There’s Still Time to Participate in Holiday RV Park Festivities
Happy Holidays from all of us at RVParking.com! We hope that your holiday celebrations have gone well so far and would love to hear about your Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa RV Park celebrations.
For those of you who are still full of holiday spirit and don't want Christmas to end, there are still ways to celebrate the holidays and get in on holiday deals at RV Parks throughout the US.
Pine Mountain, an RVC Outdoor Destination, located an hour South of Atlanta, is still offering value day discounted tickets to Callway Gardens' "Fantasy in Lights" show until December 30. As a holiday thank-you to our men and women in uniform, Pine Mountain is offering a 25% discount to active military through February 2012.
Another RVC Outdoor Destination, Carrabelle Beach in Carrabelle, Florida has a buy two-nights, get one free deal going on until December, 31.
Are there any other holiday RV park promotions worth sharing? Let us know in the comments below.
History and Homeschooling on the Road with the Jr. Ranger Program
Our family loves the freedom that RVing together gives us. We enjoy the time we get to spend with one anther, the wonderful and varied places in creation that we get to visit, and the incredible learning opportunities that we are offered along the way. One of the best learning activities that we have found on our travels has been the National Park Service's Jr. Ranger program. Offered at many of the over 390 National Parks, the Jr. Ranger program is an interactive learning opportunity that is hands on, age appropriate, and always interesting!
If your family intends on visiting very many national parks, I would highly recommend purchasing a National Access pass; for $80 per year, it will admit your vehicle, with it's occupants, into into most National Parks. We have one for each vehicle since sometimes we will take in the truck and RV to camp within the park, in addition to the van. Once we have arrived at the National Park, our first stop is always the visitor's center. Here, we stop by the information desk, watch an introductory movie if one is available, and the kids pick up Jr. Ranger booklets from the ranger there. The program is almost always free. So far in our travels, we have come across only 2 parks where there was a fee for the books - those parks were Zion, which charged $1 for each book, and Jamestown, whose booklets were $1.75.
Each park's ranger books are different, but they usually include at least half a dozen activities for the kids to complete; some parks even have different booklets for different ages of kids. For many parks, the worksheets are directly related to what the kids will learn in the visitor's center and while touring the park. Many of the booklets contain crossword puzzles, word finds, fill in the blanks, drawing pictures, and identifying activities. The booklets are an easy and fun way to learn about the new location that we are in, and we have often found out interesting facts about that specific park that we would have never learned about without the Jr. Ranger program.
Some of our favorite Jr. Ranger programs have been:
Grand Canyon (AZ) - not because of the booklets themselves, but because we were required to attend a Ranger-led talk. We enjoyed the first talk so much that we attended several others. If you get a chance to visit the Grand Canyon, be sure to go to the talk about legends of the G.C. - Emma still remembers the mystery surrounding the Hydes and how there has not been 'hyde' nor hair of them seen since they set off to float the caynon.
Fort Fredrica (GA) - the program at Fort Fredrica is subsidized by a private grant, and their Jr. Ranger booklets are very well done. Their booklets are in color, have pop-ups and removable map and letters. Here the kids got to check out haversacks full of items to help them complete the booklets, and borrowed tri-cornered hats and mob caps! Fort Fredrica also has a fun visitor's center, which includes costumes for the kids to dress up in, and period toys.
Saguaro National Park (AZ) - the kids liked Saguaro's program because they were able to check out a Jr. Ranger backpack full of items to help them complete their booklets, items like a magnifying glass, an animal track identification sheet, binoculars...
Generally, our kids 9 and up can complete the booklets without help, and the younger ones need a bit of assistance with spelling. After the kids have completed the required number of activities in their booklets, we return to the visitor's center and find a ranger! Generally, the ranger will ask the kids a few questions about the park, and look through their booklets at what they have accomplished. The ranger will then lead the kids through the ranger pledge promising to help care for the park system (varies slightly from park to park), and the kids receive a plastic badge that looks much like the rangers uniform badge; each badge has the name of the park, and a different logo in the center. There are a few parks that give out embroidered patches instead; the kids are always tickled to receive these colorful patches, which we sew onto their Jr. Ranger vests. We have received patches from Fort Clatsop (OR), Fort Davis (TX), Big Bend (TX), Amistad NRA (TX), Gettysburg (PA), and Carlsbad Caverns (NM). The badges make great souvenirs! The kids also get to keep the booklets - we sometimes make them go back and complete all the activities as part of their schoolwork.
You can find out online if a park offers a Jr. Ranger program simply by going to http://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm - choose a state, then a park - once you're on a parks page, look for a tab on the left that says 'for kids' - clicking will lead you to a page that tells you what that park offers for kids. Sometimes you can even print out the booklet at home, and the kids can then work on it on the drive to the park!
We have also found, that for some parks, you don't have to actually go there to become a Jr. Ranger. This past week, our family went to Palo Alto National Battlefield in Brownsville, TX (clear down in the southern tip). While we did the booklet onsite, we also noticed that you can download their Jr. Ranger booklet and print it. Once the kids have completed the booklet, you can mail it to the address provided, and a ranger will send you back a Palo Alto Jr. Ranger badge!
Another great educational program that the National Park Service offers along the same lines as the Jr. Ranger program, is the Web Rangers program! This is an online Jr. Ranger program that offers over 50 different activities to complete about national parks and nature! Once you have completed a set number of activities, you will be emailed a link to fill in your name and address, and the National Park Service will snail mail you an embroidered Web Ranger patch! Makes a great addition to those Jr. Ranger vests 
. While both the Jr. Ranger and Web Ranger programs are targeted towards children, they are offered to anyone, of any age, that would like to participate!
My children retain so much more knowledge when the information is presented in engaging, hands-on, multi-sensory form - and they have learned, and retained, so much from the Jr. Ranger program. Our goal, as a family, is to collect Jr. Ranger badges/patches from every National Park in the country that offers them! Along the way, we will be learning much about this incredible country that we live in, and having a great time making memories that will last a lifetime! Check out the Jr. Ranger program and see if your family would enjoy it also!
Dana is blessed to be able to full-time RV with her hubby and 10 of their 11 children. They enjoy roadschooling as they travel the country; one of their goals is to earn Jr. Ranger badges from every National Park that offers the program. You can check in on their progress, and follow their travels as they chronicle the journey at: http://ticknortribe.blogspot.com/
A Very RV Park Christmas
Being on the road means that you get to take advantage of experience great holiday attractions and celebrations around the United States. The following is a just a sampling of upcoming RV Park Christmas events:
Indiana
Since this is a post about holiday RV Park Events, it's fitting that we begin with what's happening in the town of Santa Claus, Indiana over at Lake Rudolph Outdoor Resort.
During the Christmas season, the inside Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort is home to Santa Claus Land of Lights Family Christmas Light Adventure. This light show is truly unique for several different reasons … it is the only light show in North America that tells a story in lights and storyboards. At 1.2 miles long, it is also the largest campground holiday light show in North America.
Families may experience the untold story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer … all in brilliant LED lights! The Santa Claus Land of Lights is located inside Lake Rudolph Campground & R.V. Resort in Santa Claus, Indiana and tells the “Shining Story of Rudolph.” This light adventure is a 1.2 mile driving route that contains over 300 light displays and 11 Rudolph story scenes. Discount coupons ($4) off are available at participating McDonald’s locations. A portion of proceeds from the Santa Claus Land of Lights will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities. www.SantaClausLandofLights.com.
Open from 5:00 – 9:00pm CST on Thanksgiving night and then Fridays, Saturday and Sundays through December 12. The Santa Claus Land of Lights will be open nightly from December 17 through New Year’s Day; closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Here is a link to video footage on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38GKJJKLuwQ.
Here is a link to their Flickr account which includes photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/43359699@N04.
Florida
Escape the cold and snow while enjoying Christmas event on offer at several RV Parks in sunny Florida.
Rainbow Village RV Resort of Largo, Florida is hosting a Christmas Dance on December, 10. Admission is $5. On Christmas day, dinner will be served in the Rec Hall. Bring a covered dish and the park will provide the ham and potatoes. The cost of the Christmas dinner is $2.
Over in Bradenton, Pleasant Lake RV Resort is hosting a Christmas show on December 11 at 7 pm, featuring the talent of Melissa and Larry Brahm. Thirty of their residents are celebrating the holidays together on a Christmas Holiday Cruise to the Caribbean from December 4-11. The park is filled with beautiful lights, culminating in a judging of community Christmas decorations at 6:15 on December 18. Their sister Carefree Park, Horseshoe Cove, will be dropping by with the festive gift of a 30 piece gulf-cart light electric parade and there’s a buzz that cookies and punch will be severed afterwards at the Rec Hall.
Kissimmee South RV Resort in Davenport (formerly Three Worlds RV Resort) is also hosting several Christmas events starting with decorating the park with music and snacks to enjoy the time today at 2 pm. On December 13th, park residents will go caroling at Savana Court Assisted Living in Haines City starting at 4:30 pm. There will also be a Christmas Eve Service followed by fellowship and a Christmas day dinner at 1 pm.
December is also a busy time at Big Tree RV Resort in Arcadia, starting today with their annual Christmas Craft Boutique. Our talented residents set up tables of jewelry, quilted items, wood crafts, baskets, sweaters, tea towels, etc. they make themselves and have for sale at the Boutique. It’s a perfect time to start Christmas shopping. Their residents provide lunch and have a bake sale. Since this is advertised in the local paper, there's a big crowd.
Next up is their Christmas Golf Cart Parade on the second Saturday evening of December. Residents decorate their golf carts with holiday decorations and lights. They parade through the streets of Big Tree and also the mobile home community next door. Prizes are given for Funniest, Most Christmasy and Best Religious Theme.
The Arcadia Concert Band will perform their Christmas Concert for our residents followed by the annual Tree Trimming Party in the Clubhouse with caroling, food and fellowship.
Another annual tradition is lighting of the luminaries on Christmas Eve. Residents line the front of their lots with white milk jugs with a lighted candle inside and we surround our pond with luminaries. It is a spectacular light show that residents of Arcadia even come to enjoy. There will also be Christmas dinner at the clubhouse.
Georgia
Pine Mountain, an RVC Outdoor Destination will offer a “Mid-week Fantasy” package to coincide with the Callaway Gardens “Fantasy in Lights” show. The package can be purchased from Nov. 19 to Dec. 30 for mid-week stay only.
Guests of Pine Mountain will have the benefit of obtaining access to the many amenities and features the resort has to offer, while also enjoying Callaway Gardens’ famous holiday light and sound show. RVC Outdoor Destinations has chosen to give back to the community by giving ten percent of the package proceeds to the Salvation Army. Pine Moountain
This special holiday package is for Monday-Thursday reservations, but weekend lodging is also available for purchase. The package will include two tickets to the Fantasy in Lights show, one concrete site (Azalea) with cable and free Wi-Fi, a bundle of firewood, and two complimentary gourmet coffees in the morning. The cost of the package is $69, with a value of $85. Additional nights for the concrete sites are $40. Cabin and yurt stay is not included in the package.
Pine Mountain, an RVC Outdoor Destination is only three miles from Callaway Gardens, and just one hour from Atlanta. RV and non RV guests are welcome and there are cabins available for rent starting at $80 a night. There are also furnished yurts available for stay starting at $38 a night. Along with cozy accommodations, guests can enjoy concierge service, a community lodge with a coffee, beer, and wine bar, free Wi-Fi, activities pavilion, Bark Park Off-leash area, plus more.
The “Mid-week Fantasy” package cannot be combined with other offers and reservations are required. Pine Mountain, an RVC Outdoor Destination is located at 8804 Hamilton Rd, Pine Mountain, GA 38122. For more information, please visit http://www.pinemountain.rvcoutdoors.com/. To make your “Mid-week Fantasy” reservations, call 706-663-4329.
Tennessee
At Jellystone Park in Nashville, they are currently running a Christmas light show put on by Shadrack Productions. It's a 2 drive-thru mile stretch of Christmas lights synchronized to music. You can also reserve a horse drawn carriage to go through the lights show. We also have inflatable jump house and slides and a Christmas Village with Santa, hot chocolate, coffee and gifts (all have their own charges). It is $25 a carload to get into the lights show.
Texas
Everyone is invited, Winter Texans, overnighters and long-time guests, to the Christmas dinner at Travelers World RV Resort in San Antonio. The park provides the turkey, ham, dressing and potatoes and each guest is asked to bring a dish to pass. There's seating for 102 people, but if weather is nice they can add a few more people who may have to sit outside.
This weekend at Jellystone Hill Country, prices are rolled back 40 years (Rv sites $3.40 and lodge rooms $20.99) for an old time Christmas as a Thank you to their guests! In return, they ask for a donation to the local food bank.
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