Episode 149: The Changing Face of Camping

Camping in North America is changing rapidly. In this episode of the podcast, we’ll learn in our interview segment from the most comprehensive camping study ever done, from the industry’s most influential camping organization. Toby O’Rourke, the Chief Franchise Operations Offer for Kampgrounds of America, shares the results with us, telling us how its changing, who is driving that change and what it means to every RVer out there. Plus your listener questions and answers about RVing, RV tips, the RV news of the week and a great off-the beaten-path report, all coming up on Episode 149 of the RV Podcast, being released July 19,2017. Click the player below to Listen Now or scroll down through the show note details. When you see a time code hyperlink, you can click it to jump directly to that segment of the podcast. [spp-player] MIKE AND JENNIFER’S RV ACTIVITIES AND INSIGHTS FOR THE WEEK About the photo at the top - We took this at a great boondocking spot we found in northeastern Montana a couple of weeks ago. Only neighbors were some distant coyotes. You should have seen the stars at night. Mike and Jennifer's Update [spp-timestamp time="2:10"] Mike and Jennifer are just back from FMCA gathering in Indianapolis. The big news is the governing board has announced approval to bring to a full membership vote a change in membership requirements that would let those with non-motorized vehicles – like towable trailers and fifth wheels… to be members of what up until now has been a 50-plus year organization made up exclusively of motorhome owners. Ballots will be in the next three editions of Family Motor Coaching Magazine, with the results know in November. The best deal in the RV and camping world is coming to an end. The $10 for a lifetime of free entry into the nation’s national parks and public recreation lands. bout to change, the result of Congressional legislation approved last December. The price of the Senior Pass, the card that gives free entrance to those 62 years and older (as well as three accompanying adults) at all public lands and recreation areas operated by six different federal agencies, is increasing a whopping 700 percent, to $80 for the lifetime pass. The price increase takes effect on Aug. 28. But even at $80, it’s still a great deal. With the pass, you can visit roughly 2,000 public lands or recreation areas operated by the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, Board of Reclamation, Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service. The pass can also give its holders up to 50 percent discounts on other fees, such as camping fees, at some of the sites. We’re a little over a week away now from our big Traveling Tech Live Demo in Grand Rapids, MI on July 28. We’ll be joined by Verizon’s Steve VanDinter, who regularly contributes to our Traveling Tech segment on the podcast. We will be in person from 3PM to 7PM Thursday, July 27 at American RV in Grand Rapids, MI. We’ll be showing many of the cool gadgets and gismos we talk about every week here on the podcast for all those who show up. And if you can’t attend in person, we’ll also have a Facebook Live report that can be watched online, in real time. Mike and Jennifer remind everyone the importance of having a weather radio, to be alerted to weather emergencies. The importance of that was made clear last weekend in Arizona when a heavy thunderstorm led to a flash flood that filled a number of children and adults at a popular Arizona swimming hole. Mike refers listeners to his master list of products, services and gadgets at http://kit.com/rvpodcast to see the weather apps and the weather radio he uses and recommends. This portion of the Podcast is brought to you by Campers Inn, the RVer’s trusted resource for over 50 years, the nation’s largest family-operated RV dealership with 16 locations and growing JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK Jennifer One problem those of us who travel with dogs regularly face is what to do with our pets when we have a place to go or an activity to do that doesn’t allow dogs. [spp-timestamp time="12:22"] Listener Judy shares a website she used called Rover.com, which claims to be the nation’s largest network of pet sitters and dog walkers. It’s a very easy site to use. Just type in your location, whether you need boarding… house, or RV, sitting… dog walking..or doggie day care. You’ll be returned a list of qualified people that you can check out and book. And be sure to send me your tips and suggestions for the RV lifestyle. You can use the “Leave Voicemail” link at Roadtreking.com. Just click it and then use the built-in microphone on your computer or mobile devise to record a message to me. You can do it over as many times as you want, until you are satisfied. And then you just click a button and it comes right to my email inbox. I love hearing from you! Jennifer's tip of the week is brought to you by RadPower Bikes ,an electric bike manufacturer offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK Steve, from Mississippi, asks Mike and Jennifer to share how they take care of maintenance on their sticks and bricks home while they are on the road for extended periods of time [spp-timestamp time="16:00"] A listener asks what is the easiest type of bedding to use in a motorhome when it is surrounded by three walls [spp-timestamp time="23:14"]. Mike and Jennifer refer her to their video on the RV Superbag at https://youtu.be/xm6gWwcJOt0 Tim needs some help in turning on his hot water heater on his 2016 Zion [spp-timestamp time="25:54"]. We refer them to the online and updated product manuals available for download direct from Roadtrek at http://www.roadtrek.com/support-contact/#section-manuals A caller just bought a 2011 RV and the fresh water tanks are not so…well, fresh. The caller wants to know how to make them that way [spp-timestamp time="27:24"] Sponsoring this part of the podcast is Van City RV in St. Louis, and their Partner Dealerships Creston RV in Kalispell, Montana, and Wagon Trail RV in Las Vegas. Bringing You the largest Inventory of class B’s from three locations INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK Camping in North America is changing rapidly. In this episode of the podcast, we’ll learn in our interview segment from the most comprehensive camping study ever done, from the industry’s most influential camping organization. Toby O’Rourke, the Chief Franchise Operations Offer for Kampgrounds of America, shares the results with us, telling us how its changing, who is driving that change and what it means to every RVer out there. [spp-timestamp time="31:24"] KOA's Toby O'Rourke Millennials now account for 38 percent of the 75 million active camper households in the U.S., up from 34 percent in 2016, and 51 percent say they plan to increase their camping this year. Results of the survey indicate that these younger campers are using camping to add more balance to their lives. Their key reasons for camping include spending more time with friends and family, being physically active and improving their overall emotional well-being and health. Their attitudes about camping are reinforced by their behaviors and, with the influx of younger campers, this is changing the camping landscape overall. Camping is becoming a more social activity, and outdoor recreation while camping is shifting to more physically active activities. In this year’s results, hiking outranked fishing as the most popular type of camping recreation for the first time since the first iteration of the North American Camping Report. Kayaking and mountain biking also saw significant increases. You can read the entire survey that Toby talks about at https://www.rvda.org/RVDA/Media/News_Releases/2017_News_Releases/March_2017/Camping.aspx The interview of the week is brought to you by SunshinestateRVs.com, where every new or used Roadtrek motorhome is delivered to the customer free, anywhere in the country RV NEWS OF THE WEEK: Four stories this week…[spp-timestamp time="47:25"] Man camping with his family in Florida panhandle killed by lightning. Read more Researchers study why 22 million people around the world like to watch Alaska's Katmai National Park bears on live stream. Read more Dog dies of heat exposure when family took pet on hike at Cowles Mountain near San Diego Read more Florida state park having to close some walkways because of aggressive wild monkeys. Read more This portion of the podcast is brought to you by Alde, the only name in heat that you need to know for your RV TRAVELING TECH TIP: By Steve Van Dinter Verizon Wireless Steve Van Dinter Where is summer going? It’s already time for us to start talking back to school and off to college. So for the next couple weeks I’ll have some suggestions to have your student perfectly prepped for success. [spp-timestamp time="54:22"] This week we’re talking college. And tech is very much a part of the dorm room experience. First up...Google Home(https://www.verizonwireless.com/accessories/google-home-voice-activated-speaker/). Talk about the perfect assistant! Set it on your dresser or desk and now you’ll receive reminders for everything from when to leave to class to when a paper is due. Have to wake up early for that 745am class? No worries, just set the alarm via voice. Always forget to check the weather before heading out the door? You can now get the forecast while laying in bed! And when it comes to playing music to concentrate...you guess it...all available by saying “Ok Google”. Next up….Samsung Galaxy Book(https://www.verizonwireless.com/tablets/samsung-galaxy-book/) Desktops are so 2000 and laptops are almost as outdated. Today’s college student wants something with the convenience of a tablet and power of a desktop. That’s where the Samsung Galaxy Book comes in. Powered by Windows 10 and an Intel Core i5 processor,