Girl Camper

Most RV owners spend plenty of time planning routes, researching campgrounds, and packing for their next adventure. But one of the most important trip preparations often gets overlooked: reviewing your RV insurance coverage. The surprising truth? Some of the biggest RV insurance mistakes aren’t made by beginners. They’re made by experienced campers who assume they already know what&#82...

At 85 years old, Grandma Joy Ryan had never seen a mountain. She had spent most of her life in the same small Ohio town, raised a family, worked hard, weathered loss, and built a life filled with simple joys. Adventure wasn’t something she thought she had missed. It simply wasn’t something she had experienced. Then one day her grandson Brad Ryan called and asked a simple question: &#82...

What Happens When You Stop Waiting and Start Living? Many women dream about traveling. They imagine road trips, national parks, campfires, and waking up to a different view every week. But then reality steps in. What if something goes wrong? What if I can’t drive the RV? What if I’m alone? What if I’m not brave enough? This week’s Girl Camper Podcast guest, Jenelle Jones, u...

Camping is supposed to be relaxing. You’re sitting outside your RV with a cup of coffee, enjoying the campground… and then suddenly something goes wrong. Maybe a storm rolls in. Maybe someone backs into your camper. Maybe a tree branch comes crashing down in the middle of the night. Now what happens if something goes wrong on your camping trip? Because it happens more often than many campers reali...

What if the freedom you’re craving isn’t across the country… but just down the road? For so many women, camping can feel like something that requires a big commitment—time off work, detailed planning, and a long drive to somewhere far away. But what if that’s not true? In this episode of the Girl Camper Podcast, I sat down with Jen Young, co-founder and CMO of Outdoorsy , to talk about a powerful...

If you’re planning an RV road trip, finding the best campgrounds on the East Coast can completely shape your experience. It’s not just about where you park. It’s about the view outside your window, the people you meet, and the moments that happen around the campfire. In this episode of the Girl Camper Podcast, Lesa sits down with Ali Rasmussen from Spacious Skies Campgrounds to talk about what mak...

Planning a camping trip can feel like juggling maps, campground reservations, apps… and about 27 open browser tabs. If you’ve ever found yourself bouncing between Google Maps, campground websites, and trying to figure out where you can actually fit your rig for fuel—you know exactly what I mean. So in this episode of the Girl Camper Podcast, we tried something different. Instead of starting from s...

If you’ve ever loaded your e-bike onto the back of your camper and hit the road without a second thought… you’re not alone. But here’s the truth: not every bike rack setup is safe for an RV—and using the wrong one can lead to damaged bikes, damaged campers, or worse. In this episode of the Girl Camper Podcast, we sat down with Cameron Hahn from Buzz Bikes and Sean Kneale from Hollywood Racks , bot...

Many women dream about RV travel but wonder if they have the skills or confidence to make it happen. In this episode of the Girl Camper Podcast, Christine Swartz proves that women RV travel is not only possible but empowering. From tent camping as a child to towing a 35-foot RV across the country with four kids, Christine’s story shows how confidence grows with every mile. Christine Swartz, known...

Camping can change your weekends. Community can change your life. For many women, the real challenge of camping isn’t learning how to tow, back up, or set up camp. It’s stepping into something new without knowing anyone. That’s why finding community through camping is often the moment everything clicks. In this Girl Camper Podcast episode, Janine interviews Girl Camper Roseanne Palmer , whose jour...

Grandma Gatewood didn’t just hike the Appalachian Trail. She changed how the world saw it. In a recent episode of the Girl Camper Podcast, Janine Pettit sat down with author Ben Montgomery to talk about his bestselling book Grandma Gatewood’s Walk and the extraordinary woman behind it. Emma “Grandma” Gatewood became the first woman to solo thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in 1955 at age 67, carryin...

The Florida RV SuperShow is one of the largest RV shows in the country, and every year it offers a snapshot of where RVing is headed. This year, Janine Pettit and Lesa McDermott attended the show with a very intentional lens: What actually works for women who camp? In the latest episode of the Girl Camper Podcast, they go beyond the shiny RV displays to talk about standout campers, meaningful indu...

When making a major purchase, knowing the right questions to ask when buying a used RV can protect both your budget and your peace of mind. In Part 3 of this Girl Camper Podcast series, co-host Lesa McDermott wraps up her conversation with Mike Harlan, General Manager of North Trail RV Center in Fort Myers, Florida . This final episode focuses on the decisions buyers often rush through but should...

Buying a used RV can be a great way to get on the road for less. But once you move past first impressions, it becomes critical to know the questions to ask when buying a used RV . In Part 2 of this Girl Camper Podcast series, co-host Lesa McDermott continues her candid conversation with Mike Harlan from North Trail RV Center , focusing on inspections, pricing, and what “as-is” really means for buy...

Buying a used RV can be a smart and affordable way to get on the road. But before you step onto a dealer lot, it’s important to know the questions to ask when buying a used RV . Asking the right questions early can help you avoid costly mistakes and buyer’s remorse. In this episode of the Girl Camper Podcast , co-host Lesa McDermott kicks off a three-part series with Mike Harlan from North Trail R...

What a Professional Chef Actually Uses Cooking in a small camper kitchen doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor, creativity, or enjoyment. With the right gear, pantry staples, and mindset, it’s possible to make satisfying meals in even the smallest of spaces. In this episode of the Girl Camper Podcast and our On the Road with Girl Camper series with nuCamp RV , Lesa sits down with Allana Bykes ,...

Do you ever find yourself standing in front of a breathtaking sunset or a majestic mountain range, only to have your photo look like a flat, blurry version of the real thing? You aren’t alone! Many campers struggle to capture the magic of their adventures, especially when relying on a smartphone. In this episode of the Girl Camper Podcast , Lesa McDermott sits down with professional landscap...

Your First-Timer’s Guide to the Ultimate RV Gathering Every winter, something incredible happens in the Arizona desert. A tiny town of just a few thousand people transforms into one of the largest gatherings of RVers in the world. If you’ve ever wondered what the big deal is about Quartzsite, Arizona, you’re not alone — and this Girl Camper Podcast episode dives into all the reasons this destinati...

Looking for meaningful, budget-friendly homemade holiday gifts for campers this year? On the latest episode of the Girl Camper Podcast , Janine shares five handmade gift ideas that are easy to create, fun to personalize, and perfect for your favorite camping friends. These gifts are thoughtful, practical, and infused with that Girl Camper spirit of creativity and community. Whether you’re looking...

If you’re dreaming about your next camping adventure but want to keep travel costs down, this week’s Travel Tuesday episode is packed with practical tips to help you save money while still exploring more. From discounted campsites to smart travel apps, membership perks, and seasonal deals, these strategies make it easier than ever to plan affordable camping trips. Below is a quick summary of the t...

f you love camping — or you’re shopping for someone who does — this podcast episode was packed with fun, practical, and road-tested ideas. In our latest Girl Camper Podcast, Janine and Lesa sat down to share the camping gear, cozy comforts, kitchen gadgets, and campsite treats they either use themselves , recently discovered , or added to their own holiday wish lists. This blog post recaps the epi...

Every fall, thousands of RVers head south in search of sunshine, warmer weather, and a slower pace. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to spend a month or an entire season at a long-term RV site , you’re not alone. Seasonal RV camping is more popular than ever—and for good reason. In a recent Girl Camper video podcast, Lesa sat down with Heather Taylor and Rebecca Durham , Regional Vice Presid...

Podcast with Janine Pettit “You don’t need a fancy camper or the perfect gear. Just show up and find your place in the circle — there’s no wrong way to camp like a girl.” — Janine Pettit, Founder of Girl Camper Find Your Way to Camp Like a Girl At Girl Camper, we say it often — there’s no wrong way to camp like a girl! Whether you love the comfort of an RV or the simplicity of a tent, every woman...

Ready to take your RV adventures up a notch? In this episode of the Girl Camper Podcast , host Lesa McDermott chats with Angie Skinner , SiriusXM Speedway host, Skinner Roundup , and wife of retired NASCAR driver Mike Skinner , and Hannah Woolery from Buzz Bikes about how e-bikes are transforming the way campers explore. RV Adventures on Two Wheels Angie and Mike travel the country part-time in th...

If you’ve ever dreamed of a river adventure that blends wild beauty with pampered comfort , this is the trip for you. In this episode of the Girl Camper Podcast , host Janine Pettit chats with Linnea Hodgkiss of Mackay Wilderness River Trips about an unforgettable Salmon River rafting trip coming in July 2026 . This isn’t just another rafting experience — it’s a chance to explore one of the most r...