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Fun, Games, And Exploration

RVing opens up a treasure chest of exciting new sights, foods, experiences, and destinations. Get on the open road and travel near or far. Visit relatives, perhaps in a new-to-you city. Explore a state, provincial, or national park. As RV travelers know, the fun and flexibility of a home on wheels makes road trips so much better.

This month we offer some specific suggestions on where to go and what to do when you’re there. Have you ever toured an RV manufacturing plant? Or seen how crayons are made? If you’re in western Canada, sample the beautiful botanical gardens. And when you’re parked, beat the boredom blues with some new activities and games the family can enjoy. And how about some yummy grilling options? Add in FMCA’s travel benefits, discounts, and events, and your journey can be enriched so much more.

Read on for these ideas and more. We’re pleased to share the open road with you!

The FMCA Team

See How RVs – And More – Are Made

Did you know many RV manufacturers offer tours? This allows prospective and current RV owners to enjoy a look behind the scenes at what goes into creating these rolling homes. Elkhart County in Indiana has been called “The RV Capital Of The World.” Sources say more than 80 percent of recreation vehicles sold in the United States are produced in Indiana, with much of that taking place in Elkhart County. The Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau has put together a list of RV manufacturer factory tours. Tours generally take place only on select days/times, and reservations often are required. The Elkhart area also offers many hidden gems and things to do besides factory tours, including exploring nearby Amish and Mennonite communities.

Indiana isn’t the only place for RV factory tours. For instance, tours of the facilities that produce Winnebago motorhomes are available in Iowa; fans of Tiffin motorhomes can enjoy factory tours in Alabama; and Airstream offers tours of its complex in the heart of Ohio.

Other fun factory tours. Don’t stop with RV-related tours. Look for opportunities during your travels to see how various popular products are made. The possibilities include Crayola, Hershey’s, Ben & Jerry’s, and Tabasco. Check out this list of 25 Best Factory Tours In America For Families Who Love To Go Behind The Scenes and the Best US Factory Tours And Museums.

RV-Related Recall Information

Looking for the latest RV-related recall information? Visit FamilyRVingmag.com for a list of the most recent recalls issued by RV and component manufacturers. To search for recalls, investigations, and complaints by vehicle year, make, model, and VIN, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline is (888) 327-4236.

Find Family Fun

Family togetherness . . . isn’t it grand? But during a great road trip, RVers may still hear that dreaded phrase from the youngsters: “I’m bored.”

In addition to packing books, puzzles, playing cards, and board games, try some activities that all ages can enjoy:

Ever hear of letterboxing? This treasure hunt involves finding hidden weatherproof boxes – letterboxes – stashed in public places. Check an online database for locations and clues to find hidden letterboxes in your area. Bring along a notebook, pen, ink pad, and rubber stamp. If you locate a box, sign and stamp the logbook that’s inside using your special stamp; then use the stamp that’s stowed in the box to stamp your own notebook. Visit letterboxing.org to learn more.

Geocaching boosts the tech factor. Using a GPS-enabled device and a geocaching app, follow the provided coordinates to find hidden containers, or “caches.” Once you locate one, sign and date the logbook inside. The cache may also contain small prizes; if you take one, leave one of similar value. To get started, go to geocaching.com.

Perhaps the most “analog” search game is the classic scavenger hunt, which can be adapted to any area you’re in. Make your own list of items players can find outdoors: specific animals, trees, or flowers; maybe a creek or bridge; a certain species of dog or brand of RV; license plates from various states; even seasonal features and decorations. On a rainy day, hunt for items inside the RV.

Find treasures on the trail. Give each kid a bag and go on a hike. They can search for a collection of treasures: interesting rocks, pine cones, leaves, or whatever interests them. Once back at camp, start show-and-tell time.

Try bird-watching. Have a pair of binoculars, a field guide, and a notebook to record the species you spot. Or simply listen to various birdsongs and try to locate them. To learn about bird-watching and birding (there’s a difference!), read this Family RVing article.

At night, play flashlight tag – hide-and-seek in the dark! Or download an app and look for constellations that brighten the sky. In daytime, divide into teams for a game of capture the flag, as you seek to retrieve another team’s hidden flag.

Shared activities create great memories for all ages. Check out this Good Housekeeping blog for even more ideas.

RV Fun With FMCA and Fantasy Tours!

Traveling on a guided RV tour is a unique adventure that combines the freedom of the open road with the camaraderie of group travel. Imagine waking up to breathtaking landscapes, exploring hidden gems with new friends, and relaxing knowing all logistics are handled. With expert guides from Fantasy RV Tours leading the way, every moment becomes an unforgettable experience filled with fun, laughter, and lasting memories. Discover the available FMCA member vacations by clicking here, or call 855-385-3622 for more information.

All Trails Lead To Oregon!

Are you registered for “Adventure Peaks,” FMCA’s 109th International Convention & RV Expo? It’s not too late to join fellow RV enthusiasts at this event in Redmond, Oregon, August 14 through 17. RVers will gather at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center to celebrate all things RVing and to have a great time in the company of others who share their love of RV travel. At this point, registrations are being accepted on-site only. The Welcome Area and Will Call in Redmond will open on Sunday, August 11, at 8:00 a.m. For more information, visit fmca.com.

FMCA Helps RVers To Stay Connected

FMCA members who are looking for a reliable internet connection need look no further. FMCA’s Tech Connect+ program, an exclusive members-only benefit, can help to make sure you never feel out of touch. Plans cost $59.99 per month, plus a one-time $39.99 device activation fee. Best of all, technical support is provided by a dedicated team of FMCA staff members. For details, visit fmca.com/techconnect-learn-more.

Speaking of Connections...

… And fun. FMCA chapters hold the key to good times with other RV owners who share your interests. Many chapters are organized based on geographic location, which makes it possible to meet with other RVers regularly in places not too far from home. Other groups are centered around a particular RV brand and can be a wealth of knowledge when it comes to maintaining and enjoying your RV. Still others focus on special interests, such as rooting for a particular college athletic team, square dancing, owning a diesel-powered RV, dining out, playing a musical instrument, stitching arts (quilting, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, etc.), and more. If you can’t find a chapter near you or one that shares your interests, you are invited to launch such a group. The FMCA staff can provide you with a chapter formation kit and guidance. Contact chapters@fmca.com or call the Chapter Services team at (800) 543-3622.

Frankenmuth Jellystone Park , C3379

Frankenmuth, Michigan

Conveniently located off Interstate 75, south of Saginaw, this Jellystone Park Camp-Resort is all about family fun. The full-service campground boasts a full activity schedule throughout the summer and during weekends in spring and fall. Amenities include indoor and outdoor pools; a hot tub; mini golf; a playground, GaGa Ball, and a Jump Pad; volleyball and basketball courts; a camp store; and a snack bar. Plus, the charming Bavarian town of Frankenmuth is a short walk from the resort. Campsite options range from standard sites with water and 30-amp electricity up to “deluxe plus” sites offering water, sewer, 30/50-amp electricity, and more. Many pull-through sites are available.

Join FMCA Today for Exclusive RV Perks and a Thriving Community! Learn more here.

Games People Play

Looking for some new campground diversions? Check out these ultra-portable options. 1. If you’re a pickleball fan, never be without a court if you carry a portable pickleball net from Dink Buddy, which is small enough to fit in a backpack. 2. Remember Jarts? Today’s safer alternatives include a glow-in-the-dark version of lawn darts with rubber bottoms and a carrying case. 3. Set up a six-hole round of Bucketgolf, which comes with everything but the clubs. (It’s also a great way to practice your chipping.)

Pack It Up

“Hmmm, what should I take on my next RV trip?” If you’re pondering this question, check out Tiffin Motorhomes’ summer RV packing list. Suggestions include items to enhance your RV’s interior and exterior; clothing and toiletry ideas; outdoor cooking and grilling products; and other gear to help you enjoy the great outdoors.

Bloomin' Wonderful

Western Canada boasts a bevy of outdoor spaces for those who enjoy nature’s artistry to explore. RV West has compiled a list of eight botanical gardens. Read about British Columbia’s majestic Butchart Gardens; the University of Alberta Botanic Garden in Edmonton, Alberta; and the indoor-outdoor displays at Saskatchewan’s Regina Floral Conservatory, among others.

Dinner On A Stick

Kabob. Kabab. Kebab. No matter how you spell it, skewering your favorite meats, veggies, and fruits and grilling them is a fun way to enjoy dinner while camping. One plus to this meal is that the ingredients can be prepped ahead of time and stored in the fridge — ready to add to the stick when it’s time. Skewers can be metal or wooden, although you’ll want to soak the wooden ones in water first to avoid burning them. Traditionally, the meats are marinated in advance. Protein possibilities include chicken, pork, beef, lamb, seafood, or even tofu. There is no limit to the fruits and vegetables that can be added to the mix. And seasonings are “as you like it.”

Check out these 33 Kabob Recipes To Grill This Summer from Megan and Michael at Fresh Off The Grid. And for a little shish-kabob history, plus more recipe ideas, look to the folks at Hormel Foods.

Exercise your creativity, have a little fun with food, and enjoy delicious dining in the great outdoors!