Driving his recreational vehicle to his favourite campsite in Algonquin, Ontario, self-proclaimed “weekend getaway aficionado” Robert Anzit feels a sense of freedom others in the RV community know well. He becomes more in touch with his “Wildhood”—an urge, a force, a feeling we all possess but too often put off or push down. In fact, the aim of the latest iteration of the not-for-profit organization Go RVing Canada’s annual (since 2015) Wildhood campaign, this year dubbed “You Are Out There,” is to remind all Canucks to free themselves from the pressure to conform and focus on their inner-child desire by venturing off the beaten path via RV travel.
Anzit is keenly aware of the dwindling bars of service on his cellphone as he drives steadily toward his home-away-from-home for the long weekend. Unless he puts a quarter in a payphone (yes, they still exist in 2023), the next three days will leave the St. Catharines, Ontario-based freelance commercial photographer to himself, his partner and the outdoor activities they love the most, all thanks to his trusty RV.
“I think the first time I really felt a deep connection to nature or ‘found my Wildhood’ while RVing was my first time in Algonquin with my wife. I felt so connected to nature and re-energized because I didn’t have anything to do besides being surrounded by trees and water, taking the canoe out or going fishing—all the things that people take for granted,” says Anzit. “There is so much nature so close to home [in Canada] that you can get outside every day for the whole year if you really wanted to. To connect and feel closer to something that’s so free, is, well, so freeing.”
Indeed, going “off the grid” has become more important than ever before. Many of us realized the importance of connecting with nature during the pandemic, as it gave us a renewed appreciation for alleviating some of the pressures of daily life. But, conversely, in being constantly connected to our electronic devices and social media, Go RVing Canada has also seen a reversal of what Canadians learned during the last few years. RVing offers an ideal opportunity to take back control of our time and get our energy back—to be the best versions of ourselves in our regular lives because You Are Out There.
“RVing opened a lot of doors for people to escape their house and to escape feeling trapped to get back into nature. The pandemic also gave people a different perspective of exploring close to home because we couldn’t travel [far] away from home. I think RVing gave people a new sense of life and hope,” Anzit agrees, adding that he and his wife “really enjoy being able to disconnect. … It’s nice to log off and find a campsite that makes you slow down. That really makes you appreciate why RVing is so important in people’s lives.”
Of course, disconnecting via an RV trip means ensuring you pack and take with you all the essentials you’ll need once you arrive at your destination—especially if it’s somewhere very remote, without amenities nearby. Anzit believes, “being overly prepared can really benefit your trip. Learning about RVing and exploring the resources and articles on GoRVing. ca is a great starting point for helping you figure out where you want to go, how to pack your RV or what you might need for your first trip.”
As an experienced RVer, Anzit’s best tip for being prepared for an RV trip is to plan ahead. “Make a list of things that you might need and the things that you really need for that trip, then cut it down. My wife and I will plan a list and look at it twice to see if the list is the right fit for what we’re doing. It’s super important to have that list and say, ’What do I actually need and what do I need to support my RV trip?’”
Go RVing Canada recommends bringing, beyond the obvious necessities like clothing and emergency safety items, a good flashlight, simple meals and a deck of cards—only the things you’ll really need to disconnect. Bringing just the essentials helps Anzit eliminate any unnecessary distractions from his weekend getaway, allowing him to connect with his Wildhood.
Just as important as what you pack is the RV you pick. Through its online RV Starter Toolkit, Go RVing Canada emphasizes that the right RV should reflect how you want to explore. For Anzit, that means an RV for all-terrain, with space for his gear. He uses RV trips as opportunities to engage in his favourite activities—paddle boarding, surfing, mountain biking and rock climbing—so he needs space in his vehicle for that equipment. Other explorers may gravitate toward a small and sleek RV to encourage spontaneous weekend getaways, a luxurious RV for glamping or a vehicle with space for the whole family.
“The most important thing is to find an RV that suits your lifestyle and needs, whether that be towability or being small so you can go off-grid,” he says. “It’s super important that the RV you pick fits your lifestyle because it makes RVing and the transition into RVing even easier. The type of RV you pick should reflect how you want to explore the world with it.”
One of the best parts about RVing is the incredible sense of community it fosters, and the support and encouragement available within that group. “Everyone is so open to telling you how to explore new places, how to save money, how to go the longest distance at the cheapest cost,” Anzit describes. “It’s so cool to be in this community because there’s so much to learn and there’s so much to explore by meeting people and hearing their stories.”
Returning home from his trip, Anzit feels completely re-energized. Each getaway, he says, inspires him to log off and take the time to connect with nature and his favourite outdoor activities, giving him more motivation in his regular life. Having found his Wildhood, he knows the next opportunity to connect with himself and what matters the most is only an RV trip away.
“I appreciate RVing more and more because it gives me the freedom to slow my life down, and that’s very hard for a lot of people right now. Being in the hustle and bustle of work, you’re always on the go,” he says. “But being able to go RVing slows time back down so I can take back control. And that’s a great feeling.” To learn more about the RV lifestyle and how to find your Wildhood, visit GoRVing.ca.
Photos by Rob Anzit
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