I see so many posts complaining about rude campers—cutting through sites, barking dogs, loud children, and noisy heaters. And they almost always end with: “Whatever happened to camping etiquette?”
But let me ask… Whatever happened to kindness?
I was at a campsite when the camper across from me accidentally reversed 6-10 feet into my space, nearly overlapping my picnic table. The rain was pouring, and he had already disconnected his vehicle.
When I took my dog out, he immediately apologized and said he’d hook back up and move as soon as the rain stopped. But how could I ask him to do that?
I was there for three weeks, visiting my dad in Nursing Care. He was only there for two nights, visiting his Aunt in the hospital. In the grand scheme of things, it wasn’t a big deal. We even laughed about my picnic table having extra shade.
A few months earlier, at another campground, a man pulled in and spent what felt like an hour revving his motorcycle engine. At first, I wanted to complain. But later, I got to know him and his wife—and learned something that stopped me in my tracks.
This was their last camping trip together. He had stage four cancer and was traveling to visit his kids and grandkids—saying goodbye.
Even now, as I type this, I get tears in my eyes.
And I am so grateful that I didn’t complain about the noise that day.
So, next time you camp or post online, ask yourself: Is it more important to be “right” or to be kind?
At the end of the day, we are lucky—lucky to have the means, the time, and the health to enjoy camping at all.
Have a wonderful weekend. ❤️
Credit: Becky Brawner (Respect 🫡)
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