Vacations Mean Education for RVing Families

More than 65 percent of RV owners will travel this summer with their children or
grandchildren, according to the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association’s (RVIA) “Campfire
Canvass” survey. Millions of American families have discovered that there is no better way
to learn about this country’s history and geography than by traveling across America,
especially in an RV. Historical sites were named as vacation destinations by more than half
of RV owners surveyed. Popular spots included Washington, D.C., Mount Rushmore, Gettysburg
and the Alamo. RVs offer amenities to make vacation time productive and provide space to
bring along educational tools. En route or at the campground, young travelers can
comfortably play board or computer games, and read or watch videos about an area’s
historical significance. RVs provide a base camp from which to explore historical trails,
sites and events that students studied during the school year. “RV travel offers a great
opportunity to really experience history, often making the journey just as important as the
destination,” said Bob Schaller, a children’s book author who frequently RVs with his two
young sons during summer vacation season. With kitchen, bathroom, dining and sleeping
facilities on board, children feel right at home. According to a recent study by the
University of Michigan, many baby boomers are part of a new generation of RVers with
children, who are taking advantage of the convenience and flexibility that RVs offer for
family vacations or trips. Approximately half of today’s RV owners are between the ages of
35 and 54. Traveling in an RV keeps expenses to a minimum. A recent study by PKF
Consulting, an international travel and tourism research firm, finds that families of four
can spend up to 70 percent less traveling by RV than on trips using cars, planes or cruise
ships. And that factors in RV ownership costs and the resulting tax benefits. Other popular
RV destination spots included state parks and forests, the mountains, RV resorts, beaches
and national parks.