What are you plans to engage RV'ers in their 20's and 30's it seems most club events and benifits are marketed towards retirees. Which is fine, I just think its important to also think about the younger generations that are potential members for years to come.
ournewrv wrote: What are you plans to engage RV'ers in their 20's and 30's it seems most club events and benifits are marketed towards retirees. Which is fine, I just think its important to also think about the younger generations that are potential members for years to come.
I would agree with you ournewrv. I too would like to see more event's geared towards first time new RV owners. There are a lot of retired folks enjoying their time. There are also lots of new families signing up to experience the great outdoors. Folks with young families. I've thought about this too. I think it's ultimately up to us to coordinate/organize events. I would think first step would be to form a club. A group of RV'rs nearby that share the same interest, camping. Then coordinate some camping trips and schedule events.
Bamboo cane fishing party
Pancake breakfast / Kite building party
Model Rocket party
What type of events are you thinking about ournewrv?
At the Rally in Phoenix, he mentioned just that...also, he made the commitment that Good Sam would offer memberships to active service men and women FREE...steps in the right direction..baby steps maybe, but steps nonetheless....Dennis
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Just get lined up with a chapter and see what goes on. WE don't just sit and chew the fat. We do need younger members to keep this Organization a live, give it a try. You just might like it.
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When we Directors in MI we had always made sure that we had two programs running one for 4-11 years and 12-17 for the teens. This was run by a youth and teen Asst Directors. The little Samers had games, water fun, crafts, lunch, and lock in with movies while the main program was running. The teens setup there own programs with usually a pizza party, going off grounds for bowling or area amusement park, and there own room/building.
It's an interesting dilemma, few young(er) folk have the income or time, while the old(er) folk are aging out of (fill in the blank) activity.
Actually every activity I am involved with, RVing, Ham radio and wood-turning, I am one of the "younger" people involved, and I am in my 50's.
Actually, come to think of it, I'm taking a Martial Arts class where I am often the youngest person there, well, other then the instructor....em...
But then again, I've been in Ham radio for over 40 years, Martial Arts for over 30 and RVing for over 20.
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This issue is being addressed by both Good Sam and FMCA, and like was said it's baby steps, or just just standing up or even taking backward steps. What is needed more than anything else are members who not only address the issues but who will lead in resolving those same issues. As n7bsn pointed out, those involved in this lifestyle are aging out, so we need younger members to step forward.
Now, on the downside, expect resistance from some of the old guard, which I hate to say will happen.
Like n7bsn, we are in our early 50's, fulltimers and I'm also in a hobby (ham radio) where almost 75% are 60 + years old. We see the same issues in that hobby as are addressed here.
Knowing that the parents in young families already have a plateful, and are pulled every which way but loose. It will be hard to find the time for 1 more committee or meeting. But to properly address the issue and resolve it "WE NEED YOUR HELP". Attend either large or small rallies, if they don't have something for the kids. Do it yourself, let the kids get out and make friends and as said earlier, have a pizza party, do a activity. Keep this up, after a few rallies, you will see a different agenda of activities that involved the kids. I'm 100% sure that it will happen. Reason being, the rally sponsors will see a way to get a higher attendance which means more money!
We've been involved with trying to make things more attractive to the exact demographic you mention at the state level in the GS org. Our chapter group is comprised of about 25 families. All with kids. All under 40 (well, almost). When we brought in "new" stuff to the Samboree the old folk got very offended and vocal. God forbid if the music was too loud, too "young", if bingo started late or they were parked too far away. IMHO give the old farts their event and start a series of events for us younger folks! Its like oil and water - they don't mix.
BUT it is a precarious balance act for GS to keep their paying member base happy (old folk) while building the next generation base to replace them. Not a easy task.
We just got involved in Good Sam and have only had our RV for 2 years. I'm just turning 60, just retiring and consider myself a "young" member. Not saying there could not be more kids. Bill Cosby joked about how few kids there were at the Phoenix rally.
I saw a few but think they might be bored there, how many RV's can they walk through or aisles of blue ox hitches and glass cleaners? Yet I was happy learning about RV products as it is a new hobby. The rally is not a destination for camping with grandkids either is it?
We just didn't have the $$ for an RV at that younger age. I agree that young families are lucky if they have tents and can get away into the woods before their backs are too "old"! That makes RV'ing essentially a more mature activity for the most part. Money and more time are both required to get out and enjoy them. JMHO
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