WBCCI family/children/pet friendly?

1985air345 · 04-29-2002, 12:19 PM

There has been an allegation based on a bad experience at Top of Georgia that WBCCI is old, stiff, and does not welcome the younger generation with their kids and dogs. I thought I'd open it up as a general discussion topic.

What should be done?
What has been done?
Has the national leadership addressed the issue?
Has anyone else had a bad experience at TOG?
Is leaving WBCCI a smart/realistic thing to do?

I was informed of one WBCCI group that is particularly family friendly. I lost the info but I'm sure someone knows. I think it was in the D.C. area.

'WBCCI Family' Rallys?

I do have to admit, I was disgusted when a WBCCI member complained about all the kid's running around at Disney's Fort Wilderness! What a joke!

LKappenman · 04-29-2002, 12:59 PM

More than a joke it was a oxy-moron! What else would kids be doing at a place with Disney in the name. Maybe that member should have checked in to a "home" instead of RV'ing around the country inflicting themselves on others. Just a thought

Edie · 05-07-2002, 12:45 PM

From an earlier post by Alan: "Sorry but I won't go back there (TOG), and might even have to say I would not be a very interested WBCCI member in the future if this is the general atmosphere at the Rallys."

We just returned from a weekend WBCCI rally in Gainesville, FL. We left for the rally with great trepidation after reading about Alan’s experience at TOG. We’ve been members of WBCCI for nearly 10 years, but this was our first rally with the Argosy instead of an Airstream. We haven’t been to a rally for about four years.

The group was very warm and friendly. I cannot say how they would have responded to kids, but they are very pet friendly. Fourteen rigs attended. There were six dogs, two cats, and one bird in attendance. The dogs attended happy hour and the business meeting!

As a member of WBCCI I want to personally apologize to Alan and his family for the way they were treated. I also want to say that based on personal experience, your treatment was the exception, NOT the rule.

winner · 05-07-2002, 05:49 PM

Edie, that was nice of you to post that item above. We too visited the Palmetto Cove Airstream Campground in the Smokies above Walhalla, SC - It was gorgeous - the people could not have been more warm and receptive. Very pretty with lots of amenities for children to play, a small golf course, fishing site, beautifully grassed - It would be a wonderful place for a Rally They welcome Children and Dogs, so our fears about becoming members has been allayed. We too think Alan's experience now was an exception and not the rule. On the basis of our visit and your post Edie, we have processed our application and we are now Number l5508

ALANSD · 05-08-2002, 08:40 AM

thanks for the input. I was pretty unhappy at the TOG experience.
We will not rule out future Airstream park visits, although so far my experience at the state parks and Corps of engineer lake parks has been outstanding.
Dr Joe- just where is that SC park, and how did you find it?

**jcanavera** · 05-08-2002, 11:32 PM

I will have to admit we had some reservations when we joined the local chapter last fall. Quite honestly other than a yearly campout with some of our close friends, we have been loners since first starting out camping in the early 70's.

Compounding that was the impression that WBCCI was really a seniors group not conducive to those of us who are still working and quite a few years from retirement.

Late last fall the current International President published an article in the Blue Beret promoting the 2002 International Rally and encouraging the membership to bring their "grand daughters" to enter the teen queen contest. At that point I pretty much felt that maybe I had made a mistake in joining and posted my views on Hunter Hampton's Yahoo listserve. That generated a pretty lengthy thread from those supporting and disputing my concerns that International President's comment maybe unintentionlly showed why there is a high turnover in first year membership.

As it ends up we attended our first gathering as members at a local resturant in Feburary and our first chapter rally in April. While we are the younger members of the chapter, we were immediately taken under the wing of all the membership. I can't say more about the friendliness that this group of folks showed to us. On the rally many of us had animals, including our two dogs, and one couple even brought a grand child. Our concerns melted amongst the warm words and fellowship showed by all.

International membership is still falling, but of more concern the retention rate of first year members is still poor. I'm not sure when things will become stable. Times have changed and maybe the Boomer and younger generation feels no need for an organization. The International has approved free first year memberships both for new A/S purchasers and first time A/S owners who buy from a private party. That should bring people in the door. Will they like what they see? A lot depends on the local chapter and their attitude in welcoming these A/S newbees.

Jack

winner · 05-09-2002, 04:47 AM

Alan, When we joined the SC Chapter WBCCI, they informed us about the Park and furnished literature and cordially invited us to visit. The Park is located at juncture of SC Hiways 11 and 8 near Table Rock State Park near town of Cleveland, SC. It is gorgeous, with panoramic view of Table Rock -nestled in Blue Ridge Mountains. grassy 20 ft spaces (148) - April thru 15 Sep.
Huge Activity Room, plus large Activity Shelter, Trout fishing spot, plus Meeting all and Library reading room. 6 hole par 3 golf course, Kitchen, laundry and meeting rooms. Frankly it is one of the nicest parks - private or public that we have ever been in.
We can't wait to get Big Momma in good shape and get up there (about 65 miles from Anderson) and spend time. It is open to public, and self-contained RV's only. Unfortunately, it is not open in the Winter when we love the Smokies. On our visit we cordially given a golf cart tour of the facilities by the host and the attitude toward pets and children was wonderful. I can't be more enthusiastic - please write off your unfortunate experience.

Andy Wick · 05-09-2002, 03:33 PM

I joined the TOG chapter last November. I hate to hear about the negative experiences. Hopefully the officers will read these comments and make changes.

InsideOut · 05-09-2002, 04:08 PM

I would like to parrot Jack's comments ~

We are new to "The Airstream Family" and joined the WBCCI, Region 11, Denver Colorado Unit. We are 42 & 46 and are amongst the youngest in our unit, we aren't yet retired...and we don't have a shiny-new, state-of-the-art trailer right off the lot! So we are a bit unique...but isn't everybody unique in their own way?

We have been very warmly welcomed & included in all the WBCCI activities and events since joining in February 2002. As a matter of fact we look forward to getting together with all our new "seasoned" Airstream buddies and we sense some true friendships developing!

As with most business & social associations, most people only get out of it what they contribute...we look forward to contributing as we see opportunities arise.

Besides, I can't think of a better way to meet friendly folks that we wouldn't meet in our everyday lives...we feel honored to be associated with the WBCCI

Shari & Rob
WBCCI #1824

DIMMER · 05-28-2002, 11:25 PM

So are you saying that i can get my first year free, due to the fact i am a first time A/S owner!!!!!!!!!! Who do i call?? Let me in

**jcanavera** · 05-28-2002, 11:35 PM

Contact WBCCI and they will give you the particulars. You can get their phone number and other information at their web site.

www.wbcci.org

Jack

DIMMER · 05-28-2002, 11:45 PM

Thanks Jack!!!!!!! I do need to be the PUP around hear..... I am just 32 and my wif is 28 are son is 2.5.This is my first A/S but are 5th tt. I will give them a call in the am.. This is a nice place you have hear!!!!!!!!! Matt Dimmer

rcaldwel · 05-29-2002, 06:42 AM

We bought a new Airstream TT last year and with it came a paid membership(members at large) in the WBCCI. It is interesting, reading the Blue Beret about the concern for increasing and maintaining members. I am not sure whether that concern is shared among local chapters. I say that because we have never been contacted by our local region as to becoming members nor have we received any correspondence. At this point, I am not sure what benefit it would be to become a paid member when or free membership runs out. Especially when we are not of retirement age and don't have unlimited time to travel - as it seems many events do require extended times. Without input from local/regional folks, we might be like many first timers that just drift away from what might be a great organization due to lack of attention. I don't know whether this information is useful or not, but I thought it at least presented our own experience with WBCCI.

thenewkid64 · 05-29-2002, 07:01 AM

Some local units are agressive when it comes to trying to convert members at large, others are not. My wife and I were members at large for 5 years, we were traveling full time and did not know where we would end up. In the end we settled in FL and sold our TT. We recently bought our Argosy MH and have joined a unit in our part of the state. The local units would all like to have you as a member but most of them will wait unitil you make the first move. My suggestion to you would be to test the waters with your regional units when they start having rallies this fall. Attend one or two and see if you like the folks that make up a local chapter. Once you are there I can assure you they will ask you to join.

Both of the units we have belonged to understand the realities of younger that members have to work. Most of them started in the WBCCI when they worked and would welcome your participitation even if it is only for a couple of days at a rally. When we first joined we were some of the younger members in WBCCI, I was 29 and my wife was 28.