prichardson wrote:
I went to one with a hope to meet others that liked to travel. My finding was that for most of those attending the only traveling was from one Samboree to the next.
Louisiana does have a problem with the timing of their Samboree. Being in the South Region - they are part of a three state spring or fall samboree swing.
Yes, there are a lot of folks traveling through the circuit - mainly because the timing of the events makes it convenient.
With the Texas Samboree in Waco one weekend, the Louisiana Samboree in Shreveport the next, and the Arkansas Samboree in Texarkana the next - it's nice three week circuit.
All three states have very large out of state attendance at their samboree. At the last Louisiana Samboree we attended - Texas rigs out numbered Louisiana rigs. I've been told that the out-of-state rigs are vital to being able to raise enough money for the samboree to be held.
It seems from talking to folks in Louisiana Good Sams - that the state really has a younger average age than the other states of chapter members. And a great many still work/ are not retired. And they aren't willing to take vacation time in April for a Samboree.
Also the location of the event in Shreveport does not make it easy for folks from the southern part of the state to get to the event if they want to just take one day off and come in for the weekend.
The idea of moving the Samboree date to June, July or August faces obstacles from national Good Sams, but a case could probably be made.
However, if LA weather is anything like Texas, or like I remember from my youth (I grew up on the LA/AR state line - an hour from both Shreveport and Texarkana) - those months are the worst of the year for camping.
Another issue is finding a venue with the facilities to support 100-150 rigs. Rayne has the facilities. The casino at Marksville has been used in the past.
Are there any other locations within the state with that capacity?
50amp electric, water and hopefully sewer are needed, especially if the event is held in the summer months.
Do you belong to a local area chapter?
Most of state chapters are based south of I-10. Which is another reason an early spring samboree in Shreveport doesn't attract much in-state attendance.
I've met folks in Texas and Georgia who came to Good Sam and tried to find a chapter, but realized they were much younger and had different interests / camping goals than most of the state members. So the state directors helped both of them found their own chapter.
They only camp at state and federal (COE/ USFS) parks. Don't want to spend the weekend in the club room playing cards. They host bonfires, do hikes together, etc.
You could start your own chapter, and build it into something that can support the state organization.
Yes, sambroees can be expensive - but they are expensive to run, and from the financials I've seen - they barely break even.
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