RV camping all the way in the Czech Republic!
Photo by: Victor Zuydweg (Stock Exchange)

In today’s AllCampgrounds, we’ll pick up where we left off and show you some great national groups for those who enjoy the best RV parks and campgrounds around the United States.

RVers are well known for their sense of community and solidarity, and so, there are plenty of organizations of all different kinds to choose from in your quest to meet more like-minded campers.

Of course, there are hundreds of state and regional RV camping groups around the country, so today we’ll focus solely on those that are known nationwide.

Family Campers and RVers: FCRV encourages friendship and family bonding among members dispersed all around the United States. With a focus on appreciating nature and developing better camping, hiking, and outdoor skills, FCRV is known for its great number of conventions, rallies, and group excursions. Planned activities for kids are a regular fixture of FCRV events, and there are even scholarship funds and survival skill classes to take advantage of for campers young, old, and in between.

Tin Can Tourists: The Tin Can Tourists are RV camping aficionados who celebrate classic trailers and motorcoaches. Besides holding annual conventions featuring Tin Can Tourists from around the country, the organization also maintains a directory of RV camps and RV resorts that are “Tin Can” friendly, either with affiliation to the group or discounts for members. Aside from the great camp grounds, you can learn plenty about restoration and related topics, or browse the classified section for gear.

RV Consumer Group: An independent and not-for-profit organization, the RV Consumer Group is handy for those who aspire to be RV campers in the future but haven’t quite crossed over to the lifestyle yet. The reason why? The Consumer Group provides research and advocacy for all things RV, as well as unbiased reviews, safety information, and ratings for the major RV brands and related equipment. If you’re making your first purchase or looking at a rental to get a taste of the RV life, look here first.

RVing Women: RVing Women is the largest group in North America dedicated to women who enjoy RVing. With a strong social network open to any woman interested in RVing (ownership not required!), RVW provides unique resources and a slew of events for women who’ve embraced the RV lifestyle. In August alone, chapters around the country organized nine great events. September and October are looking just as full of on the RVing Women calendar, and each chapter and individual event even has its own informational webpage!

Loners on Wheels: Active for 40 years, Loners on Wheels is literally the country’s first and largest singles group “on wheels”, catering to unattached folks of both genders. With 50 regional chapters in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, it provides trips, caravaning, and all kinds of events. You can search for events conveniently by U.S. state to find out exactly what’s going on in your area. Loners on Wheels is associated with the Low-Hi RV Resort and Ranch in New Mexico, which has 65 spacious RV sites and welcomes both LOW members and others to enjoy its amenities. Biannual LOW rallies are held there!

Does this Florida Keys tent look like home away from home?
Photo by: Fred Green (Stock Exchange)

Good morning, everyone! It’s good to see you back here at AllCampgrounds.

We’ve been rambling around the U.S. and having great outdoor adventures for quite a while now; today we’re going to take a more leisurely pace and talk about organizations around the country that can help you get the most out of camping.

Remember, all campsites represent a community of people who love the outdoors, and there are literally millions of campers who visit camp grounds all around the country every year. Let’s look at some different ways to get in touch. Next time? Resources just for RV parks and campgrounds.

For Kids

Boy Scouts of America: A fixture in American life (along with its “sister” organization, the Girl Scouts of America), the Boy Scouts have been teaching young folks the importance of the outdoors since 1910, with the Girl Scouts joining in a scant two years later. Both organizations teach valuable skills for surviving and thriving in nature, and also offer a learning community that promotes values like honesty and fair-dealing. With a total of over seven million active youth and adult members, both organizations really do their part to help kids enjoy nature, a perfect preparation for your camping trips.

American Camp Association: Even though you may not hear much about them these days, traditional summer camps are still going strong. In fact, residential summer camps serving kids of school age are found in every state in the United States. Though these camps tend to offer cabins rather than tents, they go a long way toward preparing children to cherish, protect, and enjoy the outdoors, with programs that last anywhere from a few weeks of summer to practically the “whole run.” As for the ACA, it accredits almost 2,500 camps that have attained the highest standards for health, safety, and enrichment.

National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camping: A special resource for children who might need a little hand, NATWC is the umbrella organization that oversees U.S. groups dedicated to helping at-risk youth through awareness and appreciation of the natural world. Though the website is oriented toward professionals in the field, including those holding outdoor jobs, but the rest of us can also find out more about camps offering programs to children in need and make contact with professionals who can help.

For Everyone

Camping Women: A nationwide, all-volunteer nonprofit helping women who love camping get in touch and coordinate safe, friendly, and enjoyable group camping experiences. In addition to great events by chapter, it provides national camping events, a monthly magazine in .pdf format, and even nominates a Camping Woman of the Year. Non-members can enjoy the site’s camping tips and comprehensive collection of links, while members old and new get resources to meet friends and even start new chapters.

American Hiking Society: One of the most fun things to do on any camping trip is go hiking, and the American Hiking Society helps you do it in style. For more than thirty years, AHS has defended America’s best trails and given hikers new ways to enjoy them. Whether you’re just getting involved in hiking, or coming off your third Presidential Traverse, you’ll find in-depth discussions on safety, gear, outdoor skills, and sundry topics, as well as how-to guides, valuable ‘net links and preferred gear stores and brands.

National Recreation and Park Association: An advocacy organization that provides information on all aspects of recreation on public land. Frequented by many in the field, those of us on the outside can learn a lot from the monthly magazine, research and initiatives, and volunteer opportunities. If you want to build your understanding of parks and camping by taking a look on the “inside”, then NRPA has some unique offerings that can really supplement, and enhance, your enjoyment of America’s parks.