The Department of Natural Resources said that on March 30, the camping reservations are increase up to 6 percent.

Amanda Gabel said her son James Baures loves camping. Many local families plans to take a weekend are getting away much closer to home now as shift to budget friendly plans. The family drove from Monona, Iowa about an hour to Governor Dodge State Park.

According to Gabel “It’s a lot cheaper to eat, because you don’t eat out. You pay to stay on camp but nowhere near what you would pay for a motel.”

Kathy Gruentzel, supervisor at Governor Dodge State Park said “It’s an easy way to not spend a lot of money but still have a good time.”

The park has noticed to have an increase in reservations.

Gruentzel added “I think a lot of them aren’t looking for those long 2 weeks, cross country kind of things. To stay closer to home

There are lots of people camping out and waiting for night parade, camping out along the parade route.

The campers on Leopard Street are in a long night that most of the people doesn’t mind on how much they spend the overnight reserving their spot along the parade route because it is a family tradition and gathering for most and family for all.

Some campers turn their overnight vigil into all night party, and some campers have another plan which is to have someone else spend the night.

Joseph Thomas, a Leopard Street camper said “What we’re going to do out here is we’re going to BBQ with my family and stuff, play cards, have a tent and stuff. This is going to be like a sleepover party, like a pajama party, pretty much.”

A lot of children will be out on Friday night, to carry on the family tradition and stay all night with their parents. The younger, mostly computer savvy campers, they are doing homework or emailing friends which they spend some time.

Victor Puente, camper in Leopard Street said “They’ll probably crash out early like always.”

Some vendors already set up will not be open all night. The campers might better to have their own food and drink. There also bunch of portable toilets but many are not for public use. If the people plan to stay overnight, the better to make sure they have a plan.

The Dallas County Area YMCA has announced the first two programs - a bike ride and camping trip. May 16 which is the schedule of bike ride, June 19-21 a Father’s Day camping trip.

The inaugural Buffalo bike ride is scheduled on May 16 at 9 A.M., beginning at Calvary Chapel Free Will Baptist Church at 26 Oak Ridge Road. The event will be 5-, 10- and 25- miles, the 5 mile ride geared for families, youth and riders on the first ride.

The pre-registration deadline is on May 8 at 5 P.M. Friday. The cost is $17 for participants 13 and older, $10 for youth 12 and younger. In the morning of the event still accepting the registrations, however morning registrants will not be guaranteed a shirt.

How to Register
Registration forms can be picked up at the Dallas County Area YMCA or be mailed or emailed to entrants.

Contact Information
Contact to Dominic Santomassimo at (417) 345 1116 or dsantomassimo@dallascoymca.org for more information.

The Father’s Day camping weekend will be held at Pomme de Terre State Park, from June 19 to 21 (Friday-Sunday). Check in from 3:00 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Hermitage Campground.

Events include Friday night naturalist, Saturday fishing tournament, Saturday swimming ang games, and a night campfire.

The pre-registration is required, the cost is $50 per family or $30 per family if two families would like to share the same site.

The registration forms can be picked up at the Dallas County Area YMCA, mailed or e-mailed.

Contact Information

Contact Dominic Santomassimo for more information at (417) 345 1116 or dsantomassimo@dallascoymca.org

The tourism minister defends the increasing of camping fees at provincial parks. From $13 to $15 nightly fees for semi-serviced lots and from $20 to $23 for fully serviced lots. Weekly fees are $12 to $20 more, but depneds on the level of service, for seasonal fess are also going up.

On VOCM Open Line with Randy Simms, Tourism Minister Clyde Jackman, spoke on behalf of Environment Minister Charlene Johnson said “Campers today are different from the camper of 6 or 7 years ago.” They want bigger lots and more amenities and government responded. Jackman says, Frenshman’s Cove on the Burin Peninsula has installed electricity at the area or park.

The Waitaki District Council plan to rise of 80% in camp fees over two years, angers users.

Last year the Waitaki Disctrict Council raised from $250 to $350 season tickets and also this year, under the draft community plan is another $100 for the year of 2009-2010 camping season.

The council moves to a more campers/users pay basis and costs of maintaining the camping grounds increase.

The camps on the Waitaki lakes are very popular with South Canterbury holiday makers and for fishing.

Mark Atkinson, regular camper was outraged the new rise. He said “They almost increase the camping fees in two years, it seems they doubled our fees without the additional reasons or anything to the camps, its appalling.”

When the camp opened for the summer season, Waitaki council representative had said the income from the movie company would be return to the facilities camp ground.

Mr Atkinson urged all campers to make a submission.

The council target for a $115,000 loss on operating its nine camping grounds. Mr. Dougall McIntyre said the increase was part of reducing burden on ratepayers and recovering actual cost from using the facilities. He also believed $450 for the eight month season was a reasonable fee.

Mr. McIntyre said he was the council’s representative at the opening of the camp then the income paid by the film company would be spent on capital expenditure on camping grounds.