For many Missourians vacation time means time spent camping. And the Missouri Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds, which represents about 75 campgrounds throughout the state, has revamped its website in time for the summer camping season.

 

Association President Larry Helms, the owner of the Boiling Spring Campground in Dixon, says that while the economy is not in the best shape, members are hoping for a good season as people camp, fish, and do other things associated with getting away.

 

"Our prediction is that we'll at least be at the level we were last year," said helms in an interview with the Missourinet. "Many of our parks are expecting a 10 to 15 to 20 percent increase simply because people are staying closer to home, people are really taking a look at Missouri and things that we have to offer in the state."

The upgraded website allow the user to more easily find a park the amenities desired in a given region.

 

"We have full service parks that would have everything from cable TV to Wi-Fi," said Helms. "Some of them have major restaurants and steakhouses and game rooms and cabins, you know, the whole gamut at that park."  But there are still campgrounds for city slickers who want to "rough it."  "We have some parks that are just smaller parks," said Helms. "Just for tent camping, hiking, and boating and stuff like that as well."

 

The website also includes a calendar section with detailed information on upcoming food, music, arts and craft festivals, and other events.

The Missouri Recycling Association says Missouri's ahead of the curve, but more can be done.  The legislature is taking up measures that would place advance recycling fees on tires and producer responsibilities on television sets.  Both would contribute to the future recycling of those goods.

 

Steve Fishman, president of the Missouri Recycling Association, says our state has forward-thinking legislators, and that he foresees mandates extending to other commonly used consumer goods such as paint, carpeting and -- hopefully -- glass bottles.  Missouri puts out a comprehensive report on recycling opportunities throughout the state. Click here to see what's available in your area.

 

Fishman says Kansas City should be looked at as a model for it's "pay as you throw" program. People pay for a limited amount of trash pick-up. Those who exceed the limit pay more. However, they can recycle an unlimited amount.

 

Fishman says he sees St. Louis making progress as well.  Even so, he says, each person is responsible for an average of four pounds of waste per day, which adds up to nearly 100 thousand pounds in a lifetime.