Low-slung radio control race cars don’t work very well at the campground. Neither do miniature RC monster trucks.

The ground is so rough that they drag bottom and hang up.

It’s Memorial Day weekend, and I’m staying for a week at Outpost Campground in Salt Lick, Kentucky.

My little toys (and the ones that don’t have a lot of ground clearance) work fine at the basketball court. The surface is nice and smooth there. But here at my campsite I’ve got rocks and grass to negotiate.

The big RC models work fine. The remote control monster trucks most especially. And there’s a field less than a hundred yards from the camper just right for my helicopter. I can stand out there and fly all day, stopping for battery recharge of course.

I could even take a submarine over to the pool and play around for a while. Outpost doesn’t have a lake.

I suppose they’d frown on a boat race, but until all those kids start swimming the submersibles shouldn’t be any trouble. Yesterday though, so many kids were in the pool, that keeping sight of the sub would be iffy.

Their swimming surprised me too, because the water temperature was 59-degrees on Thursday. I don’t know how those kids stayed in there.

If you’re a camper, and like to take your radio control toys along add a few line items to your planning list.

Check out what kind of facilities the campground you’re visiting has.

If they have a lake, like many that I visit have, take along your RC boats.

Do they have paved roads? Most any remote control land vehicle will give you some extra fun on those lazy days when you just want to play.

Are the roads gravel covered, like here at Outpost? You’ll want those bigger RC toys in your playtime arsenal.

Make sure you cover everything when you plan your get-a-way time.

Maintaining a detailed checklist (one that covers every potential activity) helps insure a fine old time during your travels.

Whether you’re camping…or not.