Escapees March-April 2024

By KIRSTY HALLIDAY #115499, Hangouts Director

GIVING THANKS Before I look forward, I need to look back and give many thanks to Therese Julo (TJ) #139199. I had known for some time that I wanted to fi nd a role within Escapees where I could give back to the club, so when TJ asked me to assist her with the Hangouts program, it made total sense! We made a great team this

COME HANGOUT WITH US! Hangouts, like HOPS and Xscapers’ Convergences, were conceived to bolster Escapees’ fundamental principle of fostering a community among RVers. While HOPS offer opportunities to step out of the RV setting, Convergen ces tailor their schedules for those adhering to tradi tional Monday-to-Friday work hours. Hangouts were designed as intimate rallies for active and adventurous RVers with daytime availability. The aim of Hangouts is to cultivate friendships and share enriching experiences. Due to a limited capacity of about 30 RVs, Hangout tickets tend to sell out swiftly, exempli fi edby the upcoming Black Hills Hangout. Don’t miss out on these incredible opportunities, sign up for Hangouts announcements to stay updated on upcoming events.

past year, learning together and bouncing ideas off each other. I am grateful for the guidance of both TJ and the Goldsteins, who served as directors before her, and also for all of the Escapees staff who set me up in a great position to further the Escapees Hangouts program.

FINDING COMMUNITY WITHIN ESCAPEES I may be new to the Hangouts Director role but, with 100,000 RV miles under my belt, I am no Escapees newbie. In 2014, I joined Escapees for the mail service, which eased my logistics as I proceeded to workcamp a variety of jobs across 12 different states. Parking among the Xscapers at the 2017 Escapade, I soon learned about the wealth of additional opportunities within Escapees as well as the formidable community of like-minded folk, no matter their age. When we have made a similar lifestyle choice and roam with the same road atlas, common ground is easy to fi nd. I took an intentional break from seasonal work at the end of 2019 so I could catch up with the Xscapers at New Years’ in Quartzsite, Arizona, and then proceeded to join the Convergence Caravan. My sticker collection now includes three New Year’s Eve gatherings, fi ve Convergences, a HOP Homebase, a Hangout, fi ve times to Bash and this summer will be my fi fth Escapade. I’m a Smartweigh Weighmaster, have completed RV Bootcamp Express and RVOU; been an RV Bootcamp Assistant, an Escapees CARE Volunteer and Advocate, a seminar presenter and now I share my life with a long time Escapees employee in Livingston, Texas. To say that Escapees has had a signi fi cant impact on my life, is a massive understatement. Engaging actively is the key to reaping rewards!

PHOTO BY TIFFANY SHETKA #134834

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ESCAPEES Magazine March/April 2024