TRF Campgrounds - constructive input

[KiltedPrivateer]

Hmm may be time to invest in my horse and carriage enterprise *Ponders*

[Bonny Pearl]

Hmm may be time to invest in my horse and carriage enterprise *Ponders*

Soooo how do I get on the waiting list?

[eldatari]

Are we sure the camping fee would go up?  The fee did already go up just to discourage a certain type of group.  Were those funds spent to emprove the grounds or increase security in anyway?

I think it was more for an increase in security and to cover clean up cost.  I would bet anything that the camp fee will go up if they have to run water lines and electricity out there.  There I no way George is going to make improvements for free.

[KiltedPrivateer]

Are we sure the camping fee would go up?  The fee did already go up just to discourage a certain type of group.  Were those funds spent to emprove the grounds or increase security in anyway?

I think it was more for an increase in security and to cover clean up cost.  I would bet anything that the camp fee will go up if they have to run water lines and electricity out there.  There I no way George is going to make improvements for free.

Unlike other faires in the area...

Damn, was that out loud (o:

[angusmacinnes]

Keep in mind that it is a business, not a charity.  Just sayin'.

[Glaodian]

Power to certain sections of the campgrounds would do away with the loud generators.  And would also bring in new folks that do not normally camp.  Though I do not see them bringing in power to the entire campground.

[Valeria Skyye]

Power to certain sections of the campgrounds would do away with the loud generators.  And would also bring in new folks that do not normally camp.  Though I do not see them bringing in power to the entire campground.

May not nring power to the entire campground but it will bring a price increase to all campers.. just saying.

[Bonny Pearl]

It's possible the price could go up.  But, I would rather pay to camp instead of the alternative that could happen with drinking at faire.  Not to sound preachy or anything but that is one of the reasons we camp; so we can relax and not worry about how much we've had to drink because we will have to drive home in a few hours.

[Merlin the Elder]

May not bring power to the entire campground but it will bring a price increase to all campers.. just saying.

Maybe, maybe not. Something my late Pappy used to say, "Don't squeal `til you get stuck," meaning don't assume anything. But another saying was, "You gotta pay to play."

I'm seeing that some people are wanting the improvements, some aren't, some are willing to pay more, some aren't. I wonder if it's simply a case of "damned if you do, damned if you don't."

It may be that the only logical thing to do is to have two camping facilities, with two prices, and keep them physically separated.

[Glaodian]

The price could go up.  But then again, it may not.  Since they would be able to charge more for the full service sites (i.e., power and water hook-ups), they would more then be able to pay for the upgrades.  I still do not understand why some think that because they may add a few sites with power and water, why they assume that everyone will have to pay more.  Like any business, they should not expect to pay for the upgrades in one season.  Usually, 2 to 5 seasons should be expected to pay for this from a business stand point.

[Merlin the Elder]

It's possible the price could go up.  But, I would rather pay to camp instead of the alternative that could happen with drinking at faire.  Not to sound preachy or anything but that is one of the reasons we camp; so we can relax and not worry about how much we've had to drink because we will have to drive home in a few hours.

I can't believe alcohol has touched your lips, Bonny! 

You're right, though. I don't camp simply because I like the comfort of a nice bed. If I had a rig like yours, Bonny, I might reconsider... I realize that we all come from widely varying incomes, and I truly don't mean any offense to anyone, but if a difference of a few dollars is a hardship, should you even be going to faire? For many years, we didn't, because there was no way we could afford it. Am I missing something here?  Faires are businesses; they aren't a "right," they are entertainment.

[eldatari]

It's possible the price could go up.  But, I would rather pay to camp instead of the alternative that could happen with drinking at faire.  Not to sound preachy or anything but that is one of the reasons we camp; so we can relax and not worry about how much we've had to drink because we will have to drive home in a few hours.

I can't believe alcohol has touched your lips, Bonny! 

You're right, though. I don't camp simply because I like the comfort of a nice bed. If I had a rig like yours, Bonny, I might reconsider... I realize that we all come from widely varying incomes, and I truly don't mean any offense to anyone, but if a difference of a few dollars is a hardship, should you even be going to faire? For many years, we didn't, because there was no way we could afford it. Am I missing something here?  Faires are businesses; they aren't a "right," they are entertainment.

My fear is that it will be more than just a few dollars increase and that George will want to see a return on his investment immediately rather than over several years.  Faire is usually a bit of a stretch for us to make but it is the one thing that I do for myself every year and come hell or high water I will continue to go.  However if camping becomes too expensive, I live within an hour of TRF and I can go home to sleep in my own bed.  So yes I should be going to faire  but camping doesn't have to happen(though I would be sad not to be able to).

[angusmacinnes]

You know even if camping fees doubled it would still be cheaper than one night in a lousy motel so I think you give George credit because he is the one taking all the risk. Oh and no I do not know George and have never met him so this is just my personal observation.

[Breandan]

 I still do not understand why some think that because they may add a few sites with power and water, why they assume that everyone will have to pay more.

Past experience with Mr. Coulam in many peoples' cases. I have seen him suddenly jack gate fees up through the roof without any associated improvements done to the faire before, and those were some of the worst years we ever had out there. George has a bad tendency to want the quick payoff these days (used to not be that way, but things change as you grow older I guess), so he has made some very unwise short-term-thinking business decisions over the past decade. This is what has a lot of people concerned.

That being said, this may well be more under Terre's control than George's. If that is the case, then I am optimistic. I watched Terre with a cautious-but-openminded eye this year to see what rumours came true and what turned out to be BS, how he would handle certain situations, and what changes would be made at faire. I have to say, I have been pleasantly surprised, and I think he did an excellent job with the limited resources he has been handed. So, until we find out for sure that it will be George pulling the strings, I say wait and hold judgement.

[Glaodian]

I agree that we should wait and see.  As for fees being jacked thru the roof, I have been going to faire since the early to mid 90's and I have not noticed this.  Or at least nothing that did not follow the economy.  It is fair to assume that fees should go up as the cost of everything else does.  Fuel costs influence all aspects of life.