First of all, THANK YOU to the campers that helped clean up the campsites that you did not destroy. As noted in previous article.

I have been mulling over how to appropriately write an article to post over the lack of respect the teenagers had towards the campsites.

I was part of a group of approximately 6 families with young children that have been camping at Red Sands campground every May Long weekend for the past three years. This year we went out on the Wednesday night and set up camp to reserve a spot away from the busy middle section to increase safety for the children to roam in our campground. When we arrived there was one other trailer set up and other than the pine needles and a few stray trees that were windblown over the winter the campground was pristine. We got out our rakes and began setting up.

Wednesday night was a nice peaceful camp.

Thursday mid day, we made our way up to the viewpoint that overlooked the camps - again a pristine trail and the viewpoint was intact. Thursday night- more FAMILIES started pulling in and setting up- Again a peaceful night, however, there were a few random tents that were set up and left empty overnight- unknown to us this was for the grad party.

Friday- This is when the chaos began. Car and truck loads of teenagers ranging in all ages - 98% were most likely under 19- began piling in, including being dropped off by their parents. They ripped up and down the road looking for a place to set up; however, all camps were taken.

We had to address many vehicles, quads, and dirt bikes to slow down on the road as there were children and we were concerned over their safety. It came to the point that one group of the young teens began taking over one of our sites. We asked them to respect our camp area, that we have children and that we are out for a family weekend.

The night involved watching young teens walking down the road and through our camp carrying nothing but 26ers of rye or vodka, hooting and hollering, completely inebriated, littering everywhere, fires roaring, quads and dirt bike ripping up and down to the dead-end not wearing helmets! We approached the multiple campers that were walking through our camp and asked them to please not walk through our camp and approached the trucks, quad and dirt bikers to slow down as we were concerned over our children’s safety.

The Conservation Officers did arrive that night and checked in on the camps, however, I do not believe the backing of the RCMP to enforce breaking up the underage drinking and chaos was stern enough.

Saturday- The morning was peaceful as you can image as they were all sleeping off their hangovers from the partying of the night before that went on to the wee hours. Our group had quads, helmets and liability insurance (which we understand is a must if traveling on Forestry Roads), we set out on a little trek up to the view point to go exploring. With respect of the other campers around we traveled slowly through the park. Not ripping up and down.

On the way the garbage was unreal, stuff was everywhere. When we got to the view point the benches that had been there the day before were destroyed. Litter was everywhere.

One of our sites was completely overtaken by one group and we had to actually move our tent trailer - This was not acceptable but we did not want a confrontation as we knew the teens would be unreasonable due to their behaviour.

We were also made aware that there were two camps set up in the middle of this “grad party” that consisted of an off duty RCMP member and a RN who set up “traps” around their camps to protect their belongings and to protect their camps from being trampled on.

Another family that we knew were set up on the beach and had to relocate due to a disturbing fight that took place in front of their kids. The threat of axes being thrown and “going to get a gun” was enough for them to pack up and relocate. Our camp was approached by one young male who had been beaten to a very confused state and needed directions back to his camp- which we then delivered him to his group.

The Saturday night party continued with the quads and dirt bikes ripping everywhere, drunk teenagers continued hooting and hollering and littering and included one female passed out in the middle of the road.

The RCMP did make their way out that night and approached our camp to check on things. I do have to apologize to any campers that the ONE song that our whole group sang together while playing crib just after 11pm “was disturbing the peace”-as one member of the RCMP put it. My apologies, but I do not believe the one song made any difference to the parties that were happening down the street.

Sunday morning it was quite disturbing to go out and explore as the litter was unreal. The dirt bikes and quads ripping through the park continued. Drunken teenagers were everywhere. Just a sad sight. Our group again went up to the view point only to find one wall had been completely destroyed. Why anyone would want to do this is unreal. It was quite a disturbing site for our group of campers who have enjoyed the trek up there over the years to enjoy the view.

Monday we began packing up our camp. It was pretty easy as we had kept our bottles in a bag set up just for that, trash was kept in garbage bags, our camp was clean. We even did walk around to ensure we had left the camp how we found it “you pack it in, you pack it out”. When I drove out it was disgusting! Garbage including: empties, plastic cups, coolers, tents, chairs, sleeping bags, trash, toilet paper EVERYWHERE! I was sick to my stomach.

Thank you again S. Bosco and James for cleaning up some sites. I wish I had known you were cleaning up and had room in my truck to take out other items the grads left behind.

I am sure like every year the RCMP knew that there would be a grad party planned for Red Sand. My question is why were there not patrols/road blocks set up on the Friday night checking vehicles of minors for alcohol. This was the case when I was a grad. Where were the fines, emptying of the bottles, sending people home, and patrols on Monday to ensure the sites were cleaned up and if not fines issued?

This is a very nice area that families go out to enjoy a weekend of camping at. It was destroyed!

I also passed multiple “parents” on my way home going out to pick up their teens that they dropped off on Friday night. If it were my Mom or Dad picking me up when I was a teen and they saw the mess I would have not been able to leave until the mess was cleaned up and I assure you all my friends parents would be informed of the mess as well. We would be cleaning up the mess no matter how hungover we were!

As to publishing their names, I am hoping when the Conservation Officers and RCMP were out “patrolling” they took down some license plates. The people we had problems with consisted of: a yellow Dodge truck pulling a travel trailer, a white Dodge with Alberta plates, a black older Pathfinder, a yellow dirt bike, a red/orange dirt bike, a Yamaha Grizzly quad with a very loud pipe and a Raptor type quad. The parents of these teenagers I truly hope you address the inappropriateness of their actions this weekend.

As to the grads/teen partiers, SHAME ON YOU! Red Sands Lake camp ground on Wednesday was pristine and beautiful. The view point was intact. You have destroyed it. One day I hope you realize the disappointment you caused so many families this weekend and weekends to come.