Every summer, RVers across the country pack up their campers and hit the road. Some are heading to their favorite campground retreat. Others are venturing out to explore the nation or heading to the stadium to cheer on their team. Anywhere they go, they will join a community of fellow RVers out to have a good time and live the RV life to the fullest.
The chance to make new friends with people who share your interests is one of the greatest benefits of RVing. These friendships can last a weekend or a lifetime, and RVers will always cherish sharing bike races, campfire sing-alongs and breezy summer evenings with their camping buddies.
A neighborhood away from home
Whether you are staying for a weekend, a week or the whole summer, campgrounds abound with opportunities to mix and mingle. Kids can meet up away from school and screens to explore the park on their bikes or help each other perfect their rope-swing cannonballs. Many campgrounds also feature scheduled activities, like arts and crafts, yard game tournaments, and ice cream socials.
While the kids are playing, parents can relax on the beach and swap campfire recipes or favorite summer reads. Make plans to wake up early to fish for trout, and then get the families together in the evening for a cookout. When night falls, gather around the fire and ask everyone to share their favorite ghost stories and songs.
For RVers with a regular spot or a seasonal site, the campground becomes your neighborhood away from home. You’ll look forward to returning weekend after weekend to catch up with your camp friends and enjoy the outdoors.
Kindred souls on the road
RVers also use their rigs to roam the country and discover new states, natural wonders and historical landmarks. Check the license plates in any National Park to see how far RVers will travel to enjoy their hobby.
When you pull up to an RV park, you can be assured you’ll find kindred souls waiting for you. Maybe you’ll see someone who drives the same brand as you, or you’ll spot a canoe or a mountain bike at their site. With so many people around who love RVing, it’s easy to strike up a conversation. You can share tips about past adventures and find inspiration for new trips in the future.
With social media, you can turn these one-time encounters into long-term friendships. Follow the rest of each other’s journeys online and continue to trade stories and photos from your travels.
Make sure to stay in touch, and arrange a meet up the next summer. Soon, you’ll have built a network of RV friends around the country. They may even come in handy if you need a driveway to park in for a night.
It's always a party
Camping isn’t the only activity RVers enjoy. Many use their campers to tailgate at the stadium where their favorite team is playing. The parking lot is always a party. Celebrate with other fans decked out in jerseys, face paint and elaborate costumes. Use your RV’s grill to cook brats and sausages for everyone, and crank up the game coverage on your outdoor entertainment center to show off your team spirit. For racing fans, many tracks allow campers to park their RVs in the infield to watch the cars chase after victory.
RVers can find many other events to participate in, as well. Associations like the Family Motor Coach Association hold rallies which draw RVers from all around the area, and a number of concert festivals encourage campers to stay on the festival grounds for a long weekend of music and camaraderie.
Wherever your adventures take you, the strength of the RV community means you’ll always have people nearby to make your trips even more memorable.
Packing up for a summer RV adventure? Download our free Summer Adventure Checklist to make sure you've got everything you need!
All photos courtesy of GoRVing.com.