We'd like to thank Stein and the gang at:

for their valuable assistance in organizing this year's BBQ.

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Thank-you!

To the hundreds of you who came to the largest gathering of RVers at Oshkosh, thank you! An estimated 400 of you came and, I hope, enjoyed yourselves on a muggy night in America's heartland (Pictures here). We are a family; a family of RVers and this event is our chance to reunite, bonded first by our airplane projects, and then by our friendship. We had more people than we expected, the lines were pretty long, and we had to make runs to the store to get more beer, food, and soft drinks. But each year we do this, we learn a little more about how to do it and this year was no exception.

We have a few things we need to work on. We've had potential sponsors approach us, but I truly feel this event needs to be a grassroots effort, a night with friends. It is, actually, the anti-AirVenture, designed to break even or lose just a little bit of money. Principally, we have to figure out how not to let the weather risk the considerable investment of money ahead of time (If it had kept raining past 5 p.m., we likely would have lost about $2,000).

Will we see you again next year? Mark the date. Wednesday July 25, 2007. 6 p.m., in Camp Scholler on 12th Street between Lindbergh and Elm. Anyone have a propane grill we can borrow for the night?

Who's coming? Find out here! | Frequently Asked Questions

For the third time (in four years), we're hosting a BBQ of RV Builder's. We had a terrific time last year, and we learned a lot, like have a fire to keep the folks from Airzona warm, have more relish on hand, better beer, a bigger BBQ and a wider menu. And so we will, hopefully.

At this time we are putting together a small group of volunteers to help pull the BBQ together. So far we have two: me (Bob Collins) and Darwin Barrie, who will coordinate the cooking activities as he has indicated that he's fired up a BBQ or two in his lifetime.

We are planning on a menu including potato salad, chicken, brats, hot dogs and hamburgers (we're just not ready to handle corn-on-the-cob quite yet!) and are anticipating a cost in the $10 range, which will cover the food, extra campsite, condiments, beer, goodies etc. This is not a profit-makign venture, so should we have extra money left over (we didn't last year, trust me :*( , we'll apply it toward the 2007 event and lower the cost accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where is this going to be?
A: At a Campsite at Camp Scholler. We're planning to be on 12th Street between Lindbergh and Elm, not far from the West End store. See a map of Camp Scholler. If you've got a GPS, our coordinates will likely be approximately:

N 43 58.489
W 088 34.718

Q: How do I get there?
A: Depends on where you're coming from. If you're inside AirVenture, walk out by Aeroshell Square, past Theatre of the Woods, West until you can see the Red Barn. Take a left after the showers. Take the Camp Scholler shuttle bus and ride it until you get to the West End Store. Get off and walk across into the field. You'll be near 12th. Just keep walking toward the showers. You can't miss us. We have a big white canopy tent donated by Marshall Alexander.

If you're driving, we recommend you try to park in the EAA grey lot and hoof over. Or call us and maybe we can swing over and give you a lift. If you end up down in the parking near the North 40, and you've got an Airventure wristband, (this also applies if you're camping in the North 40 or South 40), use the John Deere trams to get to near Aeroshell Square and follow the above directions. If you're driving from outside of Camp Scholler, it's a bit problematic because there's no parking in Camp Scholler for non-Camp Scholler residents. Reccommend you park in an AirVenture parking lot and follow the above instructions. Don't worry. We'll give you a ride back to your car when you're readiy to go.

If you're staying in town, we can try to arrange to come and get you, but this is really a pain in the neck. If you're from New Zealand, we'll do this for you. Or UK, or France or somewhere. If you're from the USA, we reserve the right to tell you to bugger off (that's a joke).

Q: If we park in an EAA lot, won't we have to pay admission?
A: EAA says if you park in the Blue Lot after 5 p.m., there's no parking fee. Information bulletin #1 has details of how you get into the campgrounds from there but you do not ever enter the AirVenture grounds so you won't need a wristband or anything like that.

Q: Can I park at the campsite?
A: Yes if you have a scooter or a bike. No if you have a car.

Q: Can I bring anything?
A: Yes, see below. Definitely bring a folding chair if you can. We can use some light after sunset too. Oh,and we never have too much ice. Although this might be the year.

Q; I can't find you. Do you have a cellphone where I can call you and you can 'talk me in?"
A: 651-246-5564

Q: Can I stop by in the days before?
A: Of course. We plan on setting up around 4 p.m. on Friday July 21. Warning the beer will not be cold at Friday July 21.

Q: Is that son of your going to be around that was bugging us last year to ride our scooters?
A: I don't think so, he's graduated from high school and he's driving ambulances now as an EMT. He'll probably come pick you up when fall over on that scooter, so where a helmet unless you'd rather be comatose to avoid his biting sarcasm.

Q: Is there a fee?
A: No. We are accepting donations to help defray the costs, but the goal here is to get together and have a good time. If you want to donate, we do appreciate it. If you'd rather not, then come and have a good time anyway.

Logistical
We’re going to need a small committee of volunteers. We’ve got two so far and some others who have expressed a willingness. Here are general thoughts on areas where volunteers could help. Name indicates coordinator

General organization/Web site - Bob Collins
Cooking chores - Darwin Barrie
Barbecue equipment (Collins. Extra grills taken care of.)
Propane (extra tank) - Got it.
Chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, brats. Watermelon
Beer
Paper supplies
We’ll need to hit Wal-Mart around 2 or 3 that afternoon.
Shuttle service to parking
Clean-up
Set-up
- Chairs and tables. Would like to get this done by noon that day.
- Condiments
- Ice.
- Extra coolers (Done)
- Lighting? Can we get a small generator? (Bill Near)
- Mosquito stuff (Done)
Pot-luck (salads, deserts) - Darwin has suggested assigning deserts by alphabet, M-Z, bring a salad etc. See information bulletin #1.
Campfire
- Need someone who has one of those portable campfires. Gotta keep the guys from Arizona warm
Signage
– A sign at the main intersection (Stits and Schaick) and a couple of others would be good. (Done. Signs will be by the Camp Locator, At Lindbergh and Stits, at 12th and Lindbergh and at 12th and Schaick)

FINANCIAL STUFF

Suggested donation: $7. Once we figure out what we’re serving and what we can get in the way of volunteer stuff, it’ll be easier to put a pricetag on the thing. I’m thinking $7-$10 should do it. Part of this also goes toward paying for the extra campsite for a week at $18 per night. Do we need someone to collect or check reservations?

PLANNING TIMETABLE

By April 10 - Put this document online to try to get some folks in charge of some categories. Have a Web site set up as a clearing house for information. (done)
By April 30 – Have a core group of folks to volunteer. (done)
By May 15 - Settle on menu, estimate number of attendees and determine fixed costs. (If we fall short, I’ll pick it up. ) (done)
By May 15 - Begin taking reservations online for the BBQ only (the RV area is a separate issue), and provide Paypal access. (Done)
By May 31 - Status check of where we are with reservations to see if we’ve got any problems or unique situations we hadn’t thought of. (Done)
By June 2 – Get Van’s to put a blurb on their Web site (they did last year) (done)
July 21 (Friday ) – Bob arrives at OSH

CAN YOU HELP?
Depending on what area you wish to help in, a few hours before the event starts will be required. You may also need a car. If you've got a scooter and wish to help pick up (or deliver) people back to their far-flung destinations, we could use that too. Got a generator? How about good sturdy tables? If you know, for sure, you'll be going to OSH and wish to volunteer, please contact Bob Collins . And keep checking this site or the RV Builder's Hotline newsletter for updated information.