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How to Organize
A GROUP RV TRIP
There isn’t much better than camping with people you enjoy spending time with. RVing, whether you own or rent, gives you flexibility and a home away from home without ever really needing to unpack a suitcase. You may decide that instead of renting a house or staying in a hotel for your group vacation, you want to RV it instead. It’s adventurous and will help keep the cost of the vacation more reasonable.
How long does it take to organize a group vacation when multiple parties and RVs (or tents) are involved? It depends on who’s going. When it comes to RV camping with friends or families, it’s important to have your ducks in a row before you ever make a reservation.
Your planning steps should include:
1. Designate a primary organizer. Choose someone to handle most of the heavy lifting, such as researching
areas and campgrounds and making the reservations.
It’s important to have someone specific to do this so that things get done. This person should be decisive, too, and know how to handle the personalities of the various parties involved. The organizer should be the lead travel planner, helping to guide the group when it comes time to make decisions.
2. Decide on the best way to communicate. Technology makes it easier to connect, but it can also muddy up conversation if everyone isn’t on the same page. Texting, emailing, and phone calls all have their place in organizing a group vacation. Texting is great for needing to make
quick or timely decisions. Emailing is great for passing along lengthy information or confirmations. Phone calls are perfect for speaking with each party in a more personal way.
3. Choose when the big adventure will take place. Where do you want to go? Someplace new or someplace someone in the group recommends because it’s a family favorite? How many people will be coming? How many children
are there? Are the children in school, and if so, is it okay for them to miss class? Is everyone in an RV or are there tent campers as well? How far is everyone willing to travel? How much is everyone expected to spend? Answer these questions as quickly as possible, which will help narrow down the geographical area to enjoy your vacation – and at which campground.
4. Decide how everyone is going to pay. A lot of times it’s easiest for one party to pay for everything up front and then be reimbursed by the other parties. This can help streamline the reservation process, too, so that the group stays together (one person can reserve multiple neighboring campsites). However, if everyone needs to pay their own way, make sure to closely coordinate how and when to make campsite reservations.
5. Start now. It’s never too early to begin planning, especially if you’re interested in a popular destination like Michigan. State parks and many private campgrounds are open
to reservations months in advance, or only so far in advance (read our other article). When it’s time to make
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