In today's hectic, keep-up-with-the-neighbors world, the family vacation has become another form of one-upsmanship which means exotic destinations and following commercial trends.

However it is important to remember that the family vacation should not be about the location, the gimmicks, or the amount of money you spend. A family vacation should be about spending time together as a family doing something you can all enjoy. A family vacation should be about cementing your bonds as a family rather than about splurging or plunging into debt.

When I was a child my family took several vacation and I have fond memories of every one. My family was not well-to-do so most of our get-aways meant camping trips but we still managed to visit several different locations in a number of states and Canada. We made friends, learned about history and different cultures, and spent time together.

While I am not a big fan of camping (after all, this is my vacation too) as a mother, my family has found a wonderful compromise that offers many of the advantages of camping while eliminating a good many of the disadvantages. Our compromise is the Kentucky State Resort Park.

We happen to live in Kentucky, but even if you do not this is a great state for vacationers. Kentucky offers a wonderfully mild climate with warm summers and temperate springs, falls and winters. Our friends and family love visiting Kentucky in the spring and fall as our spring arrives much sooner and fall lingers much longer than it does in the northern states where they live. Kentucky also offers beautiful scenery from rolling horse farms, forested mountains, and peaceful lakes and rivers.

The Kentucky State Parks system offers 18 resort parks throughout the state which is more than any other state. Each resort park offers a full-service lodge which includes guest rooms and dining. Plus many also offer cottages or cabins that can be rented by the night or week. The cottages include a fully-equipped kitchen so you can enjoy family-style meals although you can also eat at the lodge if you choose. Some of the resort parks located on lakes also offer houseboat rentals as well.

Each park also offers a variety of activities including hiking, swimming, play grounds, picnic areas, and appreciating nature. Most parks have a staffed nature center that provides programming for all ages. Usually you can enjoy the outdoors and water in a variety of ways from golf to horse back riding to tennis. Water sports are usually available with indoor and outdoor pools as well as beaches and marinas.

Kentucky State Resort Parks offer a great family vacation opportunity without the distractions, and extra costs, of a more commercial resort.