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Elks vs. RV Parks

Yahoo Message Number: 63821
Regarding all the posts about RV parks and cancellation charges, I would like to state the way my wife and I operate. First, we NEVER reserve a space at any RV park. We generally try our best to AVOID RV parks. Our first choice is to stop at Elks lodges. I am an elk, and particularly on the west coast, many lodges have accommodations for RVs. I have gotten my dues back tenfold over the years staying at elks lodges for $15 a night, some of them really nice, some with full hookups, others water and electric and a dump. Plus you can go in and have a drink, sometimes dinner, and associate with some really nice and friendly people. I strongly recommend joing the Elks to everyone, just for the RV parking alone. Just call your local lodge and inquire. (note: if you live in the northeast part of the country, very few lodges have RV parking, for some reason).
If we can't find an elks lodge, we look for federal, state or county parks that have RV parking. Also fairgrounds often have nice RV parking. Why anyone wants to be a sardine in an RV park (and pay $45 or more for the privilege)is beyond us. It is absolutely our last resort, and painful when we have to do it.

Al Colby

2000 Intrigue 10979

Re: Elks vs. RV Parks

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63847
I have been a charter member of our Elk Lodge in N J for years and stay at an Elk Lodge when we can. We use lots of Elk Lodges on the east coast and many in Florida. They always greet you with open arms and you can't beat the price of the dinners and bar. There is a book you can buy that tells you the Elk Lodge location, just what hookups they have, and the price because they all don't have facilities for RVs. We also feel good because we are supporting a great organization. Hope to see more Country Coach owners at an Elk Lodge in the future.

Bob 2000 Intrigue

Re: Elks vs. RV Parks

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63865
There exists a Yahoo Group for RV parking. It has information and pictures. In fact we will be at the Lodge in Kerrville TX Elks tonite.
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/RVing-Elks-Parking/
In the last 10 years we've stayed at over 40 Lodges, and visited 30 more, CA to FL and as far North as Northern IN.

You need to be an Elk to join the Group.

Judy n Joe

98 Intrigue 10578

Re: Elks vs. RV Parks

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63867
I'm an Elk, my lady-friend is a member of the Moose Lodge... Many of the Moose lodges also offer RV hook-ups... Both are great places to "camp"... No reservation neccessary, and they usually ask for a $10 dollar "donation" per nite... Most Lodges serve dinner meals on weekends for a very reasonable price... other times you can always order a burger, etc. Most Elk/Moose Lodges have dances with "live" music on Friday nite, Saturday nite, and sometimes Sunday afternoon or night...

buck

k7wn, '99magna5653, C10, Allison 4060

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Re: Elks vs. RV Parks

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63884
I agree. I use them often and have seldom been disappointed. Just one additional note. Some of the Elks Lodges in the West Coast area have established very nice campsites with water, 50 amps dumps at the site, concrete pads & etc. But, for your awareness, be prepared for donation/fee that can be a bit higher in many popular locations. We just finished a tour in Northern California.
Here are a few examples: Oceano/Pismo Beach -$20, San Luis Obispo - $20, Napa - $20, Santa Maria - $25, Petaluma - $25. Still a great bargain for all that is offered including the camaraderie!
Some even offer reservations. I suggest checking the web site and calling a few days ahead of your planned visit. Sometimes they get jammed with another Elks lodge RV Club doing a mass visit.

Daron Hairabedian, 98 Allure, 30226

Re: Elks vs. RV Parks

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63894
One thing you guys are forgetting is that the Elks lodge is a service organization which raises millions of dollars for worthy causes. It is the hard work of the members that makes this happen, the camping fee probably does not even cover the electric.

If you want to become an Elk to serve your lodge and worthy groups, the camping is just a bonus.
If your only reason to join is for cheap drinks and camping then you are not a true Elk.

Re: Elks vs. RV Parks

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63895
Do you really think that the few comments we have made here about RV sites being available at Elk/Moose Lodges puts you in a position to judge whether or not we are "true" Elks???

buck

k7wn, '99magna5653, C10, Allison 4060

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Re: Elks vs. RV Parks

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63897
My 2-cents, Im an Elk, Moose and Eagle, Use their parking spots all the time! Most other Lodges like VFW etc. allow long term or short term stays. Google each lodge for parking and see for yourself. You meet the best people and made many friend's! Ken 99 Allure 30356

Re: Elks vs. RV Parks

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63900
NOT MY WORDS!

I strongly recommend joing the Elks to everyone, just for the RV parking alone. Just call your local lodge and inquire. (note: if you live in the northeast part of the country, very few lodges have RV parking, for some reason).

Re: Elks vs. RV Parks

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63903
They are my words. I responded privately, but this is sitting in my craw, so I have to also respond on the forum. I believe that the RV parking, along with the friendly environment one encounters when staying at elks lodges, is incentive enough to entice people to join. I would hope that once they join, they will learn about the activities Elks are involved in (particularly charitable work with children), and will want to help with that. I do not appreciate the criticism, as with Elks, one of the most important tasks is to increase membership, which I was trying to do. Further, being judged as "not a true Elk" is absurd. I am an officer of my lodge, and one of the main volunteers to help with what we do. I say knock off the judgmental attitude!

Al Colby

2000 Intrigue 10979
Lecturing Knight

Watsonville, CA Elks Lodge # 1300

Re: Elks vs. RV Parks

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63904
"True Elk" or not there are many service clubs that are hurting financially right now. All service clubs appreciate your stay and the few extra dollars or donation you give them. Stopping in for drinks and dinner is money they wouldn't otherwise make.
We are members of the Elks, Moose, Eagles, American Legion, VFW, and AMVETS. For 3 months this summer we traveled around Alaska and found many friends in all of the clubs we visited. They have good conversation, kind members, good advice for travelers, and we were never disappointed in the dinners. Although we might not have stayed with the coach at many of clubs we noticed almost every club had hookups. Every club appreciated the business.

Kimberly

Re: Elks vs. RV Parks

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76275
Kimberly,

Your good information from you was posted over a year ago, and I wonder if you would have suggestions as to how you joined these service clubs, especially theElks. We aren't veterans, so those are out, but one of the small towns we used to live in had a wonderful Elks Club which we though not members often went to for the food and fun times with friends there. We hope to be traveling more in the future, and being able to stay and eat and have fun at some of these clubs sounds great. Thank you in advance for any help in finding out how to join.

Mary Frederick
06 Inspire 51784

Re: Elks vs. RV Parks

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76276
Mary --- I was not aware that these service clubs allowed motorhomes to park at their facilities? Probably a good way to be able to socialize too if traveling alone like I do...
Our coaches are "related" -- pretty close in their "birth dates" thanks Mary

If you can give me more information about your experiences with these service clubs, I would really appreciate the input.... jan

06 Inspire 51898

From: Mary Frederick

To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2011 11:17 AM Subject: Re: [Country-Coach-Owners] Re: Elks vs. RV Parks

Kimberly,

Your good information from you was posted over a year ago, and I wonder if you would have suggestions as to how you joined these service clubs, especially theElks. We aren't veterans, so those are out, but one of the small towns we used to live in had a wonderful Elks Club which we though not members often went to for the food and fun times with friends there. We hope to be traveling more in the future, and being able to stay and eat and have fun at some of these clubs sounds great. Thank you in advance for any help in finding out how to join.

Mary Frederick
06 Inspire 51784

Re: Elks vs. RV Parks

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76278
Mary

The process to join every club is different.
VFW/American Legion/AMVETS - you must have a DD214 - either because you served or from a family member who served - father, grandfather, son, daughter etc.
Moose - you must be sponsored by a member. Only men can belong to the Moose. Women can belong to the Women of the Moose, vote on their issues but can't attend or vote on issues of the Moose.
Eagles - Works similarly to the Moose - membership, voting, rituals, etc.
Elks - must be sponsored by an Elk. Men and women are both voted in as Elk. Women can choose to belong only to women elk but have no voting privilege. Must fill out application, list references, references will be contacted, application is discussed and voted on, must attend installation ceremony.
Fees for membership vary by club and location. No club accepts members who have had a felony. I'm sure there are other items I've forgotten. Of all clubs I am involved with I enjoy the Elks most but only because of the particular locations I'm involved with. There are great locations in the other clubs as well.

Kimberly

Re: Elks vs. RV Parks

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76279
Kimberly, Jan, and Lonnie and Diane,

Thank you all very much for the great help! We'll find somebody who is an Elk and start the joining process. Don't you just love this wonderful group and how easy it is to find out important things! Merry Christmas and happy Holidays to all and safe and beautiful travels too! We who have our Country Coaches have a lot to be thankful for.

Mary and Mike
06 Inspire 51784