Escapees March/April 2016

Staff

“Being able to follow the path of the club’s original goals, guided by the values set forth by Joe and Kay Peterson, is simply overwhelming.”

Xscapers has taken a unique approach to their conver- gences, and when you attend them, you will ¿ nd a more relaxed atmosphere that enables attendees to balance their work life while enjoying educational and fun activities. This approach is similar to the style of the original Esca- pades, once again bringing us full circle back to the club’s original roots. At the Balloon Fiesta, the group took part in a wide range of activities from volunteering as balloon crews before the dawn, getting involved in the educational seminars and discussions, fun at a makeshift “Tiki-Hut,” potlucks and evening get-togethers. We created history at this Xscapers event, and we couldn’t have asked for a better ¿ rst convergence. The convergence in Quartzsite, Arizona, in January had an amazing turnout, and strong bonds were created through community-driven activities. During the event, there were a variety of discussions and social opportuni- ties at the nightly camp ¿ res. The community really shined through when several members chipped in and brought ¿ rewood for a bon ¿ re the second night. Even though the of ¿ cial event was only scheduled for two days, many of the attendees decided to keep the community going for another week. They continued the fun at a different location where they hosted activities such as potlucks, group hikes, games, outdoor movie nights and even a live music concert. To check out future Xscapers events, visit xscapers. com/events/convergences . Thank You To say that the launch and growth of Xscapers was a dream come true is truly an understatement. Being able to follow the path of the club’s original goals, guided by the values set forth by Joe and Kay Peterson, is simply overwhelming. The support that has been received from both new and seasoned members has been the greatest reward of all. Today we are proud to announce that we have over 2,000 members. Escapees RV Club as a whole would not be the family it is today without each and every member, and we can’t express our gratitude enough to you for joining us in this adventure- filled journey.

Support It has been a busy year as Xscapers continues to inspire and create new resources that will not only bene ¿ t the RVing community as a whole, but more speci ¿ cally those who choose to live this nomadic lifestyle while working or raising a family. As an example, here are a few of the new resources that have been added over the last several months: • Job Board: Want to work while you travel? Want to hire RVers looking for work? We can connect you! The Job Board matches job opportunities with traveling contract workers who want full- or part-time work. To learn more about the Job Board, visit xscapers.com/x-job-board • Articles and Blogs: This interactive section is compiled of Escapees magazine articles, featured bloggers and contributors to give you an abundance of information that fits your lifestyle right at your fingertips. Get connected and create your own personal blog to journal your travels or share your experiences with others. To preview this section, visit xscapers.com/xscapers-articles-and-blogs. • Mapping Tool: The new and enhanced mapping tool will be your one-stop shop to find parking and activities along your travels. It will consist of discount parking, commercial mem- bers, boondocking locations, things to do, jobs along your way and much more. The best part of all will be that you can submit and share your own treasured destinations with your fellow members. To learn more, visit xscapers.com/maps. We are proud to say that we are constantly working to bring new resources and services to the community. If you visit the Website at www.Xscapers.com, you will ¿ nd the “Life on the Road” section that features pro ¿ les of inspiring RVers, important information about how to earn income on the road and helpful articles pertaining to mobile working. Community Along with some of the great resources that were added this year, we have also had a chance to see the Xscapers community come together and shine. In October of 2015, Xscapers celebrated its ¿ rst convergence at the Albuquer- que Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Much like the ¿ rst Escapade in 1979, where there were 22 rigs that gathered, the Xscapers convergence kicked off with 20 rigs. While the balloons were a great focal point, the best parts of the event were the friendships and memories that were made to last a lifetime by this awesome blend of travelers with uniquely diverse backgrounds.

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www.escapees.com | March/April 2016 | ESCAPEES . 9