“Airstream Ranch” ‐ row of parally buried Airstreams built in 2004 off I‐4 in Tampa is being torn down. Page 13 It’s elecon me again and there are three unopposed candidates for Trustee posions. See their resumes starng on page 11 Each year FCRV awards cash prizes to winning conservaon essays. Read the 2016 winners on page 15 page 6 See what sights to see traveling along railroad through WI and other states page 10 See where it’s going and what you will see page 11 See why and where changes are made DEPARTMENT NATIONAL OFFICERS From the President 3 Retiree Rally 2017 4 President: Shari Weber VP of Operations: Sue Fromholzer Campvention 2017 6 VP of Programs: George Walters Meet the Director 14 VP of Planning & Development Conservation 15 Scott Serbousek FCRV Activities 17 Corresponding. & Recording Officer: Products 18 Sue Carlson Farewells 20 Comptroller: Vodean Benham Upcoming Events 21 Past President: Jack Smye Please forward address changes to CAMPING TODAY STAFF FCRV Headquarters, 4804 Transit Rd., Bldg. 2, Depew, NY 14043 — (716)668‐6242 Editors: FCRV Webpage Address: www.fcrv.org DeWayne & June Johnston Office email: [email protected] 126 Hermitage RD., Butler, PA 16001 [email protected] Graphic Design/Layout All arcles/informaon for Camping Today should be sent to Vickie Roop DeWayne Johnston by the first of the month prior to publica‐ [email protected] on. Putting the best face on Family Campers and No blarney, its March already! RVers The snow birds will be migrating No matter what we are doing as a group we should be soon. Some will make a stop in wearing our logo. Whether you are camping or just Canton TX for the rally there. I look dinning out, please wear your logo shirts. We are forward to seeing many of you at the always noticed. People ask questions when they see rally. The circus theme should offer a group having fun together. I know you remember lots of fun. At this time Craig & I to display logo when you are camping together. are headed north with a stop in Co- Let’s just go one step further and remember logo lumbus to watch two of our grand- whenever we are gathered together. That helps with sons in a fencing tournament. our visibility. Each and every one of you is an am- Changes bassador for Family Campers. Sue Fromholzer, Vice President Operations and Scholarship the Trustees have approved Jeff & Shirley Kendle of This is the time to be working on your scholarship Colorado as Far West Regional Director. We know application. Contact Carl & Lynda Wood, Scholar- they will do a terrific job. ship Director ([email protected]) for Election the necessary forms. Carl & Lynda will also be glad This month is normally when you would cast your to inform you of the deadlines for submissions. ballot to elect three trustees. This time however, we After the passing of our Founder, Hank Nathan only have one candidate for each office. They will be several of you suggested we change the name of our elected by unanimous ballot at the membership meet- scholarship program to honor Hank. The Scholarship ing in July. Please still take notice of their bios and committee which includes Carl & Lynda Wood, platforms found elsewhere in this newsletter. These Scholarship Director, Jack Smye, Vodean Benham, people work very hard for your organization to make Herb & Marie Peterson and Jan Cushing reviewed sure we can continue to enjoy camping together. We this proposal. They decided and the Trustees ap- will welcome a new comptroller this year, so we say proved to change the name of the scholarship pro- Thank You! to Vodean Benham who has served as gram from “National Campers & Hikers Association our comptroller since 2012. If you see Vodean, give Scholarship, Inc.” to “National Campers & Hikers her a special personal thanks for a job well done. All Association Hank Nathan Scholarship, Inc.”. of the Trustees appreciate your support, the newly Awards elected trustees will be installed during the general There is still a month and a half to get nomina- membership meeting in July. tions in to Sue Carlsen. Consider nominating some- Campvention survey one for recognition. The awards committee is wait- Thank you to everyone who replied to the ing for your nomination. There are a variety of campvention survey. You made many good sugges- awards to recognize the extra efforts our members tions that will be implemented as we can. Every make. Our top two awards are Plaque and Citation campvention has its challenges and uniqueness. We which are given to individuals and families. There is do not have professionals who are putting on the an award for Lifesaving for someone who went to campventions,. We are all volunteers also trying to extraordinary efforts that affected the life of some- enjoy a week of camping fun and relaxation while one. The Humanitarian award is given for outstand- putting on the best campvention available. Be kind ing humanitarian work. The Hank Nathan Lifetime to the volunteers. When a challenge arises remem- Achievement Award is given to someone who has ber, the volunteer doesn’t want the challenge any given a lifetime (more than 25 years) of support to more than you do. The best way to get through is to Family Campers. Awards forms and more infor- smile and make the best of it. Embrace the opportu- mation are on fcrv.org. In addition to these awards, nities as they come, have fun and remember to smile several of our programs have awards also. The infor- and be friendly to our camping family. mation for those is also included at fcrv.org. (President’s Con’t on page 17) Camping Today 4 March 2017 March 21 - 27, 2017 Canton Civic Center Canton, Texas in your plans! Message from the Retiree Directors st The Rally officially starts Tuesday, March 21 . The gates will open for Early Bird parking on Friday, The registration for the Retiree Rally in Canton, th Texas is coming to a close, but don’t let that stop you March 17 at 8:00 AM. The Early Bird fee is $20 a from coming. You are still welcomed. It will be a day for water, electric, and sewer. The sites will slight charge for not registering, but we still have have water, electric, and sewer. It is suggested that places for you when you get there. we bring extra hose & electric cord, just in case you Jim & Barb Turner and their staff have planned a need it. great event, with lots of new activities going on. Upon your arrival, enter the Rally site with no tow We look forward in seeing everyone once again vehicle in tow. (If you do enter the area with the and making new acquaintances. If you see us out and towed vehicle, you will be asked to pull into an area about, please don’t hesitate to introduce yourselves. to unhook.) Present you confirmation letter (if you We enjoy meeting new people. are pre-registered) when you enter the Registration First Timers, wear your ribbons there so you can area. You will be directed to the Parking staff who get plenty of hugs and welcomes. will park you. Please DO NOT leave your rig until Hope to see everyone soon. Have a great and safe they have marked you confirmation letter with your trip. area, row, and site number on your rig on your confir- Ron & Reba Ray mation letter. National Retiree Director We welcome those who aren’t pre-registered. The registration procedure will be completed when you arrive. When you arrive, you will be given a Welcome ‘CIRCUS, CIRCUS Bag from the Canton Visitors Center with info on things to do during your early days. In addition, you UNDER THE BIG TOP’ will be given rally info to prepare you for Central 46th FAMILY CAMPERS AND RVERS Registration which will be open on Sunday, March RETIREE RALLY 19th at 12 noon – 5 PM. At 7 PM on Sunday Retiree CANTON CIVIC CENTER/FIRST MON- Chaplain Harold Braley will have a devotional ser- DAY TRADE DAYS PARK vice. For staff members (chairs, co-chairs, workers), CANTON, TEXAS the Turners will have a meeting with you following EARLY DAYS: FRIDAY, MARCH 17TH the service. The building will be open for visiting and games. TO MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 If you have mail sent to you during the rally, the OFFICAL DATES: TUESDAY, MARCH address to use is – Your Name, FCRV Retiree Rally, 21ST THRU SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 Canton Civic Center, PO Box 665, Canton, TX 75103. By Barb Turner, PR Chair When you complete your registration at Central th Registration, among other things, you fill out a Pa- The 46 Family Campers & RVers Retiree Rally rade card. This is important to determine the seating committee is ready to welcome you to The Civic for the opening ceremonies/parade on Tuesday night. Center, Canton, Texas! We hope you have this rally For instance, you may have a Texas address but want Camping Today 4 March 2017 to parade with Pennsylvania. The indication on your ee Choir. The keyboard will be provided. If you can card will make sure you have a seat with Pennsylva- help us, please contact us. nia. Barb & Jim Turner, at [email protected] or Parade format will be Missouri first (King & 813-713-5771. Your help will be greatly appreciated. Queen Dal & Barb Dodson’s state), Texas as the host state, states/provinces of the 2017 King & Queen candidates in the order that their applications were Red Hat Luncheon received, states/provinces, national chapters, with the Red Hat ladies being the final group.