When you hit the road as an RVer, the shift can be a tad jarring. Your local friends, social calendar, routines are all gone in the blink of an eye. How do you maintain that oh-so-important sense of larger community when you're always on the go? I don't know about you, but I didn't choose this particular traveling existence so I could sit around in a lawn chair at an RV park all day. I want to get out there in the world, experiencing new things and meeting new people!
Not to fear– all those activities and organizations you enjoyed while parked in one spot may be a bit harder to locate as you move around, but they're still there. With a little detective work, you'll find opportunities to play on a sports team, serve meals at a soup kitchen, take a painting class, meditate, dance the night away, or attend a networking group -- no matter where you land. Whether your goal is building your business, volunteering, self-discovery, exercise, education, or finding a creative outlet while you RV around the country– I've got ya covered!
Art Of All Kinds
- Bailaqui: Latin dance events and venues, everything from salsa to tango to zouk!
- Ballroom Dancers: Searchable directory of teachers, studios, teams, competitions, and dance spots.
- Concert Band And Orchestra: Time to dust off your instrument and get your chops back in shape.
- Drum Circle World: Find a drum circle in your area and join in the rhythmic celebration
- Folk Jam: The easy-peasy way to locate other musicians for an informal or public jam.
- Regional Theaters: An extremely comprehensive list of theater companies.
- Sculpture: International directory of al fresco artwork, sculpting classes, and other resources.
- Swing Plan It: Swing dance and lindy hop events throughout the U.S.
- Workshops And Conferences: Writing/photography/art/music/dance/film learning experiences.
Feeding Your Soul
- Art Of Living: Join in a weekly meditation practice or sign up for an extended mindfulness course.
- Retreat Finder: Yoga, meditation, consciousness-raising, empowerment, and health-improvement.
- Spafinder: Relax with a massage, facial, steambath, or other body treatment
- Yoga Finder: Locate a yoga instructor or group class in just about any town you might visit.
Get Outside
- Find A Park: Run by the national park service, the easiest way to find a recreational facility by location or facilities
- Fish And Wildlife Service: Listing of state offices (click each link for information about that area's outdoor activities).
- Hiker Central: A good resource once you already know where you want to hike -- maps, campgrounds, etc.
- Paddling: Launch sites, water trails, group trips, and instructional courses (both kayak and canoe).
- Pedaling: Find a trail, a guided bike tour, or a cycling event anywhere you travel.
- Rock Climbing: Find grades, topo maps, photos, and suggested routes for every ability level.
- Swim Guide: Scope out that beach before you put on your suit.
- Trail Link: Rails-to-trails conversion of train tracks into bike/walk/jog/skate paths.
- Trail Source: Whatever kind of trail you need (bike, hike, horse, ski) they've got it for you here.
- Waterfalls: An interactive map of waterfall hikes throughout the U.S.
Play Harder While You Relax
- Active.com: Locate a structured fitness program or sign up for participatory sports around the country.
- Golf Course Locator: Whether you're looking for a short course or are in it for the long game.
- Gym Finder: Hunt up a convenient workout facility and get busy sweating.
- Indoor Climbing: Find a list of indoor rock climbing gyms and simulated rock walls around the country.
- iSport: Connects you to sports facilities and groups around the U.S.
- Map My Fitness: When you run or bike in a new place, this site will help you plot your route, figure your total distance, and even locate group events.
- Tennis Maps: Get out your racket and hunt up a public or private tennis court in your area
Making New Friends And Connections
- American Towns: Catch up on the local news, join community groups, and connect with your temporary neighbors.
- Like Mind: The quickest and easiest way to meet folks with similar interests.
- MeetUp: Find friends and activities in your local area — sports, business, culture, socializing, you name it.
- NuRVers: For the younger full-timing crowd, a place to meet others who aren’t waiting for retirement to travel.
RV Rallies
- Airforums: Calendar of upcoming events of all kinds.
- R&B Events: Sponsors of Alumapalooza, Alumafiesta, Alumafandango, and Alumaflamingo.
- RV Clubs: Maintains a massive list of all sorts of events for RVers.
- RV Dreams: Gatherings filled with educational information, as well as camaraderie.
- Tin Can Tourists: A chance to commune with other vintage rig fans.
Volunteering Opportunities
- American Red Cross: Search for a blood drive or donation center at your next stop (you can donate every 2 months)
- ASPCA: Locate a no-kill shelter where your time and energy benefits animal welfare
- Feeding America: Find a place to feed the hungry anywhere in the U.S.
- Habitat For Humanity: Sign up for a local build as you pass through town and help someone who does want a house.
- Homeless Shelter Directory: As long as homelessness exists, these folks will need volunteers.
- Idealist: A global clearinghouse of non-profit and volunteering opportunities.
- National Park Service Volunteers: There are nearly 400 underfunded national parks in need of help (find an opportunity to give back at a park near you).
- RV Care-A-Vanners: This is an offshoot of Habitat For Humanity (RVers who can come park at a build site to work)
- Volunteer Match: Atyour next stop, see if there is a non-profit organization that could use your help
Working While You Travel
- Backdoor Jobs: A resource for short-term work adventures.
- Chambers Of Commerce: Connect with local business leaders wherever you may land.
- Cool Works: Cool temporary jobs in great places.
- Conference Calendar: Find upcoming seminars relevant to your career and interests.
- Mobile Gear: Tools and supplies that help you get your work done from anywhere.
- Mobile Work Exchange: Online resource center for teleworkers.
- Workamper News: Trade sweat equity for free campground space.
- Workamping Jobs: Bringing employers and RVing workers together, for free.
- Workers On Wheels: Link portal for employment, campground jobs, and RV businesses.
- WWOOF-USA: Work on an organic farm in return for a free place to stay as you travel the U.S.
We hope you are now inspired to get in your Airstream and hit the road with this new list of resources handy! Be sure to share your travel updates with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
