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My wife and I are bringing 5+ 18 year old kids with us in an RV and companion car for our first Roo and I'm having reservations about releasing the kids into Tent Only. I set up the 50'x20' boundary in my driveway and there's tons of room for a 11'x20' tent, both vehicles and 2 shade tents. What say thee about camping together for our first family Roo? I'm Dadding up a little, my instincts are to err on the side of safety.
If you trust the kids then let them go, if you dont then babysit them by the RV. Personally, I would not want to go with my parents because I feel like that would be a total buzzkill. Im sure some of these kids will be venturing off to college in the fall, cant keep the chicks in the nest forever, dad. If you are concerned about their safety in tent only, then there is not much to worry about.
Post by itrainmonkeys on Jan 30, 2013 11:48:08 GMT -5
Same as woobs: If you trust them to make good decisions let them go. If you are unsure how they'd react in a festival environment then I'm not sure. Of course, this is all dependent on yours/their goals for the festival and the activities you guys partake in.
Also, make sure they stay hydrated (ALWAYS DRINKING WATER) and with some sunblock or something. It can be scorching hot sometimes.
I camped next to a guy who was there for his teenage daughter and her friends last year. He basically cooked for them and put food in their cooler, and checked on them once or twice a day. He was camped a good half mile or more away.
His sole purpose for being there was to take care of his daughter FROM A DISTANCE. She appreciated it and it really was cool to see. As a matter of fact, Im going to do that when my kids want to go.
My advice, let them go to Tent only. let them enjoy and have fun. Its in a spot where you can check it very easily between shows because its so close to center.
There are TONS of 17-20 year olds on the farm, and they get along just fine. You raised your kids, have faith in yourself and direction.
However, you can never tell them enough to DRINK WATER. LOTS OF WATER. If you see them in center, buy them some cold aquafina, theyll appreciate it!
Ya it is all about trust. They won't be in any danger that they don't get them selves in. I was 18 when I went the first time and I went completely by myself. But I didn't drink and didn't take anything. You have to decide if you can trust them to be smart and safe. If so buy each of them a camel-bak and a solar cellphone charger and make them text you every couple of hours or so.
They can get into as much "trouble" when they're off wandering by themselves as they can camping by themselves, just sayin'. If you don't trust the kids, don't bring them to Bonnaroo in the first place.
One son, the rest friends including a couple girls. I trust them, all off to college in the fall, all good kids. I'm just reading some "Roo has lost it's peace love and understanding vibe" threads and its causing some concern.
As for the Dad who went to Roo only for his daughter, that ain't us lol. The kids in our campsite would absolutely cramp our style. Also, my son would go Ape S if we rolled in and he realized we were camping together, that would be an epic moment.
Another question, would it be better/safer letting them take the car? My concern with that would be they could end real far away.
I'll release em to you, just don't rob cheat or steal them, okay?
One son, the rest friends including a couple girls. I trust them, all off to college in the fall, all good kids. I'm just reading some "Roo has lost it's peace love and understanding vibe" threads and its causing some concern.
Roo is just as peaceful, loving, and understanding as it's been since I've gone. There are less pure hippies and jambands fans than early years, I'm guessing, but it's really all in what you make of it. Will there be idiots who get drunk and are partying too hard near you? Possibly. Will there be a lot of helpful, kind, and interesting people? Definitely.
The kind and helpful people thing is especially true if you stick around here and become a regular member of the community. We always have a lot of board members at the festival (even have a brunch on Friday morning in tent-only).
As for the Dad who went to Roo only for his daughter, that ain't us lol. The kids in our campsite would absolutely cramp our style.
Then kick them out, haha. This is your vacation time too.
Also, my son would go Ape S if we rolled in and he realized we were camping together, that would be an epic moment.
When you start pulling the car in just pull out one of those child leash things and tell him he'll stay within 20 feet of you at all times.
Another question, would it be better/safer letting them take the car? My concern with that would be they could end real far away.
Better? Depends. They would be able to camp at the car itself but may end up far away. If they plan on doing tent only no matter what then being far away isn't a huge problem. Just one or two long trips. You'd end up paying more in gas and tolls but if that's not a problem it could be a good option.
Plus the RV section is on/near the walk into Centeroo so you guys could always meet up and/or check in.
I'll release em to you, just don't rob cheat or steal them, okay?
We can't be held accountable for what Whoreshack may do to them.
This will be my 5th time going. I cant speak for everyone on the board here but I have not one time seen anything that made me concerned for my safety. I would let them take the car if they wanted but it would probably be better for them to go in right before or after you since you have the RV +car pass. That way they will know exactly where you will be staying. They could still go to tent only but will at least have your location so they can go eat, clean up, etc. at the RV.
Yup, all have been briefed including "your kid is 18, any bad decisions are owned by you and your adult kid". I'm providing safe journey, not chaperoning. All are clear and good with that or they aren't coming. So far we have 3 confirmed kids, all with no issues. I'm slightly concerned about any late comers my son might recruit, including the handful of ladies who are interested. My wife had to talk me into that one but she feels the girl parents will say "no effing way" etc.
Post by Delicious Meatball Sub on Jan 30, 2013 12:38:10 GMT -5
Any danger your kids will get in will be their own doing. If your worried about what they'll have access to you might want them to car camp rather than do tent only, which can be a little crazier.
As a practical matter, pitching a tent in the RV section is less than ideal. The generator noise and exhaust makes sleeping in a tent tough. Also, odds are you'll see quite a bit of your kids, they'll be posted up hogging your RVs AC.
The car vs TO camping is a ever going debate around here and each has it's pros and cons
Car camping: Pros: A place to lock stuff up guaranteed space quieter
Cons: could be farther away don't know where you will end up
Tent only: Pros: closer camp inforoo
Cons: can get very, very full lots of people walking through basically right behind stages that could have music until dawn
I personally prefer car camping after 3 years of TO and 2 of car. I prefer the walk for the quiet, space, and what I think is a better sense of community.
Post by itrainmonkeys on Jan 30, 2013 12:39:20 GMT -5
The one big thing I see mentioned on the boards a lot (though it does seem to be pretty random to who it occurs to) is theft. Like, leaving things out at your campsite or leaving your car doors unlocked. Make sure you lock up everything you want to keep in the car or RV. May even help to hide/bury it a bit if it's valuable. I've personally never had more than a few beers stolen from my cooler but others have had their camp sites ransacked at times.
Yup, all have been briefed including "your kid is 18, any bad decisions are owned by you and your adult kid". I'm providing safe journey, not chaperoning. All are clear and good with that or they aren't coming. So far we have 3 confirmed kids, all with no issues. I'm slightly concerned about any late comers my son might recruit, including the handful of ladies who are interested. My wife had to talk me into that one but she feels the girl parents will say "no effing way" etc.
Alright. The only other point I can think of is to make sure that they know that, if they do make a bad decision, they can go to the med tent.
Post by itrainmonkeys on Jan 30, 2013 12:43:30 GMT -5
Yes, the medical staff at Roo (and most festivals) will help with any issues people have and they shouldn't worry about getting into "trouble" for admitting anything to the medical people. That's if this type of thing is even an issue.
Post by billypilgrim on Jan 30, 2013 12:59:43 GMT -5
As a parent of daughters now in their early 20s, I say let them run free.
You can't keep your eye on them 24/7. Even if you try, they'll have plenty of opportunities to slip away. I'd be more worried about them overindulging if they feel they've got a limited opportunity to do so and need to make the most of it.
If they're off to college a couple months later, they're going to have that freedom anyway. Let them experience it with you in the same zip code.
You still need to be the parent and warn them about the dangers and express disapproval of behavior that warrants it. I wouldn't hesitate to tell them that every year it seems like one or more young people die from the combined effects of drugs and the heat.
Water Water Water hydrate hydrate hydrate make sure they all drinks lots and lots....other than that, nature will take care of them... they will either love"roo or hate it...my money is on love...
The one big thing I see mentioned on the boards a lot (though it does seem to be pretty random to who it occurs to) is theft. Like, leaving things out at your campsite or leaving your car doors unlocked. Make sure you lock up everything you want to keep in the car or RV. May even help to hide/bury it a bit if it's valuable. I've personally never had more than a few beers stolen from my cooler but others have had their camp sites ransacked at times.
Can't say this enough. Every time I hear the sob story of someone's site getting robbed they fail to mention the lack of security precautions they took.
I understand this is Roo, and you want to relax, but taking five minutes to lock stuff away is essential. Make friends with your neighbors by giving them beer/water/food early on so you have multiple people seemingly "watching" your tent. Keep your eye on shady people, etc.
There's bad seeds everywhere, and unfortunately the bad stories tend to stand out more than the good.
The staff section that I camp in is far from our vehicles, but our group is 40+ people and we all look after each other's tent. Our neighbors eventually do the same since they start hanging with us. A few years ago a shady hippie was rummaging through our tents and one of our neighbors (aka new friend) spotted him and got him kicked out.
But you don't see me ranting and raving about it, right? If my stuff had gotten stolen, or some of my friends, you might have heard the story from one of us on here. In short, don't let the bad stories worry you. They are few and far between, it's just no one needs to "vent" a good story like they normally would a bad one.
I don't know about the rest of the commenters but I have kids. We have taken them to festivals, smaller than Roo and give them more and more leeway each year. They're not old enough to be on their own yet so I have not had to deal with this but.....for my own peace of mind I would want the kids staying nearby.
Two years ago we camped near a family that brought their teenager and a "friend". They had a really difficult time with the heat and the friend got sick and had to leave the farm Saturday. This meant the whole crew left. I don't know if no no words were involved or not but it was enough that they had to leave. If they had been split up I don't know how that would have worked . Cell phones do work on the farm but my experience has been that they are spotty and I've been known to receive several hours worth of text messages at once.
Let them stay in the tent (and let us rent out space in the RV That way they can have freedom but if it's a brutal year there are a couple of luxuries.
Then when you take them next year they can decide for themselves.
That way they can have freedom but if it's a brutal year there are a couple of luxuries.