Military Campground Price Complaints

T&T - not necessarily trying to save money in that sense, but would like to pay what a site is worth instead of pay what someone can squeeze out of a situation. As mentioned, $40 a night is $1200 a month, and it's a house for that many places.

It's starting to get to me a little, every place anyone goes now or anything anyone buys has jumped into the sky and high as any one will pay.

Trouble is, many kids have grown up with the mindset, "it's only money" and have no sense of value when it comes to 'items' ... buy a phone, toss it in two years because it doesn't work, but another one ($200-$300) toss it in a year because it breaks.

So, now a CG for $40 is nothing to them - so it's paid, and it becomes 'every day' sponge the dollars for the campgrounds. It's more about value for the money - and unfortunately, some think $40 for a concrete pad and a few KW of energy is worth it.

Well, we like that lifestyle, so will do it as long as we can afford it. Eventually, we'll be able to rent a castle for what a pad costs... so, then we'll live in a castle instead.

I really dislike complaining. I figure life is best lived being happy and laughing.

I do think that we need to protect our benefits sometimes. My husband and I have been camping since the 60's. The ability to camp on base is important to us.

Sometimes I think that there should be more attention paid to keeping prices low instead of supplying extras. We should be able to entertain ourselves to the extent we can afford it.

A fixed income relies on lower prices not higher. Just a fact. I think retired military bring their money to spend on a military installation so why hit us with higher fees? Some of the larger military campgrounds surely make a "profit" off us to use elsewhere. At some point it needs to be understood that some of us are being priced out. That feels mean and unecessary.

Every now and then, I run into a famcamp that is overpriced for the area or what it offers. Using Military Campgrounds makes it easy to weed those out, but in general famcamps are a great deal. Considering locations, maintenance and cleanliness standards, amenities, base security, easy access to commissary, etc. you can't beat them. We have even seen free laundry at some. I have been able to keep our average daily costs to under $20 for the past 3 years. We've been on the road this year for about 6 months and we're averaging ~$18. We use famcamps, state parks and Passport America, in that order.
My biggest "irk" is homesteading in the famcamps. I see that alot. I can only assume the base commander is aware of that and allows it for a good reason.

Thanks Deckie, as it is good to know that one can still camp for less than $20 per night. We have not been out in our rv as much in the past year. I have mixed feelings about the homesteading on bases. It sets a bad precedent to allow a handfull to do this asvI have seen done. As far as rving full time and trying to stay in one place, if there is room without putting travelers out of a place to stop I see it as okay. The base gets the regular fees and other money spent on that base and the rv'er, usually retired military gets a good homebase. Keeping costs down keeps the rv wheels turning.

I strongly agree and some folks don't know a good thing while they have it. let them take their complaints off post at a local civilian CG and see what they get.

monkey44 wrote: One thinga that always interests me is using the comps in pricing for civilian counterparts.

First, when we all enlisted or received a commission, we agreed to a specific pay grade/rate and for the 'less wages' we were told we get medical care, MWR services, mess hall, a bed, etc.

Now, as budget constraints or 'just because' we get raise in fees for the MWR services. Lets don't even talk about medical at this point, let's just say our retirement and other agreements based on what we 'give to our country' and has nothing to do with 'compare to civilians" - civilians did not go to war and defend themselves, we did that. SO, why does anyone even imagine that a comparative issues exists here. No way !!

I could not of said, it better. I mentions on a previous post, that they must think we are stupid, but I guess if we are putting up with it, they may be a little truth here. I can't believe we are falling for all the excuses!! I tried by voting, but I found that there are more stupid people out there, than I thought!!! I just want to throw up my hands, and than Monkey I read your post, and feel I am not a voice crying in the wilderness. I just hope and pray, there are voices of reason out there who will bring ba

And, now we find our fees raised. And I don't believe for one second that MCG fees are as high as some claim. It's become a cash cow for some. I would have no problem paying any fee if it could be proved to me that it really does cost what I pay, fine charge me, and I'll either pay it or go away.

But, please don't insult us by telling us the fees need to compete with civilians - a no brainer - or tell me the raise in fees is for cover costs (where are the costs that equate to civilians - half is volunteer, grounds no rent, power grid in place).

SO, neither one makes sense - just charge me as if it's still one of the benefits we earned ... and if it costs more prove it before MWR taps into our wallets, and uses an unreasonable excuse to justify it.

We get 1.7% raise, in a national COLA statement, and if that's true, why do many costs jump 10-15-20% (look at fuel) ... pretty odd comparison figures.

I couldn't agree more!!! Like I wrote on a previous post, they must think we are all stupid. I pray the voices of reason will prevail over the present insanity, and faulty logic.