You’ve seen the brochures of RVs parked along the banks of picturesque lakes, and wide smiling faces sticky with fire roasted s’mores. You probably know that RVing is a great way to explore national treasures while still enjoying all the comforts of home. See America mile-by-mile by day and sleep in your own bed each night! Stock up the fridge before you leave and you’ll have all your favorite nibbles wherever you roam. You’re probably already familiar with these great benefits of RVing, so we asked 5 families who are “RVing experts” exactly how RVing has benefited their families in unexpected ways...benefits that might be missed during a walk through a dealership. A note about these experts: they are all part of an organization called Fulltime Families, dedicated to young, working, full-time RVers. These experts have sold their homes and hit the road in search of a stronger bond with their children, a slower lifestyle... and, ultimately, the adventure of a lifetime. Unexpected Benefit #1: Less is more!
Let’s face it, whether you’re heading out for the weekend, or launching on a summer-long cross country trip, there’s only so much stuff you can bring along in your limited space. Somewhere in the midst of enjoying an evening campfire or an early morning pancake breakfast, you realize you actually have everything you truly need in your RV. You may start questioning why you even have all that “extra” stuff back home! Jessica Jeffrey reminds us, “Having less stuff and less to take care of means I get to spend more quality time with my husband and kids.” Unexpected Benefit #2: Learning alongside your kids truly is the best way to learn.
Summer vacation usually means that education is put on hold, but when you go RVing as a family, learning opportunities abound around every corner. How can you not talk Civil War history while picnicking at Gettysburg? How can you not discuss the wonders of creation while unearthing anemones in the tide pools along the Pacific? How can you resist pointing out the constellations while your eyes are raised to the heavens on those incomparably beautiful evenings? Kimberly Travaglino, co-host of Roadschool Moms, a weekly podcast for homeschoolers on the road, remind us: “You only need to think back to your own childhood to know the best lessons can be taught in pajamas, under a starry sky”. Unexpected Benefit #3: Leave your stress behind.
Did you know there’s no room for anxiety in a hammock? How about that a campfire can melt your worries away? RVing is the antidote to the “busy” so many of us find ourselves stuck in. Instead of spending your weekend at your local home improvement store, drive your RV to your local soul improvement area (i.e., your favorite campground)and spend some time unwinding. “Simplifying our life and living a simple life (TV’s have been replaced with board games, puzzles, music at meals, etc) as a family created a noticeable and surprising peace and calm for all of us,” says Eric Benson of RoamingWell.com. Unexpected Benefit #4: Have you tried to cook in a hotel room?
Seriously - have you tried to fit a gallon of milk in that tiny fridge? When you RV, not only do you bring along all the comforts of home, but you get to bring your favorite foods, too. With a refrigerator, microwave, and oven in your RV galley, you can make your family’s favorite meals on-the-go. On a special diet? RVing makes it easy to stick to the foods that fuel your fun! Wanna keep it simple? The @JamesGang suggests: “Why not cook some of your meals over a campfire? You’ll be making cherished memories as dinner becomes an adventure of it’s own.”
Unexpected Benefit #5: Three cheers for new friends!
If you’ve never gone RVing, then you may know the most important, most vital and most priceless unexpected benefit you’ll likely encounter are new friends! Remember that 1950s community your grandparents always tell stories about? Well, here’s a secret: it’s alive and well, recaptured in campgrounds across America. You’ll find lots of friendly folks enjoying the simple life as you stroll around the campground. Don’t be surprised if you’re invited to random campfires or if your children strike up friendships at the playground. It’s common for campers to connect and make plans for future RVing adventures down the road! So, there you have it - the top 5 most unexpected benefits of RVing.
We hope you find many more unexpected benefits as you and your family launch your own RV adventures!
This information is for educational purposes. VIARV shall not be responsible nor retain liability for RVer’s use of the provided information. Prior to making any RV service decision, you are advised to consult with an RV professional.