Nice write up Joe!! I'm sure there will be a lot of nice rallies turned out from this site. We just had a small one here in Oklahoma!! More of just a gathering of the 'regulars'. I will be sure and host the next from this site so as to gather more people with the love of being outdoors to "CanvasCampers".
wow, tons of good info there! wish we'd have had this kind of info a few months ago! thanks for putting the info together joe!
i sure do like it around here already ::)
one thing I might add Joe??? for the dinner (whichever) it's a good idea (thanks GA Judy) to ask about any food allergies, and make everyone aware. We also had people mark their dishes IE: "this dessert has nuts" or "this dish has dairy" because sometimes it's not obvious 🙂
One observation... The rally's are awesome and yes we'll attend more be it here - there - or yonder, but once it gets to be over 10-15 campers it seem there isn't enough time in say a 4 day weekend to meet everybody and socialize. Always thought bigger was better but in some cases maybe not.
Great post though! :cheers:
I guess we GA rally folks just fell into our "other place" rally through luck and diligence to having to work out the planning and details ourselves! This information sure makes it a whole lot easier to tick off the checklist as the planning progresses.
As for the larger, the better (??), I think Cuckoo has a point. Not everyone present will meet everyone present unless there is a way at a group gathering to get to introduce oneself. We did that at our two rallies, the mini in June and the latest "big" one w/53 adults and a couple of guests as well as 17 kids. Each family had someone stand up to tell their screen name, real name (first only was fine), and a little about themselves or why they camp, or whatever they wanted to share. We were all in a circle for the potluck in a large open area (lucky us) and everyone was happy to "meet" everyone else.
We had name tags too, and that helped because there was a "test" later. (Not! ;D) Some clever person (FW Arcadia or missnanc???) set up a kids' table (legs were adjusted to be shorter) for all of them to get to know each other if they hadn't yet met. Of course, kids are kids and most knew everyone already, but they had a great time at "their" table and their parents had fun as well with the other adults.
We made friends to our immediate left and right but then stayed for a door prize drawing and everyone was entertained and enthusiastic with the donations from fellow ralliers. We can't wait to get our spring rally going HERE and do it again!
I completely agree, bigger isn't always better and to big changes the whole environment.
My goal has always been to bring people together and create the opportunity, after that, it's up to them.
- I often have a 'meet and greet' campfire Friday evening so when people arrive and setup, they can bring a chair and stop by if they are interested. Make it easy for everyone.
- I've also put a 40 cup coffee pot with a timer at the gathering site, bring your cup in the morning. Often 1/3 of the people stop by because it's already made and an easy start to their day.
- Everyone is usually there for the potluck, I say hello to all and introduce myself. The name tags and a large circle of lawn chairs make it easy for everyone to make conversation.
Some of the most memorable group rallies have been around 8-10 sites, usually a few regulars and a few new people.
[quote author=JoeCamper link=topic=1892.msg16378#msg16378 date=1348611663]
Some of the most memorable group rallies have been around 8-10 sites, usually a few regulars and a few new people.
Exactly... Even just weekend get away's with 5 or 6 campers is a grand old time! Thanks for the help in the past Joe... 😉
I just like to camp. The Rally is an excuse to go somewhere. Sometimes its a new place, sometimes it is old and familiar. I like to go with other people even if I don't meet everyone, I know if I have a problem or question someone will help me.
I have been lurking on a Class C forum (since I'm getting a Class C in a few weeks :jig: ) and their Rallies are not like ours. They have games and events over 4 days with bus tours and stuff. They don't even have the banter that we have before and after a rally. That is part of the fun I think. I like the CC setup. Everyone has the chance to do their own thing and then we get together (or not) for dinner and a campfire on Saturday.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
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