Economical Travel With Pets

As families plan summer vacations, pets ought to be on the radar screen in the early stages, while there’s time to consider the costs, benefits and alternatives. If you are reading this blog, I’ll assume you are a pet owner. Unless this is your first vacation, you’ve either had to leave the dog at home with a dog sitter, kennel the dog in a boarding facility or take the pet with you.

Camping with your pet is often the most economical choice, but not always. While cost should not drive the decision whether your dog travels with you, for many families, the additional cost of pet care can be the vacation deal breaker.

So what are the real costs? First of all, the campground may charge a pet fee or impose certain restrictions on breeds and sizes of dogs. The time to find out is before you make your reservation. Make no assumptions and ask questions about pet policies and management expectations.

Before travelling with any pet—especially when leaving your home jurisdiction-- a trip to the vet may be in order. Wherever dogs gather, kennel cough is a possibility. A bordetella inoculation is a good idea. Dogs that have not been tested for heartworm may need to be tested and then placed on proper preventative medication. If you are living in the far northern parts of the United States, heartworm may not be a problem. But where mosquitoes are plentiful, heartworm is epidemic. If your dog contracts heartworm, the prolonged care and cost of treatment can be quite expensive. Better to be safe than sorry.

Proof of rabies inoculation is required at most campgrounds. If you have not kept good records, costs can be incurred reproducing and assembling records.

Most families who travel with pets would have it no other way. Leaving them would not seem like a vacation. But just as no two dogs are alike, no prescription for canine campground happiness holds true for all dogs. It’s probably a good idea to take your dog on a brief camping trip closer to home to learn how he reacts to kids, other pets, or strange surroundings, before embarking on a cross-country adventure. Some dogs who may not be bothered by thunder and lightning, will be fearful of inclement weather when their home is the family RV. If you have to camp with an unhappy pet, the whole family could end up unhappy.

The bottom line is to treat your pet like a family member. Crating a dog for many hours, leaving him alone in an RV while the family is off sightseeing or stressing the pet in any fashion, means stress for all. Most campers say dogs add fun and appreciation to camping trips because of their natural love for the outdoors and that the costs are small, compared to the benefits.

Karen Brucoli Anesi,

Lock 30 Woodlands

So You’re The Group Leader?

Do you like herding cats? Making camping arrangements for a group without first getting consensus or at least a flexible game plan will make herding cats feel like sand box play.
Whether you are a wagon master making reservations for thirty friends or a grandma making arrangements for three families, the challenges are familiar and often similar. The bottom line is you are responsible for keeping everyone happy. That starts with making the campground experience satisfying for all, never mind the differences in individual wants, needs and expectations.

Here’s an easy strategy, six tips for making your job easier.

1. Know the physical and social needs of your group. That’s a tall order, but if you have a group member who needs 50 amp service for a 34 foot motor home, don’t expect that camper to be happy in a campground that offers only 30 amp service in 30 foot long sites. Likewise, families who camp with pets expect their pets to be accommodated.

2. Know the campground where you intend to camp. The best way to know the campground is to pay a camping visit in which you use all of the amenities of the facility. When that’s not possible, a day visit in which the leader checks out the facility is a decent substitute.

3. Share the campground’s website address, brochures, policies and rules in advance. The more information campers have in advance—the more secure they’ll feel that you’ve made a good choice for them.

4. Be clear on financial obligations and cancellation policies. Some campgrounds require a group deposit. Others have cancellation policies that could cost campers if they make changes to their reservation. Save time and embarrassment by letting your group know when and how discounts are applied. A quick way to burn bridges for future reservations is to have an individual member of your group insist on special pricing or discounting that may not have been agreed upon for the group.

5. Have a spread sheet or draft summary of camper names and phone numbers at the time the group reservation is made. Yes, this list is going to change. But having the details at your finger tip helps you identify issues in advance. Perhaps two campers need to be placed in adjacent sites. That’s information the reservation clerk needs early on, before sites are assigned.

6. Name a back-up in the event you cannot be a spokesperson for the group. Share the information with an assistant so that if you are not available by telephone, a responsible person can make decisions or relay information to group members.

7. Contact group members by phone, newsletter or email to resolve questions or concerns prior to check-in. No one likes unpleasant surprises. Driving directions, possible additional costs and especially changes from initial arrangements should be communicated by the group leader to assure a uniform message. When all members of the group are on the same page, it’s a lot easier to herd the cats!

A big thank you to all wagon masters, group leaders, grandmas and “outdoor recreation” coordinators. Many of us would not take the time to smell the roses were it not for you herding us round the campfire.

Karen Brucoli Anesi,

Lock 30 Woodlands RV Campground Resort

How and When To Select A Campground For Extended Stay

Are you thinking about parking your recreational vehicle for the season and becoming a “permanent” or extended-stay camper? Selecting the right campground is about matching your needs with a community of similar-minded people who value the things you value.


In a country that boasts thousands of campgrounds, there’s one that’s the right fit for just about every camping style. You can save time and money by doing your homework before going online or jumping in the car. Ask yourself these questions:

How does my family like to spend their free time? What do they enjoy most?

If your family would rather hike, fish or explore the forest, a campground with a crafts center and game room may not be a necessity. Look for what honestly matters to you. Camping is about enjoying your recreational time and recharging your batteries. The most popular campground in your neighborhood might not be the place to hang your hat for the summer Look instead to where you’d choose to “build” a second home.


What will it “cost” me to camp?

Decide what you are willing to spend in time and effort as well as dollars. Some campgrounds will require you to mow and trim your site every weekend, or volunteer to lead the charge in campground- sponsored activities. Others will charge you for special events, recreation or services. Some require no upkeep of site. Most charge additional fees for drop-in guests or exact penalties for late payment of fees. The bottom line is that seasonal stay camping is usually value camping that offers 24 hour recreation for less than you pay to take the kids to the movies. But it’s not a value if you drop by your camper only once a month to maintain the recreational vehicle. Read your lease carefully. Know what your responsibilities will be and what you can expect from the campground. If you’re not certain, ask.

How do I know if a campground is the right fit for my family?

Start by doing all the research you can about the campground’s history, policies and regulations. Drop by for a visit. If clean restrooms matter, the time to check them is during or after a busy weekend. If friendly personnel and campground security is important, stop at the front desk and measure how you, a stranger, are treated. Secure a day pass to walk through the property and ask seasonal campers what’s good and what’s not about the campground. Remember, one man’s meat is another man’s poison, so ask questions and listen carefully. Check out ratings and read what guests have to say. You might take some opinions with a grain of salt, but you should still honor your hunches by checking things out for yourself. Finally, when looking at policies and rules, ask yourself honestly: if these were applied to my family, would I willingly comply? Rules are not just for others, but for you, too.

What’s the biggest advantage of becoming a seasonal, or extended stay camper?

Other than saying seasonal camping is excellent economic value, campers will tell you that life-long friendships are formed when families take the time to sit around the campfire and relax in the presence of folks who enjoy similar lifestyle choices. Cooking together, lounging by the pool, walking pets and even gathering kindling in the woods bonds us to each other, especially when you have the same camping neighbors week after week. Not hassling with packing and unpacking, not stressing over weekend traffic or the uncertainty of learning the ropes in a new setting are often mentioned by moms and dads who want to maximize their free time by returning to a camp site “ready to use” whenever a free day or two becomes available.

Seasonal, extended stay camping is not for everyone. But during tough economic times, it’s an especially good value.