Campgound Price

I hope they do respond Larry, but it appears the mind-set there is to justify the price in any way they can.

I'd expect if we see local campgrounds (for-profit) in the area, with all the overhead and profit, we'd see similar prices, but that will never justify charging same price with NO overhead in MCGs ...

I'd expect even if you wrote to the CO, he's send it to the MCG for comment, as is what usually happens with this kind of issue. The in-charge folks give the order to respond to the very people that received the complaint.

It's like asking DUI arrested driver to evaluate his own sobriety.

monkey44 wrote: Seems to me John, that breaking even and covering its own expenses is more what this SHOULD mean - not generating as much money as it can.

For example, if all MWR activities made more money than it cost, what would happen to the extra bucks? That would be my first question of the MWR. Does it then use that overage for MWR? And if each pays for itself, then what?

And, beyond that - if the MWR thinks it's a money-maker, when will that carry over to the other "benefits". Will our health care become a 'for profit' private contractor?

I see now in the Stimson Report that the FEDS are considering closing ALL commissaries, giving the AD a food stipend, and the retired '0' ... And it occurs to me as I read it, why spend all the millions and millions of bucks on building new commissaries over the past years, and then close them. Makes sense, right?

One thing to make clear here too, no reason we can't pay our way and cover the costs of these recreational benefits, it's the over-charging that pushes my button. What happens with over-charging and extra revenue, the people then get pats on the back and raises ... probably.

And, the distorted prices then become 'normal', and even when less campers use it because of high prices, the cost to operate is spread over less campers and then 'justifies' the high prices because only half the sites are full - and the 'stump' then becomes 'we can't stay open unless we charge this much, where as, with $30 a night, the place would be full.

Oops...should have put this in my other post. Guess what? Any overage is allowed to be applied to other "common Class C activities" to ensure that they at least break even also. It's not just a myth...the campground profits CAN be used to pay for the golf course!

Source: DOD Instruction 1015.10, July 6, 2009, Incorporating Change 1, May 6, 2011. Establishing and implementing policies, assign responsibilities, and prescribe procedures for operating and managing programs for military MWR programs.

Guess you should write that campground a letter and tell them it's okay to charge $60 then John ... sure seems out of line to me, but is a sign of the times to come when what we expected as benefits as we signed on that line all those years ago disappear after we give our part. No taking those years back ...

As disabled vets, we can't change the conditions of our health in retrospect, but the operations of what we expected as benefits for our service can disappear just as fast as a scribbling a signature on a document.

SO, makes no sense to call that to anyone's attention? Right, just let it continue until there's nothing left.

Medical benefits = co-pays rising every year - MWR costing more than civilian recreation, commissary on the way out. Next thing will be we didn't really, really, really promise you retirement pay, we just told you that so you'd sign up ... is that next?

Well, I think I'll go camp somewhere while it's still affordable ... Hanscom AFB $18 a night ... nice showers, BBQ, concrete pads - water, elect, sewer, WIFI that works ... better go tell the hosts here it's too cheap, and we should up the price. Nice campground tho' ... and great hosts.

A sign of the times, the kids growing up today have the "pay for it and throw it away, it's junk' attitude, and it carries over to the world we all live in, and it doesn't matter how much it costs, we'll find the money somewhere even if we hock the futures of our grand kids to pay for it now, and raise the price until it squeals ... but the noise falls on deaf ears.

How would you feel if that lake spot you and Rick and the others enjoy each year at Ft Gordon jumped the price to $50 so the golfers could golf. That's the single most aggravating part - we pay higher fees to camp so the golfers can afford to golf. If the fees stayed in the MCG, that would be great, but it doesn't - and if you think for one second the golf course would raise it's rates to cover low revenues in MCG, I'd sell you a fine RV with bald tires and no warranty for 125% MSRP .... hehehhehehehe see ya !

But, if what you said is true - and I don't doubt it is - I'm done with this subject. And will camp MCGs as long as we can afford it. They won't change the price, and someone will stay there - probably DOD or BHA maybe ... won't be us tho'. NO DC and no Calif for us. Probably let civilians in eventually ... military retired won't be able to afford MCGs.

And, Genie says hello to you all, sorry we missed you guys on the way north this time.

What RV Park in San Diego are you citing? Can't be Del Mar Resort at Camp Pendleton.

This sounds about as bad as the Del Mar Resort at Camp Pendleton where they charge $50 a day on the front row on the beach and $40 a day for all other rows. Now this used to be reasonably priced until they put up some big cabanas with lounges and tables that can be reserved and rented and then called themselves a Resort. Other than that nothing changed; old utilities, open air bathroom/showers that were always dirty with sand and dumpsters that overflowed. Some military campgrounds are being run by people that don't have a clue.

Hey Bill...lighten up!! Don't get your panties in a wad at ME!!! I'm not saying I agree with those Bozoes, I'm just telling you what DOD says. :laugh:

And tell Genie we said Hi too. Nice hearing from the pleasant side of the camper!

Oh, and this is Augusta. The golf course here pays for itself. They opened it to civilians a few years ago and charge them a bundle to play this 27 holes here. It's still cheaper than most of the civilian courses (except Augusta National of course) and it's the premier golf course in the Army.

And tell Fort Belvoir to stay away from Pointes West. We've got more stuff here at the campground than they have at their glorified parking lot, all of the sites are right on the water (which isn't polluted like the Potomac,) and we only pay $12/night for seniors. LOL