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By Al Cohoe, photos by Barb Rees
Who would have thought that this program that started with 37 registrants the first year would continue to grow and continue on? By the time this year is completed we will have assisted over 2400 RVers with their passion for the RV lifestyle. We started and continue the seminars as an extension of the Okanagan College RV Department with help from the RV Dealers Association of BC.
Over the years it has grown, but still continues to be a 3-day/4-night event that is jam-packed with information and fun. Not only are the participants able to take part in their choice of over 40 seminars, but they also are treated to a wine and cheese on Friday evening, a great night of entertainment on Saturday evening and a great meal on Sunday evening. Along with that they have their coffee both morning and afternoon along with fresh baked muffins and cookies. There is not a lot of spare time over the course of the weekends, and when there is we have a hosted fire pit in the parking lot (temporary RV park). Many times over the years we have been told that there is just as much information changing hands in the evenings as in the day time seminars.
The variety of sessions remains. We have technical, destination and lifestyle sessions. We always run the traditional sessions on all of the systems in the RVs and how they should work. We pride ourselves on the number of comments from all past participants that these technical sessions are presented in a way that everybody gets the information, regardless of how technical or non-technical the RVers may be.
Each year we have been able to add a few new topics and instructors and this year is no exception. This year we have a few instructors coming back for another visit with us and bringing newfound information to share. Bob and Melanie Ashton are back again. This year they have added their experiences in both Alaska and the Baja. They were one of our earliest students many years ago. They love to travel and share their knowledge of the lifestyle and their travel experiences.
This year Barb Rees is back again from her travels across and throughout Canada. She is an accomplished writer and has published five books on RVing, and is going to share her knowledge of both their travels from the Sunshine Coast up the Stewart-Cassiar highway and through Alberta, Saskatchewan as far east as Churchill Manitoba. Barb is also going to share her book writing knowledge with those wanting to create a better journal of your own travels
John Wendt and Gerry Evans are joining us this year. John was one of our RV instructors and spend a few years with Onan and has since sold their house, bought a fifth wheel and travelled fulltime for the past year. They will be sharing with us their fulltime experiences. They have done the circle from Kelowna through the Maritimes to Florida, west to Arizona and then back to Kelowna, we are looking forward to their information -
We are looking forward to having a great year again this year. The dates for our 19th annual RV Owners Seminar are June 24-27, 2016. You can find out more information and register at our website www.okanagan.bc.ca/rvlife or call Nancy Ankerstein at 250-762-5445 ext. 4424 should you require further information.
Look forward to seeing you all in June. Make sure you spread the word to all and make sure you bring your friends! Happy RVing.