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JD_in_FL
I have stayed at many KOAs in Florida and a few in Georgia and Tennessee. The ones not in Florida were excellent, for value, service, and attitude. Most of the ones in Florida so far seem to bite big time. I had one in Lake City that was "on a lake" (the lake was mostly dried up and had 8 foot weeds growing everywhere, couldn't see the water), one in St Augustine acted like a Russian boot camp and would only rent the paddle boats between 1 PM and 5 PM, if they felt like unlocking them: On our trip, they said they weren't for rent because they had a tour bus comming in. What? One in Orlando (Lake Wippoorwill) advertized one-room cabins, but they aren't cabins, "they are hard-shell tents", and one KOA in Mims, FL says wood fires are not allowed, not even in the BBQ pits because it is against State Law, when the real reason is so they can charge a $100 deposit plus a daily rental fee for a "portable fireplace". Other KOAs deliver firewood. Has anyone else experienced KOA problems?
Answer
I'm not sure where Lake Wippoorwill KOA is and I 'm from Orlando. If that's the one on US 192 next to Sams Club, I toured it for a review and found it unacceptible, mainly for lack of shade. We stayed in one of those wooden tents in Seffner, FL. My wife couldn't hold it through the night and had to use the trash can for a potty.
The problems you mention is one of the reasons I try to stay anywhere else than KOA. We traveled to Alaska and back, from Brooksville, Florida, last year and stayed in a few KOA's, most we will never stay in again. Ocala KOA was $50+ several years ago, for what? being with-in 90 miles of disney?
We found one in Souix City, SD that wasn't open yet they let us stay the night, very nice people. Farther up the road, in Wyoming, we couldn't get decent electric and left. On our way back one in Great Falls, Montana was $30 a night higher than any other campground around. Somewhere near Bismark, ND we stayed in one that was barely large enough for our 35' motorhome, no place for our towed.
We have seen those nickle & dime you to death campgrounds and they aren't just limited to KOA. You must really watch yourself out there.
We are in the planning stages of a return trip to Alaska for next year and you can bet there won't be any KOA's in our trip. We plan on a campground every five days on the way up. WalMart and Flying "J" fuel stops will be our campgrounds for this trip.
Good luck and happy camping.
I'm not sure where Lake Wippoorwill KOA is and I 'm from Orlando. If that's the one on US 192 next to Sams Club, I toured it for a review and found it unacceptible, mainly for lack of shade. We stayed in one of those wooden tents in Seffner, FL. My wife couldn't hold it through the night and had to use the trash can for a potty.
The problems you mention is one of the reasons I try to stay anywhere else than KOA. We traveled to Alaska and back, from Brooksville, Florida, last year and stayed in a few KOA's, most we will never stay in again. Ocala KOA was $50+ several years ago, for what? being with-in 90 miles of disney?
We found one in Souix City, SD that wasn't open yet they let us stay the night, very nice people. Farther up the road, in Wyoming, we couldn't get decent electric and left. On our way back one in Great Falls, Montana was $30 a night higher than any other campground around. Somewhere near Bismark, ND we stayed in one that was barely large enough for our 35' motorhome, no place for our towed.
We have seen those nickle & dime you to death campgrounds and they aren't just limited to KOA. You must really watch yourself out there.
We are in the planning stages of a return trip to Alaska for next year and you can bet there won't be any KOA's in our trip. We plan on a campground every five days on the way up. WalMart and Flying "J" fuel stops will be our campgrounds for this trip.
Good luck and happy camping.
How can I make camping fun?
amber
My boyfriend has never been camping, but I have and I love it. This summer I'm taking him up to one of the nicest camping spots around where we live. We're car camping so we can take whatever we want since we have a large truck. The campground is at an ocean side, so no swimming (much too cold). It has bathrooms and showers so he'll be a bit more comfortable. I also have an air mattress we can bring so he doesn't have to sleep on the ground. How else can I make it more comfortable an most importantly fun for him? He's kind of an indoor person, and he's never been exposed to outdoor activities. My dad was a single parent so whenever he was actually around camping, fishing, and any other outdoor sport was petty much all we did together. Help me out please :)
Answer
If I was your boyfriend I think I'd be more than happy to spend time alone with the girl I loved in a scenic location. But if your boyfriend isn't an outdoors person he might be put-off by the lack of convenience and entertainment options.
The first thing I'd worry about is helping your boyfriend pick the clothing and gear he's going to bring so he is warm and comfortable throughout the trip. Make sure to bring extra blankets. Many people have trouble sleeping the first few times camping because they're not used to the sounds of nature, so ear plugs are a good idea.
Next I'd focus on is creating a campground environment that is comfy and safe. Have a lantern that can run overnight on low setting so he won't be concerned about getting lost if he has to go to the bathroom during the night. A table and chairs to relax outside, protected by a tarp and bug candles or a screen room so you both can relax outside and enjoy the view without risk of rain or insect bites. Remember it will be windy near the beach so make sure your tent, tarp and/or screen room are well-secured. Have your meals planned out and involve him in preparation so he gets to experience cooking outdoors. A nice campfire to snuggle in front of as you watch for shooting stars and tell each other stories. Maybe some wine or beer to help him relax, but not enough to get drunk.
Pack a picnic basket and blanket and go out on a hike, stopping along the way to point-out and explain the wildlife, nature and scenery. Just holding hands and walking the beach looking for seashells is a good time if you're with someone you enjoy. Maybe do some surf fishing or crabbing, or go out on a dolphin/whale watching boat trip, but be prepared in case he gets seasick. If there's someplace nearby where you can hire horses or mountain bikes for a short ride that's always a good time. Many beach areas also have tethered hot air balloon rides, or go to a nearby small airport and take a discovery flight in a small plane. Bring a camera and a tripod so you can take pictures of the both of you as a couple enjoying the sights.
Depending on where you are you might buy some fireworks and put on your own little show on the beach, making sure to keep it safe and clean-up afterwards. Some beaches have ATV or motorcycle rentals so you can ride on the beach. A nearby amusement pier would be fun. Or racing remote controlled cars on the beach.
But mostly I say just be yourself and do the things you like to do. He will either like it or he won't. If he doesn't then you need to decide whether a relationship can work with a person who doesn't share your interests. Sometimes they do, but mostly they don't.
If I was your boyfriend I think I'd be more than happy to spend time alone with the girl I loved in a scenic location. But if your boyfriend isn't an outdoors person he might be put-off by the lack of convenience and entertainment options.
The first thing I'd worry about is helping your boyfriend pick the clothing and gear he's going to bring so he is warm and comfortable throughout the trip. Make sure to bring extra blankets. Many people have trouble sleeping the first few times camping because they're not used to the sounds of nature, so ear plugs are a good idea.
Next I'd focus on is creating a campground environment that is comfy and safe. Have a lantern that can run overnight on low setting so he won't be concerned about getting lost if he has to go to the bathroom during the night. A table and chairs to relax outside, protected by a tarp and bug candles or a screen room so you both can relax outside and enjoy the view without risk of rain or insect bites. Remember it will be windy near the beach so make sure your tent, tarp and/or screen room are well-secured. Have your meals planned out and involve him in preparation so he gets to experience cooking outdoors. A nice campfire to snuggle in front of as you watch for shooting stars and tell each other stories. Maybe some wine or beer to help him relax, but not enough to get drunk.
Pack a picnic basket and blanket and go out on a hike, stopping along the way to point-out and explain the wildlife, nature and scenery. Just holding hands and walking the beach looking for seashells is a good time if you're with someone you enjoy. Maybe do some surf fishing or crabbing, or go out on a dolphin/whale watching boat trip, but be prepared in case he gets seasick. If there's someplace nearby where you can hire horses or mountain bikes for a short ride that's always a good time. Many beach areas also have tethered hot air balloon rides, or go to a nearby small airport and take a discovery flight in a small plane. Bring a camera and a tripod so you can take pictures of the both of you as a couple enjoying the sights.
Depending on where you are you might buy some fireworks and put on your own little show on the beach, making sure to keep it safe and clean-up afterwards. Some beaches have ATV or motorcycle rentals so you can ride on the beach. A nearby amusement pier would be fun. Or racing remote controlled cars on the beach.
But mostly I say just be yourself and do the things you like to do. He will either like it or he won't. If he doesn't then you need to decide whether a relationship can work with a person who doesn't share your interests. Sometimes they do, but mostly they don't.
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