Hanscom AFB FamCamp — Hotel in Bedford

Wow, really mixed thoughts about this place and my hopes are that this review will alert those in charge of changes that NEED to take place here.

First the Good.

Staff was amazingly helpful and can not say enough good things about Jen and Lydia. We spoke with Lydia a few times by phone in making our reservation and she was KEY in giving us advice on how we should do our visit in to downtown Boston. We followed here plan to the last detail and had such an amazing day, so thank you Lydia. Jen, the head manager also super in helping us while we were there an also explained to me why and how things are what they are now. By the time we arrived here Jen had no help as they had all left for school and was trying to manage this place solo while also doing other duties on base leaving her a very small window to help campers. Laundry room was big and very affordable as compared to rates outside the base.

Now the bad. Place overall looks and feels like a dump because of the SQUATTERS that are allowed to stay and JUNK up the place they way they do. Jen explained to me that (higher management) allows campers to stay here for up to 6 months. Folks, this is NOT camping but a change of address and ridiculous. There needs to be a limit, 14, maybe up to 30 days and then its time to MOVE ON! The place was packed when we arrived and saw a few that could not get in because of these squatters. Jen explained that permanent duty can live here and I can accept that but while there saw no one in uniform or fitting this description.

The second part to this is the filthy conditions these squatters have allowed their rig and their site to become. In order to stay here I thought we all had to have served and so should have an idea of how to keep our areas up to standard. Including one photo of just ONE camper (but there were several) that were on blocks, had grass growing up the side of the rig, had broken down wood furniture outside the rig and some even had rabbits in cages....SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!

My hope is that senior management will read this review and do something about this. Even if folks are allowed to move in for six months ( ridiculous) at least make them....FORCE THEM to keep their area up to standard. It should not be tolerated or accepted, they should be kicked out. I also respectfully ask that you consider keeping a portion of spots as first come first serve so that the rest of the campers can have a place to stay while we move across the Country. I know of other Fancamps that offer this and its is...

We booked two sites 30 days in advanced as we were told to do. When we arrived we had one spot with the incorrect amount of days and one spot missing. We were told one spot would be site 50 but someone was in there already. When we looked for the camp host ( there isn’t one) but the only person who works there lives there. Her husband was there and tried to rectify the situation but told us people show up without reservations at night and take spots. Great so where does that leave those of us who book reservations. Mind you we have a 43 ft camper and a 20 ft camper and making reservations is a must do to size. They had us try to park our 43 ft camper under electrical cables and next to a dumpster with no sewer ( we booked a full hook up site) and our 20 Ft in between to sites sharing electricity ( we booked a partial site). When we approached the “husband “ of the only worker he said my wife can’t be here or there at once. No numbers you call work, when we booked she never mentioned she only works from 10-2. Needless to say we didn’t have any spot we reserved, she left her husband. To do her job when it’s not his job. Not once did anyone check our military ID, or shot records for our dog, or registration for our campers etc. this campground has become terrible, I mentioned to the “husband” that of people are parked in spots that are reserved they have the right to call security forces as those people are trespassing. Needless to say they called security forces on us. The lady said she would call her leadership but she called the cops on us, and the “boss” said we had 1 hour to leave. Never even heard our story. Not to mention when booking it takes a million phone calls to get anyone to answer. A few of the guests came out to tell us their complaints as well when we were being kicked out. We have never ever been kicked out of any place, 20 yrs of active duty for ourselves and 30 years for my father and the disrespect was shocking. Think twice before...

First let me say to all the complainers out there...be thankful that the government is willing to provide RV sites, it is a privilege not a right to have it provided for active duty and retirees. They might not be perfect but most of the ones we've stayed in would get at least three stars from me and I am extremely picky. The famcamp is fairly close to Boston. It does not have amenities, so what, the price is great for what you get. I thought the sites were nice, we did stayed in a wider longer site which cost $3.00 more a day, well worth the extra money. The airport and planes did not bother us. They took off from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm so not a problem, we actually enjoyed watching them take off at sunset. Now for the negatives.... they don't allow small dog fences at the sites which is stupid, period. It's the only famcamp I've stayed at that has that rule. They don't have a reason for it either which makes it more stupid. Last negative, we needed propane the morning we left. I had to try and find the maintenance man because he did not have a cell or pager that alerts him when the office tries to contact him. This needs to be rectified. He finally noticed our RV at the propane tank...