TOPIC:

I hear a couple months ago the rates were going up. Talked to one full time rv retired that used to stay for 3 months but said will not use it at all. I am sorry to say I live in Wi and everything in our state is high. They have always screwed with anything close to military, that is why there is only one base in state. Seems like everything else that happens with these military campgrounds each base does whatever they chose to and do not seem to have to answer to anyone. I think you need a letter concerning this signed by everyone who uses this site. Send to base cmd and than up the chain. If you could get about 5,000 names and signatures I believe someone will listen. But one at time will do no good. Does anyone else have any ideas???

just looked at the web page and I can not afford that place.nor would I pay those prices even if I could afford it.

Lon, could you add your comments to ICE. Their web page has a place for comments to ICE. If enough of us comment, maybe it will change things. Within 2 years, that campground could very well be all civilian.

I'm a newby to this site, but I've used many military & civilian campgrounds all over this country. The only time I've ever paid fees this high was during a Bike Week event, and we all know they price gouge during those. Looking at the letter from Mr. Budda I think his signature pretty well sums up his Justification: Business Activities Director. Since when did MWR become a business ?

???

Perhaps a coordinated form letter with a bunch of electronic signatures from this site directed to a carefully chosen member of congress asking for him/her to review and address the problem of non-military using the overpriced facilities. Seems artificially increasing the demand for services at the facility has also started to hurt those of us who are actually deserving patrons. What's next? Raise prices substantially at exchanges and commisaries while opening them up to everyone to shop?

I know that Ft. McCoy has to obtain a waiver from the Department of the Army to allow civilians to use the facility. It would be interesting to see what justifies that waiver and if it is current. Ft. McCoy's ski hill and chalet, which is adjacent to the campground, is also open to civilians. I don't know of any other military installation in the country that has this ridiculous policy. I guess all the money we put into MWR whenever we used recreation equipment and facilities was in reality a gift to the civilian population. > If you can come up with the person or persons to contact, let me know and I will do my part. I did submit my comments to ICE but all I got was the form letter from Mr. Budda.

I've been to Pine Bluff to check out the camp ground. For the price they are asking, I won't stay there either. If you figure out who to notify about the MWR activities and pricing structure, let me know and I will be glad to sign up along with others.

It is my understanding each post commander has discretion on running the FAMCAMP under their command; not DOD or branch of service. Is that correct?
Pine Bluff is lined-out on my FAMCAMP list until they conform with the over-whelming majority of Army FAMCAMPS.

It is my understanding each post commander has discretion on running the FAMCAMP under their command; not DOD or branch of service. Is that correct?

Sort of. There are some DoD and service regulations governing the operation of MWR facilities. However, much is still left to the discretion of the installation commander. Pricing, some eligibility (like guests) and local rules and regulations are decided upon locally. It's my understanding that HQ Army has to approve if an Army campground allows civilians.

I'm sure the answer is in the attached web page if one has the experience and patients to dig it out.

www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r215_1.pdf

FastEagle

I've taken some time and done a little more research on the campground. I can only use what I have found on the internet because I have no first hand information to share.

Ref. A:
www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r215_1.pdf
Ref. B:
www.mccoymwr.com/Facilities/pineview.htm

In accordance with ref. A: table 7-1, page 57, the post commander has the authority to allow civilians to use the campground.

At the very bottom of the page in ref. B: you will find a statement that there are always 10 sites open for AD military up until Thursday of each week and then they go to first come first serve. Everywhere I've been that had that statement it means you have to be there in person or otherwise it would be in violation of the intent.

This campground will soon be taking reservations for the year 2010. These local people know that and act accordingly. So I guess for us happy wanderers (no pun intended Larry) we will have to make our reservations well in advance or take our chances and show up on Thursday afternoon and hope we're number 10 in line.

As for the $$$. Hi visibility/usage places get them. It's $75.00 + at Myrtle beach right now and it's getting hot.

FastEagle

Does Myrtle beach allow civilians too? If civilians couldn't use Pine View, it wouldn't be the cash cow that it is. I think $75 is way too much to charge anyone. The sad thing about Pine View is that military is pretty much left out. The last, and I mean last, time I camped there I found mostly civilians. The grounds had considerable trash, which I helped to pick up, and there was very little respect for the rules.

Mikecfr,

I’m a little slow but sooner or later I usually line all the ducks up. So I’m a little confused at your strong attack on this campground after you posted what could only be described as a favorable review for it in this web pages campground section on 16 Aug 2007. That is just three weeks before you started this string.

FastEagle

Pine View is a beautiful campground. I have enjoyed camping there in the past. However, they have raised their rates significantly, especially on the weekends. Also, there is no off season reduction in rates and the rates for military are not much less than civilians. Personally, I object to any MWR facility being indescriminately open to civilians since they are built and operated with non-appropriated funds coming directly from you and me. If you are military, retired or otherwise, it can be difficult to get into Pine View during the summer or on popular weekends because it is full of civilians. It was shortly after I posted the review that I was informed of the increase in cost of camping there. I am also disappointed in the fact that the staff had no interest in suggestions for saving money which may postpone or limit the amount of increase. I do not dislike Pine View campground; I would like to camp there again. However, I probably won't as long as the rates are as high as they are and they aren't interested in my suggestions. I hope that answers your questions?

We have not gone there simply because of the negative comments we have heard about the place. They seem to cater to CIVILIAN (non military/non DOD employees) but simply civilians from off base who have never served one day in the military.
A friend of ours stopped by there and was told "sorry no space." He is retired military and served in combat. When he looked around he was surprised to find mostly all civilians there. Very few DOD civilians and military were there.
The manager at the office could care less.
Folks, this is what MWR has became: A money making organization that is not there to support the TROOPS.
More and more MWR Famcamps are this way. Ran by people who have never served a day in the military but who want to open the MWR doors to civilians who do not like the military. These civilians want to get the benefits of the military without paying the price most of us have paid.
Due to budget cuts, civilian management of MWR I see no change in this.
It will only get worse.

About 10 years ago the Fort Knox campground was loaded with civilians who had no connection what so ever to the military. We asked ALL military (retired, active duty and DOD civilian) to complain to the base commander about this policy. The home steading civlians were told to move on.

I earned my right to stay in a MWR facility. 30 years of active duty in three combat zones. I will not sit by and see a bunch of civilians camping next to me on base.