Selecting your campground:  Where you spend each night can be the most
important factor of your trip and with some pre-planning  you greatly reduce your chances
of being disappointed.   There are many different types of
campgrounds and RV parks
available; from the very deluxe five-star membership only RV resorts to primitive sites with
no water, sewer, or power.  Selecting a campground site where you want to spend the night
or a few days is relatively easy.  It is important, however, to do your homework before
making a final decision and if necessary a reservation.   You will want to stay at a
campground that will meet the needs of the plans that your family made at the very start.

                                              You can find a list of campgrounds near the area where          
                                              you intend to stay by  looking up on the web directories of       
                                              RV parks and campgrounds, or by joining
THE GOOD SAM     
                                              CLUB.
 Review each possible RV park listing for their rating     
                                              (most of these parks are inspected by other rv'ers hired by      
                                              the directories) and facilities such as laundry, store for RV       
                                              camping supplies, number of spaces, picnic areas, etc.            
                                              Then call the RV park for reservations.  It is best to                  
                                              guarantee your space with a credit card since you cannot        
                                              be certain at  what time you will arrive.  There are just too
many variables that can arise during the day's trip to assure an exact arrival time.

  If you don't require all the extra amenities offered by the RV parks but simply want water,
power, and perhaps a sewer hookup, there are several camping alternatives available.
 
National Forest campgrounds often have spaces for rv's as do state parks and county
parks.  They are usually less expensive than their commercial counterparts and offer a
safe environment for your family.  The NFS campgrounds honor the
Golden Eagle Pass
for seniors which entitles you to substantial discounts. You might also consider the
unimproved sites available with limited or no hookups.  These campgrounds can be found
in a listing of BLM  or Corp of Engineer web sites.  These unimproved  RV sites cost as little
as five dollars a night and the surroundings can be breathtaking!

  Finally, if your family is the adventurous type and enjoys                                              
  
the boondocks for activities such as hiking or riding off road                                          
vehicles in the sand dunes, you might want to consider                                                     
dry camping.  This type of camping is where there are                                          
absolutely no facilities available.  You are simply camping                                             
where you park.  Dry camping usually requires the use of a                                            
power generator.  The importance of pre-planning and proper                                   
packing is paramount when dry camping because the lack of any facility readily available
close by.

  Family camping can be a great experience for all, and especially for RV campers.  
When the trip is over there will be memories to share that will last a lifetime.
This is the HOW-TO-CAMP guide  
Information for tent and RV camping
THE FAMILY CAMPING TRIP
RV CAMPING,  A GREAT
FAMILY EXPERIENCE
  You are planning to go on a camping trip
with the family.  How can you make it a
memorable and enjoyable experience?  
Get the family involved!  Each family
member probably has a different idea what
the vacation should be like.  Give them the
opportunity to express where they would
like to go and what they want to do.  
Planning a trip is definitely a family affair.
  Discuss what each person needs to take along on the trip
including personal items such as books an CD's to keep them
occupied during the slack time of the trip.  If they are old enough,
make them responsible for their own items.  A
Camping Checklist is
extremely helpful in preparing for an extended trip.
  Make a list of the places your  family has decided to visit.  Then
enter these destinations into a web site that offers
free trip
planners
, follow the prompts, and print out the results.  The printout
will give you valuable information such as mileage between locations,
travel time required, cost of the trip, and road conditions you can
expect to encounter.
  For each individual destination, write down what you want to see and
do.  For example, if one of the choices is a favorite lake, you might
list fishing, boating, hiking, and a side trip to a historical location.  By making such a list you
will know ahead of time what to pack for each situation.     Do this for every intended
stop.NOTE:  Just because you have made these lists does not mean you plans are "etched
in stone".  You can still be flexible enough to change you plans, but at least  you will have
packed the items you need.
For up to the minute information on tent trailers, travel trailers, 5th wheels, and
motorhomes,  
Trailer Life is the monthly magazine that is both informative and a true
pleasure to read.  You will be looking forward to each fact filled edition.
Try Camping Life for a wealth of articles and information on camping and related topics.  
You will look forward to getting your copy every month!!