Win a Week’s Stay at a Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in the New Winnebago Brave

Winnebago, Jellystone Parks, and RVTrader.com partner to offer free summer vacation packages

             As part of the exciting new “Brave the Summer with Yogi Bear!” promotion, families across the U.S. will have four different chances to win a 7-day, 6-night vacation at the Jellystone Park of their choice in a 2015 Winnebago Brave.

The Brave/Tribute Class A motorhome was recently featured as the  “RVBusiness 2015 RV of the Year.” The 32-foot unit features bold retro styling, a powered StudioLoft bed, and powered patio awning. Winners will receive the exclusive opportunity to stay for a week in the Brave unit at their favorite Jellystone Park, where they can enjoy amenities like swimming pools, mini-golf, arcades, and dozens of family-friendly activities. The Brave will be delivered to the chosen Jellystone Park where the lucky winners can begin their summer vacation.

            The promotion, running from May 20 to August 20, is made possible through a partnership between Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts, Winnebago Industries and RVTrader.com. “We wanted to not only create awareness of our brands but promote the camping lifestyle. Camping is an affordable way for families to travel and have fun together,” stated Michele Wisher, director of marketing for Jellystone Parks.

            “We hope this promotion encourages people to learn more about the camping and RV lifestyle,” commented Christine Knapp, partnership & affiliate marketing manager for RVTrader.com.

In addition to the summer vacation grand prizes, ten weekly giveaways will be awarded to randomly selected registrants. The winners will each receive an array of prizes, including a Jellystone Park beach towel and bag, a Winnebago key chain and tumbler, and an RVTrader.com cooler, valued at $70.

“Winnebago is thrilled to partner with Jellystone Parks and RVTrader.com for this exciting promotion,” said Kelli Harms, marketing and PR manager for Winnebago.  “This is a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in a Winnebago Brave at a family-friendly Jellystone Parks campground.” 

A grand prize winner will be randomly drawn on the last Friday of each month during the contest, including June 26, July 31 and two winners on August 31. Winners will have one year to redeem their camping vacation, subject to park availability.

To participate in the “Brave the Summer with Yogi Bear!” promotion, simply visit www.BravetheSummer.com and fill out the online entry form. Rules apply.

About Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resorts

Launched in 1969, the Jellystone Park system is the second largest chain of campgrounds in the United States, boasting over 80 campgrounds with more than 17,000 campsites and vacation rentals in 32 states and three Canadian provinces. Its Camp-Resorts are among the best campgrounds in the industry with a quality reputation for being fun, friendly, clean and service-oriented parks.  Additionally, each Jellystone Park is themed with Yogi Bear elements, providing instant recognition and consumer appeal.  It is truly a place “Where You Camp With Friends.”®Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts are franchised through Leisure Systems, Inc. (LSI), a wholly owned subsidiary of The Park River Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio. For more information, visit www.campjellystone.com.

About RV Trader

RVTrader.com is one of the largest online classifieds sites for buying and selling RVs with more than 130,000 units for sale. RVTrader.com is a division of Dominion Enterprises, a leading marketing services and publishing company serving the automotive, recreational and commercial vehicle, real estate, apartment rental, parenting, and travel industries. Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, with 3,300 employees in the United States, Canada, England, Spain and Italy, the company provides a comprehensive suite of technology-based marketing solutions, and more than 45 market leading websites. Millions of For Rent® and HotelCoupons.com® publications are distributed across the U.S. each year. For more information, visit DominionEnterprises.com.

About Winnebago Industries

Winnebago Industries, Inc., “The Most Recognized Name in Motorhomes®”, is a leading U.S. manufacturer of recreation vehicles, which are used primarily in leisure travel and outdoor recreation activities. The company builds quality motor homes, travel trailers, fifth wheel products, and transit buses. Winnebago Industries has received the Quality Circle Award from the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association every year since 1996. The company’s common stock is listed on the New York and Chicago Stock Exchanges and traded under the symbol WGO. Options for the company’s common stock are traded on the Chicago Board Options Exchange. For access to Winnebago Industries’ investor relations material or to add your name to an automatic email list for company news releases, visit http://investor.wgo.net.        

NuVision Offers RV Homes in ‘Great Outdoors’

NuVision Builders is now offering luxury homes for RV owners within The Great Outdoors Nature & RV in Titusville, Fla.

According to a company announcement, The Great Outdoors Nature & RV community offers RV owners an “unspoiled tropical neighborhood and world-class RV resort.”

The RV lifestyle options available at The Great Outdoors include purchasing a luxury, custom-built RV home designed specifically for RV owners with a secure garage offering direct access into the residence.

The Great Outdoors Nature & RV resort is 2,800 acres filled with natural vegetation and wildlife. RV owners enjoy a relaxed lifestyle in close proximity to egret, deer, and quail harmoniously co-existing in the RV resort community.

The Great Outdoors also houses an onsite 18-hole, Ron Garl championship golf course design traversing through woodland and wildlife habitat. Local residents can enjoy sport fishing for large-mouth bass, and other species stocked in the resort’s lakes and ponds in the RV resort community. The Great Outdoors Nature & RV Resort also offers nature walking trails, heated pools and a health club.

To learn more about NuVision Builders custom built RV homes visit the NuVision Builders’ website.

This article originally appeared on RVBusiness.com.

Winnebago Outdoor Announces the Sponsorship of the Winnebago Outdoor Adventure Space

Winnebago Industries, Inc. (NYSE:WGO):,Winnebago Outdoor, the brand that celebrates the heritage of the Winnebago RV lifestyle with apparel, gifts, and gear, is the title sponsor of the Winnebago Outdoor Adventure Race.

The race is scheduled for June 6 and features canoe, bike and run portions. Participants will complete a 7 mile canoe or kayak race on the Winnebago River, bike 12 miles in a loop through Pilot Knob State Park and finish with a 5K race along the Hynes Spur Trail in Forest City.

“It is our goal to grow the race and showcase the outdoor opportunities in Forest City,” said Winnebago’s Director of Marketing Chad Reece. “As a company, we also feel our products are a great fit for those with an active, outdoor lifestyle.”

Registered participants will receive a Winnebago Outdoor Adventure Race themed t-shirt and motorhomes will be on display for spectators and participants to view the day of the race.

The race is organized by the Forest City Parks and Recreation Department. Registration is available online at http://forestcityparksandrec.com/programs/event-registration/

About Winnebago Industries

Winnebago Industries, Inc., “The Most Recognized Name in Motorhomes®”, is a leading U.S. manufacturer of recreation vehicles, which are used primarily in leisure travel and outdoor recreation activities.  The Company builds quality motor homes, travel trailers, fifth wheel products, and transit buses.  Winnebago Industries has received the Quality Circle Award from the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association every year since 1996.  The Company’s common stock is listed on the New York and Chicago Stock Exchanges and traded under the symbol WGO. Options for the Company’s common stock are traded on the Chicago Board Options Exchange. For access to Winnebago Industries’ investor relations material or to add your name to an automatic email list for Company news releases, visit http://investor.wgo.net.

7 Great Tips for RVing with Pets

RVing with pets can be a wonderful experience for you and your beloved furry friends. Here are seven tips to keep in mind when RVing with your pet.

1. Mind the Paperwork

Bring your pet’s health certificate and vaccination records, since many RV parks require you to have them with you in order to enter the grounds. You may also need to contact RV parks that you plan to stay at to make sure they accept your specific kind of pet.

2. Make a List

The essentials like food and water are a no-brainer, of course, but be sure to write down absolutely everything you need for your furry friend, including dishes, leashes, a litter box for your cat, waste bags, treats and toys, exercise pen, cages, a brush and a crate, if needed. Don’t forget medications if your pet takes any.

3. Call Ahead

Get in touch with the RV parks and campgrounds you plan to stop at. Make sure they allow pets, and also ask if they have any rules or regulations regarding pets at their facility. You will also need to call and see if the RV park or campground allows pets such as birds, bunnies and guinea pigs, or if they only let dogs and cats on the grounds.

4. Stay up to Date

Make sure your pet’s vaccinations and shots are up-to-date, with the records to prove it. This will avoid paperwork hangups, but it’s also important in order to keep your animal companion safe from disease as you travel through new areas.

5. Mark Your Pet

 If you haven’t already done so, take the time to put your cell phone number on your pet’s ID tags. You still want your home address and landline phone number on the tags, but that won’t be of much help if your pet cockatoo flies away from the RV while you’re still traveling. This will ensure that good samaritans can contact you in such a case.

6. Protect Your Pets from Creepy Crawlies

Bring along flea and tick spray, or make sure your pets are already treated before leaving on the RV trip. Even pets like hamsters, guinea pigs, bunnies and ferrets can pick up fleas and ticks, especially in the great outdoors, so ask your vet about treatment for your particular furry family member.

7. Be a Good Citizen

Remember to pick up after your pets in all locations. This is not only polite and courteous, but it also encourages RV parks and campgrounds to keep allowing pets. If you have a non-traditional pet like hamsters, ferrets or birds, call the park or campground beforehand and see how they handle waste removal.

Looking for more “how to” guides related to RVing, or interested in learning how to buy or sell an RV? Be sure to sign up for the RVTrader.com Newsletter for a plethora of RV information delivered right to your email. If you’re new to the world of RVing with pets, visit the RVTrader.com Traveling with Furry Friends Pinterest board for even more great ideas, pictures, guides, advice and more!

‘Today Home’ Showcases Motorhome Facelift

Editor’s Note: The following is an article appearing on “Today Home” offering a recap of a major renovation on a 1994 Safari motorhome by a Texas couple.

Living in a van down by the river may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but one Texas couple is making it look pretty incredible.

After donating and selling most of their belongings last spring, Lacy and Cliff Young, along with their 15-year-old cat Ned, moved out of a rented home and into an RV to travel around the country. But before putting the pedal to the medal, the couple put in some serious renovations to the dated space.

After purchasing a 1994 Safari Continental in May 2014, Lacy and Cliff began renovating it “at warp speed,” she said. And just like any renovation, they hit some snags along the way.

Most notably, they found mold while peeling the old wallpaper, which led to gutting the interior and starting anew.

“It ended up being a really good thing,” Lacy said. They ended up putting in new walls, a new ceiling and new cork floors. They also refinished the old cabinetry, replacing moldy parts and installing new hardware.

Also included in the makeover was a kitchen overhaul that included a new under-counter sink, butcher block countertops and white subway tile for the kitchen backsplash.

“We crafted this space to suit our needs,” she said. “We removed a giant and dated microwave and replaced it with a toaster oven. We brought our juicer and our blender which are my favorite two kitchen appliances of all time.”

To read the entire article and view accompanying photos click here.

This article originally appeared on RVBusiness.com

Great News for RVers: AAA Sees Gas Prices Falling for Summer Travel

Lower gas prices may be on the way for U.S. consumers by this summer if refinery maintenance ends smoothly and crude oil remains relatively cheap, AAA said in a news release.

As reported by the St. Augustine Record, the travel company’s release said it is even possible that gas prices will return to near $2 per gallon in some areas, as long as there are no unexpected problems in the meantime. AAA does not expect the national average to rise above $3 per gallon this year.

“There is a real hope that gas prices could drop significantly in time for the busy summer driving season,” said Mark Jenkins, AAA spokesman. “The overall outlook looks good for drivers, and with any luck we will avoid the types of problems that often lead to higher gas prices at this time of year.”

Many refineries have completed seasonal maintenance, though unexpected problems could still occur. Many refineries and wholesalers will switch to more expensive summer-blend gasoline by May 1 to meet EPA clean air regulations.

The cost of crude oil is likely to be the most important factor influencing gas prices over the next few months. At the close of Friday’s formal trading, WTI settled at $49.55 per barrel — 68 cents higher than the week before. Many experts believe that crude oil prices may drop further due to abundant supplies, but international conflict, declining production or other issues could result in higher prices.

This article originally appeared on RVBusiness.com

Move Over S’mores, We’ve Got the Wolf’em Stick!

Have you heard about the Wolf’em Stick?  It’s a great new camping product that we think you will love.  This awesome little contraption lets you bake refrigerated biscuit dough (or any other dough) into a biscuit cup that you can fill with all of the delicious toppings that you can think of! It’s a fun way to spend time with friends and family around the campfire and it’s a great change-up from the typical toasted marshmallows and S’mores. There’s zero preparation, plus they’re easy to use and clean up—a real benefit when camping or picnicking.

Making a Wolf’em is super easy—instead of having a cooking fork, the Wolf’em Stick has a wooden cylindrical cooking head.  You spray the cooking head with non-stick cooking spray, wrap biscuit dough around it, and put it over the campfire. Turn the stick with its convenient rotary handle and you’ll soon have it baked to golden brown perfection.  Remove the baked biscuit cup from the stick and fill it with something yummy.  The results are so tasty you will just want to wolf‘em down—hence the name!

Here are a few of our favorite recipe ideas that work great with this new cooking tool:

• Pie filling: Canned cherry or apple pie filling topped with canned whipped cream.

• Pudding: Snack-size chocolate or vanilla pudding topped with canned whipped cream.

• Fresh fruit: Sliced strawberries, bananas, raspberries, or peaches with a little yogurt or whipped cream.

• Breakfast: Bacon or sausage with scrambled eggs.

• Tacos: Taco meat, grated cheese, lettuce, salsa and sour cream.

• Hearty trail favorites: Chili, beef stew, or rice and gravy.

• Spreads: Coat the inside with peanut butter and jelly, honey, or a chocolate-hazelnut spread.

You can even go gourmet by combining vanilla or chocolate pudding with cherry or apple pie filling. You’re only limited by your imagination! 

Making Wolf’ems is a fun way to spend time around a fire. The treats are yummy, but the time you’ll spend with your friends and family is even better.  The next time you head out in your RV, make sure you take a Wolf’em stick with you!

This article was provided by www.wolfem.com.

Hit the Road for St. Patrick’s Day!

St. Patrick’s Day RV Destinations

With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to plan your trip and load up your RV. We’ve rounded up a list of places where you can party like a true-blue Irish, and we’ve also thrown in an unlikely suspect as well, in case you just want a relaxing vacation away from the crowd.

1. Chicago, Illinois

Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade promises to cover the whole nine yards. Grab a good view on the East side of Michigan Avenue Bridge for a modern day miracle, the Dyeing of the River. Watch the Chicago River turn orange, before transforming into a perfect shade of emerald green, as Chicago attempts to be the “GREENest City in the World on St. Patrick’s Day.”

2. Boston, Massachusetts

Nobody celebrates St Patrick’s Day like the Bostonians, where their famous parade draws close to a million spectators. Be sure to arrive dressed in green and bring a ginormous appetite, because you’ll need it as you eat and drink your way through the city’s beloved Irish pubs, like Hennessy’s and The Harp. Afterwards, take a break from the pub crawl for a walk down the Irish Heritage Trail.

3. Savannah, Georgia

If you prefer RVing somewhere warm, then say hello to this southern belle, where a few
campgrounds are located conveniently near the popular St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Greening of the Fountain at Forsyth Park in the Historic District. Bring your family to the Tara Irish Festival for music, food, crafts and a magic show. Later you can stop by one of the many eateries for green grits or green beer.

4. Newport Beach, California

Bike or stroll down miles of pristine coastline that’s bustling with restaurants and cafes. Hit the waves, go kayaking, and maybe even learn how to jetpack–just be sure to save a couple of hours for whale and dolphin watching on Newport Bay.

5. Dublin, Ohio

Before the grand parade begins, fuel up at Sells Middle School for a St. Patrick’s All-You-Can-Eat Pancake (plus sausage) Breakfast, organized by the Dublin Lions Club. Then swing by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and get free admission just for wearing green.

For more St. Patrick’s Day ideas, just visit RV Trader’s Pinterest page. 

Don’t forget to share your experience and photos from your RV trips with us at www.Facebook.com/rvtrader. Happy trails!

RV Trader and Leisure Systems, Inc. Partner to Bring Special Offer to Club Yogi Rewards Members

Club Yogi Rewards members are eligible for a new perk this year! Rewards members who are selling an RV will now receive a free two-week listing on RV Trader.com, one of the nation’s premier online RV marketplaces.

In a partnership between Leisure Systems Inc. and RV Trader, Club Yogi Rewards Standard Tier members who take advantage of this special offer can post a basic listing on RV Trader.com for two weeks (a value of nearly $20). The free ad lets Club Yogi Rewards members post up to four photos along with information about their RV. Sellers who post listings on the website can also choose from a variety of other options to better showcase their RV to potential buyers.

Club Yogi Rewards members may place their ads on RV Trader by logging into their account on jellystonerewards.com and visiting the partner page to obtain the special code. The promotion is available throughout 2015.

With more than 120,000 recreational vehicles for sale across the country and more than 2.5 million interested shoppers viewing its website monthly, RVTrader.com helps connect thousands of sellers with RV buyers every day.

Jack Russell Terrier Digs an RV Out of the Sand

RV camping in the desert can be tricky due to the risk of getting stuck in loose sand.  If you do find yourself in an unwanted desert parking space, make sure you’ve brought along a Jack Russell terrier to help get you out.

In this YouTube video by photographer Wil Fernandez, this little RVer does his best to get the RV moving again.

Source: YouTube/Wil Fernandez