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RV 101: Planning a Family RV Vacation

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When your family goes on a camping vacation, not only do you have your own space, free of the worry about staying socially distant from others, but you also have the opportunity to find places that are sparsely populated. Gas prices are lower this summer, so that’s a big bonus when we are all watching our budget.

With COVID-19 concerns on everyone’s minds, travel restrictions to other countries, and the uncertainty of what tomorrow will bring, it’s hard to plan a weekend getaway, let alone a family vacation. Many families, looking for alternatives, are looking to RV’s.

I’ve been camping in RVs for most of my life. When I was a kid, my parents had a camper that went on my dad’s pickup. As an adult, I have owned or driven everything from a 30-foot toy hauler I pulled with an F250, to a fifth-wheel trailer, to a Class C motorhome. Because my kids are grown, and I mostly camp with my dog now, I currently own a tiny travel trailer that I pull with my Jeep Wrangler.

If you are considering joining the ranks of RVers, consider this:

  • RV dealers have seen a spike in purchases, with most RV manufacturers seeing a 30% increase in sales over 2019.

  • Citing Coronavirus concerns, the RV Industry Association found that 20% of survey respondents are more interested in RV travel than they are in flying, tent camping, cruises, or home rentals via Airbnb or VRBO.

  • In a survey of RV owners, 40% said their level of use would remain the same. And 49% said they would be using their RVs more often this year.


THE BASICS

If you are thinking about purchasing an RV and have never owned or driven one before, there are several things to consider. Will you want a travel trailer or a motorhome? A travel trailer is generally less expensive and easier to maintain than a motorhome. Insurance is less costly, and there is more variety in the layout. You need to think about what you will tow it with. How many people will be sleeping in the trailer? What amenities are essential? Do you need a trailer with a generator? Do you have a tow vehicle with the capacity to tow the weight of the trailer you are interested in? For your vehicle and safety, I recommend selecting a trailer with a Gross Dry Vehicle Weight (GDVW) well below your tow vehicle’s towing capacity. Also, in many states, trailers over a specific weight require an electronic brake controller installed on the tow vehicle. You can find information on calculating how much your trailer weighs fully loaded online.

THINKING ABOUT BUYING?

If you plan on purchasing a motorhome, realize you will be making a hefty investment. The most basic new motorhomes start at about as much as I paid for my first home – around $70,000. Buying used is a good option for both motorhomes and travel trailers, as they tend to depreciate quite a bit, and great deals can be had. However, it’s smart to buy from a dealership that offers a warranty. Most importantly, research, research, research! There are too many options to discuss here, so look online at brand reviews, research floorplans, and join a Facebook RV group for excellent tips and information.

Something else to think about is what you plan to do when you get to your destination. This will help you decide if you want a travel trailer, which gives you the use of your tow vehicle once your trailer is unhooked. Or do you want to drive a motorhome, with your whole family comfortable and spread out, during the road trip? Remember that once you’re set up in your campsite, going anywhere will be more difficult, requiring you to unhook everything, find a parking space for an RV wherever you’re going, and eventually back in and re-level the coach when you return. Some people tow a smaller car behind the motorhome to solve this problem.

RENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

If buying is out of your budget or you want to give RVing a try before committing, renting is a good option. It will allow you to see if the RV lifestyle is for you, with a comparatively small investment. Several companies are comparable to AirBnB or VRBO, giving you the option to rent privately-owned RVs. Outdoorsy and RV Share are popular platforms, and both get good reviews. They work much like reserving a vacation home online. There are also larger corporate companies, such as El Monte RV and Cruise America. The advantage of corporate rentals is they are often slightly cheaper. However, the RVs are the equivalent of a well-used rental car: they’ve been beaten up quite a bit. They are usually not luxury models, meaning the inside is basic. Not to mention, they are like rolling billboards with their corporate advertising plastered across the side, announcing to everyone that you are a renter.

In contrast, by renting from an owner, you can access a wide variety of RVs at all levels of luxury. These RVs are privately owned and often used by the owner when not being rented out. They tend to be very well-maintained and often come equipped with everything you need to camp, i.e., linens, dishes, camp chairs, etc.

ADVICE FROM OWNERS

As an RV owner who has considered renting out my rig, I am part of an online group of owners. I asked them: What are some things you want renters to know about before renting an RV?

Here are some of their best tips:

  • Read your contract. The fine print is important. Also, if you know little about RVs, watch YouTube videos. You can learn how to dump the tanks, hook up at campsites, and even drive an RV – all on YouTube! Rentals will come with manuals, and the owners will do a walk-through, but it is a lot to take in. Coming in with some knowledge beforehand is invaluable. And be honest with the owner about your level of experience!

  • Carry a car seat. If you are renting a motor home, most states will require a small child to be in a car seat during travel. Don’t forget to bring your own.

  • Have realistic expectations. Many RVs are very luxurious, but they still aren’t a suite at the Four Seasons. They don’t have gourmet kitchens or two-door refrigerators. Also, RVs are made of wood and Styrofoam, for the most part. Driving down the road is like subjecting them to an earthquake every day. Roll with the flow and communicate with the owner. Almost anything can be fixed on the road.

  • Practice driving. Be comfortable pulling a trailer or driving a coach before taking your whole family on a winding road in the mountains.

  • Research insurance options thoroughly. Be sure you know exactly what is covered on your personal policy as well as on any additional policy you purchase.

  • If you are new to RVing, go small. Renting a 40-foot luxury coach for your first RV experience is inviting disaster. In a similar vein, start on three or four-day trips. Work up to that long road trip.

  • Expect to pay for mileage over a certain amount. The limit is usually 100 miles per day. Also expect to pay a hefty (refundable) deposit, generally between $500 and $2000, depending on the RV.


YOUR FIRST VACATION

Once you decide whether to buy or rent, it’s time to plan your vacation. Where will you go? How many miles per day will you want to drive? A lot of new RVers overestimate the number of miles per day they will drive. Keep in mind that you won’t be driving 70 MPH, and you may be on curvy mountain roads. You will also be stopping for gas more than you would in a car.

Will you need reservations at the campground you choose? Most federal and state campgrounds in desirable locations fill up months in advance (and several federal ones are closed at this time). You may have better luck finding a camping spot in a privately owned or membership campground such as KOA or Thousand Trails. There are many “first come, first served” campgrounds, but they do fill up in the summer. Check out gocampingamerica.com for help finding alternatives to public campgrounds. Another bonus of private campgrounds is that most have full hookups (electric, water, and sewer), which makes a huge difference in your comfort. It keeps you from having to use a public restroom.

Being an RVer is like being part of a big, fun-loving club. People are more than happy to share their experiences and information with you. Even when you are camping, if you have a problem, you can most likely solve it with a campground neighbor.

The biggest reward of vacationing in an RV is that it allows your family to return to the basics: campfires, board games, listening to music, and riding bikes. RVing is an outstanding option for relaxation and recreation during these times. Time preparing will help your family stay safe and have fun.

TRICIA VLASAK is a mother, grandparent, and wife. She works in law enforcement when she isn’t writing about parenting, hiking with her dogs, or going on Jeep adventures.

Camping 101 for Families

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With Covid-19 creating havoc in the vacation planning for many families, parents are looking for safe, fun ways to get away. Camping offers an alternative that is just that! It’s the ultimate in outdoor family fun and is loaded with benefits for parents and kids alike. It provides adventure and unlimited opportunities to experience the great outdoors. It’s also an excellent way for kids to learn about nature, from plants and animals to the weather and skies. Not to mention, it’s an affordable way for families to vacation.

If your family hasn’t taken the camping plunge yet, here are the basics to get you started on your journey.

What’s the best way to camp?

Your family can choose from a variety of camping options. If you love the experience of roughin’ it, pitch a tent, and haul the bare necessities. Tents come in many sizes and styles, some with dividers for separate sleeping quarters. When purchasing a tent, remember capacity doesn’t include luggage space. If you plan to keep belongings in your tent, opt for a larger size. Most importantly, don’t forget padding or a blow-up mattress to insulate against the cold, hard ground.

If you like the idea of roughing it, yet want some of the comforts of home, a pop-up camper is the best of both worlds. The canvas sides and pullout sections of pop-ups are surrounded by screens and give the feeling of sleeping in the fresh outdoors. Pop-ups come in several sizes and often include an icebox or mini-refrigerator, heater, air conditioning, portable toilet, shower, kitchen sink, stove, cabinets and storage space, dining table, and other necessities.

Some families prefer going in style. Travel trailers and motor homes offer a luxurious nighttime retreat after a day of outdoor fun. The ease in loading and unloading these shelters is excellent for moving from campsite to campsite, making cross-country camping less work. Motor homes and travel trailers often have a full-size kitchen, living room complete with sofa and chairs, and separate bedrooms for comfort and privacy.

Experienced campers with older kids might try a hike-in shelter for a real wilderness experience. Check with state and national parks for shelters that are sometimes set up along extended trails. After a day of hiking, roll out your sleeping bags under one of these small shelters for a dry night’s sleep under the stars.

Camping costs

The cost of travel can make family vacations a rare treat. But the affordability of camping may allow for frequent getaways. Overnight fees range from a free night’s stay at some state park rustic sites (no showers, toilets, electricity, or water) to $50 or more per night at many of the KOA and Jellystone Camp Park-Resorts. These top of the line campgrounds are loaded with amenities from built-in swimming pools to live entertainment.

State park campgrounds are often the best deal for families interested in experiencing all that nature has to offer. Fees for overnight accommodations in state parks typically range from $15 to $40. Many state parks have modern facilities, including flush toilets, showers, grassy or gravel sites, playgrounds, park stores for firewood and ice, and more. Furthermore, state parks frequently offer extensive wooded hiking or biking trails, natural wonders, historical sites, and more that isn’t found at private camp resorts.

Camping also helps keep other vacation expenses to a minimum. Many families prefer cooking over the campfire to eating out. Additionally, most outdoor camping activities are free or available for minimal cost.

Fun camping activities

Whatever your family’s interests, there is plenty to see and do. Trails offer ample activities such as collecting rocks, leaves, or insects, scouting for wildlife, learning about plants and trees and practicing survival skills. You can also go on hiking excursions, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

Lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams offer fishing, swimming, row boating or canoeing, sunbathing, and more.

Wildlife viewing is often a highlight. Look for animals early in the morning or at dusk on dirt roads and trails, in open fields surrounded by woods, and near water. Be patient, walk slowly and quietly, and don’t forget binoculars.

Other activities include nature programs, nature centers, and historical sites, flying kites, rollerblading or bicycling on paved trails, and more.

When you’re ready to relax, light a campfire, and enjoy reading or storytelling, play cards or board games, watch the sunset, stargaze, and roast marshmallows.

Easy camp foods

There are many ways to cook. Buy a gas or liquid fuel camping stove. If electricity is available, a crockpot or electric griddle works well. You can also carry a charcoal or small gas grill or cook over an open fire.

Keep meals simple to minimize packing, preparation, and clean up. Easy choices include hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, steak, sandwiches, eggs, bacon, sausage, crockpot meals, sweet corn, baked potatoes, canned foods such as baked beans, tuna, chicken, spaghetti, ravioli, and soup, fresh fruit, vegetables and dip, bagels, English muffins, cereal, fruit juice, and hot cocoa.

On the other hand, if you enjoy cooking and tasty meals are one of the highlights for your family, then make the most of mealtime. With all the options for cooking, you can easily enjoy a gourmet feast.

Camping tips

Camping is often a learn-as-you-go experience. But the following can alleviate hassles and keep your family safe.

  • Protect your food from animals and animals from your food by blocking access. Animals can find their way into nearly anything. Raccoons are known to lift lids right off coolers to snatch hot dogs and other treats. A cooler that latches is usually a safe bet. Any food that isn’t tightly contained should be stored in your vehicle.

  • Poor weather can strike at any time, and insect infestations can also make for a miserable experience. Make additional shelter such as a screen tent or tarps and rope part of your camping gear.

  • Arrive at your camp destination ahead of the crowd. Every campsite is unique, and early arrival can assure a site that satisfies your needs.

  • When selecting a site, look for proximity to restrooms, the playground, electricity, and water. If you have young kids, make sure the site isn’t close to a river or lake. The amount of shade you’ll want may depend on the weather forecast. To avoid mud in the event of rain, choose a grassy or rock site. Also, stay away from a site that backs up to outhouses, which can smell in the heat and wind.

  • Know what animals are found in the area and teach your kids animal safety. Wild animals usually want to avoid humans as much as we want to avoid them. Still, they can pose risks. In the West, mountain lions have been known to snag children and even small women. In bear country, those accustomed to people sometimes get too close and result in injury. Even small animals that feel threatened may attack.

  • Whether you choose tent, camper, or RV, your family is, hopefully, going to love spending time outdoors after all of this time sheltering in place.


by Kimberly Blaker

A Weekend Getaway to Solvang

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You made it through the holidays, a rainy January, a busy February, and now you’re ready for a break. If you’re thinking about a quick weekend away that is genuinely relaxing, we have a suggestion for you: Solvang.  Just a little over 200 miles from Monterey, Solvang is an easy drive south on 101.

Solvang is Danish for “sunny field” and is located in the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County. The city was founded in 1911 by a group of Danes who traveled west to establish a Danish community.  Initially, most of Solvang was built like any other western town with commercial buildings sporting false fronts. After World War II, interest grew in the concept of a Danish Village, and facades in the Danish Provincial style were added. The first of Solvang’s four windmills were built in the 1940s.

Visitors to Solvang are drawn to the windmills, the statue of Hans Christian Anderson, The Little Mermaid replica, the half-timbered houses, and the restaurants and pastry shops serving Danish specialties. Wine tasting rooms are a relatively recent addition.

We spent a warm February weekend in Solvang and found the little town to be thoroughly charming. It’s a great place to spend one or two nights. It’s not an action-packed destination: think boutique shopping, plenty of delicious food and wine, and strolling the town’s downtown. Solvang is a place where the sidewalks roll up when the sun goes down. And, sometimes, that’s precisely what the doctor ordered!

Our one-night visit was a stop along the way back from a business meeting in LA. We arrived on a Friday at 5 pm and checked into the Corque Hotel on Alisal Street. The Corque is a medium-priced hotel with large rooms that would comfortably accommodate a family of four.  There are no name-brand hotel chains in Solvang, but there are quite a few boutique options. We took note of the Solvang Alisal Cottages across the street from our hotel. These adorable cottages come complete with a front yard with rope swing, picket fence, and full kitchen and would be great for a larger family.

We took a quick stroll after arriving to orient ourselves to the town and realized that almost everything closes at 6:00 pm. Some of the restaurants are open for dinner, but many are breakfast and lunch only. We were in town for “restaurant week,” so we took advantage of that and had a pre-fixe dinner at Root 246 on Alisal Street For just $22, we had a 3-course meal that included a choice of appetizers, entrée, and a dessert. With a glass of wine, dinner for two was less than $70. There are no fast food options in Solvang, so if you’re looking for something quick and cheap, you’re going to need to drive a few miles to Buellton.

Saturday morning, we were up early to be first in line at Paula’s Pancakes. A short 10-minute walk from the hotel, Paula’s is legendary and for a good reason. We ordered the Danish pancakes, thin, plate-sized buttermilk pancakes served with fruit, and sprinkled with powder sugar.  The pancakes were heavenly: light, and slightly sweet. Breakfast perfection! By the time we left the restaurant around 9:00 am, there was a long line forming.

The rest of the morning was spent strolling around the Solvang downtown. There are plenty of souvenir shops, as well as a handful of stores selling specialty food items. Candy shops are everywhere, including The Swedish Candy Factory, where you can watch Polkagris (a type of Swedish taffy) being made entirely by hand. Ingeborg’s Chocolate Shop is another “must stop” where you’ll find mouthwatering handmade chocolates that are produced in the little kitchen behind the shop.

We found time for a visit to the Elverhoj Museum. The Elverhoj, the former residence of one of Solvang’s artistic families is now a community museum dedicated to the history of the town, Danish-American heritage, and the arts. Inside there is a photo exhibition with the town history and a recreation of a period Danish home. It’s more geared for adults, but little ones might enjoy seeing the wooden shoes and “old-time” furniture and rooms. There is also a sweet dollhouse complete with furniture.

The highlight of our morning was a visit to The Book Loft on Mission Street. The first floor is a lovely independent bookstore with a nicely curated selection of current books, including popular Danish exports. The real treat is on the second floor, where the Hans Christian Andersen Museum is housed.  A variety of exhibits highlight Andersen’s life and work. We were lucky enough to meet Kathy Mullins, the lovely woman who has owned the bookstore and museum for over 50 years. She’s still at her desk on the second floor almost every day and is a wealth of information about Solvang.

Leaving The Book Loft we headed to the Old Mission Santa Ines. The Mission was founded in 1804 and was the first European settlement in the area. The mission grounds afford beautiful views of Santa Ynez River Valley and walking tours of the buildings and grounds are available.

Leaving Solvang for Monterey mid-afternoon, we had one final stop:  Industrial Eats in Buellton. The restaurant had come highly recommended, and after scouting it out online, we knew it was a must stop. It’s located in an industrial park just outside of town, and it was packed when we arrived at 3:00 pm. Things moved quickly, and the food was so delicious (the Pan Bagnat is easily the best sandwich we’ve ever tasted!), and the servers so friendly that we didn’t mind the wait.

We left Solvang carrying a bag of spices, chocolate, and Polkagris. Solvang is a perfect weekend destination because nothing cures stress like pancakes, a glass of wine or two, friendly people, and a book of Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales.

Road Trippin’ with Kids: Hacks for Fun, Stress-Free Road Travel

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The vacation your family has been anxiously anticipating is almost here. The question is, are you prepared for the sibling squabbling, food and drink spills, umpteen rest stops, and being asked a hundred times or more, ‘are we there yet?’ With a little pre-planning, you can drastically reduce the hassles and turn your time on the road into a fun, family experience for all.

  1. Restroom breaks. Immediately before heading out, have everyone go to the bathroom, whether they need to or not. Just before and while on the road, limit beverages, particularly caffeinated ones, to reduce the frequency of restroom stops. When you do have to stop for something, have everyone use the restroom again, and don’t accept anyone’s claim, “I don’t need to go.”

  2. Reduce stops. Strategize where you choose to stop so you can cover all the bases at once. Fuel up, grab food and beverages, use the restroom, and go for a walk or play a game of tag so everyone can stretch and exercise.

  3. Drive through the night. Kids typically sleep through the night on the road. So it’s a great way for kids to feel they’ve reached your destination in the blink-of-an-eye and to reduce your overall stress. Parents can switch off driving while one another sleeps.

  4. Snacks and drinks. Bring along a cooler and a variety of drinks and snacks to reduce pit stops. Breaking up the time with small snacks will also help keep kids pacified. When packing snacks, include some nutritious ones like carrot sticks and apples. Also, keep in mind the messiness of particular types of snacks. To reduce messes, avoid foods that melt, smear, and squish such as chocolate, cupcakes, and yogurt.

  5. Plan fun or scenic stops. Do some advance research to find a fun stop along the way, and build it into your vacation. Look for a state or national park, national monument, beach, kiddie fun-land, river walk, or water park.

  6. Car entertainment. Before your trip, visit the library to pick out books, audio books, and music CDs. But don’t let the kids have the items until you’re on the road so your kids will have fresh entertainment. Also, take along some car games, and print a list of games that don’t require pieces to play. Some ideas to get you started include the license plate game. Have everyone write down the states of the license plates as they spot them. The person with the most states wins. Also, try the “Would you rather?” game. Take turns asking everyone what would be their choice between two gross or unpleasant situations. For example, would you rather be trapped in a closet crawling with hundreds of centipedes or eat a worm?

  7. Screen time. While limiting kids’ daily screen time is a best practice, consider making an exception for your road trip. Depending on the length of your drive, it can be a challenge to keep kids amused for the duration despite all the other entertainment you bring along. Break up screen time on the road by allowing kids 30-minute cycles of screen time broken up by other activities.


Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer who writes for a variety of parenting publications nationwide.

Ten Books to Keep Kids Happy While Traveling

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AGES 3-6

Favorite Character Books

If your child loves Paw Patrol or Disney princesses, find a couple of new books that include those characters and surprise them on the plane or in the car when a difficult moment comes along. There are many early reader books with characters from popular TV shows. You can check them out from your local library or buy some inexpensive ones online.

Coloring Books

Most kids love to color. Buying a new coloring book with a Ziploc bag of crayons may be a good way to keep little ones happy for a while. Try out the Crayola Color Wonder books with the mess free markers. They are perfect for kids who tend to color in more places than pages. They are also pretty fun because the color gets revealed as the marker is pressed on the paper.

I Spy Books

These books work best when played with an adult or older sibling. There are many versions of these, but usually, the ones with animals entertain kids the most. Try to find some with characters they love or ones that reinforce letters, colors, and shapes.

Sticker Activity Books

Kids love to play with stickers and stick them on basically anything! Buying a themed sticker activity book could provide tons of fun for younger kids. Looking for sticker books that have multiple pages to stick those stickers is key. Be on the lookout for activity books that are more educational and include facts and specified places to put the sticker as well as creative spaces too.

Mad Libs

This classic fill in the blank game is perfect for the whole family. By writing in random parts of speech and plugging them into a story, your family is sure to come up with hilarious and creative stories. It is also a handy grammar reminder for kids and a clever way to get everyone thinking of unique words for the story.

AGES 7-12

National GeographicUltimate Road Trip Atlas

This is a fantastic book for a road trip. It provides easy to read road maps, photographs, roadside attractions, five cool things to do, wacky facts, and boredom busters for each state. The book also includes scavenger hunt games, look and find, license plate search, and a map of the United States. This is a colorful and engaging book that should keep your kids entertained while you travel.

Where’s Waldo

Another classic book, Where’s Waldo is great for kids to play anywhere. Kids can work together to find Waldo and his friends in various landscapes and scenery pages throughout the book. Once you are done finding Waldo, the back pages give you even more items to find based on the location given. This is great to help kids pay attention to details and fosters teamwork to complete the checklists given.

Travel Journals

These can be fun depending on how detail oriented your child is. While there are many versions of travel journals, try to find ones that are interactive and ask questions about places you’ve seen. An area that includes space to draw and write about your day is also nice to have. These journals can be a great end of day wrap up to discuss the day’s activities, restaurants, and attractions.

Word Search and Crossword Puzzle Books

While there are many varieties of puzzle books, try finding one that is geared towards the location you will be visiting. There are countless activity books that focus on fun facts, attractions, and cities all over the world. These word search and crossword puzzles can be completed beforehand as a preview to the location or afterward as a culminating activity.

Are We There Yet?

This book by Rand McNally is filled with a variety of activities to keep kids laughing and thinking. Games include crossword puzzles, travel logs, connect the dots, car bingo, word scrambles, decoding puzzles, and what’s wrong with this picture activities. In addition, there are road trip songs with lyrics, travel game ideas, and hotel games to keep them singing and playing for hours.

Keeping your kids happy while traveling is vital on a family vacation. Hopefully, these books will provide you with more ideas on how to keep your kids entertained during those long trips in the car or plane. 

California Summer Camps for the Entire Family

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Thought summer camp was just for kids? Think again… There has been a growing trend in recent years for summer camps for the whole family. The idea is that everyone can join in on the fun that was once reserved for kids and their camp counselors. Here are some family summer camps you may want to check out.

Montecito Sequoia Lodge

Montecito Sequoia Lodge hosts the ultimate family summer camp experience. This all-inclusive camp offers a wide variety of lodging options, children’s programs, family activities, and buffet style meals. Rates vary depending on the type of accommodation chosen but expect to pay at least $4,000 for a family of four for the entire week. Located inside the gates of Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park, Montecito Sequoia Lodge is a great option for residents of Northern California.

Families have the option of spending the majority of the day together doing outdoor activities such as a guided hike or swimming in the lake. They also have the option of dropping their kids off with the camp counselors. Children are grouped by age and have four activity periods throughout the day where they can go sailing, canoeing, horseback riding or participate in music lessons, jujitsu, fencing, and more. Meals are eaten with the family, and after dinner themed activities are scheduled for the entire family as well. 

Skylake Yosemite Camp

Skylake Yosemite camp offers weekend family camps in May and August. Families stay in a rustic bunkhouse with no electricity or showers, eat in a large dining hall, and spend the day completing activities together or separately. Rates begin at $325 for adults/teens and $195 for children 6-12, and they include accommodations, meals, and activities.

Children can choose from selected programs such as the craft shop, tie-dye, rock wall, and horseback riding with camp counselors. For entire families, there are a number of activities to enjoy on your own. Families can ride canoes, kayaks, learn archery, play tennis, volleyball, horseshoes, and lodge games. Every evening after dinner, there is a campfire session organized by the counselors for the whole family. 

Camp Mather

Just outside of San Francisco, families have been visiting Camp Mather for nearly a hundred years. Designated as a state park in the 1920s, Camp Mather is a perfect summer vacation spot for the whole family. Rates vary based on the lodging chosen, length of stay and meals included. As a sample rate, a family of 4 could stay in a rustic cabin with meals included for about $2,000 a week.

Activities include swimming at the lake or pool, basketball, ping pong, badminton, horseback riding, fishing, and guided hiking and biking. There are specialized programs for younger campers, arts, crafts, and play areas. For families wanting to take a day trip, there is plenty of outdoor scenery nearby at both Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park, and Yosemite is less than an hour away. 

Bar 717 Ranch

Bar 717 Ranch is located near Shasta-Trinity National Forest about 2 hours outside of Redding, California. While they are mostly known for their kids only summer camp, Bar 717 offers two weeks in August as family camp weeks. Rates are $1300 per adult and $560-940 depending on the age of your children and include lodging, meals, and activities.

There are a variety of programs and activities that are offered each day guided by trained staff members. Families wake up and choose where they want to go and what they want to do. Typical activities include horseback riding, swimming, ropes course, arts and crafts, and music. There are also some unique programs such as archery, ceramics, cooking, dance, gardening, woodshop, and ranch projects. Families can help feed the goats and chickens, harvest vegetables, and milk the cows. There are also kid only special events like movie night and adult only events like wine and cheese tastings.

Margie de Quesada is a former teacher turned family travel blogger. She writes about the places her family visits around the USA and has a bucket list goal to visit all 50 states before her kids graduate high school. You can read Margie’s travel blog at www.dqtravel.net.

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