Month: November 2020

The Ultimate Guide To Volunteer Travel And Voluntourism Abroad

Voluntourism is a fast growing sector in the travel industry. It is a combination of travel and volunteering. You get to meet new people, experience a different way of life and possibly have a life-changing experience. Simply put, it is a fantastic way to deeply immerse yourself into a foreign culture. These incredible experiences can even be a great opportunity for family vacations or solo travel vacations.

Timing

The most important point to realize is that you do not have to take up your full vacation time allotment. It can be for hours, days, weeks or months. It can leave you with plenty of opportunity to explore on your own. You also don’t have to go to the end of the earth to do this. There are plenty of domestic options as well. By giving yourself enough time, you can avoid the most common travel mishaps on your next vacation.

Where To Volunteer?

In most of the areas with the most need, they will not be popular tourism destinations. That being said, you should not expect to find volunteer opportunities in French Polynesia Tahiti, or the Bora Bora islands. However, this is a great thing. You may be able to spend time in an area that is not overrun with tourists and overcrowding. Really getting a chance to spend time with the locals in a village or small town somewhere can be a memory of a lifetime. By spending time like this you may go back home very much appreciating the life you have a little bit more.

Types Of Volunteering

Depending on your skills, experiences, and preferences, there are dozens of different volunteering travel opportunities to experience. If you are looking for a fun, rewarding, and unique experience, consider event volunteering. Here, you can lend a hand at charity concerts, fairs, and festivals. Of course, there are a number of opportunities volunteering in teaching, environmental, health, and animal causes.

Selecting Volunteer Opportunities

So how do you go about selecting the right volunteer trip? Are there certain causes that are near and dear to your heart like animals? schools? environmental? medical and diseases? Is there a specific country you have always dreamed of visiting? India? Africa? South America? Do you have budgetary concerns? Are you open to something completely out of your comfort zone?

If you have a skill you can share or teach, that can help guide you into the opportunity you can do, like teaching music, english, or carpentry. In other cases they may just need a helping hand on a project.

Take Some Time To Unplug

Voluntourism is a great opportunity to disconnect from the world for a while. If you are lucky you may not have cell phone service where you are! Maybe you will spend more time connecting with other people and having conversations. Totally unplug! Maybe it can get you out of your routine at home. Having a project that may involve walking or building something can get you back into prime physical shape again.

Build Your Resume

By volunteering for an international project, students can build their resume for a future job or for a college application. You may even make valuable business connections that can help you in the future. It is very desirable to show your willingness to expand your horizons and understand better how the world works.

Speak With Your Employer

Check and see if your employer allows paid time off to volunteer for an organization elsewhere. Many do allow it.

Ask Yourself Some Key Questions

When you are selecting an organization to work with, ask them some basic questions:

  • What is a typical day like for your volunteers?
  • Are there past or current volunteers that I can talk to about the project?
  • What does my placement or program fee go towards?
  • What language skills do I need to have with the project?
  • What should I wear during work? During time off?
  • Are there any safety concerns of living and working in the area?

Work With A Reputable Global Volunteer Travel Organization

GVI, or Global Vision International, is a great company for volunteering opportunities abroad. Currently, the program runs dozens of programs in over 20 locations, stretching across 13 countries around the world.

Travel With a Challenge is a web-based magazine that addresses the older traveler( ages 45-80) who wants alternative vacationing. It offers travel options that offer ecological, cultural and volunteer options.

Discover Corps is another great volunteer option to consider. This program collaborates with a number of community based organizations. Here, they create hands-on projects that have a direct impact on the people, wildlife, and community you are serving.

Using AirBnb Social Impact Experiences you can work with nonprofits to create transformational interactions for notable causes. With these opportunities, you can create a unique volunteering experience that supports your cause.

Children’s Global Alliance is open to any teenager in the world. It offers large-scale volunteer experiences for students ages 12-18. It also offers international service-learning trips and a leadership development program for students from the U.S. to work in other countries with the objective to create global minded future leaders.

GoEco is one of the best eco-tourism volunteer companies out there right now. GoEco supports over 150 volunteer opportunities helping environmental initiatives, wildlife, and local communities.

Pre-Departure Planning For Voluntourism

Pre-departure preparations will vary depending on the destination of your volunteer travel opportunities. Of course, if you are traveling abroad, you will likely need to obtain a passport and visa at least six weeks prior to departure. Then, depending on your destination, and the nature of your programs, you may have to seek vaccinations and health recommendations. For example, for voluntourism opportunities in South Africa, you may be required to produce proof of a yellow fever vaccine. Follow these precautionary measures, you can better prepare for post COVID travel and volunteering.

Ethics Of Voluntourism

Before you book your tickets, it is important to clearly understand the ethics of voluntourism. While the idea of volunteering generally sounds like a good thing, which will always yield a positive impact, this is not always the case. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the work you will be doing is ethical. Many organizations seek to bring Western ideas and volunteers into countries where they end up doing more harm then good. To avoid this, look of volunteer travel organizations that have received support from the local population. All volunteer organizations should be committed to trying to work with the communities that they serve. To learn about more value travel trends impacting tourism today, be sure to check out our latest guide.

Make Your Experience Rewarding

As you prepare for your voluntourism travel adventure, be sure that you make your experience rewarding. First, ensure that you clearly understand everything about your project. This way, you can guarantee that you fully support and show passion for the cause. To make your volunteer tourism experience even more rewarding, make certain that you embrace the culture, discover the country, appreciate the opportunity, and have open expectations. This way, you can truly relax and enjoy the power of slow travel vacations.

It is also a way for you to make the world a better place to live in, creating memories along the way. You may even make some lifelong friends while doing it.

The Official Montana Outdoor Travel And Adventure Guide

Surrounded by Glacier National Park to the north and Yellowstone National Park to the south, Montana is a truly breathtaking place. This is the perfect vacation for travelers concerned with being indoors too much in this COVID environment. With so much incredible, pristine scenery to see, Montana is even an excellent destination for solo travel experiences.

Don’t try to see the whole state. There is just too much ground to cover and you probably don’t want to spend your trip driving in the car. Select what locations and activities are most important to you and soak it in.

Peak Travel Season In Montana

The peak travel season is fairly short for some outdoor activities which can mean June-September. Same goes for operating hours for accommodations, park services and tour activities. Pricing is much more attractive in shoulder season and off season. Fall and Spring have beautiful weather and will give you the best value. Expect higher pricing in the summer months.

Glacier National Park

At Glacier National Park you can see glaciers, go hiking, lakes, mountains, wildlife and waterfalls. Entrance fee of $ 35 per car and it is good for seven days. There are also six days per year that are free so look at those dates on the website. A good overall drive is the scenic Going-To-The-Sun Road. It will take a couple of hours to do the 50 miles. Please check the website for the schedule on free ranger-led hikes and lectures. www.nps.gov There are boat rides and entertainment like the Blackfeet tribe singers and dancers daily. If you want to go horseback riding in East Glacier Park, Elk River Adventures offers 1 hour for $50 and 1 ½ hours for $60. May thru Sept. Elkriveradventures.com

If you plan on sleeping overnight and want to stay in the park, go to glacierparkcollection.com for options and availability.

Yellowstone National Park

As you plan your time in Yellowstone try to allow a couple of days there. One option is to first install the TravelStorys app for free, and buy the individual tours from the app. It is $ 12.99 for South Yellowstone and $ 12.99 for North Yellowstone. For more info go to gaperguide.com

The main attractions in the park are the geothermal features and the abundant wildlife like bighorn sheep, bison, wolves and bears. Start with www.nps.gov/yell and it will tell you which activities are going on while you are there. Ranger-led programs are a great way to learn about the park and schedule them into your day. They offer hikes and lectures to enhance your enjoyment of the park. For your options on accommodations and activities go to www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com

If you want a good orientation of the park and see some of the major sights along the Grand Loop, the tour will take most of the day and costs $ 127 ages 12 and older, half of that for 11 and younger.

Right next to the West Yellowstone entrance you can catch the impressive 40 minute IMAX movie about Yellowstone $ 9.75 Down the road from there get your Grizzly Bear and Wolves fix at the Discovery Center where they take care of the injured or orphaned ones. $ 15

If you are looking for some rodeo action, you will find that in the evenings 6 ½ miles from West Yellowstone. Even better, do a one hour horseback ride before the rodeo for $ 50 (includes the rodeo ticket). The rodeo alone is $ 15 adults. 6:30 horseback with a 8 PM rodeo start. www.yellowstonerodeo.com

For some good value accommodation choices right outside the North entrance of the park, check out these three. All include breakfast and all are around the same rate per night at $ 135. Gardiner Guest House, Yellowstone Suites and Johnstads B & B. More info on all three at visitgardnermt.com

If you want to see more of Yellowstone on your next trip, be sure to read out Wyoming value travel vacation guide as well.

Old Faithful & Famous Yellowstone Geysers

Of course the star of the show is Old Faithful geyser. The best way to see it is to drive 30 miles from entering the West Yellowstone entrance. It is located in the Upper Geyser Basin and it erupts 15-20 times per day. It can last from 1 ½ to five minutes long. There is even a phone number you can call with the expected times for the day. Of course that is a best-guess prediction (307-344-2751).

One very photogenic geyser is the Grand Prismatic Spring located at the Midway Geyser Basin. It is the largest geyser in Yellowstone.

Important Considerations For Visiting Yellowstone

Bring bear spray for the park. You just never know when you will come across one. Realize this is not a zoo and they roam free. It can be purchased or rented at many different locations around and outside the park. Remember to keep it very handy. Having it in your bag will not help you much. You only use it if a bear comes within 25 feet of you. With this on your person at all time, you can avoid common travel mishaps on your visit to the National Park.

You have some great choices for lunch inside the park. Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room sits on the lake and the Old Faithful Inn Dining Room has a great western ambiance. Both menus are fantastic. Go for breakfast or lunch. Dinner gets pricey.

Outdoor Montana Dining

If you want some fantastic Montana atmosphere and you have time on your hands to enjoy a slower meal, head for breakfast or lunch at Horn and Cantle in Big Sky at Lone Mountain Ranch. Great menu but pricey for dinner.

If you are looking for a nice evening outdoors, go to Music Ranch Montana. It is a hillside amphitheatre where you can listen to some great local music with wonderful scenery. Nine miles South of Livingston. Check the website for schedules. www.musicranchmontana.net

23 miles south of Livingston, head to some Hot Springs. Chico Hot Springs Resort offers two hot springs pools and has a fantastic menu of Montana cuisine at their restaurant. Cost of the Hot Springs is $ 8.50 per person. www.chicohotsprings.com

Remember that many of these restaurants prepare dishes with meat, fish, poultry, and peanut products. Therefore, you may want to plan ahead if you are vegan, gluten-free, or have severe food allergies. This way, you can plan your trip around food allergies and still eat well.

Fly Fishing In Montana

There are many rivers to fly fish in Montana. The Flathead, Madison, Gallatin, Blackfoot and Missouri are some of them. If you catch a trout that is 20 inches and over they are considered to be a trophy size. In Montana, it is safe to say, if you find a body of water you will find trout. You can take a three hour lesson on the Gallatin from Montana Whitewater for $ 66 plus the small expense of the Montana Fishing License. Yellowstone Park is nearby. Yellowstonefish.com Get in the mood beforehand by watching the movie “A River Runs Through It”.

Montana Dinosaurs & Fossil Digging

Montana is also where the dinosaur used to roam. Take the family and you can dig for dinosaur fossils. The experienced guides will show you what to look for, how to excavate, and they will supply all the tools and supplies necessary. Found in the past have included Pachycephalosaurs, Champsosaurus, Pachycephalosaurs, Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus Rex. ½ day $80 but ages 12 and under are free. Baisch’s Dinosaur Digs is located in Glendive. Dailydinosaurdigs.com

If you want to dig a lot deeper into the history of dinosaurs in Montana, go to mtdinotrail.org- There are 14 stops in the state where you can see exhibits, attend programs, or field digs.

Montana Winter Sports

Of course, Montana is home to an abundance of world-famous popular winter sports. One of the most famous destinations for winter sports lovers is the ski resort Big Sky Montana, located about an hour away from Bozeman. With approximately 400 inches of snow a year and over 5,500 acres of skiable land, Big Sky is an incredible stop for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. If these activities are not for you, Montana also has an abundance of destinations for dog sledding, snowshoeing, ice fishing, climbing, or even skijoring. If you are a huge fan of winter sports while you travel, be sure to read our latest all-season Jackson Hole Wyoming travel and recreation guide.

Water Activities In Montana

After you have had your share of the mountains and the snow, there are also a plethora of water activities to experience on your Montana outdoor travel adventure itinerary. For fans of paddling, kayaking, or canoeing, head over to the 3 1/2 mile Clearwater River Canoe Trail in Seeley Lake, Upper Missouri River Breaks, and the 59 mile Smith River State Park at Camp Baker. However, you should pay a visit to freshwater Flathead Lake if you like to go boating, tubing, or waterskiing. For the southern half of the lake you will need a tribal recreational permit before you are on Native American land. For fans of extreme water sports, Montana also offers an abundance of opportunities for surfing, wakeboarding, and jet-propelled flyboarding.

Montana Hiking Destinations

Of course, there are plenty of incredible hiking destinations to visit on your trip to Montana. In Great Falls, one of the most popular hiking trails is the River’s Edge Trail, which extends over fifty miles along the Missouri River. If you are in Big Sky, be sure to check out the Ousel Falls Trail. Similarly, the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area is an excellent outdoor experience to check out in Missoula. For fans of hiking, biking, and running, Swan River Nature Trail is another excellent option right in Bigfork, Montana. If you like to experience exciting recreational activities whenever you travel, be sure to read our West Virginia outdoor travel guide for adventure seekers.

5 Native American Experience Vacation Ideas For Cultural Travel In The US

There are dozens of incredible Native American experience vacation ideas to get the most out of your cultural travel. Whether you are listening to Native stories, taking in the energy at a powwow, exchanging with Native peoples, or taking a ride through the mountain or desert, there is so much to learn about the culture of American Indians through travel experiences. As you likely know, travel experiences provide a much more visceral understanding of culture, history, and heritage, compared to traditional sightseeing.

If you are looking to learn more about the culture of Native men, women, and children, the United States is home to hundreds of incredibly rich cultural attractions to visit. By getting prepared beforehand, you can avoid common travel mishaps during your vacation. To help you plan your itinerary, we have outlined some of the best Native American experience vacation ideas for cultural travel.

Fairs & Festivals

If you are in search of creative Native American experience vacation ideas, consider attending a fair or festivals. There are numerous annual celebrations that you can attend all throughout the country. One of the most popular, the Navajo Nation Fair, is held every year at Window Rock, Arizona. Throughout this week long event, you will experience a parade, traditional singing, dancing, and a science fair. Of course, one of the most famous events is the Miss Navajo Nation pageant, which uniquely features sheep butchering as one of its core competitions.

Music & Live Shows

Live shows, dance, DJs, and music are another excellent way to experience Native American cultural travel. There are dozens of famous American Indian musicians located all across the country. Some of the most famous are Sihasin, Pamua, Arigon Starr, Raye Zaragoza, Prolific the Rapper, and A Tribe Called Red. If you get the opportunity, you should certainly attend one of A Tribe Called Red’s live performances. This unique trio of DJs is famous for their blend of hip hop, electronic dance music, and powwow singing. Recently, the Native group has even played major music festivals like New Orleans Jazz Fest, Coachella, and Bonnaroo. If you want to experience some more exciting, yet educational destinations in the United States, there are plenty of additional options to consider. Be sure to check out our Black history entertainment travel guide to learn more.

Indian Markets

Native Indian Markets are an excellent way to learn about the culture, traditions, and beliefs of American Indians through travel. These famous markets provide an excellent opportunity to experience Native American heritage through music, fashion, film, and literature. While there are hundreds of markets throughout the United States, none are as popular as the annual Santa Fe Indian Market. Here, you can additionally browse through a vast selection of authentic American Indian jewelry, crafts, and artwork. From pottery, carvings, turquoise jewelry, and baskets, there is something for everybody at an authentic Indian Market.

Tribal Museums

Tribal museums are an excellent way to learn about the culture and history of the indigenous people of the Americas. Throughout the United States, there are many popular, educational museums to visit. None are likely as popular as the National Museum of The American Indian, in Washington D.C and New York City. Of course, you should also pay a visit to the Cherokee Heritage Center in Oklahoma , Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum in Florida, Five Civilized Tribes Museum in Oklahoma, and the Six Nations Indian Museum in upstate NY. If you are still looking to learn more, you may even want to visit:

  • Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center, Oklahoma
  • Southern Plains Indian Museum, Oklahoma
  • Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center, Connecticut
  • Chicksaw Cultural Center, Oklahoma
  • Museum of the Plains Indian, Montana

Often, you can enter many of these museums entirely for free. This way, you can learn more about Native American history, culture, and heritage, while simultaneously keeping up with your value travel ambitions.

Powwows

Of course, traditional powwows are one of the most popular ways to experience Native American travel. With over 550 federally recognized Indian Nations in the United States, there are dozens and dozens of powwows that visitors can attend. One of the most popular, and by far the largest powwow held every year is the Gathering of Nations in New Mexico.  Every year, the multi-day event highlights traditional song, dance, and drumming competitions. In fact, the annual gathering routinely turns out over three-thousand performers. To learn more about upcoming dates and locations, you can visit powwows.com. If you like to experience authentic music whenever you travel, take the time to read our recent guide on the best local live Kentucky Bluegrass music entertainment venues for your Lexington trip.

National Parks

Of course, there are plenty of incredibly Native American vacation experiences that can be had at National Parks. There are plenty of world-famous Native American parks and heritage sites to explore this year. One of the most famous is Mesa Verde National Park, located in Colorado. Here, visitors can experience roughly five-thousand archaeological sites, of which six-hundred are incredible cliff dwellings. Other renowned parks include the Lodgepole Gallery & Tipi Village located in Browning Montana. If you are visiting here, be sure to read our Montana outdoor travel adventure guide to get the most out of your trip.

There are several incredible Native American experience vacation ideas for cultural travel. With centuries of history, culture, and heritage, Native American reservations are an excellent place to experience slow travel vacations. First, consider attending a fair or festival. Live shows, dance, DJs, and music are another excellent way to experience Native American cultural travel. Native Indian Markets are an excellent way to learn about the culture, traditions, and beliefs. At the same time, you should visit some tribal museums, such as the National Museum of The American Indian, in Washington D.C. Of course, traditional powwows are one of the most popular ways to experience Native American travel. Follow the points discussed above to learn about the best Native American experience vacation ideas for cultural travel.

The Ultimate RV Travel Guide: All You Need To Know About RVing Vacations

RV Travel seems to be on the radar now as a preferred method of travel. It has been one of the top performing sectors in travel for 2020 and probably will be again in 2021. Trip planners prefer to have their own space with a self contained trip. They want to spend more time outside enjoying the open road , nature and national parks. Interaction with other travelers are controllable. They don’t have to use public bathrooms. It is a great opportunity to spend focused time outside, with family or friends, and maybe the family dog.

Changing RV Travel Demographics

The old misconception that most of the RV travelers are retired senior citizens has changed dramatically. They now only make up 20% of the demographic that travel by RV. There are now larger groups of families going to national parks and other family friendly destinations. With all these new destinations and experiences, RV travel journeys are an excellent opportunity for family vacations.

Brand New Experiences

Where are these new groups of RV travelers going? National parks, music festivals, exploring I-10 or Route 66, rodeo’s, and out-of-the-way events.

It also has turned out to be a brand new experience for most. Only 35% of the RV travelers this year have ever done it before. Where are all these RV’s coming from to be available for rent? Owners of RV’s are seeing this as another stream of income just like people do with AirBnb and spare rooms in their house. Even better, RVing encourages you to visit a new realm of travel destinations. Think less cities, and more small communities, mountain towns, and camping trips. If you are looking for some exciting destinations for your first RV trip, be sure to read out all-season Jackson Hole Wyoming travel and recreation guide.

RV Travel Cost

So how much does this type of travel cost? The base cost of the rental depends on if it is driveable or towable. Towable is less expensive, you have your own car with you but you will need to set up in each location you go to. It also matters what you expect in amenities. Do you want hi-tech or luxurious accommodations or are you okay with basic amenities and you are more concerned about getting from point A to point B?

Believe it or not, some of the best deals are last minute. If you are not particularly selective in what you are looking for, you may hit a home run and save significant dollars on a rental.

Overnight Accommodations Fees

Overnight fees vary as well. Do you find a Walmart parking lot for free or do you go to a RV Park which offers you facilities to use? If you want free you will be boondocking. It is basically where overnight parking is allowed. That may include rest areas, truck stops, hotel/motel parking lots, and visitor centers. Look for signage in those locations. Allstays.com can list options for you in all your destinations for $35/year.

Of course long drives can be affected cost-wise by the RV you select and miles per gallon.

Remain Spontaneous

When you plan your trip try to stay spontaneous since you are not tied down to hotel reservations anywhere. If you are expecting multiple overnight stops it is important to at least lock in a reservation at your final stop before heading home.

If you are looking for a one way RV trip and fly home from there, it is possible but harder to find.

Specialized Driving Requirements

The best thing about it is you don’t need a special drivers license. You can rent a class B van or a class C  U-Haul truck to attach to your vehicle. How to pick up your RV? If you are going to a destination, the owner delivers it to the campground and sets it up for you. They make sure they follow guidelines and sterilize it for you prior to your arrival. If you want additional cleaning measures you can hire someone from a company like TaskRabbit who offers a disinfectant cleaning service.

Roadside Assistance & Customer Support

Most organizations that you rent RV’s from also offer 24/7 roadside assistance and customer support on any questions you may have on your journey.

Travel Insurance Requirements

Travel insurance is imperative to avoid common travel mishaps on your motorhome vacation. It is recommended that you purchase adequate travel insurance like driveway coverage. Most likely the auto insurance you have as your primary will not be enough or even cover RV vehicles.

Campground WiFi

It is also important to inquire about WiFi at your selected campground, especially if it is rural. Check into Skyroam to purchase or rent a WiFi booster if it is necessary for you to have connectivity.

Check out a website of inventory like RVshare.com as a great place to start. Before you book your reservations, talk to the owner about logistics on how to receive your RV, MPG for long drives, policy on bringing your pet, and most of all, read reviews on previous rentals with that owner. If this excites you, be sure to read more in our guide on the top pet friendly travel options.

Future Of RV Travel

The future of RV travel is bright. You will see upgrades in technology with improved WiFi, larger work spaces for remote workers, fuel efficiency, and cooking functionality. You will see more options for one way travel. You will also see it not just as a mobility asset to go anywhere but also a hospitality asset with more comfort while you travel.

Packing

Before you embark on your RV travel journey, you need to familiarize yourself with what to pack. Remember that motorhomes tend to be fairly limited when it comes to storage space. Therefore, it is highly recommended to strategically pack in order to avoid running out of space or feeling claustrophobic. For U.S. RV travel, you should not pack too many kitchen and cooking supplies. You probably also do not need to pack an abundance of food, toiletries, and hygiene products. After all, you will be able to purchase most of these products at RV sites, camping stores, and rest stops along the way.

Timing

Obviously, it is beneficial to learn about the best time of year to go RVing. Fortunately, with the diverse climates across the United States, you can always find somewhere for your RV travel adventure. Some destinations like the Western United States or California, are notoriously enjoyable for RV travel year-round. Similarly, U.S. States like Florida have been coined the ‘Sunshine State’ for their warm weather all year. Here, you can take your RV throughout Orlando, the Florida Space Coast and Kennedy Space Center. For RV travel lovers in the Northeast United States, vacations are likely only possible throughout the Spring, Summer, and Fall. Outside of these seasons, most RV campgrounds remain closed for the Winter.

Sleeping, Naps, & Rest

It goes without saying that sleeping, naps, and rest will be much different on your RV travel journey. Before you embark on your motorhome vacation, consider the sleeping habits, ages, and abilities of those you are traveling with. If you are unsure in your ability to get a good night’s rest, consider purchasing sleep aid or gear beforehand. If you are traveling with small children, measure the RV living space to see if a crib or ‘pack and play’ can fit inside. You may also want to look into a rail or bumper for your kid’s beds. This way, you can ensure they do not roll of the bed while driving.

RV Travel Maintenance

Of course, it is additionally important to learn about RV travel maintenance before your first big trip. While RV renters will not have to worry too much about maintenance, this will be essential should you ever want to purchase your own rig. At a minimum, you will need to create a preventative maintenance schedule where you analyze your tires, brakes, and electric systems. At the same time, it is important to regularly clear your roof of any debris. In addition, successful maintenance additionally requires changing fluids, deep cleaning, as well as checking batteries. In fact, you may even want to regularly test your safety equipment, run your generator, and clean out your AC unit. Once you are confident in your RV upkeep capabilities, you are ready to begin experiencing family camping vacations in the United States.