Shared Passions Bring Winnebago Compact Coach Owners Together Out West

Shared Passions Bring Winnebago Compact Coach Owners Together Out West
Learn more about the recent Camp EKKO and Winnie B National Roundup events.

By: Noel Fleming & Chris Miller

The Camp Winnebago On the Road team recently took part in two very exciting owner rallies: Camp EKKO and the Winnie B National Roundup. Each meetup brought more than 100 compact coaches together for multiple days of fun, educational sessions, and meaningful moments.

Our team asked Noel and Chris, long-time Winnebago Ambassadors and attendees of both rallies, to share about these two exciting, sold-out events for anyone who couldn’t attend. We think their summary below will make you want to be the first to RSVP next year!

Learn more about Camp Winnebago On the Road and see what events are next on the schedule here. Plus, read more about the other owner events that have taken place so far this year in the spring recap and summer recap.

Winnebago Rallies: If You Build It, They Will Come

Kevin Costner’s iconic film character built a field of dreams in an Iowa cornfield, and a team of players emerged from the sky-high stalks. They stepped into the sunlight with a purpose and a passion … and of course that unforgettable background music. This scene was a reminder that humans innately understand the call to gather, connect, and create memories.

Winnebago, coincidentally also connected to that land of corn, continues to honor their longstanding tradition of building. They build products, and they build community. Those communities emerge on Facebook pages and other social media platforms. Yet, there is a special magic that occurs when the community emerges in person, through their own metaphorical cornfields, to gather together at rallies. 

Attendees traverse thousands of miles to create scenes that will be replayed in their minds long after the goodbyes have been said. Two such memorable rallies occurred in late summer of this year: Camp EKKO and the Winnie B National Roundup.

Camp EKKO Welcomes New Members to the Tribe!

Camp EKKO welcomed 103 rigs and 190 attendees to Purgatory Ski Resort located near Durango, CO. They rolled in one after the other, filling the parking area to overflowing. Half of this year’s attendees were rally newbies, and the old guard ecstatically welcomed them in. What joy to grow a tribe! 

Purgatory, with its jaw-dropping backdrop, offered the history of western expansion, the Silverton-Durango railway, close proximity to Mesa Verde National Park and opportunities to enjoy recreation in the San Juan Mountains.

Winnebago B Vans Gather for Annual Roundup

The Winnie B National Roundup (BNR) welcomed 121 rigs and 182 attendees to Cody, WY. Compact rigs filled an entire campground, located a mile from the historic downtown area. Many attendees have been rally-goers for eight years. (Learn more about the Winnie Bs here.) 

The newest members of the family, Cody residents who were surprised when a swarm of B’s descended on their town, quickly joined the hive. Cody, the rodeo capital of the world, offered the history of the Wild West, the somber landmark of Heart Mountain, and proximity to Yellowstone National Park.

How RV Owner Rallies Improve Our Lives

Although every rally is designed uniquely for its participants and location, there are many common threads. Stefany Adinaro of The FitRV articulated beautifully some common thread benefits during the final day of Camp EKKO. She reminded us that rallies lend themselves to keeping us healthy and happy by contributing to four pillars of life: purpose, passion, physical health, and people.

1. Purpose: Finding meaning in things you do for others.

The rallies offered opportunities to help other travelers with mods and travel tips. Workshops built knowledge. Vendors and Winnebago techs aided attendees by trouble shooting and presenting new options. In addition, many rallies incorporate ways to help others beyond the group of attendees.

For BNR, the Winnie B’s invited local entrepreneurs to share educational seminars about farming and beekeeping, and attendees purchased goods to support the small businesses. Camp EKKO supported the local San Juan Mountain Association by gifting them funds from our raffle proceeds.

2. Passion: Pursuing your deep interests.

In this group of RVers, every attendee shares the passion of travel! Many friends caravan before or after rallies, enjoying excursions along the way. Others share local adventures available during the rallies. 

3. Physical Health: Caring for the only home you have.

During Camp EKKO, small groups hiked, biked and paddled together. They rode chairlifts, coasters, and slides. At the Winnie B National Roundup, campers visited museums, attended rodeos, rode horses, and went cycling.

4. People: Creating strong social connections.

Sharing life together, even for just a few days, creates powerful connections. Sharing meals, experiences, and laughter are gateways to sharing our stories. These connections enrich our lives in ways that ripple through our days, even when we are apart.

Final Thoughts on the Benefits of RV Owner Rallies

Rallies are life-giving. It is undeniably one of the reasons that both Camp EKKO and the Winnie B National Roundup sold out quickly and had waiting lists. 

RV owner rallies come in all shapes and sizes, are located throughout the country, and are suitable for extroverts and introverts alike. You can look for Winnebago owner groups on the GoLife Community page and browse the upcoming owner events calendar. If you join one of the associated Facebook groups, you can also see their upcoming rallies under the events tab.