The RV Atlas Podcast RVFTA Podcast Network

We are big believers in taking your kids RVing while they are young--and we mean very young! Our 14 year old boys, Max and Theo, went on their first RV trip when they were right around 1 years old. Our youngest, Wes, who is 11 now, went on his first camping trip when he was 4 weeks old. Those trips were challenging. But they were also magical--and formative for our children.  Ten years ago we did a podcast called "The Family Road Trip, What's in it for the Kids?" that really resonated with our audience at that time. That podcast eventually become a chapter in our book Where Should We Camp Next? Camping 101--which is excerpted in this blog post--just below.  We revisit that podcast in the podcast in the media player just above--and we add four more reasons whey we think you should take your young kids camping without waiting until they are older and more able.



The following excerpt was originally published in Where Should We Camp Next? Camping 101 in a chapter entitled "What's in it for the Kids."







We started camping when our oldest kids were 11 months old because of our dreams for the future. I can honestly say it wasn’t because we had some parenting vision that involved raising our boys in the woods. We loved travel. We loved road trips. And we wanted to keep having fun in spite of the drastic changes that happened as soon as our twin babies entered the picture. 



In hindsight, though, I feel so incredibly lucky that we bought that pop up camper. I didn’t realize it at the time, but it was exactly the right decision to help us raise our kids according to values that have become very important to us as parents. 



Anyone that has kids knows that the early years can be like a fog. You emerge from those baby years a bit confused and disoriented, wondering what just happened. Well, as we left that baby stage behind us, we started to realize that our efforts were truly paying off. Even though it wasn’t entirely by design, we had managed to create a life that was encouraging our boys to grow in many areas that were very important to us, like patience, creativity, and curiosity. 



At the time, we felt that many of these traits were limited to our actually camping experience. I would see them engage in imaginative play at the campsite in ways that wouldn’t necessarily translate to our backyard. But over the years, I have been amazed to watch these traits translate to every area of their life, including academics and organized sports. 



So, yes, I am thankful that I have taken my children to Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, where the sun first strikes the eastern shores of the United States each morning. And I’m also grateful that they have stood next to some of the largest Redwood trees in the world on the California coast. But I am more grateful that we stumbled into this whole camping lifestyle when they were itty bitty babies, because their lives will be forever better because of it. 



I can now see that we have been giving our children the gifts of camping and I look forward to watching as they benefit for years to come. 

1. The Gift of Flexibility





As a new parent, I can admit that I was completely addicted to structure and routine. I don’t think that was a bad thing. I firmly believe it helped us avoid major breakdowns at key points in our journey. In fact, our commitment to the routine even while traveling probably made our trips much more enjoyable, even when the boys were babies. We would keep the same bedtime, nap time, and meal habits. That gave the boys a sense of familiarity and kept them from being overwhelmed by all the unknown factors that come along with travel.



Nevertheless, we were constantly introducing them to new environments. On one of our earliest family camping trips, we stayed at four different campgrounds over the course of 16 days.

We have rented several RV's over the years (for a variety of different reasons) and we have loved the experience each and every time. Renting has given us the opportunity to try different types of RVs (like Class A, B and C motorhomes) and it has allowed us to camp at Disney World in the winter when we did not want to tow our own rig down from New Jersey. The peer to peer RV rental market has exploded in recent years and, in many areas of the country, there are plenty of options to choose from. When we have looked to rent we have always found plenty of options to choose from.



On today's episode of the RV Atlas podcast we are pleased to welcome Maddi Bourgerie from RVshare onto the show for the very first time to talk about all aspects of enjoying an RV rental: we talk about tips for selecting an RV, tips for budgeting, tips for renting our own RV's, and so much more. At the heart of our interview we also discuss a wide variety of the RV rental adventures that Maddi has taken over the years.



Maddi's boyfriend even proposed to her on an RV Rental adventure in Hawaii and they have had many other RV rental adventures since then!







"Maddi is a travel expert who has worked in the industry for a decade, visited almost all 50 states and rented more than 20 RVs (for a wide variety of bucket list trips and adventures.) She currently works full-time for RVshare and is dedicated to the company’s mission to help travelers experience the magic of an RV adventure. Maddi has RVed on the East and West Coast checking off National Parks and music festivals from her bucket list. Her career has been dedicated to sharing her passion for travel."







RVshare is the largest online community for RV renters and owners with a diverse selection of vehicles for rent across the US, ranging from luxury motorhomes to cozy camper vans. On RVshare you’ll find vehicles that can accommodate any outdoor adventure, whether it's a weekend of camping or a cross-country tour of national parks. RVshare was Founded in 2013 in Akron, Ohio and has more than 100,000 RVs for rent across the country, from 60,000 owners. It is a peer-to-peer platform similar to Airbnb.



To save $30 dollars on a $500 dollar or more RV rental from RVshare please use code RVATLAS30 at checkout. For more tips about renting RV's from RVshare please click here.



On this episode of the RV Atlas (which you can listen to by clicking on the media player above) Maddi shares tips about choosing the right RV rental. We discuss the following topics:



Different RV Classes 

RV Delivery 

What are the important amenities? 

What is best for your group? 

Taking advantage of the search filters that RVshare has (amenities, pet-friendly, distance, etc)

Flying to your destination and then renting 

How rentals are perfect for first-timers



We also discuss the different types of RV rental experiences that can be had with an RVshare rental.



RV Delivery 

Boondocking

Campgrounds 

Road Trip s

Music Festivals/Events

Parking in your own driveway for extra room (family reunions, weddings)

Local trips - nearby State Park or Campground 

Fly to your destination and rent



Maddi also share tips to consider when budgeting for an RV rental.



Rentals on RVshare range from $50 a night to $250+ a night 

You Must Consider Taxes and Fees 

Mileage 

Gas Prices

Campground fees 



Maddi's RV Rental Adventures









Maddi has used RV rentals for 20+ trips to a wide variety of places and for a bunch of different uses. Here are some of the highlights:



Camper Van Rental in Hawaii



Camper van in Hawaii - got engaged to my fiance...

On this week's Q+A episode of the RV Atlas podcast we tackle four more questions from our private facebook--which you can join here. We talk about options for replacing the RVQ with products from Blackstone, Weber, and more. We also discuss things to do in the Redwoods, and places to camp in Lake George, NY. At the end of the episode we also discuss the best tankless water heaters.

Replacing the RVQ





Our first question on this week's RV Atlas podcast (which you can listen to by clicking on the media player above) is about replacing the dreaded RVQ that came with your RV. We recommend new products by Blackstone, Weber, and more. For a great resource about replacing your RVQ check out this podcast from 2021. We go over the best options for camp stoves, grills, and griddles.



https://thervatlas.com/podcast/should-i-get-a-camp-grill-camp-griddle-or-camp-stove/

Things to do in Redwood National and State Parks





Our trip to the PNW a few years back was one of our greatest adventures as a family. We spent four nights in the Redwoods and experienced amazing hiking amongst the mystical Redwood trees. Here is our podcast about the Redwoods and all of the wonderful hikes and family activities that we did there. It is a terrific resource for planning your own trip to this bucket-list worthy destination in Northern California.



https://thervatlas.com/podcast/rvfta-155-greetings-from-the-redwoods-national-and-state-parks-in-california/

Lake George Campgrounds





We also discuss the two best campgrounds in the Lake George area of New York State. Moose Hillock and Lake George RV Resort are often mentioned as the two best campgrounds in this stunning region of the Adirondack Park. Here is our review of Moose Hillock from a few years back.



https://thervatlas.com/podcast/our-return-to-lake-george-and-moose-hillock-ny/



As for tankless water heaters? We recommend the Truma AquaGo as best in class. But we are happy with our Furrion that came standard in our Grand Design Imagine.



Don't forget to subscribe to the RV Atlas wherever you get your favorite podcasts and we hope to see you at the campground!

We have long considered Virginia to be one of the most underrated states for camping in America. Virginia has camping in the mountains, and near the sea. There is camping along many rivers and along the quiet shores of the Chesapeake Bay. The entire state is also packed with historical and cultural sites--and many of them are near campgrounds. Virginia state park campgrounds are also excellent and a point of pride among Virginia's RV owners and tent campers.



Virginia state park campgrounds are beautiful and in most cases, incredibly well maintained. Many of the campgrounds within the system also have sites with water and electric that are quite affordable at around $35 dollars per night.



We are thrilled to have Campin' Erin on the RV Atlas this week to discuss Virginia's state park campgrounds. In particular, three of her absolute favorites: Douthat State Park, Pocahontas State Park, and James River State Park. To listen to Jeremy interview Campin' Erin please click on the media player above--or subscribe to The RV Atlas wherever you  get your favorite podcasts.



Or read on below to find out a little bit more about these three Virginia state park campgrounds.



All photos compliments of Campin' Erin. Thanks Erin!

Douthat State Park

Photo Compliments of Campin' Erin



Douthat State Park campground is Campin' Erin's new favorite. This campground is located in the mountains and is a bit cooler in the summertime. There is a lake in the state park that is great for swimming, fishing, and recreation. The beach here is terrific and has excellent mountain views. There are three different camping areas in the park--and Campin' Erin likes White Oak the best because of its shaded sites. Whispering Pines is open year around and more out in the open--and there is a third camping area right by the lake. Cabins and Lodge rooms are also available.



To find out more about camping at Douthat State Park--please click here.

Pocahontas State Park

Photo Compliments of Campin' Erin



Pocahontas State Park is only 20 minutes away from Richmond--but it feels like it is a world away from the city. Recreational opportunities are abundant in this state park with options for boating, hiking, and swimming and playing in their epic aquatic center.  There are also terrific educational and cultural programs that take place at the park's 2,000-seat amphitheater (pictured above). Campin' Erin loves the campgrounds here because they have huge campsites and feel very private and removed from some of the hustle and bustle in the rest of the park. There are lots of options for cabins and yurts here--making it a great place for camping with friends and family that don't tent camp or RV.



To find out more about camping at Pocahontas State Park--please click here.

James River State Park

Photo Compliments of Campin' Erin



Virginia state park campgrounds are so beautiful--and James River State Park is definitely one of the prettiest. Located in Gladstone, Virginia in south central Virginia--this state park features a lovely campground set among rolling hills. There are 16 cabins here and there are also lodges available that can accommodate multiple families at a terrific price. The RV sites feature water and electric at a bargain price and some of them can accommodate rigs up to 40 feet.  Campin' Erin and her family loved the natural playground--and you will too!



To find out more about James River State Park--please click here.

On this week's Q+A episode of The RV Atlas we tackle another three questions from our Facebook group. We discuss where everyone is camping for the upcoming 2024 Solar Eclipse and how crafty RV owners are at finding great spots to view this celestial event. Then we discuss a whole bunch of options for easy camping meals from walking tacos to smash burgers to pie iron pizzas! Then we wrap up the show by discussing whether overnighting in free locations like Walmart and Cracker Barrel is actually worth it--or whether its better to just pony up a few bucks and stay at a KOA.



We hope you join us for another great Q+A episode of the RV Atlas podcast! See you at the campground!

Jeremy and RV-gear expert Joshua Sheehan from RV Gear and Far share 16 top picks for RV and camping supplies, accessories, and more.