Have Fun!

RVing, camping, and OHVing are all about having fun! Find what is fun for you and your family and do it! There is no single activity that you MUST do. My family and I have found riding dirt bikes to be perfect for us, but even that may need some variety. If you don't like riding in the sand, check out alternate places to ride, like forest or desert trails. If you haven't tried riding in the sand, take a trip to an OHV sand dune venue, beach or someplace with lots of sand washes. You may need special tires to get the most out of riding in the sand. There are lots of different types of OHV terrain so check out local riding areas for what interests you and try out a lot of different venues.

If you're not into any OHV activities, there are still plenty of things you can do to have fun while camping in a tent or RV: fishing, swimming, canoeing, hiking, exploring, birdwatching, beach volleyball, softball, football, or just tossing around a football or frisbe  with family and friends. Heck, even major hotels in Las Vegas (like Circus! Circus!) have RV parking -- and tons of activities for the whole family. And don't forget the campfire. Cooking hotdogs and making s'mores are long-standing traditions. So are sing-a-longs, so bring your guitar, ukelele, harmonica or tambourine and song book and have at it! Story telling is another timeless tradition. Stories that are relevant to the location or the day's activities are always a hit, so you might want to do a little research about where you're going so you have some interesting stories to share.  You can find good stuff about the geology or  history of most places that adds to the overall experience and enjoyment. 

The main thing, is do what is fun for you and your family! Get out of the house, away from the phones, Xbox, TV, and computers, and do something different. Even if you bring your cell phone, TV, and computer with you, which is getting easier and easier to do, getting out can offer a nice change of pace. If your family is into trains, seek out railroad museums and steam locomotive powered train rides. If you like airplanes, there are a number of military and private air museums around the country with acres of unique and historic aircraft to see. If you're big on a particular sports team, you may be able to visit their training camps (be sure to call ahead to see if visitors are permitted). The bottom line is, camping and RVing are a way to get out and do what YOU want to do, not a formal program of their own. Some campgrounds are full resorts by themselves, with golf and other other outdoor and indoor games and swimming, boating, fishing, and other activities. Many are conveniently located near other attractions, like stadiums, fairgrounds, and theme parks.

Many forest service campgrounds offer ranger-led or self-guided nature hikes that give you a chance to learn about the flora, fauna, natural features and man-made history of the area. It is a really fun and educational way to spend a day or two. If you plan ahead you may also be able to research historical and geological history and highlights near your destination and along your route that will add to your enjoyment and appreciation of where you go and what you see. A little research ahead of time can make you a hero to your kids and grand kids -- and amaze your fellow campers.

You may be able to time your trip to coordinate with local events -- festivals, theatrical performances, contests, rodeos, parades, etc. If you learn about an interesting event during your visit, you may want to time your next visit to take advantage of a subsequent occurrence. The Internet is a great source of information. Just "Google" the name of the campground or park or city you'll be visiting along with "things to do" and you're sure to get more than you can easily assimilate.  But remember that popular events will cause campgrounds as well as the events to book up quickly so make your reservations for both far in advance.

Take advantage of the knowledge of your campground hosts and fellow campers. They can often guide you to spectacular views, local eateries, and other local attractions and activities you might otherwise miss. They can also help you avoid rip-offs and roads you really don't want to be driving an RV on.

Bring along your bicycles. Bicycles give you an added degree of freedom to explore the neighborhood without the expense and hassle of towing a "dinghy" vehicle or having to break camp and go off in your RV, which often limits your travels since many of the best local attractions to visit are not accessible to or convenient for large vehicles. On top of that, bicycling is good and easy exercise and is environmentally friendly.

Leave time in your schedule for unplanned side trips. You are very likely to spot signs for or otherwise learn about interesting places to go while you are in route. Encourage your kids to suggest side trips and stops along the way. Their imagination and enthusiasm will be contagious! Just be sure your vehicle can handle the roads BEFORE you get stuck where you can neither proceed nor turn around. In spite of how many of us feel, those road signs that limit vehicle size and weight or not merely there to harass us! They provide valuable information that can prevent vehicle damage, dangerous situations, and lost time. I've seen more than one big motorhome or travel trailer trapped on a narrow road with no way out but to back up. Not a pleasant task.

Plan your meals so they will be fun too.   Focus on simple meals that are easy to prepare and require little setup and clean up.  Cook over the campfire when  you can.  Unless gourmet cooking is your idea of fun, stick to the basics.  Most of us eat to live, not live to eat!  A spontaneous pot luck dinner can be a lot of fun for group camps.

Plan for some indoor activities in case you encounter bad weather.   Board games, card games, video games, and movies are all popular options.  Or just take a nap.  Since naps aren't something most of us routinely get a chance to enjoy everyday, it can be a unique and pleasant way to spend a stormy afternoon.  I also find it a good time to inspect, clean, and organize my RV and motorcycle trailer or do some bike or gear repairs.

Sometimes a weekend away in your RV or tent is just what couples need to restore fun and intimacy to their relationship. You don't have to DO anything, just hang out together and enjoy one another's company.  Often the novelty of camping can help re-kindle personal relationships.  And, if you don't have stabilizing jacks on your RV, you might want to invest in one of the humorous signs that says "If this campers rocking, don't come knocking!", but such signs are either mostly ignored or serve as an invitation to interrupt your activities.

Now, get out there and HAVE FUN!