RECIPE FOR SUCCESS:

Friends are like shoes. There are those who are fabulous, but whom you can take only in small doses, as with 6-inch stiletto heels; those who are practical like Birkenstocks, but can be a bit boring; and then there are those who are as comfortable as sneakers. You can depend on them, and you always have fun with them.

So when one of my friends (who falls into my sneaker category), calls me to join her team, The Council Critters, at the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Newport Beach at Newport Harbor High School this weekend, I’m in.

Only problem is she wants to know whether I’ll camp out.

Teams set up campsites at the event as part of the fun.

Though the theme this year is “Relay Like a Rock Star,” I’m past camping out like the good old days of Woodstock. I suggested “glamping.”

That’s short for “glamorous camping,” a term coined a few years ago by campsites and resorts looking to attract upscale campers and folks like me who, let’s just say, have a complicated relationship with nature and the outdoors.

A Google search on “glamping” turned up about 21,600 sites.

Glamping is a recipe for success for a growing trend of campers who are not fans of bugs, mud and peeing outdoors.

So what could be more glamorous than a tricked-out RV complete with satellite TV, shower, heated marble floors, comfy beds and a toilet?

My version of a rock star tour bus — minus the heroin addicts and naked groupies, of course.

My friend (who happens to be dating the mayor, who happens to be my neighbor) agreed we should be partying like rock stars in fun motor homes, so on Saturday you’ll find us at our campsite raising money for a good cause in our RVs.

Each team’s campsite will have its own theme and activities in addition to the relays. Council Critters team captains, Mayor Ed Selich and Lynn Hackman, have adopted the theme, “Relay Surf Rock Style.”

“We’re dedicating our site in part to former Newport Beach local (he still keeps his boat here) and surf rock legend Dick Dale, who is currently waging his own war with cancer,” Lynn said. “Dick signed a Fender guitar donated by the Fender Museum that we’ll feature at our silent auction with all proceeds going to ACS. We hope he can attend the event if he’s feeling up to it.”

Relay for Life was started in Tacoma, Wash., by Dr. Gordy Klatt, who wanted to help his local American Cancer Society office. In 1986, 19 teams took part in the first team relay event and raised $33,000. Since then, millions have joined the cause all over the world.

What can you expect from Newport’s Relay for Life festivities this weekend? Walking relays, a Mr. Relay Pageant, movies under the stars, barbecue by the Newport Beach Fire Department, Kids Camp, Cure Café coffee house, and entertainment and education around the clock.

Of course, you can always come by and say hi to Lynn and me as we’re glamping.

Check-in is at 10 a.m. Saturday. Stay as long as you like.

The event concludes at 9:30 a.m. Sunday . Go to www.relayforlife.org for more.

BARBARA VENEZIA is the chairman of the Santa Ana Hts. Redevelopment Project Advisor Committee and was the co-creator of the cooking show “At Home on the Range” with John Crean.