Campground Living With Kids

Thoughts of a family living at a campground usually conjure up images of grungy people living out of a tent, cooking over a fire, and children running around half-clothed. This, however, is usually far from the case. More and more families are choosing to live at campgrounds as they see the lifestyle benefits for them and their children.

Can't Beat the Amenities

Campground life is far from dull. There are always plenty of activities for children and adults alike and always new people to meet. For many of the families that choose to live at a campground, the amenities alone are worth it. Some of the typical amenities found at campgrounds include:

• Pools and Jacuzzis

• Mini-Golf

• Basketball Courts

• Tennis Courts

• Rec Centers

• Arcades

• Pool Tables

• Playgrounds

• Bathhouses

While not all these amenities are at every campground, it is fairly easy to find one that meets your needs. After all, campgrounds exist for the pleasure of tourists and vacationers.

Camping with Children

Many people think that living at a campground is not possible until the kids have graduated and moved out. The two biggest concerns parents have for their kids are schooling and friends.

Schooling - Many of the families who decide to camp full-time home-school their children because it fits well with a mobile lifestyle. However, if families take up an annual residence at a particular campground or if the parents work during the day, they can send their children to a school within the area.

Friends - Another perk for children at campgrounds is the presence of other children. Living at a campground presents the type of community that many people complain is lacking in society today. There are many other kids to play with and numerous opportunities to play outside, ride their bikes, and explore nature. On rainy days, they can play old fashioned board games at the rec hall.

Choosing a New Home

The majority of people who choose to live at a campground do not do so in tents. In fact, the RV industry has produced incredible units equipped with every luxury of a house. Models include televisions, full kitchens, air conditioning and heat, full bathrooms, and sometimes fireplaces. Depending on the model, the price can be far less than purchasing a home. The sacrifice? Smaller indoor living area and usually smaller appliances. At a campground, though, you will hardly notice the smaller indoor space because you will hardly be inside.

There are many types of RV options available, some more suited to families than others.

Tag-Alongs – Can be as long as 35 feet and are pulled behind a truck. The best type of model for families is a bunk house. These models come with two to four beds in the bunk room, in addition to the queen or king size bed in the 'master bedroom'. A slide out also makes for more room in the bunk house area.

Fifth Wheels – Are as long as 47 feet and require a special fifth wheel plate to be installed in a truck. Bunk house models are available and can even come with double slides in the bunk room, allowing for a large play space for kids. It is also possible to have an extra bathroom in the bunk house and washer and dryer hook-ups. Fifth wheels offer significantly more head space than tag along campers and are more easily maneuverable.

Toy Haulers – These RVs have a large garage area at the back. Although there is usually very little built-in storage in the garage area, they often have a queen size bed on a lift with couches that can fold into beds on the bottom. The garage area makes a great play place for kids and allows for easy transportation of bikes or golf carts. In addition, newer toy haulers will usually have a fenced patio that folds out from the back. With this feature, little ones can go outside but are easily contained. Like the fifth wheel campers, some toy haulers have an extra bathroom and washer and dryer hookups.

Motor Homes – These are driver campers. Most families will tow a car behind one. While you can find models that have bunks for children, this type of RV is not great for families because the children will not have their own room. However, if you do plan on moving around frequently, this may be a convenient choice.

Park Models – Although they are transportable, a park model is a more permanent home for a campground. They are usually delivered to a campsite and remain at that site. They look and feel more like a home than other recreational vehicles. Some models are also equipped with a loft, which makes a great bedroom and play area for kids. It is also possible to get a model with a deck. Many people who own park models set up screen rooms and landscape their sites to make it feel more like home.

Choosing the best RV will depend on the size of the family, how much they want to travel, how much indoor space is important to them, and cost. All types of RVs run from affordable to luxury. A tour through an RV dealer can provide a good idea of the different models and features that are available and their prices.

Living at a campground is not for everyone but more and more families are giving it a try. Once a family has lived at a campground, they often cannot envision life in any other way. They enjoy the amenities, freedom, and community a can offer enough to make it a permanent lifestyle. Resort Homes are also a great option.