Camping/Stagecoach with Kids?

[WestCoastLady]

Last year I brought my then-10 year old son to SC09...we stayed at a hotel in Palm Springs and had a blast ~ both at the hotel and at SC!

This year we're RV-ing it with a bunch of friends ~ a whole different experience, I'm sure!

For those experienced Stagecoach parents - please share your ideas, suggestions and tried & true solutions for bringing kids (of all ages) to SC...

For newbies, ask your questions here....

I'm hoping to "meet up" with parents of other pre-teens here, or just help out anyone with a question :)

[tgcali]

Well, Little Bit and I have gone the last two years and done the tent camping. In '08 it was just her and me. I was pretty freaked out about going to the festival, alone. I didn't know what I was doing or what to expect. I had never been to anything like that, let alone camped for four days alone with my daughter. But, we had the time of our lives!

I'm preparing for this year in the RV the same as I did for the tents. No refrigeration/no cooking. Why? Because I don't know how much we can use our generator, whether we can keep the food cold, etc. I'd rather be prepared than hungry!

Little Bit was 11 the first year we went. So....

Pre-Teen/Young Teen Kids camping at Stagecoach:

All the necessities for camping you need for yourself. Food, bedding, hygiene, sunscreen, a hat, etc.

Activities that don't involve electricity. I'm bringing a frisbee and hacky sack I have for Little Bit and WestCoastKid as well as a deck of Uno cards and a tic-tac-toe game. We had ladder ball last year and Little Bit enjoyed playing that too, though I don't know if we'll have it again this year. A book they would like but haven't read yet is a great idea. Find a shady spot, get comfy and pass some time.

Also, Little Bit enjoys playing photographer with my camera, and I get some...interesting....pictures.:p

In addition to the real food, snacks that they really like. For Little Bit it's animal crackers (I know, at her age!), single serving cups of applesauce kept in the cooler, fruit snacks, goldfish crackers, baby bel cheese, etc.

Sit down and spend a moment thinking through the weekend. Answer the following questions:
When will you arrive?
How many meals will you need?
How many of those meals will be bought and eaten inside the venue?
How much time will actually be spent in camp?

With that you get a pretty accurate idea of how much you need. Food, water, drinks, activities, etc.

Just take a moment to realize that once you go into the venue, there are a number of hours that need to be filled. At her age, Little Bit gets really bored, really fast. Just something to keep in mind. ;)

Most important, absolutely vital, critical even...WATER. Seriously, you, and your kids, need A LOT OF WATER.

HAVE FUN!

[Kymery]

TG, in an RV the fridge runs off of propane, not a generator. You just need to run the generator to recharge the batteries every so often. In my rig, I might run the generator about 2 hrs a day, off and on, to keep the batteries charged, depending on how much lights I use. I don't even go thru 5 gls of fuel for that over the weekend. I also just turn it on to run the hair dryers and curling irons, then turn it right back off. Don't worry if you have an RV, you will be fine. If you need help...let me know k?

If you plan on running the AC a lot, then you need the generator on so of course you will go thru more fuel. I never ran the AC on any SC trip so far. But others just cant bear it and run it all the time.

[tgcali]

TG, in an RV the fridge runs off of propane, not a generator. You just need to run the generator to recharge the batteries every so often. In my rig, I might run the generator about 2 hrs a day, off and on, to keep the batteries charged, depending on how much lights I use. I don't even go thru 5 gls of fuel for that over the weekend. I also just turn it on to run the hair dryers and curling irons, then turn it right back off. Don't worry if you have an RV, you will be fine. If you need help...let me know k?

If you plan on running the AC a lot, then you need the generator on so of course you will go thru more fuel. I never ran the AC on any SC trip so far. But others just cant bear it and run it all the time.

Thanks Kymery! I think our whole group is pretty new to the whole RV thing. We could use the help! I'll pick your brain on any questions that come up.

[Kymery]

Thanks Kymery! I think our whole group is pretty new to the whole RV thing. We could use the help! I'll pick your brain on any questions that come up.

No problem. Just ask as you remember them. I am pretty up on the whole RV thing..thanks to my dad telling me to "GET IT DONE NOW!!" hahahaha

[Chevgirl357]

No problem. Just ask as you remember them. I am pretty up on the whole RV thing..thanks to my dad telling me to "GET IT DONE NOW!!" hahahaha

Ok, then we DO need help Kymery! We probably WILL be running the A/C a bit, should we bring extra fuel and how do we do that? Not sure how many glalins it holds. We are renting all 3 RV's.

[Firecracker]

Went the first year SC in 07, brought my daughter. She will be 11 this year and is bringing a friend. I will also have my 19 month old. I'm a little worried about keeping her comfy thru out the weekend but she's a trooper as long as she has water and food. We're thinking of bringing a kiddie pool. I heard there's a wter truck that drives around. We'll also have the basics ie; unicycle, football, ball & glove, checkers, cards for the pre teens and of course I'm sure they'll have their books and ipods.
My experience kids have a blast. There is so much for them to do.

Can't wait to see you

[gogoracer]

My boys enjoyed the slip-n-slide that someone had set up. I saw a few scattered around in ED1 and one in International. Everyone is very nice and are willing to share their fun with the young and old. We brought kites, rc cars, baseballs and a football. Everyone jumps in and plays, its like one big instant neighborhood that gets along.

I do have a little talk with them about alcohol consumption, we laugh at some and use others as examples. I try not to be the bad example, but I have my fun too.

SC08 was great, I could let the kids roam the kiddie area and run to get food. SC09 was sooo crowded, I wouldn't let them out of my sight!! Everyone lined up to go in so early it kinda wasted some hang out time!! I expect that to continue to get worse this year.

It is a little funny to see my pre-teen try to keep his eyeballs from popping out at all the hotties in boots and bikinis.....

Overall, my kids love it and ask to go every year.

[ddean]

Our first year 08, my oldest and I went. I was pregnant, had fun just uncomfortable. Last year was great. The baby was 8 months so I did not have to entertain her much. This SC she will be 20 months and very active. My oldest is 14 so we never spend much time in the kiddy area or had need to check out activates for little ones. This year will be a completely different experience at SC. Ideas from experienced parents on what to do with my little one would be great. Are there activities for the young ones?? Is the kiddy area for toddlers or older kids?

I thought about camping out but was not sure if it was family orientated so we are doing the hotel thing again. Maybe we will try camping out next year.

[Firecracker]

Our first year 08, my oldest and I went. I was pregnant, had fun just uncomfortable. Last year was great. The baby was 8 months so I did not have to entertain her much. This SC she will be 20 months and very active. My oldest is 14 so we never spend much time in the kiddy area or had need to check out activates for little ones. This year will be a completely different experience at SC. Ideas from experienced parents on what to do with my little one would be great. Are there activities for the young ones?? Is the kiddy area for toddlers or older kids?

I thought about camping out but was not sure if it was family orientated so we are doing the hotel thing again. Maybe we will try camping out next year.

My family is cmping in the International area. i have a 12 year old with her best friend and a 20 month old as well. I'm a little nervouse about keeping track of everyone and keeping everyone entertained. I know it's going to be a great time. 07 was so much fun.

[Firecracker]

My family is cmping in the International area. i have a 12 year old with her best friend and a 20 month old as well. I'm a little nervouse about keeping track of everyone and keeping everyone entertained. I know it's going to be a great time. 07 was so much fun.

We need to get the 20 month olds together. Mine has been walking since she was 9 months and now she's everywhere, crazy, OUT OF CONTROL. She needs someone her age to rucus with.

[WestCoastLady]

My recollections of the Kid's Area last year was some crafts (I remember leather working) and some coloring/arts. They had a HUGE fake chicken/rooster with a saddle that kids could sit on. There were some Girl Scouts selling cookies. They had the "kid registry" bracelet i.d. station there (highly recommended!!! it's amazing how fast kids can become disoriented in the crowds and disappear!!) I don't remember any "fenced" toddler areas, but then I wasn't looking for them either. I remember it was in a huge tent (shade is at a premium) and distracted my then-10 year old for a while.

[WestCoastLady]

bumping this thread up, too....especially looking to meet up with parents that are camping/RV-ing with their pre-teens :)

[calichristina]

Ok, then we DO need help Kymery! We probably WILL be running the A/C a bit, should we bring extra fuel and how do we do that? Not sure how many glalins it holds. We are renting all 3 RV's.


that is a good question chev! we are renting from the same place! and i was raised on tent camping and boatin... so i dont know much about the rv thing.... maybe rv questions can be a new thread? lol
so does that mean the water runs off the generator to? or just lights electricty etc?
i dont think the generator comes with the rv we rented.... or maybe it does?
do they usually?
how long will the power last on a toyhauler? (32 foot keystone laredo)
anyone?:o

[Chevgirl357]

that is a good question chev! we are renting from the same place! and i was raised on tent camping and boatin... so i dont know much about the rv thing.... maybe rv questions can be a new thread? lol
so does that mean the water runs off the generator to? or just lights electricty etc?
i dont think the generator comes with the rv we rented.... or maybe it does?
do they usually?
how long will the power last on a toyhauler? (32 foot keystone laredo)
anyone?:o

The RV's we rented come with generators and a full tank of water, just FYI. Still waiting on a call back from Bert to answer all my questions though!

[WestCoastLady]

Bumping this up again....

Anyone in EDII with pre-teens (9-12)? Especially looking for friends for my son (11) to hang out with.....

[Firecracker]

Bumping this up again....

Anyone in EDII with pre-teens (9-12)? Especially looking for friends for my son (11) to hang out with.....

We are camping in International. I have an 11 year old girl and her best friend with us.
She is so excited, she packed today.

[Mom2Boys]

LOOKING for a spot in INTERNATIONAL....they were available yesterday...but looks like not today!!
ANYONE, ANYONE????

[UKNOWME]

Ok, then we DO need help Kymery! We probably WILL be running the A/C a bit, should we bring extra fuel and how do we do that? Not sure how many glalins it holds. We are renting all 3 RV's.

I THOUGHT YOUR RV GUY WAS LEAVING YOU SOME EXTRA GAS IN GAS CANS IF THAT IS TRUE I WOULDN'T BRING ANY IF YOU NEED MORE I GOT YOU COVERED

[Raquellita]

I THOUGHT YOUR RV GUY WAS LEAVING YOU SOME EXTRA GAS IN GAS CANS IF THAT IS TRUE I WOULDN'T BRING ANY IF YOU NEED MORE I GOT YOU COVERED

Awwwww how sweet of you! :)