Question: What is the difference between belonging to the national RVing Women (RVW) organization and the Cascadia chapter?
Answer: RVW is the national organization, while Cascadia is the affiliate local chapter serving Washington and British Columbia. You need join the national organization before joining a local chapter.
Question: Can I come as a guest before deciding to join RVW?
Answer: Yes! You may attend two chapter events (lifetime) to see what the fun is all about. To attend additional events you must join the national RVW organization.
Question: What do you do at a typical Cascadia event?
Answer: Cascadia events are held on weekends at locations throughout Washington and British Columbia. An event typically starts with a happy hour meet & greet on Friday evening, followed by organized activities such as Texas Hold ‘Em, Bunko, Mexican Train, etc..
On Saturday morning we meet over coffee and breakfast before heading out for various activities (independently or in groups) during the day. The physical location of the event and the size of the meeting room dictate what indoor activities we enjoy. Where applicable, we’ll start out with an educational seminar before heading out for the day.
The location of our events, whenever possible, is scheduled around community events, such as sandcastle competition in Long Beach, lilac festival in Woodland or Autumn Leaf Festival in Leavenworth. After a full day of sightseeing, we reconvene for happy hour and a potluck supper on Saturday evening, followed by an evening of games or quiet time (if you prefer).
On Sunday morning, we gather for a brief breakfast meeting, and then christen new rigs before we go our separate ways. Folks with more time on their hands often arrive on Thursday or early Friday, and many stay over on Sunday night.
Question: What else happens besides the organized activities?
Answer: Those attending chapter events often group together to see local attractions or participate in a common interest, such as bike riding or birding or beachcombing. These spontaneously organized activities typically are announced Friday night during the welcome ceremony. Rides are offered for those that don’t have transportation. The RV parks that we stay in offer us the use of their clubhouse facilities for the weekend, so members often gather there during the day to visit, read, or share a common interest.
Question: Do you have any educational seminars, classes or activities?
Answer: Yes. Each weekend event includes some form of educational component. Past activities have included seminars on RV repair and maintenance (all aspects), financial matters, first aid, scrapbooking, beadworking, essential RV toys and more. Every event has something different to offer! Our events chairwomen are busy at work with advanced planning for new and exciting seminars and activities for 2008.
Question: Can I bring my husband/child/dog/cat?
Answer: Well-behaved dogs and cats whose owners ensure their good behavior are welcome to attend all chapter events. They are not allowed at the group activities or where food will be served however. Service animals excepted, of course.
Female children over the age of 18 are allowed to attend. Husbands and male children of any age are not allowed to attend chapter events.
Question: Do I have to join Cascadia in addition to joining RVW?
Answer: No. You may belong to RVW without joining a local chapter. But you may only attend two chapter events (lifetime) before being asked to pay the $5 annual chapter dues per head per year.
Question: What if I don’t own an RV?
Answer: RVW events are arranged for women interested in, or currently enjoying, the RV lifestyle. Chapter events are typically held in RV parks, many of which offer rental units and/or cabins. Or you may stay nearby in a motel or with friends. Depending on the location of the event, we have had women sleep in tents or in the back of their trucks.
Our Cascadia events are a wonderful educational opportunity for anyone interested in purchasing an RV. Members often offer a flexible open house opportunity to view their rigs, thus insuring knowledge of a wide array of rig types for the potential RV owner. This is also a great opportunity for someone who has an RV for sale. So, if you don’t yet own an RV, please inquire about alternate lodging if you would like to join us.
