The Good Neighbor Rule at the Campground
Contributed by Diane Holston
From above, a campground looks like a collection of little homes tucked among the trees. From the ground, it feels like a neighborhood that comes together for a few nights and then moves on. You do not have to know the people next door to be a good neighbor to them.
Give people their patch of ground
That open strip beside an RV can look like a shortcut to the bathhouse. To the family staying there, it is their front yard. Use the campground paths instead of walking through another occupied site, and keep your chairs, awning, and gear within your own space.
When you arrive, take a moment to see where your neighbors are set up before arranging your outdoor space. A little room to breathe is one of the things people came camping to find.
Let the night sound like night
Learn the campground’s quiet hours and its rules for generators when you check in. Music, conversation, exterior lights, and a generator may carry farther than you think after dark. Even outside posted quiet hours, consider whether the people next door came to hear the birds or your speakers.
A warm hello is welcome. A spotlight shining through someone else’s window at bedtime probably is not. Aim outdoor lighting where you need it and turn it down when the evening settles.
Leave the next arrival a good beginning
Before you pull out, check around the picnic table, under the RV, and near the fire ring for small bits of trash or forgotten gear. Use the campground’s designated disposal areas and follow its rules for fires, pets, and shared facilities. Leave the site ready for the next traveler to feel as welcome as you did.
Scout’s note: The best neighbor leaves you with a good memory, not a reason to remember them.
Where is the road taking you next?
If an RV issue is holding up your trip, call Allegiance’s Wildwood office to ask about shop service or mobile availability.
Call (352) 232-7127