Champagne wishes but ginger ale money, is a situation that has become familiar to a lot of families in recent years. Desperate for a summer getaway, but faced with a lean bank account, more and more of us are turning to campgrounds as a solution to our holiday conundrums.
Campgrounds are usually less expensive than hotels and motels and also give families the option to self-cater at least some of their meals. This can take a big bite out of the cost of a holiday.
Keeping travel plans simple and easy, takes a lot of the stress out of vacationing and can further reduce the cost of the trip. Many campers only travel a few hours, or even a few kilometres from home. Lately, according to Jim Rogers, CEO of KOA, more than 50 percent of people staying with the chain woke up at home, the day of their arrival. That statistic has jumped 25 percent in the last seven years.
Rogers attributes the shift to a number of factors including; occupational demands, busy family life, and soaring gas prices. He says, “(People) just want to stay within reach and go away for shorter time periods.”
RV parks and campgrounds offer a lot more than a clearing in the woods and a fire ring, these days. Chains like KOA and
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, along with myriad other privately owned campgrounds, recognize that the families they are attracting are not necessarily trying to, “get back to basics.” Most families are there simply to relax and have a good time.
As a result, many private parks have evolved into family holiday resorts and go out of their way to take some of the roughness out of “roughing it.” The park I stayed in last weekend had granite countertops and under-mount sinks in the restroom; pretty swanky if you ask me.
Many parks offer a selection of accommodations, for guests who have not invested in all the trimmings and trappings of the camping life. Possibilities include cabins, yurts, cottages and daily RV rentals.
These shelters come with a range of amenities, from basic abodes with little more than beds and a heater, all the way up to self-contained cottages with full kitchens and bathrooms.
Beyond convenience, and affordability; campgrounds and RV parks are an attractive option for families because they’re fun. Kids have a great time; in fact, the whole family has a great time.
Jeff Crider, spokesman for the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds says,
“more and more campgrounds across the country are offering organized activities that could range from nature walks to special themed weekend events like holiday events or Father’s Day events. You can still find plenty of campgrounds that offer a natural setting and a nice environment for kayaking, fishing, or river tubing, but what the parks are finding is that more and more families want things to do. And fun activities are a way to get kids away from computers and iPods and do something as a family.”
They’re certainly giving the people what they want. These places have everything, nature trails, movie nights, ice cream socials, pancake breakfasts, flashlight candy hunts, giant chess boards, hay rides, Christmas in July…and that’s just a start, I could go on…hot tubs, heated swimming pools, playgrounds, gym equipment, doggie playgrounds, bike rentals, mini golf, arts and crafts, giant cartoon mascots – you get the point.
Even if you’ve never considered a holiday at an RV park or campground in the past, you may, upon closer inspection, find that they suite your needs better than many other types of accommodation. Vacations don’t start and end at the Four Seasons. There are all kinds of options out there. Who knows, there may be a campground 2 hours from your house, just calling your name.
Now, you’re likely to encounter the odd purist who will argue that this type of recreation doesn’t count as “real” camping and, in a way, they’re right. It’s not camping, it’s “glamping” and in my dictionary, glamping sounds way more fun. – Jen R, Staff Writer
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This summer, Parks Canada is celebrating their 100th birthday and we’re all invited!
Parks Canada is the oldest national conservancy in the world. Canada and the U.S. had both designated national parks, by 1911, but Canada was the first to entrust a governing body with oversight of the country’s parks and heritage sites.
Parks Canada is the custodian of the country’s spectacular natural environments and gripping history, and manages these sites, in trust, for the Canadian people and for visitors from around the world. Many of Canada’s national parks and historic sites have UNESCO designation.
In 1911, there were only five national parks in Canada, and they were all in the Rockies. Times have changed and Parks Canada has grown. They now oversee 42 national parks, 167 national historic sites and 4 national marine conservation areas. There are Parks Canada locations in every province and territory, from coast to coast to coast.
Now, when some folks think of Canada, they picture a country full of polite people, who like to mind their own business, eat oatmeal and drink warm water. Pretty bland, right? Mmm not really.
From the soaring peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the plunging cliffs of the Cabott Trail, Canada’s national parks and historic sites will knock your socks off at every turn.
Sites include the dizzying spectacle of Banff National Park, the northern most reaches of North America in Quttinirpaaq National Park; the historic re-enactments at the Fortress of Louisbourg and the Fortifications of Quebec City, the last walled city remaining in North America.
The beauty of Jasper’s Rocky Mountains is lost on no one. Palaeontology can be explored in the Grasslands. Permanent glaciers still exist in Glacier National Park. And, adventurers can kayak the world’s highest tides in the Bay of Fundy. There are countless experiences and adventures to be undertaken in Canada’s National Parks.
In terms of history, Canada is considered a very new country. There aren’t a lot of Canadians living in medieval castles. Nevertheless, there are thousands of years of human history to be explored in Canada’s National Historic Sites.
Forts, historic homes, lighthouses and feats of engineering, Parks Canada is the steward of a tangible archive of Canadian history and culture.
Step back in time at L’Anse aux Meadows, the only authenticated Viking settlement in North America; a place that has seen human inhabitants for the past 4-5,000 years.
Cruise the Rideau Canal along its 202 kilometre route, through 46 locks and see Kingston and Ottawa in the process. In the winter, the Rideau Canal transforms and becomes the longest, ice rink in the world; commuters actually skate to work!
Prince of Wales Fort, Churchill, Manitoba, is another area that has been inhabited for 4,000 years. The fort is one of the many historic sites where visitors can learn about Canada’s fur trading past and the Hudson’s Bay Company, one of the oldest commercial corporations in the world. Canada was not an easy country to build and visitors to the site get a taste of the settler’s life and the hardships they endured.
In celebration of their 100th anniversary, Parks Canada wants Canadians to, “be wowed and be proud.” There are two doors open events coming up, July 1st (Canada Day) and July 16th (Parks Day) when the national parks and historic sites fling wide their doors to be enjoyed by everyone, free of charge. Explore the Parks Canada website to discover more about the diversity of Canada’s national parks and historic sites. – Jen R, Staff Writer 
