Are you a first-time camper, or are you a seasoned traveler? Have you decided to live half the year in the southern states and the other half in the north? Perhaps you'll travel from state to state, hitting them all within a year, or you've decided you want the best of both worlds and spend your retirement in one place.
If you're new, I'm sure you've been learning from books and seasoned campers by taking advantage of recommended gear, how to pack, and what kinds of sites work best for you and your camper. The year 2025 promises to be a year of new beginnings by allowing you to take what you learned in the past and then define what you want in your upcoming camping life based on your current knowledge. So much affects our camping life, especially if you're retired. The economy, the current governments, and the current housing all affect how and when we decide to leap into the idea of living in an RV.
So, whether you're experienced or a beginner, let's take a look and reexamine with a fresh mindset and ask ourselves:
Where or what did you enjoy the most in 2024?
What worked for you?
What didn't work for you?
Did you cross off anything on your bucket list?
We all know excitement, prosperity, and contentment don't just come our way. We make it happen by giving out what we want to receive. So, between Christmas and New Year's is an excellent time to daydream about what you want to add to your bucket list for camping expeditions. So get paper and pencil and jot down what your New Year's Resolutions are – both beginners and experienced – to help you get started:
1. MAKE A PLAN BUT ALLOW FOR THE UNEXPECTED
When you make advance plans for your campground reservations, you can lock in the perfect site you want at your favorite campground or state park.
Advance planning allows you to make a list of what equipment and clothing you'll need if your trip involves chilly weather and helps you secure the best deals on gear and accommodations. This forethought can often save you money and avoid stress and disappointment later on.
Making a plan is a powerful tool that empowers you to be more proactive when booking your campsite at your favorite campgrounds or RV parks. It's turning your dreams into camping realities.
Even with preplanning, leave room for last-minute changes, such as changing your meal plan or taking a side trip down a nature-filled rustic road. Remember, magical experiences often happen when you least expect them, whether on a well-planned journey or having a spontaneous adventure.
2. EMBRACE THE THRILL OF EXPLORING NEW PLACES AND ATTEMPTING NEW THINGS
Do you feel you’ve fallen into a rut and want to escape? If you’re happy, don’t worry about changing anything, but if you’re not satisfied, attempting something different and new can turn standard camping practices into something fun and magical.
For example, do you return year after year, never deviating from what you know? If so, consider changing your campsite to another RV park area so you have new neighbors and mix up your routine. You might find that you now have a new favorite site!
“Attempting new things” can be something big, such as where to go explore or where to eat. While you have your favorite eateries and meal plan recipes, move out of your comfort zone and explore different nationality dishes, swim with the manatees, or explore the local flea market.
3. FIND A CAMPING GROUP THAT FITS YOU
Make the most of your stay in the campground by seeking out like-minded residents to camp with and talk with about everything from camping to music to the various activities you’d like to experience.
It’s soothing to sit around a fire at night with people and enjoy the crackling of a fire and the easy conversation of interesting people.
4. TAKE INVENTORY OF YOUR CAMPING SUPPLIES: BE PREPARED
Make sure you have a camping checklist. It’s easy to forget something you need after arriving at your destination. You can create a camping checklist or search online for a list that can easily adapt to your needs.
Winter can seem like it will never end, but it does with the flowers of spring and then the warming heat of summer. It’s comforting to know your multi-tool knives are sharp, you have spare batteries for lanterns, laundry bags packed, and you’re all set for a rainy day.
An excellent inventory checklist ensures you’ve packed all your gear needed during your stay. Thus, you won’t have to run to a store after you’ve arrived to pick up a raincoat, an umbrella, or a heavy sweater for a few cold nights in Florida.
5. CAMPING WITH FRIENDS: SHARE THE JOY
Do you have good friends or family that you like to camp with? Why not invite them to camp with you in the same campground? That way, you’ll be able to capture special moments that you’ve shared. Just give them ample time to plan dates that work for both of you and then decide on a trip that everyone will enjoy.
A tool that will make planning easier is Google Docs, which uses the spreadsheet feature so everyone can access the plans and share their lists for packing and groceries.
6. START NEW TRADITIONS
Learning camping tips and tricks is a journey that often involves making mistakes. These missteps are crucial in understanding what not to do and when things work out perfectly. One trip can lead to a deep love for camping, potentially shaping it into a lifelong passion or even a retirement option. The longer one lives in a camper, the more they tend to fall in love with the lifestyle and consider it their retirement solution.
Creating new camping traditions is a personal endeavor. It could involve a competition for catching the largest fish, singing a catchy tune at the nightly fire, or having the most aesthetic campsite.
First-time occurrences often lead to the creation of new traditions. Remember what you want to do repeatedly and be open to new inspirations. Getting out of your comfort zone by trying new things is key to expanding your camping memories and creating unique traditions.
Whether you camp with RVs or tents, seek relaxation or an exciting adventure, remember, it's all about you. Camping is based on each individual's needs and wants. Have you created any new traditions to carry on in 2025? It's all in your hands.
7. WALK, DON'T RUN TO YOUR NEAREST RV PARK CAMPGROUND
Plan your RV camping trip, reserve your site at your destination campground, and enjoy your camping friends and family you've met. With a well-planned trip, you'll be organized and prepared, ready to make the most of your adventure.
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