Tag Archives: journal

The Camper’s Journal

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Camper’s Journal

by Joe Panfalone (Guest Contributor)

Thirty five years ago we met a retired couple in an Airstream camper trailer. As we had just a pop up camper, we were interested in a hard sided one so we struck up a conversation with them. The both of them were retired Air Force and were traveling the country side living out of their trailer. I was fascinated with the concept and was something that I wanted to do when I retired. Things have changed since then. For one, gasoline was only 35 cents a gallon back then!

We were on a vacation tour of Michigan and kept running across this couple. We shared where we have been and recommended things to do and see. The one thing I found most significant about this encounter is that they asked if we would sign their guest book. It was filled with names of people they had encountered along their journey with notes about them. I thought it to be a novel idea. They suggested we keep one with the goal of socializing with campers around us and come back with at least one entry for each day.

In todays digital age keeping a journal has never been easier. Here is a Camper’s journal template. If you are old school, you can print a few pages and fill them in by hand and keep them in a binder. Preferably, load it to your touch pad or lap top and take it with you. With the digital version you can do a search by pressing CTRL F and then enter a key word.

 

MONTH/YEAR___________

CAMPGROUND

ACTIVITIES /   NOTES / PEOPLE MET
Check-In    Day/Time
Check-Out Day/Time
Name
Address
City, State Zip
Phone Number
Website
Rating

 

 

MONTH/YEAR___________

CAMPGROUND

ACTIVITIES /   NOTES / PEOPLE MET
Check-In    Day/Time
Check-Out Day/Time
Name
Address
City, State Zip
Phone Number
Website
Rating

 

-Enjoy and HAPPY CAMPING!

Camping Tip of the Day: Keep a Journal

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Ok, gentlemen, don’t freak out when I say journal. I did not say diary  LOL:) A journal is a great way to keep track of your camping adventures. It also helps you remember which campgrounds and specifically, which campsites you like. Often, you will find campgrounds that you would like to revisit in the future. Many of RV stores, like Camping World, have hardbound camping journals you can buy. Or you can just use a standard composition book. Heck, it’s 2014 and we are in the Age of Technology. Use your computer or tablet to maintain a journal.

camp-journal-bookmark

Here are some things to consider when completing your journal:

1. Name/address/phone number of the campground.

2. Name(s) of the friendly staff members you dealt with. If you decided to return to that campground you can ask for them by name.

3. List things you liked about the campground.

4. List the things you did not like.

5. List the campsite number you were at. Amy and I make it a habit to drive around the campground before we leave. We write down all the sites we would like to try the next time and the ones we want to avoid.

6. List names of restaurants you enjoyed while camping there (if you ate out).

7. List the names of places (i.e. parks, museums, etc.) you visited or activities you enjoyed.

8. If you made any new camping friends, write down their names/numbers/e-mail addresses. Who knows, maybe you can meet up in the future….

Here at Crazy4camping, we would love to hear your reviews of the various campgrounds you have visited. Please send us an e-mail at crazy4camping1@gmail.com

HAPPY CAMPING!!!