SEASONAL CAMPING

Seasonal camping is when you choose to set up your RV for an extended period in one place, usually during the summer or winter. Every fall, thousands of RVers make their trek from the north to the south seeking warmer places to spend their winter. Mostly they are heading for parks in Florida, Texas, and Arizona.

We have chosen seasonal camping for the last two seasons. The decision to do this was based on a few factors. One reason has to do with our ministry calling. We go south to Texas to serve with Christian Resort Ministries as Chaplains in an RV resort. Another reason is the same as most seasonal campers. We are seeking optimum weather conditions, warm in the winter and cooler in the summer. A third reason for us is economics. For us, seasonal camping is more affordable. When our motorhome is moving, it costs us more money than if we are parked and paying camping fees. Our financial situation has changed since we began this journey. Our finances took a big hit during my health struggles. And when our last motorhome died, and we had to walk away, it was a total loss that greatly impacted our economy.  My recovery from my health issues has been a lengthy path. Seasonal camping is giving me a better setting to continue my recovery. So, for a few seasons, seasonal camping is best for us.

Even though we do not view it that way, our time in Texas is work camping since we receive or RV site in exchange for our work as chaplains. This summer we are more traditional work camping. We receive our RV site in exchange for working a few hours in the office of the park where we are staying. The icing on that cake is that I get to lead church services here in this park every Sunday morning. River Bay Premier Campground, where we are for the summer, owns an old-time paddlewheel riverboat that is docked on the Wisconsin River. Each Sunday, we turn the boat into our church. We are enjoying our time here in the Wisconsin Dells and are considering returning here next summer.

I have noticed what I believe is a bit of bias among RVers when it comes to seasonal campers. It is most notable in park reviews. I often see it noted as RVers review campgrounds. They will note when there are seasonal campsites often as a negative. While I cannot say for sure why that is, I think it might be because it limits the number of RV sites available to travelers.

I have also noticed that there are at least two kinds of seasonal campers. In the Sunshine RV Resort in Texas, where we spend our winters, virtually all of the seasonal campers are there for the entire season. Where we are for the summer, most of the seasonal campers are weekenders. While their RVs remain here, most of the people come only on the weekend and on holidays. Most of the people live within a couple of hours of the park, and this is their weekend getaway. The folks across the road from us live only ten minutes away.

Another thing I have noticed is that, for some, seasonal camping is generational. Both here in Wisconsin and in Texas, we have met several people in both parks who are second or third-generation campers in the park. They first began coming to the parks because their parents were there. After the parents died, they maintained their campsite and, years later, continued to come.

For many RVers, seasonal camping is a legitimate way to RV. It gives you the opportunity to develop deeper relationships with other campers and to become familiar with the area where you spend the season. Seasonal camping is working for us.