Before kids came along, my husband and I enjoyed camping once or twice a summer with our group of friends at a provincial park. We really enjoyed sitting around by the campfire, relaxing with a book in a hammock, and swimming at the beach. We enjoyed some of the other things less - like the planning, packing, setting up and taking down of our site that accompanied each camping trip. Once kids came around, our camping days ended. As much as I liked the idea of introducing camping to the kids, in reality it was just too overwhelming. I imagined changing diapers in a tent, and the even larger amount of packing required for a weekend away with kids in tow. It was hardly worth the effort. Tents, sleeping bags, camping chairs, coolers full of food, dishes, life jackets, and a copious amount of water toys to keep my kids entertained likely meant that there wouldn't be much room left in the van for the kids at all!

Camping was off the table completely up until about 6 years ago when a friend of my daughter’s invited us to visit her at her campground. We sat on her deck overlooking the river, enjoying a drink while the kids played. She had everything she needed in her RV, it wasn’t too far from home (just over an hour from her house), and it seemed like the perfect way to enjoy camping again with kids. I was hooked.

We spent the following year looking online at RVs and different campgrounds around the city of Ottawa. We had shopped for camping gear before, but shopping for an RV was a completely new experience for us. After talking to some friends who were seasonal campers at Cedar Shade Campground in Alfred, it made most sense for us to purchase an RV on an already established lot. It really was an ideal set up, for an affordable price, which included the seasonal camping fees. We purchased the RV from a family whose teenage kids had part time jobs which made it difficult to spend weekends away. The package included the RV, deck, shed, gazebo, bbq, fire pit and everything else inside the RV that we needed to enjoy our camping experience!

My kids have really enjoyed our summers at Cedar Shade, and it has been so wonderful having a place outside of the city to escape to. There are many activities planned every weekend throughout the summer (on hold now due to Covid), like crafts, wagon rides, summer olympics, Canada day fireworks, Christmas and Halloween celebrations and ball hockey tournaments. There are activities for younger kids and teenagers alike, although the teenagers mostly hang out near the front office where they can get free wifi!

There are also plenty of activities for adults like Bingo, washer toss leagues and golf cart rallies. The kids have the choice of two pools and a man-made lake to swim in. Adults have their own adults-only pool plus hot tubs. Plus there are several parks, with trampolines and a jumping pillow and even a dog park! The kids are kept busy outside, and the parents can relax. It really is a win-win for everyone! But that said, RV camping at a seasonal campground may not be for everyone.

Pros

Having an RV at a seasonal campground is an affordable way to have a summer vacation home!
You can leave everything you need at your site. No need to transport pool toys, life jackets, kayaks or other camping necessities back and forth. You can even leave essentials in your fridge and pantry.
If your kids are social, there are always kids around to play with.
If you are social, there are lots of adults to socialize with.
You can invite friends to come up for the day or stay overnight (in your RV or on a tent on your site.)
Some campgrounds stay open until mid to late October, which means you can enjoy camping right into the fall.
Although many seasonal campers choose to get an internet connection, some use their camping weekends as an opportunity to disconnect.
Camping during the week is very quiet.
RVs are air conditioned.

Cons

Seasonal fees can range from $2500-$4000 depending on the campground. A deposit is required at the end of the season to guarantee your lot for the following year.
There are a lot of people around. If you prefer the quiet solitude of camping, you likely won’t find it in a seasonal campground.
You're surrounded by neighbours. If your neighbours decide to stay up late and have a noisy campfire with friends, you will hear everything. If your neighbours have young kids who get up early, you’ll hear that too.
Weekends get very busy, and long weekends are even busier.
Packing up for a camping weekend with kids can still be a lot of work. There is still the cooler to pack, kids clothing, towels and laundry etc.
Closing the RV at the end of the season is a lot of work and usually takes a full day.

There are some things to consider about seasonal camping:

How far away are you willing to drive? There are several campgrounds around Ottawa, but keep in mind the rush hour traffic on Fridays after work. If you live in the East and are heading to a campground in the west, you have to account for extra time spent in traffic to get there. We liked Cedar Shade because it was an hour East of Ottawa and that meant we weren’t driving through rush hour traffic.
Are you taking over someone’s site, or bringing in your own RV? Some campgrounds have restrictions on the age of the RV you can bring into the campground as a seasonal camper. The bonus of taking over someone’s site is that often the site is turn key and includes a deck, shed or even patio furniture. You won’t have to spend your weekends setting up your site. The downside is that you are taking over someone else’s trailer, and it may or may not have everything you need or are looking for in an RV.
Is the campground set up with underground sewer lines? Some campgrounds do not have this service and instead you need to pay to have your black tank pumped out.
How old are your kids? We purchased our RV when the kids were 8, 6 and 2. We have had 5 amazing summers camping, but now my older two are less interested in going. They no longer want to take part in the activities, and tend to stay inside the RV doing their own thing than going off with friends.

Seasonal camping isn’t for everyone but it’s a great alternative for someone who is thinking they might like a cottage but want a more affordable and more social experience. Many great friendships and experiences have been made in camp grounds - maybe it’s the right fit for you and your family too!

If you’re intrigued, here’s a trailer that’s for sale now!

Vicky is a mom of three and a teacher who has been writing for KIC for 10 years.