ABOUT THE CACTUS CAMPERS

 

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ABOUT US

We are now an FMCA ChapterOur name is FMCA Cactus Campers.  Due to the removal of support from Camping World, our club made the decision to become an FMCA Chapter in order to reach new potential members.  We welcome travel trailers, 5th Wheels, Class A’s, B’s and C’s.

In 2023, Camping World decided to separate itself from the Good Sam organization.  In essence the State organizations and local chapters were on their own.   The State Good Sam Club is in the process of redefining itself and we wish them success.  The Cactus Campers decided to seek affiliation with the FMCA.  An application to become an associate chapter was submitted and approved.

The Cactus Campers Chapter of the Good Sam Club has been chartered since 1975 and has members around South Central Texas.  We have members from as far-flung as Victoria and Copperas Cove.  Most of our members are retired or “near retired” and range in age from the 50’s to 70+. We meet the first full weekend of each month Thursday to Sunday but check our rally schedule for changes.  The Thursday has to be in the month to count as the first weekend.  Many rigs come in on Wednesday.  We don’t meet in June, July or August due to the Texas heat and summer travel plans our members have.  
 
WHERE WE GO

We generally go to parks within 150 miles of San Antonio.  Once or twice a year we will do a longer trip if enough of the membership is interested.  Places we have been include Natchez, Mississippi for the Spring pageant, Ruidoso, New Mexico, Big Bend National Park/Terlingua and the Coushatta Casino in Kinder, Louisiana.  Our big event for 2014 was the October rally at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. We went to Galveston in October 2015 for 10 days.   In 2017 we held a rally in the Rio Grande Valley. In 2018 we had our April rally at the Winstar Casino in Oklahoma.  In April, 2019 we went to Pine Mountain, Georgia for the Azalea festival.  Last year we went to Lubbock in early October.

In addition, some members like to get together during the summer months or other times for a gathering, both in Texas and elsewhere. Places we have met include Show Low, Arizona, Branson, Missouri, South Fork, Colorado, Eagle Nest and Ruidoso, New Mexico. Several rigs may travel together during the Summer.  These “unofficial rallies” are open to anyone that wants to make the trip.

Places around the area we have held rallies include Aransas Pass, Victoria, Conroe, Rockport, Ingram, Bandera, Port Lavaca, New Braunfels, Fredericksburg, Onalaska, etc.  We try to go to parks that have interesting places nearby to visit and shop or have an event going on.  A nearby golf course is desired.  We are not too structured and let people decide what is fun for them.  We just want everyone to relax, visit, and have a good time. The monthly meeting is a regular time to get the rig out and exercise it in the company of friends.
 
WHAT WE DO

We have members that play golf on Thursday or Friday mornings of the rally weekend at a course near the rally park.  We have a “Breakfast Club” that goes out to eat on Thursday or Friday morning.  We spend time visiting, shopping, eating and playing card games like Jokers or dominos (42).  We have gotten into putting a puzzle together at each rally.  We also occasionally play Card Bingo and Left-Right-Center.  Meals are decided by the rally hosts and may be a combination of eating out, potluck, heavy hors d’oeuvre or group grilling.  We usually do a shrimp boil at the coast and our Christmas dinner is either catered or at a nice local restaurant.

WHAT OUR MEETINGS ARE LIKE

We have a social hour each day with snacks and beverages followed by games and visiting.  A full breakfast is provided on Saturday morning with a brief business meeting thereafter.  Sunday morning we have a light breakfast after which we head for home.  

OUR INVITATION

We hope you will come visit us at one of our future rallies and join in the fun.  On your first visit, there is no rally fee or food fee.  If you like us and what we do, you can apply for membership at the second rally you attend.  The annual dues are $20.   The Rally/Food fee is typically $40 a couple/$20 per person at each rally and will be charged starting with the second rally.   Eating out and special events are the responsibility of each individual.