WagonMaster It’s a term that some campgrounds and the Necc-Neph-Coff (NNC) uses for that individual who steps forward and announces, “I’m willing to spearhead a rally. Let’s go camping”. If you build it, they will come. - Want praise, adoration, and a good time camping? Then, become a Wagon Master and organize a rally. Since June 2002, we’ve attended ten California Pop up Times Rallies, three while serving as Wagon Master. Here are some of the tips we have learned from our experience and sharing with other Wagon Masters. Pick a Date - Accept that some people will miss the rally due to scheduling conflicts. However, by avoiding certain days, you can increase the number of people that can attend. Avoid Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and the major summer holidays. However, if you are fortunate enough to live in an area where people can camp on the minor holidays or during Spring or Winter breaks, you might get a third night without having kids miss school. Pick a Place - Our group has organized Rallies in private campgrounds with “all the amenities” and at county parks with minimum. The place dictates the flavor of the rally, but successful rallies can be held at either. There are a few essential elements. Choose campgrounds with hook-ups - Even if you are the king or queen of dry camping. More people will attend the rally if you pick a campground that has water, electric and alternatively sewer hookups. Families especially appreciate the ability to enjoy the weekend free of concerns about draining their batteries or hauling water. Given the number of organized or impromptu-shared meals, the “dish washers and tank dumpers” will savor the joys of added conveniences. Pick a campground that allows you to book a block of sites. Nearness encourages closeness. At our second rally, Woodson Bridge, the sites were only 35 feet wide, but extended to the river. When nine sites were hooked together, they created a huge “shared area” nearly the length of a football field. Of course, the sight of pop ups lined up is also cool. Check reservation and cancellation policies - At some point as Wagon Master, you’ll have to pay for the sites. Find a place with a payment policy that fits your needs. Delayed payment and a lenient cancellation policy will help ensure that you pay only for your site (and possibly a reasonable reservation fee.) Communicate the policies so everyone knows what to expect. If the Wagon Master needs to collect the fees beforehand, collect money early via checks or Pay Pal. Finally choose a campground that provides that basic needs of a family camping - Among the items to look for: Clean well-maintained restrooms, a “kid friendly” play areas, and a place for the potluck or other planned activities. Give fair warning of any potential problem, ie,, “Lake Casitas has only one shower facility and hundreds of spaces.” It allows your fellow camper to arrive with alternative plans. Communicate - Once you’ve chosen the dates and the place, it’s time to communicate and recruit. If it’s more than a “weekend rally,” ask the PUT Webmaster to establish a rally thread on the boards. Make your own thread for a weekend event. The first entry should include the basic information and a link to the campground. Keep this first entry up to date. Visit the thread often and use it to answer questions and spark interest in the rally. Establish a web site for the rally - This need not be fancy, but at some point the PUT thread will become too long for quick reference of basic information. For an example see www.avenuecable.com/~gsmx2/maliburv/ If you don’t have the knowledge or interest to establish the site, ask for help from one of the attendees. Make a List and check it twice - In the months before the rally, you’ll receive checks for reservations, cancellations, and assorted communications. Even a “charging bull” Taurus, like myself, recognizes the need to track who is coming, what space they have, and whether they have paid or not. Be it a database, colored-coordinated file folders like Monica on “Friends,” or just a single sheet of paper in a folder, make that list and protect it as the valuable commodity that it is. Have a Potluck Dinner the second night of the Rally - Nothing bonds people like sharing a meal. Share a meal with everyone contributing his or her specialty. If the group is so inclined, a shared breakfast also works well and assures that people will have at least two opportunities to over-eat while getting together. Encourage Volunteerism Julie, the Cruise Director on the Love Boat, was driven to drug abuse. Don’t let that happen to you. You volunteered to organize the event, let others organize the activities. We’ve had people volunteer to make T-shirts, do crafts, tell stories, even organize a Bocce Ball Tournament. Another opportunity for volunteerism is for someone to laminate Rally Signs identifying the event and the nicknames and real names of the campers. It helps the newcomers immediately feel part of the group and helps identify who is where. It also might be nice to compile a Rally Roster and distribute it via e-mail. The list can include the above information plus cell phone numbers. The directions to Snug Harbor were terrible and half of the campers wandered lost over the levies of the Sacramento River Delta trying to find their way. If we had a list of cell phone numbers, some late night arrivals could have been avoided. Be Yourself - Shakespeare’s words, “To thine own self be true,” applies to the Wagon Master. If you are a planner, then plan to your heart’s content. If you tend to go with the flow, then you and the rally will suffer if you try to duplicate last year’s rally, which was organized by Ms. ChartAndGraph. Be Flexible - You may agree with the dictionary and me that “potluck” means, “Whatever food happens to be available for a meal.” However if the female Leos and male Virgos dominate your thread with posts asking, “Who is organizing the potluck?” or “Is anyone else bringing Brie Stuffed Artichoke Hearts?” then concede that to fight is futile. Let one of them take over the potluck planning. The person might even create a multicolored list that is updated every twenty posts. Set a Deadline - ”I will handle all reservations through ‘date’, after that, please make your reservations directly through the campground.” Use that deadline and follow it. Another important statement to make is, “The campground will not refund cancellations after ‘date’.” In three different events, I have had a number of last minute cancellations because of emergencies. Although it is nice to honor the request, “If there is any way I could get a refund,” sometimes, it is just impossible. People usually understand if they know the policies in advance. As the big day approaches, there are just a few details to be worked out to reduce the chances of last minute surprises Check with the Campground a few days in advance - To err is human. Check one last time to make sure everything is in place. Finally the big day arrives - It’s exciting to know that at any given moment a dozen or more pop up trailers are on the road heading toward YOUR event. A lot of people are going to have a lot of fun due to your efforts. Arrive Early and have your list in hand - Check in with the Camp Host to get any last minute instructions. Where do we pay for pets or extra vehicles? How much are the showers? Why do half the sites have utilities on the wrong side? Are you sure the sprinklers won’t go on during our potluck? If possible you’ll want to meet each person as they arrive, make sure they get into the right space, and give them a two-minute orientation. They will appreciate the information and having the opportunity to meet you. Solve Problems/Deflect Disasters - Be prepared to solve small problems. “I forgot the key to my Coleman?” You can handle that problem. “See SemperParatus in Space 12; they have a Coleman.” However, avoid taking responsibility to solve other people’s disasters. “I didn’t mention to you that my sister, brother, and uncle thought it would be nice to have a family reunion. We need three extra spaces.” Proper reply, “We carefully reserved one spot for you. To get other spots, your family will have make arrangements with the campground.” Sit Back and Relax - Remember, you are camping, too. Take time to enjoy it. It only takes one person to step forward and say, “I am willing to spearhead a rally.” With these simple hints and a little desire on your part, that person can be you. Go Wagon Masters, Go!

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