When it comes to the great outdoors most people have a lot of grandiose ideas about becoming one with nature and enjoying their natural love of physical activities with which they may or may not have any personal experience. Trouble comes when these novices head out RVing without any definite plans or preparations on how exactly they are going to get out and enjoy the “great outdoors” on this particular trip. One problem many new to the RV lifestyle run across is that at some point in the day, earlier than many expect in most cases, it will get dark. The sun goes down. In most cases of RV travel, the campsite is not well lit. In many cases, it isn’t lit at all. There may be a bit of light in the recreational vehicle from generated power, but keeping all the recreational vehicle’s lights on throughout the evening and night is an unnecessary power drain. What many need to realize is that RVing after dark can be just as fun. It just takes a little know how and preparation.

5 Things to Do to Have Fun Outside in the Dark:

1. Flashlight Activities: Go for a hike in the dark with flashlights in hand. Play flashlight limbo (using the beam of the flashlight as the limbo bar). Play flashlight tag. Play traditional tag with flashlights as light or use the flashlights as a means of “tagging” other players.
2. Shadow Puppets: Put on a puppet show…with shadow puppets. Take turns so there is always an “audience” and a puppeteer.
3. Lightning Bugs: If RVers find themselves in an area that can lay claim to lightning bugs, it would be a crime to depart without spending an evening chasing them and trying to catch them in Mason jars. It’s a timeless Southern activity that never loses its charm or its ability to amaze.
4. Glow Stick Activities: Glow stick dancing and glow stick hide and seek both come highly recommended. In glow stick dancing participants will hold glow sticks (and possibly wear necklace and bracelet glow sticks). Then they put on the music for a dancing performance no one will ever forget. Glow stick hide and seek can go one of two ways. The participants can be forced to hide with a glow stick that they must then attempt to cover or camouflage so they don’t get caught. In another version of glow stick tag, one individual can hide the glow stick itself and the group will search for it. The finder hides on the next round.
5. Campfires: Sitting around a campfire is such a tried and true aspect of camping that many set it aside when they “upgrade” to the RV lifestyle. RVers should remember that they have the ability to pick and choose when they want to spend time in the great outdoors now that they have mobile accommodations. Building a campfire can be a great way to instigate outdoor activities after dark. Sit around the campfire and sing songs, make S’mores, tell ghost stories, or play cards.

Everyone knows that things get more exciting and more fun after dark. Don’t forget that when out in the RV. RVers who head inside the recreational vehicle every day as soon as the sun goes down will be missing out on a whole lot of night life. The great outdoors has nightlife, too.