the meal for the first diner at regular price and the rest of the people at the table get their food at cost. Each person at Disneyworld are charged an admission, not the first person in the group charged and the rest let in free. And they don't take into consideration whether or not someone in the group actually intends to ride the rides or how much they intend to eat when they set their prices. It is not a matter of level of usage. Businesses do not have the luxury of having ESP to actually know what a patron is going to use or not use when they accept their business. That fact you and your family may or may not use a park's restroom, shower, pool, etc is really not an issue.

Very good examples there. Business are not there to save people money but are there to actually show earnings. Sure it's nice if you can save money and we are always happy to try to help with that but without earnings businesses can't exist. If my boss doesn't make money I can't have a job because they can't afford to pay me. Without someone to run the park it would have to close.

We just had someone check in and, after the fact, let me know he has 4 kids and 4 dogs. I was going to let the extra fees go until I went to the laundry room and found the mess they made there. Then I went to the bathhouse and found grape soda spilled all over the sink and the grape stains on the bench there. Also, I found a mess they left at the pool yesterday. Yes, I know for a fact it was this family. Today they informed me they would be staying at least a month and I had to add the extra fees. I did cut them in half to be nice but my work load has definitely grown with them here.

[abbygolden]

I have work camped in a few campgrounds now and will disagree with you. I have a 45 foot fifth wheel and my 4 kids , wife and I never use the parks restrooms, showers or laundry room. The last park we were in had over 400 sites , was about 80% full and only 1 other familly besides us in it this winter. more than half of them used the showers and bathrooms every day and they all had big rigs. I cleaned 4 sets of bath houses this winter so if anyone in the park would know it was me.

I took his quote to mean that since he doesn't use the restrooms, etc., no money is "wasted" on him. He is 100% correct. I'm the same.

Just out of curiousity, what is the brand of your 45' fiver????

[MCRANE]

I took his quote to mean that since he doesn't use the restrooms, etc., no money is "wasted" on him. He is 100% correct. I'm the same.

Just out of curiousity, what is the brand of your 45' fiver????

Kz inferno ,44' 9". I'm still costing the park . But I'm just not buying the I have a big rig and there is only two of us so I'm the perfect guest and everyone else isn't crap.

[Alessandro]

You evidently haven't stayed at the state parks in Texas--they charge the camping fee plus a daily entry fee for each person.

The same attitude is practiced in various State Parks in the South West. Further, if one stays in a camping ground in a National Park, one has payed entrance fee before even entering the camping ground, too.