Life is messy, and you’ll need a place to clean up at your campsite. Enter, the Seattle Sports Camp Bucket. This little soft-side beauty holds more than 3 gallons of water, has a scuff-resistant bottom, and – best of all – folds into a tube twice the length of your toothpaste for storage. Seattle Sports also makes collapsible rectangular sinks and a a water bowl for Fido. You can find this bucket for $13 at http://www.amazon.com/Seattle-Sports-Camp-Bucket-Blue/dp/B001F1YI24/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1367857631&sr=1-2.

Finally – have you seen the King Kong camp chair? It’s the only folding carry-bag chair we’ve ever seen that’s guaranteed to hold 800 lbs! If you’re a body builder, or the grand kids all want to play Hop on Pop, or if you just had one too many pieces of pie last night, we’re reasonably certain this chair can take it. So are the manufacturers, because they guarantee the product for life. It’s powder-coated steel with 600-dernier fabric that’s padded on the seat and back, and has two beverage holders and two hanging pockets. It weights 13 lbs, so it might not be the chair you want to take on a 10 mile hike, but otherwise, this is the flagship of lounging by the fire without falling into it. Read more about it at http://www.alpsmountaineering.com/alps/products/furniture/chairs/king-kong#.UYe8h8qXRB4.

We do love seeing what cool new things are available for camping lovers, but nothing compares to just getting after it! So whether you’re one that packs a canteen and not much else, or one that can’t leave without the kitchen sink, we wish you safe travels, and come camp with us soon at Millwood Landing RV Park.

The first place people will notice when they climb aboard tends to be the living area. Make a new cover for the throw-pillows by purchasing a fun, bright fabric to bring a new warmth of color. Try finding a local arts and crafts store and search for the right fabric for you. Many people do not have sewing options, but there is the iron-on adhesive that will work to keep the seams together. Also think about purchasing enough fabric to make matching curtains for the windows.

The next place to think of is the kitchen. Many kitchens come with the nice wooden cabinetry, so consider painting the walls of the surrounding area. If there is extra room on the wall, add more cabinet space that will help with organization, and appearance. If your RV has bench seating, reupholster them as well. Also, there is adhesive flooring (both the look of tile or wooden) that can be placed on top of the current kitchen floor to the whole new look.

Bathroom ideas can include many new things such as adding new mirrors; painting the walls; new shower curtains; and adding new backsplash and countertops. With the bathroom being one of the smaller areas in the RV, these are simple tasks that can take only a day or two.

The style of the bedroom can change with the quick purchase of a bedspread. Pictures can be placed on the wall (make sure they are firmly attached with the road travel ahead!) as well as additions into the closets for more space.

Adding to your RV to help customize it can always bring you a sense of home when you become a full-time RVer, or when you are on a weekend getaway. What other tips do you have?

First, no matter how cute or friendly they may seem – don’t touch the animals! Animals are very strong and have things like teeth and claws they could use to defend themselves. All animals have natural defense mechanisms to protect themselves while being threatened, and they could try those defenses on you if you get too close. This is definitely not a risk you want to take, who wants to be bit by an animal? Not to mention that animals carry diseases or parasites that could harm you if exposed.

To add to this idea, make sure you don’t feed the animals! Although it seems like we are doing the animals a favor, we are actually hurting them more than helping them if you give them food. Animals have been looking for their own food their entire existence – don’t take that sense away from them! Animals can get used to getting fed, which is not a problem during camping season due to the abundance of campers. However, come winter, the animals lose their source of food and go hungry. Feeding animals also makes them more tame and less shy, which can cause problems as well.

Finally, make sure you secure your food! If you forget a cooler outside the RV full of hotdogs, it is like an open invitation for a bear to come have a picnic! Even things like toothpaste, which smell like food, can attract animals. Keep all your food inside your RV and make sure you lock it up! No one likes uninvited guests, no matter how cute and fuzzy they are.

There is an awesome directory online for you to find USFS campsites – http://www.forestcamping.com/. They sort the campgrounds by each National Forest, so it is very easy to use! Each campground lists the amount of RV sites available and the amenities offered, so no unpleasant surprises when you find out there are no showers or flushing toilets! Many campsites are seasonal, so be sure to check if the campsite is open before you roll up. The website also contains many pictures of all of the campsites, so you can see where you might camp before you decide to go.

Many campgrounds accept reservations. There is a national telephone reservation system for you to make your camping reservations. The number (toll free) is 1-877-444-6777. There is also a website where you can make reservations. – www.recreation.gov. There is a fee charged for making an online reservation. Usually no more than sixty percent of the campground can be reserved, so if those are full up, then it is first-come-first-serve.

The US National Forests permit pets, but they must be leashed and under control at all times! Most of the campsites have hiking trails so make sure to bring your hiking boots and sense of adventure. Many of the campgrounds also have swimming/boating areas, so bringing a swimsuit or a canoe wouldn’t be too terrible of an idea, either.

Brad Sanford, our new chef, graduated from Texarkana College’s Culinary School in 2011. After graduating, he worked as a chef at Texarkana College until they decided to close their kitchen down. Luckily for us, he is now working here with us at Millwood to bring our members amazing food.

Since the restaurant has opened, we have been busy! The Greenside Grill had a booth set up at January’s Bridal Fair in Texarkana. Brad showcased two different appetizers: chocolate covered strawberries and a salmon mousse on cucumber rounds with dill and capers. Highlighted at the event were also the Greenside Grill’s packages for weddings and events. If you would like to learn more about booking us for an event, call us at 870-898-5230.

Last night, the Greenside Grill put on a special (and delicious) Valentine’s Day dinner for our members. Along with a complimentary champagne toast, the Greenside Grill served up dishes such as shrimp cocktail, filet mignon, cheesecake with blackberry sauce, and more! We are serving delicious food every day, so make sure to stop by the Greenside Grill if you are in the area. And if you aren’t in the area, now is the time to make plans to come to visit us at Millwood Landing!

An RV show is a one-stop shop that will allow you to check out several things. Representatives of different camping stores and companies are available to answer any questions you may have. Fellow campers, who are just as excited to get out on the road, are also around with their own personal recommendations and stories to help you plan your future vacations .

There are several shows set to go in the next few weeks near the Ocean Canyon Properties resorts:

• If you happen to be in the Bear’s Den area, head on over to the Northwest Arkansas Boat and RV Show, February 17-19 in Rogers, Arkansas, just a quick hour away.
• If you are near Millwood Landing, why not head up to Hot Springs February 22-24 and check out the Hot Springs Boat, Tackle, and RV Show. This will be a continuation of the large Arkansas State RV Show. Hot Springs is two hours north of Millwood Landing.
• The Alabama RV Super Show will be in Huntsville, Alabama for those of you staying in Mountain Lakes February 25-27.
• Texas has countless RV shows throughout the year. February 21-24 brings the Dallas RV Supersale. This is not only the largest RV show in Texas, but also the largest in the entire southwest.

Heading to an RV show can be a lot of fun for both you and for your family. Make sure to check out lists of national companies and rallies that may be coming in the area – companies such as Coast to Coast, Good Sam, and others nationwide that are involved with Ocean Canyon Properties.

• Reservations/Office (i.e. taking reservations, greeting/helping customers, checking people in)
• Maintenance (i.e. fixing up campsites, bathrooms, office)
• Landscaping (i.e. cutting grass, weeding, gardening)
• Cleaning (i.e. bathrooms, cabins, office)
• Activities (planning activities for the campground and campers)
• Campground Host (i.e. checking in guests, keeping records, taking care of guests, being available in an emergency)
• Sales (commissioned sales of campground memberships)

These are just a few of the typical jobs offered by RV campgrounds across the country. Some campgrounds may have more jobs to offer, although jobs may not be available at the time. Some of these jobs can be paid, and some work campers also just volunteer in exchange for free camping. Make sure to ask an employee of your favorite campground what kind of jobs and volunteer opportunities are available.

Commitments vary, but most parks require that you give a three-month commitment when hiring you. Parks also often give preference to campers that can work a full season. Volunteer jobs can be more flexible, but again, most parks prefer that you commit to working a whole season.

These tips may not be true for all parks, so make sure to ask of any opportunities you may be able to help with! Work camping can be fun and rewarding, and can promote feelings of community and identity.

CASA of Northeast Texas was founded in Bowie, Texas in 1990 under the direction of Judge Jack Carter and has since expanded to twelve counties in Northeast Texas and Southwest Arkansas. CASA services abused and neglected children through three local programs, CASA for Children, The Texarkana Children’s Advocacy Center, and Family Matters. CASA of Northeast Texas’s mission is to minimize the fear, disruption, and trauma in each child’s life, and help them thrive in a safe and permanent home. Research has shown that children with a CASA volunteer are significantly less likely to spend time in long-term foster care.

Fourteen teams in total competed in the tournament. The first place team in the Championship Flight was Danny Young and Ben Davis. Second place in that flight went to Brandon and Spencer Jones. The first place team in the 1st Flight was Paul Britt and Ricky Goodson, with second place going to Eddie and Viola Parker. Closest to the pin were Ben Davis and Ricky Goodson. Finally, the longest drive was awarded to Brandon Jones.

The grand prize this year was for a 2012 Chevorlet Silverado truck. Unfortunately, no one won the prize this year. However, we will continue to host this event annually, so keep a lookout for the tournament sign-up next year!

Ocean Canyon Properties and CASA of Northeast Texas’ Board and Staff would like to thank all participants for coming out to Millwood Landing and supporting CASA for children.