BarbaraOK
Livingston, Texas, USA
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Joined: 10/27/2003
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As someone mentioned, if you aren't fulltiming, this organization may not be your cup of tea because most of us are fulltimers.
First and foremost - they have the BEST mail service available, bar none. Yes, the ones in SD are good.
Second, yes Escapees tend to be friendly, warm, welcoming, maybe some a little over the top. If you can't stand the though of getting a hug from someone you just met, just stick out your hand and you'll get a warm handshake. If that bothers you, then this is not the group for you. For us, the best thing is the yearly "Graduating Class of ..." which forms every year very loosely on the internet, comprised of folks who are just beginning fulltiming. It is so great to have people to email/talk to/meet up with/etc. who are going through the same things that you are at roughly the same time period. Then in January, the Class of the previous year tries to have a 'Graduation' rally out in Q (usually on the BLM La Possa South area) get together. In '06 we had 26 rigs that were able to make it to Q - - some of them have become very best friends of ours and we all still stay in touch along with others who couldn't make it that January. We meet up as we travel - such a great group.
In addition to the SKP parks, where members stay for $11 to $16 per night plus electric (in some places that is included), there are also Co-Op parks across the country where SKP members can buy in and have a lot for their use. And the traveling SKP members can also stay in those parks depending upon availability of lots for rent. Plus they have negotiate discounts at a lot of parks across the country.
The Escapades are some of the best rallies you'll ever attend.
Their forums are great - read them for a few days and you'll start getting the flavor of the group (www. escapees.com).
And the CARE Center. Not only can you stay at a reasonable rate while you are rehabing from cardiac surgery or chemotherapy or orthopedic surgery, but they also have an Alzheimer's unit so that a couple can stay together, in their own unit at night, and during the day the caregiver has time for themselves to regroup and recharge knowing that their loved one is in a safe and protected environment being looked after by caring individuals. And the rates are extremely low, thanks in large part to the volunteer efforts of Escapee members who spend a month or more working at Care each year, giving back to their RVing community.
Yes, I'm a big supporter. And those of you who just drive up to Rainbow's End and ask at the campground office, ask them to give you directions over to the headquarters office - they have all of the answers there and would love to talk to you. Or just look for a rig with an Escapees sticker and go up and ask them why they are Escapees. We're a really friendly bunch of folks.
Barb
Barb & Dave - full-timing
Traveling catpanions Kit (age 18) and Shadow (age 11)
Figment II (2002 Alpine 36 MDDS) 
Mischief (2004 Subaru Forester Toad) 
FMCA - F337834, SKP #90761
http://homepage.mac.com/barbaraok/
Our blog
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Kirk
Livingston, Texas.
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Joined: 06/17/2001
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TZScales
As a life member of Escapees, who became such because of the amazingly great organization that they are, let me first thank you for the opportunity to respond. Other than one or two posts, most of what has been stated thus far is bad information.
Escapees RV Club is more oriented toward the fulltimer or extended travel RV owner, but they do make a real effort to include everyone. There are young, working families among the membership, but it is dominated by people who are past the age of 50 and who are mostly "empty neters." But there are also members from just about every age and walk of life.
I suggest that you visit the website in order to check out that kind of things that they offer as none of us here can list even close to all of the benefits. Escapees RV Club Barb (who we do know) has mentioned a few benefits and I'll mention some but you need to realize that most of us think of those that we know most about. The CARE center is on property immediately adjacent to the Escapees home park "Rainbow's End" but is a separate organization and is supported by Escapees members by donation of time and money. It provides assisted living to those members who need it.
There are 19 RV parks around the country that members can stay in with full hook-ups ($11 - $20/night) or spend a short time dry camping with access to water and dump station for $5/night. In addition, there are many members in the camping directory who allow fellow Escapees to stay on their property as they travel, for a night or two for free.
They provide a completely legal street address for each of us who use their mail services (extra cost) which meets all requirements for state, local and federal government programs of all types. Texas has even amended the constitution to allow for voter registration of such addresses.
There are many other advantages to the Escapees RV club, but the #1 thing is the type of people who are management as well as members. It is true that a hug is the most common greeting, but it is also true that any member who isn't comfortable with that is welcome also and all that they need do is so indicate. Most members do come to accept the practice with time, but it don't matter if you do or not.
There is no organization that fits everyone, but Escapees comes closer than any other RV group that I know of, in more than thirty years of RV experience and more than eight years full-time. Let me suggest that the best way to get a feel for who Escapees are would be to join and take part in the Escapees Forums as the majority of active participants are members of the club, although such membership is not required, just join the forum, much as with this one.
There is no organization that is so good that no one has anything bad to say about it, but Escapees RV Club comes as close as any that I know of. They do not send their members constant advertising to sell stuff like some organizations do, nor do they flood your email. They are a "for profit" organization but they are the most caring one I have had the good fortune to come into contact with. And you can easily meet any officer of the company from the founders to the present managers, just by stopping in and indicating a desire to do so. They are without a doubt the most worthwhile RV organization in existence!
Good travelin! ........Kirk
sent via Starband, Manual Flyer dish
www.adventure.1tree.net
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GeeksRUs
Sundre Alberta
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Joined: 06/17/2003
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I did consider joining but after lurking on their forum for a month, I felt that they are too elitist.
EH!
GeeksRUs
2008 Big Horn 3400RL
2003 F350, PowerStroke, 4x4, SuperCab, LongBox, SWB
RV Home Base @ Coyote Creek, Sundre Alberta
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GeeksRUs
Sundre Alberta
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Joined: 06/17/2003
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OOOPS!!!! DUPLICATION
EH!
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oRV
Lexington, Kentucky
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Joined: 06/01/2001
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Friends, I must step up here and post as a strong advocate of the Escapees RV Club. I feel so strongly about this that I frequently espouse that I am not merely a member of a club, but that an Escapee is what I am. Being an Escapee (often abreviated "SKP") is truely a life-style. There are many opportunities for "service" (the "S" in SKP): I recently spent five weeks volunteering at the CARE Center in Livingston, TX. Here I was able to give some assistance to others in need as I received the blessing of being able to spend quality time getting to know and gain some wisdom from some wonderful people. There are also annual "Escapades" (this June to be held in Guilette, WY) where we experience a week of fellowship, gain mind-blowing amounts of knowlege (the "K" in SKP) attending seminars, eat great food (did I mention eat?), visit any of the many, many vendors, make and re-visit new and old friends, enjoy quality entertainment, and in general, enjoy the very best of the RV rallies available anywhere. The Escapees also sponser a convenient and economical number of RV parks (finally, the "P" in SKP). There are also lots of discounts for parks desiring to draw Escapees into their parks. These discounts range from 15% to 50%. Any group is only as good as the sum of its membership and managment. SKPs excell here as well. I hope that now you can see why my wife and I exclaim that we don't merely belong to this "club", but we are indeed "Escapees". . . come, experience the life-style. Come and get a hug if you're comfortable with one. If not we'll shake your hand or just give ya a big 'ole smile if that where your comfort level is. Come. . . join the family. As always, oRV
Orvil Hazelton
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jimd40
mcqueeney texas
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Joined: 11/30/2003
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Well first the escapees rv club members was one of the best to help each other....ihad been a menber since 1987 i think my number was 7531....i enjoyed the fellowship back in the 90's a lot of the old timers were always ready to help and we all use to say its not what you get But what you give.....in the last 9 years it has become what does it offer what can i get...also the club is VERY different then when Kay and Joe were active....yes some hug and some dont but its more like a business and because of that i didnt renew my membership...the parks and main office are NOT very friendly unless your a friend......jim
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Hayes
Grand Prairie, TX
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Joined: 10/19/2000
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DarkRubiTJ, that was an excellent response! As a longtime member, I have yet to find a true negative about the Escapees. It is a first class organization. I cannot say the same about Good Sam and FMCA.
Hayes
Jerry, Alma & Jasper the lovable Corgi
International 4700 Custom Tow Truck (Pepaw's Pull Toy)
38' King of the Road Marquis fifth wheel.
"Running the roads seeing God's Great Creation!"
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Ladysilverpatch
South Carolina
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Joined: 12/29/2007
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We are a FT couple who have been members of Escapees for several years. It is good value. It is made up of a wise, seasoned, experienced group of mostly FT folks. For technical RV info they are the best!
The website is open to everyone and offers very good, reliable info. If you need an opinion you will get one.
The parks are nice, clean, safe. Not vacation resorts. Limited amenities, adult-centered, not built with the family/kids in mind. But, good value for the mature RV'er. Always will accomodate the member who pulls into the park even if someone else has to go into dry camp. So, knowing you will find a site and not be turned away is A1. No reservations ever! How do you beat that? Just the way they do it! Also, members drive in, are given a site, BUT ARE NOT ASKED TO PAY OR GIVE CREDIT CARD. You are a member, you are in a position of trust. You pay when you leave or at the end of the month if you are staying that long. You do not have to "book" for a set time period. You can leave without giving notice and arrive without reservations. That is in itself priceless. It is like coming home in that regard.
CARE is special and a real PLUS.
The mail-forwarding service gets high marks.
The cost of membership is a steal.
If you are a mature FT RV'er, this is the membership for you to meet your peers.
OK. Are there any negatives? For us, I would say there are 2 things that we would like to mention. This is just our PERSONAL pet peeves. The parks will not accept mail although UPS can deliver to the site. And there are no worship services in the campgrounds. No chapel. No Sunday service on the grounds. We have found that there is almost a fear of having any Christian or religious activity at the park.
We treasure our membership. I don't think you can find better value for the small membership fee.
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fchammer1
AR, FL, PA & points in between
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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Hayes wrote:I have yet to find a true negative about the Escapees.
Shall I send you a copy of the letter that they sent to me while I was recuperating from a heart attack, and the rain was running into my motorhome from the its two broken windows? (Caused by reckless driving on the part of the company returning it from FL to my home in PA)
Or is THIS part of the letter enough for you:
"We have neither the time not the resources to respond to individual members complaints."
That answer from Escapee headquarters four years ago was like a slap in the face. It was FMCA that stepped up to the plate for one of its members!
Other than that, I agree with all the other positive posts about the Escapees, and we are still members. #17300
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newk
Gillette, WY
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Joined: 08/18/2007
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I'm not yet a member of Escapees, but I plan to join very soon -- certainly before we begin full-timing. However, I am familiar with their online forum and post there from time to time.
As an example, I posted a query a month or so ago asking who would be a candidate for pulling a 5er with an HDT. I was amazed with all the helpful responses and had at least three offers from members to take their personal HDTs for a drive. I've had friendly offers on other boards I frequent, but this was one of my first ever posts to that board -- maybe my first. The reaction by so many friendly folks was an eye-opener to me.
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