Life in the RV can be full of adventure and new experiences. The spring season brings new opportunities for RV travelers to explore the natural world and create lasting memories. Of the many activities available to RV travelers during spring, whale-watching season is a great opportunity to learn and experience something new.

Beginning in mid-February, grey whales leave breeding and calving sites off the coast of Baja, California and travel north to summer feeding grounds in the Chukchi and Bering Seas. Traveling close to shore, grey whales can be spotted along the West Coast of the United States and Canada.

These giant mammals, which can reach 46 feet in length and weigh up to 36 tons, make one of the longest annual migrations in the world, traveling around 10,000 miles round trip. Inquisitive and friendly towards people, grey whales are known to spyhop, lobtail and breach the surface.

The West Coast of the United States has a long history of whale watching. High points along the coastline offer many opportunities for land-based observations. Traveling along the famous Pacific Coast Highway gives RVers a good chance to spot whales while experiencing the beautiful landscapes of one of the most scenic routes in the U.S. This legendary highway hugs most of the coastline from San Diego to northern Washington, providing a continuous avenue for RV travelers who want to stay close to the coast.

Charter companies also offer visitors a unique perspective of the whales from the air or water. With the ability to cover large areas in a limited time, air tours give visitors a good chance of seeing whales. Boat tours offer the chance for an up-close and personal experience. Grey whales are curious and friendly, sometimes approaching boats and poking their heads out of the water.

Novice whale-watching RVers can also take advantage of the weeklong program offered by Whale Watching Spoken Here®. This program provides trained volunteers at 26 proven whale-watching sites from northern California to southern Washington. Volunteers help visitors spot whales and provide educational information. This spring’s session will run March 24-31, 2012.

The annual migration of the grey whales provides an exciting and moving experience for veteran and novice whale watchers. With so many places to see these massive mammals, RVers will find whale watching an interesting and exciting spring activity and a perfect reason to take to the road.

While spotting whales can take practice, finding a great RV campground is easy. Encore and Thousand Trails RV Resorts offer premier RV resorts all along the West Coast. Each location offers unique amenities and activities, such as swimming pools, spas, fitness centers, lounges, sports courts, organized activities, Wi-Fi access and more.

To book a visit to any of these Encore and Thousand Trails RV resorts on the West Coast, call (866) 730-0637 or visit www.RVontheGO.com. Below is a sampling of RV resorts on the West Coast.

• Pacific Dunes Ranch RV Resort – 1205 Silver Spur Place., Oceano, CA 93445
• Santa Cruz Ranch RV Park – 917 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066
• San Francisco RV Resort – 700 Palmetto Ave., Pacifica, CA 94044
• Rancho Oso RV Resort– 3750 Paradise Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
• Morgan Hill RV Resort– 12895 Uvas Road, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
• South Jetty RV Resort – 05010 S. Jetty Road, Florence, OR 97439
• Whaler’s Rest RV Resort– 50 S.E. 123rd St., South Beach, OR 97366
• Pacific City RV Resort – 30000 Sandlake Road, Cloverdale, OR 97112
• Seaside RV Resort – 1703 12th Ave., Seaside, OR 97138
• Long Beach RV Resort – 2215 Willow Road, Seaview, WA 98644
• Oceana RV Resort – 2733 State Route 109, Ocean City, WA 98569

DENVER -- The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) has negotiated an exclusive member benefit with Ford Motor Company that could save ARVC members thousands of dollars with vehicles they lease or purchase for their businesses or personal use.

The benefit, available immediately to ARVC members, includes a non-taxable rebate off the guaranteed dealer invoice worth thousands of dollars that they can use at any time, so long as they are ARVC members.

"We've never offered a benefit like this before," said Paul Bambei, ARVC's president and CEO, adding that this benefit alone is worth 10 to 20 times' the annual cost of ARVC membership for a typical 100-site park.

In most cases, net purchase prices with the ARVC member discount will be 15 to 20 percent below the manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) and applies to nearly every car, truck, or van in the Ford product line for 2011-12.

The Ford Motor Company discounts are the latest in a series of exclusive discount programs that ARVC has obtained for its members.

Other new benefits include an exclusive discount program with Just In Time Communications, Inc., a national distributor for DIRECTV, to provide satellite television service to ARVC member parks at rates that can save park operators tens of thousands of dollars a year, depending on the size of their park.

ARVC has also secured a preferred provider agreement with Skyline Corp., which now provides ARVC member parks with significant savings on towable travel trailers as well as park models, which are custom designed for use as rental units. Combined with existing agreements with long time member benefit providers such as Evergreen Insurance, John Deere, Suburban/Ferralgas/Amerigas LP, Sherwin Williams, and many others, a member's savings can be significant over the course of a year.

Based in Denver, the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds is the national voice of the outdoor hospitality industry. More information is available at www.arvc.org.

JACKSON CENTER, Ohio -- Thor Industries, Inc. (NYSE: THO) announced that Bob Martin will become RV Group President effective February 1, 2012. Thor's six RV companies – Airstream, CrossRoads, Dutchmen, Heartland, Keystone RV and Thor Motor Coach – will report to Mr. Martin. Mr. Martin will report to Peter Orthwein, Thor's Chairman, President & CEO.

Mr. Martin, an 18-year industry veteran and Elkhart native, is currently President of Keystone RV, Thor's largest subsidiary.

In other management moves, Matt Zimmerman, currently Vice President of Sales for Keystone RV, succeeds Martin as President of Keystone. Mr. Zimmerman has been with Keystone 13 years in a variety of sales and management positions. In addition, David Chupp, currently Vice President of Finance for Keystone, has been named its Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Chupp joined Keystone in 2000.

"Bob, Matt, and David assume their new responsibilities with a history of success in their previous positions. These promotions will further strengthen Thor's leading position in the RV industry," commented Peter Orthwein, Thor's Chairman, President & CEO.

"I am privileged to have this opportunity to be associated with all the great Thor companies," said Bob Martin. "As the largest RV manufacturer in the world, Thor Industries has much to offer our customers, RV owners and the community. I look forward to working with all of Thor's RV companies in my new role to leverage the strength and capabilities of Thor Industries."

(ARA) - The world is full of amazing things to see, but there are a select few sites that people agree are truly wonders of the world. The tradition started a long time ago, in ancient Greece, when Antipater of Sidon listed the unrivaled buildings of the day. More recently, new lists of world wonders have been proposed including both man-made and natural sites, providing the perfect blueprint for a traveler's "bucket list". Luckily, Americans can start checking things off right in their own spectacular backyard by taking a Grand Canyon tour.

The Grand Canyon is not just something to see, but a destination to be experienced. Standing on the rim will give you breathtaking views, certainly, but a natural wonder of the world deserves being seen within a more in-depth context. The added dimension of hearing the story of the canyon's formation is easiest to come by if you join a Grand Canyon tour, like those offered by Tauck. Not only does a tour give you unusual access to the sites, enriching your visit, but the cost savings, when compared to arranging everything on your own, can be as much as 40 percent.

To make the most of a Grand Canyon tour, be sure that you include these essential elements in your itinerary:

• Go beyond the average view of the Grand Canyon. The complex history of the Grand Canyon stretches back eons. Rather than sticking your nose in a guide book and missing the scenery, a lecture given by an expert geologist gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the history of what you're seeing. Learn about the ecology and geology during your Grand Canyon tour before heading out for a full day's exploration.
• Take in the surrounding scenery. Because the Grand Canyon is situated in one of America's most scenically dramatic regions, the opportunity to see the surrounding areas is one that you should take advantage of as well. Places like Sedona, Ariz., Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park are all within reasonable distances and should figure into your travel plans as well; check to see if they are built into your Grand Canyon tour.
• Relax in stylish hotels. The American Southwest is home to some of the country's top resorts and hotels, where a memorable stay adds to the overall experience. Don't miss the chance to stay at a lodge within the Grand Canyon National Park, where you can experience the landscape from sunrise to starry night. Nearby travel hubs like Scottsdale and Las Vegas offer the ultimate in luxury hotels for kicking back, pre- or post- your Grand Canyon tour adventure.

Explore your adventurous side. Taking a hike is a great way to get up close and personal with the landscapes of the Southwest, but there are other ways to dive into the experience. Try a float trip down the Colorado River, which winds its way through the region and carves out a dramatic path through the Grand Canyon. Or take wing on a helicopter ride that gives you a whole new perspective on the size and grandeur of the site.

While there's no denying that the Grand Canyon is a photogenic place, traveling to this natural wonder will show you just how difficult it is to capture its true beauty, immensity and magic. And because it epitomizes the concept of a "wonder of the world," it's the perfect place to kick off your goal to see the most amazing sights on the planet.

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"The Florida Super Show always gives us some indication of how the spring show season will gand it looks like it's going tbe a great year. The consumer reaction tour 2012 line-up was very positive." explained Dana Simon, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Thor Motor Coach.

The all new 2013 Palazzrear diesel stole the show, drawing crowds throughout the event. The industry received its first look at the Palazzwhen it was unveiled in November at the RV National Trade show in Louisville, KY. The Palazzo's compact low-profile design makes it easy tdrive while providing the amenities a premium motorhome shopper expects, as well as several they might not.

Palazzo's Standard Equipment Highlights: Chassis and Storage

• 34' 6", 300HP rear diesel
• Twslide-outs
• 10,000 lbs. hitch
• Auto-Generator start
• Low-profile slide tray
• Motorhome Mudroom™
• Tall Mega-Storage™ Pass-through compartment

• Seating for eight in the living space
• Always-in-View™ TV slide system
• Home theater sound
• Bedroom TV
• Oversized shower
• Pull-out computer tray in the dash
• Brushed metallic residential refrigerator and microwave

FAIRFAX, Vir. -- The RV Learning Center scholarship program awards a $2,500 scholarship annually to deserving college sophomore, junior, and senior undergraduate students majoring in business, finance, economics, accounting, or other RV-related subjects. Dealers and other industry partners are able to offer this opportunity to their team specifically because of their employment in the RV industry. Visit www.rvlearningcenter.com for an application.

Scholarship applicants must:

• Have a 2.8 or better cumulative grade point average, and a 1050 minimum SAT score (1575 minimum on the 2400 point scale). A minimum ACT composite score of 22 is also acceptable.
• Be a rising sophomore, junior, or senior college undergraduate student.
• Complete a 500 word essay on their goals and objectives for attending college.
• Submit a copy of their Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) form which is available from guidance counselors or for download at no charge from the U.S. Department of Education at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
• Demonstrate the ability and willingness to fund a portion of their educational expenses on their own.
• Attend an accredited four-year college or university as a condition of receiving the scholarship.
• All items must be submitted by June 4, 2012. Dealer principals, their family and dependents, are not eligible. A four-color poster describing the RV Learning Center scholarship program suitable for display in employee break or lunch areas is also available to download at www.rvlearningcenter.com.

The scholarship program is possible due to the generosity of the Newt and Joanne Kindlund Family. The Kindlunds are the founders of Holiday RV Superstores—the first publicly-traded RV dealership. The Kindlunds sold the company in 1999. Newt Kindlund remains an active participant in RV industry affairs and currently serves on the RV Learning Center Board of Directors. The Kindlund Family has fully funded the $270,000 Foundation scholarship endowment.

For more information on the RV Learning Center scholarship program, send an e-mail to info@rvda.org or visit www.rvlearningcenter.com. The RV Learning Center is a tax-exempt organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions may be tax deductible as charitable donations.

Effective immediately, Stephane Cordeille has been promoted to chief executive officer of Thetford Corporation. The announcement was made January 24.

"Thetford is a global company with very similar operations in the US and Europe," said Cordeille. "Because of this, nothing changes for our customers and we will continue to make the best use of our global resources to the benefit of all our customers."

Cordeille has a long history with Thetford and is already known by many of Thetford's customers. He joined Thetford in 1988 as sales manager of its French subsidiary. He has served as director of sales & marketing and director of European operations before being named managing director of Thetford's RV Europe operations in 2004.

Prior to joining Thetford, Cordeille headed up the merchandising team for Gloria-Friskies, a unit of Nestle Corp. He has a degree in economics and attended the Business School of Exeter for commerce and management.

It was also announced that Peter Struijs was promoted to chief financial officer, worldwide. Struijs, who joined Thetford in 1999, has been the European director of finance and IT since 2006. Before that, he was the company's manager of finance. He holds a BA in business economics.

"These promotions indicate the strength of personnel at Thetford and the commitment of ownership to reward long-term performance and contribution to the company," said Michael J. Harris, president and COO of DKM (Thetford's parent company), referring to the promotions.

Thetford is a world leader in recreational products, including sanitation, refrigeration and other RV and marine products.

Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Thetford is the world's leading supplier of sanitation and refrigeration products for the RV, marine and heavy-duty truck industries. It is a privately-held company with eight manufacturing facilities in four nations.

Thetford subsidiaries include Norcold, America's leading manufacturer of gas-absorption refrigerators and freezers for the RV, marine and truck markets; Tecma, a producer of fine-china toilets and powerful waste-transfer systems based in Italy; and Thetford UK, a unit in England that manufactures Spinflo brand high-quality cooking and heating appliances as well as accessories.

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The TailGator provides the needed protection to safely load and unload ATV's, golf carts, and oversized objects into your truck bed. It was built to prevent damage and add support for the tailgate cables from undue stress.

It pins directly into any standard 2" receiver, completely omitting the additional strain on the tailgate. And with a load capacity of 1,000 pounds, the possibilities are endless. For more information on the TailGator and their complete line of towing and hitch systems contact Blue Ox, One Mill Road, Industrial Park, Pender, NE 68047; phone 402-385-3051; fax 402-385-3360; email info@blueox.com; website www.blueox.com

Job Fair Scheduled for Saturday, February 4th

SANTA CLAUS, Ind. -- Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort in Santa Claus, Indiana, is hosting a Job Fair on Saturday, February 4, 2012, at the Lake Rudolph office. The job fair will take place between 9:00 a.m. and Noon CST. Those interested in seasonal work this summer are invited to attend anytime during this 3-hour period and fill out an application.

Seasonal positions are available at Lake Rudolph in the following areas: Activities, Housekeeping, Blitzen Kitchen, Maintenance, Grounds, Call Center, Welcome Center, Camp Store, Lifeguards, Security, and Shuttle Drivers. Applicants may speak with representatives from each department and ask any questions.

All applicants are welcome. College students, high school students, retirees and others are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age, with some positions requiring applicants to be older. Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort is located on Highway 245. Those attending the job fair should arrive at the main entrance to the campground and will be directed where to park.

For those that are not able to attend the job fair, applications will be available at the Lake Rudolph office during regular business hours. A downloadable application is also available on the Employment page of the Lake Rudolph website. All applications must be returned by March 9, 2012.

Twice-named National RV Park of the Year, Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort, opens daily on May 1, 2012. Reservations are being taken for the 2012 season. To make reservations visit www.LakeRudolph.com or call toll-free 1-877-478-3657.

BURLINGTON, Iowa -– During the ‘Driving Success’ Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nev. Stag-Parkway recognized Winegard Company for its key contributions to the company’s overall success with its 2011 Partnership award, which has become known throughout the RV industry as the "Peach." This is Winegard’s fourth Peach Award.

Stag-Parkway recognized Winegard Company for its outstanding product quality and new technology, a strong commitment to dealer training, technical service, and superior communications efforts. Winegard was also commended on its commitment and support to the Complete Merchandising Solutions program.

"We have worked diligently as a company to establish ourselves as a leader in the industry," said Aaron Engberg, director of mobile product division for Winegard. "It is rewarding to have our hard efforts recognized by a respected leader such as Stag-Parkway and I am honored to accept this award for Winegard."

Winegard supplies a complete mobile product line up to Stag-Parkway, including TRAV’LER, RoadTrip and Carryout satellite TV antennas as well as Sensar and RoadStar over-the-air TV antennas, along with a wide variety of accessories.

Stag-Parkway’s product management team uses a 10-point scale to measure supplier performance across four important business metrics. The overall score is then added to a subjective component that helps the company arrive at the final group of recipients.