[PeeWee]

Originally Posted by Artstream

PeeWee, thank you and welcome!

So, what, in your humble oppinion, would put the FUN back in the WBCCI?

Michael

__________________
Mike,
Here are a few thoughts.
Dale

Mike,


To have fun one must travel down the Airstream heritage.

Wally Byam as a youngster herded sheep. From this task he grew fond of the outdoors. After leaving the publishing business in the late 20’s and very early 30’s, Wally combined his enthusiasm of the outdoors with a new industry the trailer.

The evolution began.

Wally had his problems. The doors of Airstream were closed several times. The war came along. Tough times weren't over. But an innovative form of travel gave Airstream a shot in the arm, and was the incubator for the WBCCI and that was the 1951 Caravan to Mexico and Central America.

Wally always believed in his product. IT was made for the open road. To go where you wanted to go, to camp in your own home, away from home.

The Caravans through early 1955 were open to all makes. The January 1955 Caravan was the largest peace time evasion of a foreign country. 500 trailers, 500 families a truly major undertaking.

Wally not only had a following of Airstream owners from the Caravans, but he was a favorite of all Airstream owners.

Caravans took several months. They were fun. But how many Caravans can a person take a year? How do you see your friends? Just what to do?

The Airstream owners took over. They told Wally, “Let’s form a club.”

And they did, in 1955, when Helen Byam Schwamborn joined the Airstream family and a club was formed in Nova Scotia.

That the history. A rather wordy introduction to have fun. We're getting there.

At this point we know that Airstream is the prime mover for fun. The second part of this is friendships.

The power of the Caravans and the Clubs is companionship and participation. When you belong to the WBCCI each member has or should have a part in the Club. It is a fact those that keep busy, stay happy. That’s why the volunteer and delegations of Club responsibilities is so central for the success of your Club. Guess what? When you do things for others and yourself you have the satisfaction of making others happy, and the pride of knowing that you were a part of this participation.

To have fun. Own an Airstream. Belong to a Club. Be a friend. Participate. Take pride.

I just returned from a speaking engagement with the VAC group in Breckenridge, CO. Let me tell you they have fun. They are friends. They have bonds. They are organized. And they know the spirit of the Club…”to have fun!”

This may not be the answer you were anticipating. But “to have fun” is a logical progression from the first time Wally camped out and it goes right on through to today. People make and share fun as a community. Go for it!

See you on the road.

Dale "Pee Wee" Schwamborn