First time camping questions

[PhotogWendy]

Hi all!  Somewhat new to this forum.  I've been lurking for quite a while, but finally decided to take the plunge and post.  We're longtime faire goers, but have never camped before.  We've wanted to for years, but past crazy work schedules and kids always stood in the way.  This is the year though, we're finally able to get full weekends free in the fall and we plan to camp at least 2 weekends and maybe more.  We camp a ton, but just never before at TRF.  So here are my questions:

How far a walk is it from the south portion of the main campgrounds to the flush toilets?  In looking at the map, it looks like the best place to be is at the south end of the campground, close to the front gates, but the flush toilets are way on the other end.  Is that a 5 minute walk? 20 minute walk? 

How are the showers?  Is there usually a line?  Is there a place to get dressed and fix my hair?

How secure is the campground and the campground parking?  Is it safe to leave our tent up while we're inside the faire all day?  Is the parking secure?  Ever any issues with drunks messing with cars in the campground?

Do people use the community bonfire to roast hot dogs/marshmallows or would that be frowned upon?

Do people usually stay in their garb at night around the bonfire?

That's all I can think of for now.  We're really looking forward to finally camping this year after talking about it for years and years! 

[FreyBjorn]

Hail Wendy!

I'll answer what I'm familiar with and leave the rest to others.

It's a pretty long walk. I'd put it more on the 15 minute end, maybe 10 if you're a fast walker. The port a potties were generally in pretty good shape though so we used those. We always got dressed in our tent. I'm not aware of anything provided for that purpose.

We've camped once, left our tent up and had no problems. But it is open to anybody who will pay for a pass so take care to lock up anything valuable. My wife and I are actually hoping to find a few folks to camp near and get to know so we can watch out for each other but we'll probably be on the border between family and regular camping. If you want to be on the south side to be near the entrance, it's not far to walk from the south side of family camping and you're still close to the bonfire and store. We had no issues with vandals or real hooligans last year, but it's a party atmosphere so plenty of folks will certainly be exuberant. Mostly they stay with their groups or at the bonfire though it seemed and we didn't run into anyone who wasn't friendly. YMMV.

I didn't see anyone cooking on the bonfire. There is usually a bit too much activity around it for cooking to be really feasible. Plus the fire is pretty big which means it's really hot!

To garb or not to garb. Most stay in garb or if it's chilly, wet etc, they'll change into whatever is comfortable. Basically, whatever makes you happy!

Hope that helps! Perhaps we'll see you there. We're going on All Hallows Eve weekend (Oct. 24-26).

Freybjorn

[PhotogWendy]

Thanks!  Those answers certainly help.  Not sure if we'll be there All Hallows Eve yet or not.  We'll for sure be there opening weekend and Nov 1-2.  We're considering AHE and the day after Thanksgiving also.  We usually try to make it out at least 4 times, but a lot depends on work schedules and kids' activities.

As far as getting dressed and ready, I don't mind getting dressed in the tent, but I'm more wondering if there's a place with mirrors and electrical outlets to dry and curl my hair.

[eldatari]

I would say the walk to the flushes is going to be long.  Most of us just use the porta potties.  As for the showers I have never used them but there is supposed to be a dressing room but I don't know about electrical outlets.

As for security, there is campground security.  Everybody leaves tents up while inside.  Just lock up valuables in your car.  I have been camping for years and have never had a problem.

The bonfire is for dancing around and socializing.  As far as changing after fair, I would say it is an even mix.  Whatever you are more comfortable with.

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

If you can, talk to the people around you...they can be your best security.  A lot of us, on RF, are members of camping clans... Groups of like minded folks, hell bent on having a good time.  If you can get into one of these throngs, you'll be well off. We take care of our own and keep an eye on strays. 
Lock up your valuables when in at faire, (aka your cooler and booze) and get to know the people around you.   The key thing is to relax and go with it...camp can be out of this world fun but waking up duct taped into a porta loo, being dragged behind a 1993  Chevy pick up, really sucks. 

[PhotogWendy]

Great info!!  So here's what I have learned: No weenie roasts at the bonfire; it's for revelry.  Don't be prissy and just use the porta john, however don't go in without supervision if in danger of passing out - you never know where you could wake up!  The corset can stay on as long as I can breathe.  Lock up the booze, after all, this is faire! 

Another question - Are there generally many kids in the main area or do families usually stick to the quiet area?

We'd love to find other like minded people to camp with eventually.  The friends we always go with, aren't exactly the camping type.  They have agreed to camp with us once this year (only because we have enough extra camping equipment for a small army), but we really want to start camping more regularly so we don't have to flip a coin to see who the designated driver will be each weekend.

[Rémi Daggerfox]

Ive never run into any children in the main camping area. I know its not unheard of but I think the kids are normally confined to the safety of the parents camp, and put to sleep before it gets too late.

[Trillium]

Kids are fine in main camping as long as you don't mind the noise and possible pg13 activity.  We always make sure whatever kids are with us are in bed before 10 And don't camp close to any of the clans.

[LadyStitch]

Our group is camping near the board of the quiet camping and main camp.  The past two years we have taken our toddler daughter. She will stay in our camp.
  As our group has aged we have moved further and furthur from the more rambunctious groups.  If we want to be that social we will go camp walking.  Just to meet other people in camps.   Trust me, bring something to share to another camp and you would be surprised how friendly your neighbors can be. And yes lock up your valuables when you are not in camp. 

A big asset for you is the fact you introduced yourself here.  If you want help, you will have friends in the camp grounds.  You have but to ask.  From the "Who what where?"  page it lists who will be there what weekend. Contact who will be going that weekend and ask if you can camp near by them. 

[Crimson]

Kids are fine but, like mentioned before, it's best they are in bed by 10 to avoid 'adult' activity.  Our clan has kids most weekends but we have a clan rule that for anyone under15 there is a 10pm curfew.  And if your younger ones are up past then we are not responsible for what they might hear or see.

You can buy a small luggage lock and lock your zippers when you go into faire or are not in camp to keep your things safe.  Last year it appeared that goldilocks had visited a few of our tents because some things were upset and gone through in a few tents while we were in faire.

Definitely get to know your neighbors, stay warm, drink plenty and have a great time!

[DukeAndDutchessDozier]

We are in a similar boat! We love camping and have a 3yr old who loves it as well! The grounds have always been very friendly and safe and we have never had a problem.  We have camped out for the better part of 15 years and couldn't imagine going and Not camping! lol!  Most of our friends aren't the camping type so we are looking for like minded people to camp with in the future! we just got back from 1000 Dreams weekend and it was fantastic! We are planning on going again on the Celtic Christmas 2014! Let us know if you will be there and maybe we can set up together! FYI the renfair has gone to really awesome lengths to keep the camp clean, safe and friendly! lots of new porta pottys and they even have hand sanitizer in each one! They stayed very clean and no bad stench leaking off them! they wet the roads to keep the dust down, security was roaming about but not overbearing and the festivities around the main fire were kid friendly till about 10 which is expected.  Our little one had an absolute blast! We can not wait to go back!!

[Crimson]

I noticed (because they are very loud and we are very near) that they clean the porta-potties twice.  Once just before dark and once in the very early morning.  That did a very good job of keeping the 'environment' in them very easy to take.