Campgound Price

We will be headed back east next summer for the wifes ?? highschool reunion in Hagerstown MD, and spending a few weeks around the area. Looks like we won't be staying in Fort Belvoir then.

We're leaving on a cross-country trip from Florida to Cape Cod, and then the west coast, and back through Texas as the weather drives south from the NW. We will photo and gather info about sites and prices and use, etc. THEN, we will make up a little document that explains what we find - and hope that information is good enough stimulation to make the veterans on here write each congressman and ask them to explain why this is a revenue generating business when it is listed as a AD and Retired benefit for our service. That's the question I want answered...

Genie and I have decided to do their research for them, and see how they compare to others in the $60 a night price bracket in MCGs ... IF we can find any.

We're also going to post on here a thread that will ask anyone in a MCG at that time to tell us briefly if the MCG is good, how managed, and whether or not DOD and BHA housing is being spent at that facility ... and whether the rules for long stays and for free sites to unnecessary 'buddies' of the hosts.

I suspect most are run well, and will be happy to supply that info - if not, that means what? Hiding? Who knows - but when another benefit -like our medical and BX turns into a cash cow for pharmacy and BX purchases, and our COLA stands at such a low rate, and we stand to lose commissary privileges while we send billions of aid across the country that usually gets to the politicians and dictators and not the folks its intended to assist with life, it begins to get my back hairs up ... So, watch for the thread in a few weeks - when we get in the road ... and you can post your observations - But we're first on our way up the Atlantic coast to find those jewel $60 campgrounds she compared her new MCG to when she priced it. Can't wait to see those babies ...

Have no intention of staying overnight though, will try to find a Wal-mart parking lot instead. HAHAHAHAHA

The interesting thing I always discover when a person truly has no clue, they always shoot themselves in the foot with a dumb comment "We're a revenue-generating business" that to them sounds fine, but to the veterans that served and earned it sounds more like in insult.

Brianna, is probably a very nice lady that is in charge of a campground but has no experience with RV's, campgrounds or dealing with the population she is serving (active and retired military). Best case is she and the rest of the leadership there realize they are overpriced because of low usage of the campground. She seems to think that water, sewer and 50 amp electric are something special. "Revenue Generating Facility" also rubbed me wrong but lets not forget that Congress changed the rules a number of years ago and told all MWR programs they have to be self sufficient and generate enough revenue to fund all their programs. It's a fact of life on all bases that some MWR activities more than pay their own way (like a campground) and others are losers (clubs, bowling allies and frequently golf courses. In some respects they are just playing the hand they were dealt but they're playing it like amateurs. I hope they are reading this thread.

You're probably right - but if so, then leave the MCG money in the MCG, not transferred to the golf courses.

And, if Congress makes them self-supporting, then we need to abide by the rules too, and that means 'length of stay' and DOD and BHA can't save money and stay on MCG. If DOD wants to stay here, then reduce the allotment to what the MCG costs a month instead of in their wallet - and that should be determined and consistent.

IF we have to raise the MCG fees, raise the MCG fees, but don't put that raise in someone's pocket, or in the golf - raise the golf fees to take care of golf.

When you have one MCG at two weeks, and another at six months because the 'home group' decides it and wants friends with a 'gimme title', like "book monitor in the game room" to have a free site, then we need to review that in total, not with an 'excuse for me, phone call' and let it stay.

Most of these systems will self support if the manager runs it properly and if the rules are not abused. But JK is right, we're beating a dead horse because one person has no voice, and traditionally, the 'leaders and managers' will do what is best for them, and not what is best for the people that use the facilities. Next thing we know, we'll have a day use fee for the base gym.

Not to knock those who like to knock a little white ball around, but bet a pretty penny that MCG go along way in supporting those groomed grass plots.

I would be interested in what their occupancy is at these rates. Perhaps if they find they have not met their expectations and have a lot of vacant sites they will re-think this pricing policy. Much as I would like to make a visit to the area I think I will look towards a private CG and skip Ft. Belvior. I appreciate your interest in keeping us informed.

Thank you,