Objection #4 - I live in a Condo, Apartment, Snooty Neighborhood that won't allow trailers

 

Can't become a girl camper because you can't have a trailer wherever it is that you live? No room in the budget for an RV purchase right now? No problem! While the trailer is a big draw for many women, for me it is just the icing on the cake. If I didn't have one, I would still camp.  It is about the camping and not what you're camping in.  It's about friendship and going places and doing things.

 Morning coffee in camping PJ's is a staple at Girl Camping events. Before you know it, it's noon!

There are many women who camp without owning a trailer. Most campgrounds have cabin rentals and often there is a Girl Camper wannabe willing to share the cost.  There is always the tried and true tent brought to new life and comfort with a woman's touch.

 

 

This cozy set up hardly looks like roughing it to me!

New Jersey Sister on the Fly, Cathy Pennino, is not missing any fun with her sweet set up!




There are also the really brave at heart who don't care what they sleep in as long as they get to come for all the Girl Camper fun and they sleep in their cars! There are also some who come along and stay in a nearby B&B. That's not really camping, but I won't tell if you don't. 

There are many times when women who own campers choose to tent camp or car camp because the drive is too far or they are nearby without their trailers and don't want to back track to get them. Who cares what you are sleeping in as long as you are along for the ride.

 

This looks like a cozy alternative to me. The other option is to not go!

 

Playing dress up and catching up with old friends while making new ones is too big of a draw to miss out on because you don't own a trailer.

Happiness comes in all sizes but you have to go get it! Our ancestors crossed oceans in wooden hulled ships and the Oregon Trail on Prairie Schooners, you can camp in a tent for a weekend!!

 



Look up to the sky. You'll never find rainbows if you're looking down!

Charlie Chaplin

 

 

 I have discovered in my almost ten years camping with these amazing women that attitude is the difference between those who embrace life and those who endure life. I want all the women who think that this looks like fun but there are too many obstacles for them to be able to do it, that adopting a can do attitude will propel you forward. Take one weekend of your year and make some new friends. You don't know what impact it will have on the rest of the things you do!

Camper College - Stones Camping World, Berlin NJ

Stones Camping World of Berlin, NJ were the gracious hosts last night for our first Camper College in NJ! To refresh, Camper College is a free evening after hours tutorial on all things ''travel trailer" related. As Kevin Stone, second generation owner of Stones Camping World pointed out last night, there are no dumb questions. It was just great having all their knowledge and expertise available to those entering into the camping world for the first time or maybe, like me, returning to it, sans the tent! 

 Stone's Camping World. The official NJ home of Girl Campers !

Stones Camping World carries a favorite trailer among Girl Campers, The Riverside Retro by White River. 

The interior of the Riverside 166 before we Girl Campers glamped it up! 

After renovating at least 10 vintage trailers I believe I am in a place to buy a Riverside and just skip the whole restoration process! 

The cozy dining nook of the Riverside Retro. I love that the table slides left and right to allow you to get in with ease. 

As always, talking with my hands!! Introducing Kevin Stone, second generation proprietor of this family owned and operated dealership. 

I love that this Girl Camper is taking notes!!! 

Kevin explaining the features on this travel trailer to a crowd of about 25 Girl Campers. 

One of the things that newbie trailer owners worry most about is the trailer actually falling off of the hitch. Here Kevin takes us through the process one step at a time. This is standard operating procedure at their dealership for all new owners. You don't leave with it until you are completely comfortable with each step. 

The back side of the trailer. A lesson on what all those little doors are and where the plug goes! Also, a demo on the water tanks. Grey water and black water! Oh My! 

Q & A after the demo! 

The After Party at the Voorhees Diner! The best part about having lots of Girl Camper buddies is that you don't have to be camping in order to have fun with them. 

Thank you again to Stones Camping World for agreeing to be the "official" NJ Girl Camper RV dealership. 

In Colorado?  Please visit Ketelsen Campers of Colorado for your Girl Camper needs. 
In Ohio? Check out Haydocy Airstream in Columbus. 

Camper College - New Jersey

Janine Pettit, Girl Camper,  and Stones Camping World of Berlin, NJ announce Camper College. The complimentary event for Girl Campers and friends will take place on July 10, 2015 at Stones Camping World, 127 North Rte 73, Berlin, NJ. 08009 from 6-8 PM. Light refreshments will be served.

 The Riverside Retro trailer. Stone's Camping World carries this girl camper favorite.

 Many girl campers find this a great alternative to the worries and expense of restoring a vintage trailer. As one who has restored several of them, I think I could be easily talked into this.





What is Camper College? Camper College is a complimentary evening of demonstrations and Q & A at an RV dealership. The event is designed to help alleviate anxiety and answer questions about owning and operating a travel trailer. Whenever I am at events, I always hear the same concerns being expressed by women. "I don't think I could hook that up!" "I would be afraid it would fall off the car." "How does the electric get to it at the campground?" "How do I back it up?" "Where does the toilet empty out to?" "How do I set it up once I get where I am going?" These are all legitimate questions and I am working to find dealerships who are interested in building partnerships and mentoring women entering the RV world.

We recently did a Camper College at Ketelsen Campers of Colorado in Wheat Ridge. They were selected by RV Business Magazine as one of the Top Five RV dealerships in North America for 2015. They did a phenomenal job at their Camper School and the feedback I received was stellar. Ketelsen's knows that they are building relationships with women who are coming into the RV world for the first time or perhaps for the first time as a solo. It was reported to me by many that they felt no sales pressure and a genuine concern for and attitude of, "how can we put you at ease?" Thank you Ketelsens and Stones Camping World for leading the girl camping charge in NJ!!!



To RSVP for Stone's Camping Worlds first Camper College event you can contact the dealership directly and leave a message for Maxine at 856-767-5422.   You can also join the 'Camp Like a Girl' at www.MeetUp.com  and RSVP there.
Happy Trails!

Country Living Fair ~ Rhinebeck NY

Going places and doing things was so much fun this past weekend when Go RVing hosted us at the Country Living Fair in Rhinebeck, NY. The beautiful Hudson Valley was as appealing as always and the Duchess County Fairgrounds were their usual manicured perfection. Stella Shows makes it all look so easy. They have been producing this show for almost ten years with events in Columbus, Ohio; Atlanta, Georgia; Rhinebeck, NY and this year as a first timer, Nashville, TN. All my favorite vendors were there and I managed to get a little shopping in. It was all about the people though and as always, meeting and chatting with new friends was the best part of the show. I think we recruited a few new "girl campers"!

Our Sweet Sister Q on the Go RVing sign! @bebacksoonlovemom

 

 My Lake House trailer open for tours

 Sister on the Fly Joni Moomau's cozy A Frame

 Sister on the Fly Nancy Lucier's trailer "Rosie"!

 Every once in a while our amazingly talented sister "Q" does a trailer rehab and although she always wants to keep them, her husband thinks six trailers is too many! Some people "get it" and some people don't! This trailer was "for sale" this year. Completely ready to roll with all the hard work done. A lucky new sister, Kathy, took her home!

 Our Go RVing buddy Dana taking a stand on RVing! She's in favor of it!

 This year we added a new element to the show! RV Lifestyle demos. I volunteered to show visitors how to make the cast iron skillet pizza we generously perfected during last years camping season. You're welcome!

 The delicious results.

 Everything's coming up Rosie! Nancy and her husband take this to Brimfield every year. Not only is it a great draw for shoppers but they get to have lunch and nap in it!

 Q's DIY chandelier! Very Country Living!

 Dana from Go RVing with Kathy, the lucky new owner of this trailer, and Courtney from Go RVing.

 Courtney welcoming Kathy to the RV world with some great Go RVing give aways!

 Catching up with my favorite podcaster, Stephanie Puglisi from RV Family Travel Atlas. If you have never heard their podcast, you are missing out! We chatted so long after the show that we were locked IN and had to get security to let us out!

 Stephanie mixing pleasure with business. I promised her husband Jeremy who was home with three boys under the age of 6,  that I would make sure she got lots of pictures!

 Two new girl campers that went home and signed up for "Camp Like  A Girl" in October. They are already at work getting their cowgirl prom outfits ready!

 I loved meeting 2 Chix and a Barn owners Kim and Leslie! They have the best Airstream for shows. Their site was beautiful, their items so edited and unique and they themselves make it all so much fun to shop! More on them later!

 At every Country Living Fair I have to get to one of my favorite booths, "Hi Ho Home Market!"  I love everything about her booth. Creative designer, Stylist and entrepreneur Heidi Hill-Haddard (we have the same maiden name! ) creates a space that draws you in! I kept getting drawn in over many things but mostly this vintage plaid suitcase on wheels! If it is red, I like it. If it's red and plaid, I love it! If it's red, plaid and wool, I'm done! More on this hardworking lady coming soon!

My favorite purchase of the show!

 

Oh yeah, we were also on the Main Stage talking about all of the fun we have. It was an exceedingly windy day which is my excuse for this wild hair. I don't know why everyone else looks so well coiffed! They must have "people" I don't know about.

 

 

The Country Living Fair is so much fun each year. We meet the best people and have made all kinds of friends along the way. If you have never been to a Country Living Fair you still have two chances in 2015. Columbus, Ohio, September 18-20 and Atlanta, Georgia, October 23-25. I will be in Columbus and will be hosting a Camper College at Haydocy Airstream on Saturday, September 19th.

Happy Trails!

 

 

 



Camp Like a Girl - East Coast

We're doing it! First ever East Coast Camp Like a Girl event! You don't have to know "how" to camp and you don't have to have a tricked out vintage trailer.  You do not have to belong to an existing girl camping group. What you do have to have is a desire to be part of this sub culture of crazy women who like to dress up, sleep away from home,  hike, kayak, go junkin', cook great meals and make new friends!! If you have been stalking Pinterest and Facebook watching all the fun these women are having and not knowing how to get on board, here's your big chance to try it out!!

Here's how simple it is! Join the Meet Up site, "Camp Like a Girl" and register for this event. Details are posted there. It will take place Oct 2-4 in Central New Jersey. Actual location is for members of Camp Like a Girl only!  Make your reservations now as the park is a county park and fills up quickly. There are 64 sites and tents and trailers can share a site to save on costs. There are also three cabins that sleep six each. Grab five girlfriends and come!

 So inviting! I love seeing everyone's personal style come across in their tents and trailers. I love the classic awning on this trailer. Note to self, add fringe to your awning!

 How is a girl camper different than a 'regular' camper? Most women make a home no matter where they are. We like comfort and we like company and we like to be surrounded by things that we love, even when we are camping!!! Notice the red table? It folds down into a suitcase! They were made in the 40's and 50's and came with picnic gear in them. They are hard to come by but after an exhaustive search (on Ebay! and elsewhere) my friend Pam found one at an Ohio estate sale and called me from the sale asking me if she should pick it up and mail it to me. Only one catch, it was $75! Without hesitating I said YES! Paired with my $5 vintage Coleman lantern that means I only paid $40. Girl Camper Math!

 I love anything that is red! Add polka dots or plaid and I'm in love! This trailer belongs to a sister on the fly and I took these pictures at the Rocky Mountain Hi Meet Up in Wyoming last summer on my way to Cowgirl College. So much eye candy!

 So many people think that older is better but this 1980's trailer made me want to move in! Don't discount what you have before you put your touch on it!

 There's so much practicality in old things! Form and function! Who wants an orange home depot cooler when you can have this? Love the tablecloth too. Moda Fabrics makes them and the repros can be purchased at Amazon.

 One of the women had this sign in her trailer! I think it sums up girl campers beautifully!

 Enough said!

 Not only is this adorable, but having a bike at some campgrounds is a real plus. Sometimes the potty and ice machine are far away!

 It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, the neighborhood, the neighborhood!

 

 Ahh! Breathe deeply! You're home!

 One of the more clever trailer names.

 Who says you need a trailer? I love the attitude of women that camp in tents. She is not letting the lack of a trailer stop her from having fun! An inflatable

Aerobed, a few throw rugs and great blankets and your camping in style and comfort! Plus you're saving on gas!

 This is a Girl Camper!!

 I am awestruck by this tent which belongs to Kelley Jewells Parker, a sister on the fly from the Southwest. I have a fantasy that I hit the lottery and get Kelley to come out and completely redecorate my house!! A girl can dream right?

 

 Camp Style! Simple but so beautiful and inviting!

 

 

I hope you are inspired to join or at least check out the girl camping movement! We are "making girls out of women!"

 

Meetup.com