I've found over the last couple years that supporting a son on a youth travel team can be quite expensive.
- initial team costs
- equipment
- apparel
- tournament travel costs.

The only area I can see that I can limit the expenses is in travel costs. So, instead of spending $150 per night in hotels fees, I'm going to try camping this year. This would be trailer camping, not luxury RV camping. I've already ruled out RV camping because its a pain to try and maneuver an RV in most baseball facility parking lots. Instead, I'll pull a camper w/ my truck and drive to the games each day, leaving the camper at the campground.

I've already checked and there are campsites near every out of town park we play at that have showers, electric and cable TV connections, wi-fi, and laundry facilities.

Has anyone ever tried camping instead of staying in hotels? On the surface, I can't see any issues, but wanted to know if anyone has done this with success.
BTW, I'm a coach so my presence at each tournament is required.

Hi Brian-

First welcome to the HSBBWS- this is a great place to get info and hang out.

We have camped for every out of town tournament for the last year and a half. We will do so this year as well except for one.

We bought a pop up camper when son started travel ball. We have camped in Oklahoma, Iowa, Missouri, Tennessee, Missippi and our favorite Nebraska. The furthest we have ever been was 20 minutes from the ball park. We have camped KOAs, State parks, national parks & private camp grounds. There is only one on the list I would never go back to.
I would say be sure that your cell phone provider has excellent coverage.Since you are a coach the only difficulty we had - you won't have. Our coach thought each of the boys should be in the same hotel so they could bond. So my son didn't get the chance to 'bond' in the security officers office or running down the halls. Our son was always well rested and ready to play.


We have had so many wonderful family bonding times under the stars with our kids-it is amazing the things they will tell you when there is no tv, computer or telephone. I wouldn't change a thing.

please feel free to PM us for more info and even some campground recomendations and camping websites.

Thanks for the feedback. The cell phone coverage is a good catch and something I'll be aware of.
The team bonding issue is something I thought of and since we have plenty of home games and non-overnight travel tournaments, I think we will be good there.
I really got this idea over the last couple of years as I stayed in over priced hotels and watched the kids play in the elevators, running around the lobbies, and wearing themselves out at the pool.
I asked my son his preference and he said camping over a hotel stay, hands down. That's really all I needed to hear.
I appreciate any other potential issues I may need to be aware of.