Camping during the 2012-13 Social

[Sludge]

Several people have expressed an interest in camping at Ginnie during the social. Last year, Lynn and I brought the Winnebago. We were parked next to the New Ginnie Pavilion during the Galaxy Dive. I asked the security guard if I had to move it to an actual campsite after the dive was over, but he said I could leave it right there to sleep. Heck, it was 1am and we were going to move it in seven hours anyway.

We had planned to do the same thing this year. Others have asked about camping, and wanted to have a discussion thread, so here it is.

The main question asked was, "Where can we set up camp so we can conveniently socialize with the other cave divers?" Well, I've found my answer - right in the middle of things. I plan to park next to the New Devil Pavilion (at Little Devil Spring) Monday during the day, and move it to Ginnie for the Galaxy Dive cookout. Probably sleep in it right there, and in the morning move it back to the New Devil Pavilion for the daytime social. So we're not really "setting up camp." I don't expect to have time to "camp."

[a64pilot]

I'm going in on the 28th and will be in campsite 93. I called and asked and the higher number campsites are newer, have 50 amp electrical and are better suited for larger vehicles, there is an online reservation system they want you to use that has a map, not the best map, but it allows you to pick a site off the road, when I was there a week or two ago, the dust off of the road from vehicles going by was pretty thick, enough so that I felt sorry for the people that were close to the road (Link to map http://ginniespringsoutdoors.com/camp.php ) For now there seems to be quite a few open, but the better ones are closing out, I'd go ahead and make a reservation if you want a camp spot.

[offroadr1]

great info. I was gonna be dragging the camper as well. I'll look for a spot today.

[T. Bix]

Assuming we avoid the Mayan apocalypse and are still here on the 22nd we are prolly gonna get there sometime around the 30th and if they don't care where we "camp" we will most likely set up over by the devil's pavillion and stay there until we leave. I have a little car that we tow along for running to the dive shop for gas fills so we will just use that to run over to the ballroom for the Galaxy Dive. We just may need a dump station eventually but we can "dry camp" for several days.

[jefwil]

On A64's recommendation we are taking the plunge too. It will be a weekend of first's. First Social, RV experience, camping trip, though not first visit to Ginnie. Non diving wife and two teenage boys, one of whom is OW, will come too. So excited!

[T. Bix]

I camped over the weekend down by the pavillion with no complaints or objections from management there. When I checked in they told me to find a suitable spot wherever I wanted to camp and just let them know if it was a spot with water and electricity. There is a dump station up the hill on the loop where all of the sites with hook ups are. Electricity just costs me a few drops of fuel each day and I carry enough water to make it work as long as we will be there.

[bpcfire1]

They told me last time I camped there that I could be as close to the pavillion as I could get but not under it. They even told me that if I was in an area with no power, I could run a cord from the pavillion as long as it didnt mess with anyone else.

[a64pilot]

On A64's recommendation we are taking the plunge too. It will be a weekend of first's. First Social, RV experience, camping trip, though not first visit to Ginnie. Non diving wife and two teenage boys, one of whom is OW, will come too. So excited!

How come I get the blame for this? I've never been to a social, or camped at Ginnie. I will help you set up the RV if needed though, PM me for a phone number if needed.

[jefwil]

How come I get the blame for this? I've never been to a social, or camped at Ginnie. I will help you set up the RV if needed though, PM me for a phone number if needed.

You talked (wrote) me into it!

[a64pilot]

I ended up at Suwannee river rendezvous, (Convict Springs) Ginnie was crazy expensive for what you get, I.E. $100 a day for a family of four no sewage, yes you have water and power, but you have to use a dump station. Just me but I couldn't see spending $500 for five days camping, Suwannee River Rendezvous is something like $30 a day.
The Ginnie price included entrance fees of course, but diving fees are additional to the approx $100 a day.