RV Podcast Good News: The RV Lifestyle has resumed!

The RV Lifestyle and camping looks different than it does before the lockdown but on this episode of the RV Podcast we have lots of news about the RV Lifestyle resuming. People are out and about in their RVs, and we’re going to report on the RV Podcast about what’s open for camping, what’s not and how RVers are finally setting out once again after a very active Memorial Day weekend that saw many campers getting out there for the first time in months. We’ll have the latest…plus RV tips, an off the beaten path trip idea and an in-depth look at Care Camps, one of the most inspirational places on earth and one that shares the joy and excitement of camping with those who need it the most. All that and much, much more in this, episode 296 of the RV Podcast. Click the player below to listen. Show Notes for Episode #296 May 27, 2020 of The RV Podcast: Mike & Jennifer Wendland, hosts of the RV Podcast RV PODCAST NEWS OF THE WEEK Rocky Mountain National Park seeking approval to limit visitors to those who reserve a time Let's start with what potentially may be one of the most controversial changes to the way we visit National Parks that have ever been considered. Rocky Mountain National Park has proposed having all park visitors sign up in advance for a time to enter the park in a move to promote social distancing. If approved, the advanced sign up is estimated to reduce visitors by 40 percent, and hopefully eliminate confusion visitors may feel wondering if they will get in on a particular day or not. This will likely be tried by other National Parks as they almost all are exploring different ways to limit the number of daily visitors. We predict this will be approved, by the National Parks Service and will most likely go into effect over the summer. Experts rank COVID-19 infection risk by activities, including camping As states begin to open up from COVID-19 restrictions (some more quickly than others), we're faced with a new list of considerations. Is it safe to swim? Hike on a busy trail? And what about camping? We found a report by NPR this weekend that runs these questions by experts and we're pleased to report that the risk of catching COVID-19 from a camping trip is low. (click here to see the details.) Border closure between Canada and the USA extended, hints of significant changes should it reopen this travel season If you are hoping to cross the Canada/ USA border for a camping trip - or a road trip to Alaska - anytime in the immediate future, we have some bad news. The ban on non-essential travel between the two nations was extended to June 21 last week. And we’re also hearing from several sources that if the border does open for nonessential travel in late June, there might be new requirements for all who enter Canada - such as quarantines for some travelers. This is being watched closely by US RVers who want to visit places like the Canadian Rockies or pass through Canada on the way north to Alaska. And of course, many Canadians plan RV visits to the US. There is a tremendous amount of confusion about this right now and lots of pressure on the two governments to open up. We’ll keep you informed. More campgrounds continue to open, but check before you go As we noted, lots of RVers went camping this past weekend. Several stories out over the weekend told of campgrounds with closed showers, campsites being filled with every other site left open. Mist private campgrounds were open, some state parks were only open to in-state residents and some state parks, like Michigan, remain totally closed. But the good news is that in most places, you could find open places to camp and more are opening u each day. As always, if you are heading out, we can't stress enough, check ahead to see what is open. Every state is different and Campendium is keeping daily updates you can access by clicking here. Bison at Yellowstone National Park charges, injures woman who got too close We've been sharing in this podcast several recent reports about wildlife in many many parts of the country and the national parks getting used to having the parks all to themselves. Officials worried that the animals would get a bit overwhelmed once tourists returned. It happened. On the second day after partially reopening last week, Yellowstone National Park reported a woman injured by a bison after she got too close. The animal knocked the woman to the ground and slightly injured her, but she declined medical treatment. A few years back we interviewed a ranger about the Yellowstone Pledge. It is worth taking a look to review. (click here) Additional RV Podcast stories this week: Here were lots of other stories about outdoor activities, hiking and camping being reopened including: Forty people charged with fishing, hiking in New Mexico park Wolves attack couple's dogs on camping trip in British Columbia Hiking trail shut down in California after too many show up, avoid social distancing This part of the podcast is brought to you by RadPower Bikes, America's #1 e-bike brand, offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping RV PODCAST LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK From Mark and Lauri – We are looking at a new RV that has a diesel engine. We've never had diesel before and we’re told we need to use DEF fluid… What is it, how much does it cost and how often do we have to add it? It sounds like a hassle to us. Do you have a question you’d like us to answer or a comment you'd like to share on the things we’re discussing on the RV Podcast? If so, we invite you to leave us that question or comment on the special voicemail number we have for the RV Podcast – it’s 586-372-6990. If you are driving and can’t write it down right now, just go to the RV Lifestyle travel blog at rvlifestyle.com and scroll down the page. You’ll see that number prominently posted on the blog. This part of the RV Podcast is brought to you by Battle Born Batteries, maker of quality, safe and reliable lithium batteries that can be installed in just about every RV. Get in touch with Battle Born to find out what lithium batteries and an upgraded energy management system can add to your RV Lifestyle. Check them out at https://rvlifestyle.com/lithium RV PODCAST INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK One of the most inspiring charities out there is called Care Camps. First started by KOA and now a full-fledged nonprofit supported by the RV Industry, many other campgrounds, and every day RVers like you and me, Care Camps gives a week-long camping experience to children with cancer. You need to know about Care camps. And so in our RV podcast interview of the week, we’re going to take a few minutes to learn about how our help is especially needed now, in these post COVID-19 days when social distancing and protecting these young and vulnerable kids is presenting some really significant challenges. But the Care Camps kids have been looking forward to camp all year long. They’re counting on us as the Care Camps director of development explains in this week’s RV Podcast Interview of the Week: Here’s a transcript of the RV Podcast interview: RV Podcast: To find out more about Care Camps, no one better than my friend, Jennifer Mercer, who joins us on the phone right now. Hi, Jennifer. Jennifer Mercer: Well, hello, Mike. How's it going there in Florida today? RV Podcast: Well, we're anxious to get out traveling, but like most of the world, it's slowly opening up. I have been looking for a good opportunity to tell my RV Podcast listeners all about Care Camps ever since we got together back in Arizona in, I think it was February, early February. Jennifer Mercer: Yeah. RV Podcast: So now is as good a time as ever, especially with all of the confusion hurled our way by COVID-19 and the pandemic. But for my listeners who are not familiar, why don't you give us an overview of what KOA Care Camps are, how it came about, and then let's talk about how COVID-19 is affecting the Care Camps this year. So take it away. Tell the RV Podcast about Care Camps. Jennifer Mercer: All right. Well, as for what Care Camps is, Care Camps is a nonprofit organization that raises funds to help ensure that children with cancer and their families have the chance to attend special oncology camps. And at these camps, they get to experience the healing nature of the outdoors, the way we all do in the RVing industry. And they find joy that comes from spending times with building friendships, with having fun with friends and all the normal stuff that normal kids get to enjoy that are oftentimes changed in the face of crisis like cancer. So thanks to- RV Podcast: How does a typical camp work, and how many are there around the country? The RV Podcast interview about care camps tells how much kids with cancer enjoy care camps Jennifer Mercer: Well, I'd love to say there is no typical camp, because each one is unique and different. Care Camps funds 135 different special oncology camps all over the United States and Canada. The one thing they have in common tends to be that one of their main functions tends to be a kind of a typical summer camp experience that most of us would recognize. If we didn't get to experience it ourselves, we would recognize the summer camp, camping around a big lake and going hiking and zip-lining and doing all these things that kids do just to have fun together. The only difference is that these are medically supervised oncology camps. Kids with cancer have some special medical needs, and so each of these camps is equipped medically as well as with professionally trained counseling staff to handle the unique needs of these kids. And then many of the camps now are also doing some special weeks specifically for siblings of kids with cancer,