Girl Camper

Hi there, fellow adventurers! In this episode of the Girl Camper Podcast, we delve into the challenges of camping etiquette that many of us face at campgrounds. Do you have good camping manners? Let’s unravel the frequent debates we have on our podcast ‘Are You a Crappy Camper?’ focusing on communal water spigots and campsite boundaries. ** Water Spigot Woes** Campsites often provide c...

In the spirit of adventure and empowerment, we’re thrilled to extend an invitation to join our community as a Girl Camper Guide. If you’re someone who thrives in the great outdoors and has a passion for inspiring others, this might be your opportunity to lead and inspire fellow adventurers.  In this episode of the Girl Camper Podcast, Janine interviews Resa Leppert, the Girl Campe...

As camping enthusiasts, we’re always on the hunt for the best equipment to elevate our outdoor adventures. This season, go beyond the basics with some game-changing gear that will ensure your camping experience is both comfortable and memorable. Here are Girl Camper’s Favorite Camping Essentials for 2024… Sleep in Comfort First up, the Cloud Layer Sleeping Bag by Sylvan Sport is...

Hello, friends! I’m Lesa McDermott, co-host of the Girl Camper podcast. Recently, I had the pleasure of chatting with Jim Wheeler, Director of Hospitality and RV Operations at Love’s Travel Stops, to explore everything RVers need to know about stopping at Love’s and why they are a top pick for me to overnight at when I’m traveling. Why Girl Campers Should Chose Love’s...

Welcome to today’s Girl Camper podcast! We are excited to share our latest episode, featuring Curtis Hemmeler, the Executive Director of the RV Technical Institute (RVTI). With 74 million Americans planning to take an RV trip in the next year, the demand for skilled RV technicians is skyrocketing. Curtis joined Lesa McDermott to discuss why now is the perfect time to consider a career as an RV tec...

In this episode, we chat about the fun – and sometimes frustrating – experiences we all encounter at the campground. From unexpected incidents with kids to issues involving gas station etiquette, our stories cover it all. Campground Don’ts One story from a fellow Girl Camper, Ellen, sparks a lively debate. Ellen recounts a situation where a 13-year-old boy pees a little too close to her tent...

Welcome to another episode of the Girl Camper Podcast! I’m your host, Lesa McDermott, and today I had the pleasure of interviewing overlanding legend, Patty Upton. Known for her extraordinary journey across the daunting Darien Gap, Patty’s story is one of adventure, resilience, and unyielding spirit. Introduction Patty Upton, alongside her husband, Lauren, achieved what many deemed imp...

Welcome everyone! I’m Lesa McDermott, co-host of the Girl Camper podcast. We’re thrilled to share insights on the much-anticipated Hershey RV Show, taking place next week. Joining us today is Heather Leach, the executive director of the Pennsylvania RV and Camping Association, who sponsors America’s largest RV show. Meet Heather Leach Heather’s role involves everything from...

Welcome, adventurers! Today, Janine Pettit is thrilled to share an incredible story from our podcast, featuring Retha Charette, a.k.a. the Roaming Nanny. As a Girl Camping Ambassador, Editor in Chief of Girl Camper Magazine, and a proud mom of a thru-hiker of the Appalachian Trail, it’s Janine’s honor to dive deep into Retha’s exhilarating journey. **Meet Retha Charette** Retha, a life...

Welcome to Another Episode of “Are You a Crappy Camper?” Hi everyone! I’m Janine Pettit, and with my co-host Lesa McDermott, we bring you another episode of the Girl Camper podcast. Today, we delve deep into two hot topics for campers: dogs and generators at campgrounds. **Dog Etiquette at the Campground** Having 400,000 members in our Facebook group means plenty of lively discussions,...

Camping offers a serene escape from the hustle of daily life, but it’s crucial to prioritize safety. In a recent podcast episode of Girl Camper, Lori Osmond from Damsel in Defense shared invaluable tips on how to enhance your safety while camping, traveling, and boondocking. **Introduction** Lori Osmond, a former teacher and search and rescue expert, has spent over a decade empowering women...

Meet Ali Rasmussen and Spacious Skies Campground Welcome, friends! Today, we’re thrilled to introduce you to Ali Rasmussen, the visionary founder of Spacious Skies Campground. Alongside her husband, Ali has transformed her love for the outdoors into a thriving empire of campgrounds that span across the country. Currently, they boast 15 locations, making it possible for families to reconnect...

In this episode of the Girl Camper podcast, host Lesa McDermott interviews Melissa Geric from Progressive Insurance to discuss the importance of having special RV insurance coverage on campers. Melissa, an RV underwriter with over 27 years of experience, emphasizes the necessity for liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage specifically tailored for campers and motorhomes. Issues like Mr. S...

Join Janine Pettit and Lesa McDermott in the debut episode of this monthly series of the Girl Camper Podcast as they tackle camping etiquette and discuss stories from their community about inconsiderate campers. They explore issues like campsite cleanliness, light pollution, and dog etiquette, while sharing tips on how to be a respectful camper. In this episode, one of the primary examples came fr...

In this episode of the Girl Camper podcast, host Lesa McDermott welcomes Dan Sacha and Lauren Raven from Lippert to discuss Lippert’s RV Owner Schools. The school aims to empower RV owners with the skills and knowledge to perform basic maintenance and repairs, which is a significant issue in the RV industry, given the long wait times for dealership services. Lippert’s RV Owner School o...

In this episode of the Girl Camper podcast, your host, Lesa McDermott, focuses on exploring the world overlanding , a form of self-reliant travel using vehicles, with guest Azure O’Neil from Overland Expo. Azure explains this type of camping, which involves traveling long distances in a vehicle-dependent manner, where the journey itself is the primary purpose rather than the destination. The...

Welcome to this week’s episode of the Girl Camper Podcast! Today, we’re discussing everything you need to know about hiring an RV inspector or technician. We’re joined by Carol Mitchell, aka Coach C, a seasoned RV tech and educator who shares her journey and expert advice. Whether you’re in the market for a new RV or need repairs, this episode will have you covered. **Meet Coach C** Carol Mitchell...

Welcome to the Girl Camper podcast. I’m Lesa McDermott, and today’s episode features Bonnie Shafto, an original Girl Camper guide and Girl Camper’s event manager. Bonnie will discuss how to become a Girl Camper and highlight the Girl Camper events. Bonnie’s journey with Girl Camper began five years ago in Texas, where she started planning camping trips before moving to New...

When you’re out camping, there’s nothing better than a good night’s sleep. In this episode of The Girl Camper Podcast, Janine Pettit, Girl Camping Ambassador and Editor in Chief of Girl Camper Magazine, chats with Hailey Altobelli from RVMattress.com . They discuss essential tips and advice on finding the perfect mattress for your camper. Why RV Mattresses Matter During the conve...

Are you ready for an epic camping adventure? 🏕️ This Saturday, June 8th, is National Go RVing Day, and we’ve got a special treat for you on this week’s Girl Camper podcast! Join Janine and Lesa as they chat with Monica Geraci from Go RVing and the NRVIA. Monica, the Director of Public Relations and Communications for the RV Industry Association, shares her wealth of experience and insi...

Get ready for this week’s podcast episode 225 as we go behind the scenes into the adventurous world of RV Unplugged with Lesa McDermott & Mary Byrnes of Team Girl Camper! We’re thrilled to also have Todd Henson and Tony Flamnia, the creative masterminds behind the show. RV Unplugged is not your typical RV show. It combines the thrill of reality competition with the challenges and j...

Are you looking for unique places to camp? How about an alpaca farm or a museum? Have you ever thought of joining Harvest Hosts? In this podcast episode we visit with the folks at Harvest Host. Their locations are not only great for a stop over on your way to somewhere else, but they can also be your destination! With over 10,000+ locations across the country, a Harvest Host membership can give yo...

It’s National Bike Month and this week we are celebrating it at Girl Camper! On this week’s podcast episode we visit with Cameron Hahn of Buzz Bikes about e-bikes. Things you should know before you buy one, what to look for in one, what to avoid. AND Girl Camper has partnered with Buzz Bikes to give away their Cerana II e-bike! To enter to win, post a picture of you with a bike you wan...

Girl Camper’s Camper in Chief, Janine Pettit, V.P. of Operations, Lesa McDermott and Michigan Girl Camper Guide, Tracey Stieb, are revving up for an epic adventure down the Green River in Utah from July 8th to 14th, complete with thrilling rafting and starry camping nights. In this podcast, Lesa chats with Molly Mickel, the owner of Mild 2 Wild Rafting Company, about what to expect on this w...

Looking for a different way to cook good food at the campground? From steamed vegetables, to lasagna to fresh baked bread, in this episode of the podcast you can learn how as Lesa McDermott introduces Gustaf Lunden from Omnia Stovetop Ovens. Gustaf shares his background and the inception of Omnia, tracing its roots back to a marketing agency collaboration nearly two decades ago. He explains the co...