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Just got the Escapee Club News e-mail about the "Xscapers" http://www.xscapers.com/. GREAT IDEA!

 

I tried to log on to the beta version but it came back either "Username and password do not match or you do not have an account yet." or "didn't recognize the token" ?

 

Will keep trying....looking forward to the new project.

 

Thank you Escapees..

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You do need to create a new account for the Xscapers.com site. Your SKP log on doesn't automatically transfer over.

 

 

Follow Up: Success I created a new account and subscribed to the Xscapers E-new.

 

Thanks again.

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I don't want to sound too critical about this but I do have an opinion. Like everyone here I can choose to participate in both forums if I choose. I would prefer to have one "go to" forum, which I believe Escapees is. I also believe that it doesn't matter if your 16 or 86 the escapees forum is the best around. While I recognize the different aspects & interests of the various age groups & demographics of those who travel on a regular or full time basis I still think that one forum with room & opinions for all would better serve all of us.

Todd

“…nothing so liberalizes a man and expands the kindly instincts that nature put in him as travel and contact with many kinds of people.” – Mark Twain

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In the E-news article:

 

"The Escapees board reviews its statistics year after year, and every year the outcome is the same: 85 percent of Escapees members are retired and over the age of 65. While we knew we were not supporting everyone, we didn't realize there was such a large community of RVers flying under our radar.

 

When RVers who were working on the road or traveling with families were asked, "Have you heard of Escapees?" The response was too often the same: "Escapees doesn't provide the kinds of resources I would use; it's a club for full-time RVers."

There are two problems with this answer. First, we are not meeting the needs of this segment of RVing lifestyle, and second, we are perceived as a club for retired full-timers. It dawned on us that we were no longer living up to our mission statement, which specifically states that we are "A support network for ALL RVers." Something had to be done, and the concept of Xscapers was born.

 

I don't know if this link to the complete article will work but it may help explain the new project: http://us9.campaign-archive1.com/?u=d8bc0f46a19a696e5c335f4d2&id=de16a7b957&e=35c6fcd3a6

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Like everyone here I can choose to participate in both forums if I choose. I would prefer to have one "go to" forum, which I believe Escapees is.

 

There are not different forums for the two groups. The link on the Xscapers website brings you to this discussion forum.

LindaH
2014 Winnebago Aspect 27K
2011 Kia Soul

 

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The Xscapers is geared toward the younger crowd who are still working, or need to work on the road...unlike many of us older Escapees who are retired (whether or not we may volunteer or do work camping). Many are also home schooling. Sure, the Escapees has always been a club for all RVers, no matter their age or whether or not they were fulltimers. However, the perception has been, especially among the younger crowd, that it's a club only for older, retired fulltimers.

 

Based on the Xscapers Facebook page, I think this is going to be a very active segment of the Escapees RV Club and think it is a great idea to attract younger RVers.

LindaH
2014 Winnebago Aspect 27K
2011 Kia Soul

 

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Fit the xscapers demographic, have had an SKP number for about 6 months now. Was seriously wondering about spending $$ renewing when it came time, as a) I spend very little time outside of my region (Canada/PNW) and b ) no need/want for 90% of the SKP services available (which are great, if one can use them). The closest in-country park to me isn't even a 'true' SKP park, one has to buy a lot there to stay there.

 

Hopefully some events are possible, regionally, so one doesn't have to travel many, many miles from home base. PAX has two large events, why can't Escapees/Xscapers aim for that?

 

 

 

Thank you Linda, much nicer wording than I was going to use as a response. Even just lessening the club focus on what I'll call the sunshine belt would go a long way to changing the younger RV'ers perception of the club. I'll get to Arizona/Texas etc eventually, just not now.

 

 

PS first post is a good indication of the xscapers success already.

RAM Pickup

21' Escape Trailer

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First of all, let me welcome you to the Escapee forums and also to the club. It is wonderful to have younger folks join in and I hope that you will help the club to develop more to attract younger members. It was never intended to be a club for retired people only and we do have some younger members but do need more. The fact is that despite the age difference, you and I still have a great deal in common due to our love of RV travels. While we were once fulltimers, health issues have forces us back to a part-time mode of RV travel, which means that we share even more in common. Most of us are very pleased to see the increase of new members in the group. Please do let us know what can be done to support you as we are here to do that if we are able.

Fit the xscapers demographic, have had an SKP number for about 6 months now. Was seriously wondering about spending $$ renewing when it came time, as a) I spend very little time outside of my region (Canada/PNW) and b ) no need/want for 90% of the SKP services available (which are great, if one can use them). The closest in-country park to me isn't even a 'true' SKP park, one has to buy a lot there to stay there.

 

Hopefully some events are possible, regionally, so one doesn't have to travel many, many miles from home base. PAX has two large events, why can't Escapees/Xscapers aim for that?

 

 

 

Thank you Linda, much nicer wording than I was going to use as a response. Even just lessening the club focus on what I'll call the sunshine belt would go a long way to changing the younger RV'ers perception of the club. I'll get to Arizona/Texas etc eventually, just not now.

 

 

PS first post is a good indication of the xscapers success already.

The Escapades move about and are not always in the southwest. In fact the just past Tucson Escapade was the first in the area in 5 or more years. Most have been more central to the US & Canada at places like Sedalia, MO, Goshen, IN and the like. There were at one time two per year, one east and one west but when the economy went south there were not enough numbers attending to support two of them so they went back to two. It is expensive to put on such an event and there are a limited number of volunteers to help. While it won't be any closer to you, the next Escapade will be held in Essex Junction, Vermont in July 2016 and so will be closer to eastern Canada than it will be to western, or southwestern US members. I suspect that if the Escapee's management were to be made aware of a venue that could contain an RV group as large as we are that was located in the Pacific Northwest, they would look to scheduling an Escapade there.

Good travelin !...............Kirk

Full-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.
Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure

            images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQqFswi_bvvojaMvanTWAI

 

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I can see the perception of mainly being older and full timers and that needs to be overcome. However some of the issues are actually the same and the best anwers usually come from the most experience. Really nice to have fresh input from a different viewpoint also. Maybe as things progess it will be more blended and not percieved as us and them. In truth a whole lot of us are fulltimers in that we live in our rig full time but don't constantly travel. I will sort of throw Kinsa and her family under the bus as an example. They are not the commonly thought of RV'rs but I think we were all able to provide usefull insight to them and learned a little from them as well. If I have to be hit by a bus I hope it is one like their bus.

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I can see the perception of mainly being older and full timers and that needs to be overcome. However some of the issues are actually the same and the best anwers usually come from the most experience. Really nice to have fresh input from a different viewpoint also. Maybe as things progess it will be more blended and not percieved as us and them. In truth a whole lot of us are fulltimers in that we live in our rig full time but don't constantly travel. I will sort of throw Kinsa and her family under the bus as an example. They are not the commonly thought of RV'rs but I think we were all able to provide usefull insight to them and learned a little from them as well. If I have to be hit by a bus I hope it is one like their bus.

*blush* Aw, shucks...

Stephen & Karen and our six boys, ages 21, 21, 19, 17, 14, & 11
Stephen - Military retiree (as of summer 2012) & current DOI employee (Big Bend National Park)
Karen - Homeschooling stay-at-home mom & veteran
San Antonio, Texas

Fulltimed May 2013 - July 2014 (yes, all eight of us!)
Open Range "Rolling Thunder" (H396RGR - fifth wheel toy hauler bunkhouse) - SOLD
Ford F-350 diesel dually - for the camper
Ford E-350 fifteen passenger van - for the crew

Our unfinished travel blog: http://coach-and-six.blogspot.com/

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I can see the perception of mainly being older and full timers and that needs to be overcome. However some of the issues are actually the same and the best anwers usually come from the most experience. Really nice to have fresh input from a different viewpoint also. Maybe as things progess it will be more blended and not percieved as us and them. In truth a whole lot of us are fulltimers in that we live in our rig full time but don't constantly travel. I will sort of throw Kinsa and her family under the bus as an example. They are not the commonly thought of RV'rs but I think we were all able to provide usefull insight to them and learned a little from them as well. If I have to be hit by a bus I hope it is one like their bus.

 

I think that you'll see that the approach is actually much more blended than you think :) This is far from an us versus them sort of thing.

 

Xscapers will also be Escapees, and have full access to everything the club offers (forums, Escapade, the magazine, BoFs, etc.). There's obviously a lot of content that applies to us all - the pure joys and tribulations of RVing, routing, adventures, RV safety, pets, advocacy, getting our mail, connectivity, technology, logistical stuff, costs, etc. This approach keeps those topics accessible and central to all so we can all learn from each other.

 

The way we see it, is Xscapers is a second door into the club.. it's packaging up some newer content that is specifically geared to those of a younger age (as compared to the current median age) who are not quite ready for information on senior discounts, social security, Medicare and not having to juggle in work hours on top of travel/exploring. When younger folks check out Escapees, there's a bunch of information on those topics that can make it difficult to see that there's a bunch of fantastic 'general purpose' content.

 

It's a way to clearly show younger demographics that Escapees is intentionally making a place for them too, and welcomes them as part of the club. Same as those who are 65+ likely don't want to inundated with a bunch of new content on homeschooling, traveling with kids, business taxes and the like. (And those that would like that information are welcome to click Xscapers on their profile and get that content too... there's no age limits, it's all about choosing what interests you. Same as Xscapers who might be interested in post-retirement topics can click to get both.)

 

We'll all be welcome to attend the same rallies and events, participate in these forums and learn from each other. It's just a way to more easily bring Escapee's full circle to being a support network for ALL RVers without fighting two big battles at once.

 

- Cherie

(Xscapers Co-Catalyst)

 

(Here's our blog post from our perspective and involvement: Introducing Xscapers – A New Generation of RVers by Escapees RV Club_)

Cherie & Chris (and Kiki *meow*) / Personal Blog: Technomadia.com
Technomads (technology enabled nomads) since 2006

Our Nomadic Fleet:
RVs:
Zephyr: 1961 GM 4106 bus conversion / Blooper: 2020.5 Winnebago Travato GL Boat: Y-Not: 1999 Bayliner 4788

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First of all, let me welcome you to the Escapee forums and also to the club. It is wonderful to have younger folks join in and I hope that you will help the club to develop more to attract younger members. It was never intended to be a club for retired people only and we do have some younger members but do need more. The fact is that despite the age difference, you and I still have a great deal in common due to our love of RV travels. While we were once fulltimers, health issues have forces us back to a part-time mode of RV travel, which means that we share even more in common. Most of us are very pleased to see the increase of new members in the group. Please do let us know what can be done to support you as we are here to do that if we are able.

The Escapades move about and are not always in the southwest. In fact the just past Tucson Escapade was the first in the area in 5 or more years. Most have been more central to the US & Canada at places like Sedalia, MO, Goshen, IN and the like. There were at one time two per year, one east and one west but when the economy went south there were not enough numbers attending to support two of them so they went back to two. It is expensive to put on such an event and there are a limited number of volunteers to help. While it won't be any closer to you, the next Escapade will be held in Essex Junction, Vermont in July 2016 and so will be closer to eastern Canada than it will be to western, or southwestern US members. I suspect that if the Escapee's management were to be made aware of a venue that could contain an RV group as large as we are that was located in the Pacific Northwest, they would look to scheduling an Escapade there.

 

thank you for the warm welcome Kirk. I find your posts to be of the highest order, and this one was no different. I too suspect that we have more in common, than not. My questioning renewing my membership has more to do with value derived from that membership, which is another way of stating what others have already said, both here and elsewhere.

 

I didn't realize there were in the past two annual Escapades. That certainly would have been a benefit to those whose time for RV'ing is limited. I also dug a little deeper and see that there are in fact regional/chapter based events (rallys?) that escaped my notice before.

 

I do have an idea for a large venue in the PNW, but it would be 90% boondocking, so likely unsuitable.

 

 

 

 

The way we see it, is Xscapers is a second door into the club.. it's packaging up some newer content that is specifically geared to those of a younger age (as compared to the current median age) who are not quite ready for information on senior discounts, social security, Medicare and not having to juggle in work hours on top of travel/exploring. When younger folks check out Escapees, there's a bunch of information on those topics that can make it difficult to see that there's a bunch of fantastic 'general purpose' content.

 

It's a way to clearly show younger demographics that Escapees is intentionally making a place for them too, and welcomes them as part of the club. Same as those who are 65+ likely don't want to inundated with a bunch of new content on homeschooling, traveling with kids, business taxes and the like. (And those that would like that information are welcome to click Xscapers on their profile and get that content too... there's no age limits, it's all about choosing what interests you. Same as Xscapers who might be interested in post-retirement topics can click to get both.)

 

 

 

 

Thank you also Cherie. Point well made. The main site could use a revamping imho. I'll read your blog post for your further thoughts.

RAM Pickup

21' Escape Trailer

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The main site could use a revamping imho.

I believe that this is coming also, but don't yet have any hard information on it. I'll be really disappointed if that doesn't happen. The age thing is the higher priority and I agree with and support that belief.

Good travelin !...............Kirk

Full-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.
Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure

            images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQqFswi_bvvojaMvanTWAI

 

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I appreciate not having to wade through emails that are less likely to pertain to xscapers. The group even younger than myself is tech savy and wants quick info.

 

I appreciate the organization recognizing the need to reach out to the part time and younger very on the move RVers.

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It seems to me that at least some of the existing SKP perks are relatively "ageless" already. Access to the many 15% and 50% discount parks for instance, as well as low cost stays at the SKP owned and affiliated co-op parks. We spent the month of February for example, at a full hookup club owned park at a cost of about $13.50/night including taxes and electricity. Then of course, there's the availability of the mail service, now with three choices of domicile states for fulltimers. It will be interesting to see what specific perks may evolve for the younger set, but don't short change the existing perks.

Dutch
2001 GBM Landau 34' Class A
F-53 Chassis, Triton V10, TST TPMS
2011 Toyota RAV4 4WD/Remco pump
ReadyBrute Elite tow bar/brake system

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We Love the idea.....Although we are technically retired from the day to day grind we still are and will be workamping and traveling around this great country for quite a few years. Being only in our early 50's we are looking forward to meeting many folks in our "bracket" who share and enjoy the lifestyle. This does not mean we do not enjoy everyone we meet because regardless of age we all need to support one another in this wonderful lifestyle. Like any other organization, there always must be a way to reach the next generation to keep a fresh flow of ideas and perspectives and to also keep building the base.

 

We have been staying in Livingston for the past month and will be here until late April when we shove off for Crazy Horse Memorial for our workamping gigs and have been enjoying everything about Escapees here! We maybe some of the younger ones around here but everyone has greeted us warmly and often!

 

Keep up the great work!

 

Les and Sue

http://ramblingrvrat.blogspot.com/?m=1

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GOD Bless Texas!

GOD Bless All of our Troops!

"CHARACTER is doing the right thing when no one is looking"

'09 International Durastar 4400 LP Customized by 2L Custom Trucks

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I think this is a great idea - paying more attention to the MANY younger people that are fulltiming is a great way to sustain and expand the club. I'm not sure what age-specific benefits there will (or could) be, but I'm interested in seeing. Not that it would apply to me.....

Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member
Living on the road since 2000

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"I think this is a great idea - paying more attention to the MANY younger people that are fulltiming is a great way to sustain and expand the club."

----

I agree; I'm nowhere near the ages of the "target audience" for this venture, but think that the expanded focus will only benefit the club in the long run.

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I can not seem to login to the Xscape website. I keep getting the error message below

 

Error

The email address on file does not match your SKP number. The email on file starts with

I know that I have the right Escape number and email address.

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I can not seem to login to the Xscape website. I keep getting the error message below

 

Error

The email address on file does not match your SKP number. The email on file starts with

I know that I have the right Escape number and email address.

 

 

 

I had the same problem and found this post helpful:

 

 

You do need to create a new account for the Xscapers.com site. Your SKP log on doesn't automatically transfer over.

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I had the same problem and found this post helpful:

 

When you go to the Xscapers site you need to start an account and there will be a line at the very top which asks if you are a current Escapees member. You check yes and fill in the blanks below with all your info. Then they will send you an email to confirm and away you go.

http://ramblingrvrat.blogspot.com/?m=1

GOD Bless America!

GOD Bless Texas!

GOD Bless All of our Troops!

"CHARACTER is doing the right thing when no one is looking"

'09 International Durastar 4400 LP Customized by 2L Custom Trucks

'20 DRV Mobile Suites 40KSSB4, '10 H-D FLHRC Road King Classic, '09 Honda Rebel AmeriDeck M/C Loader in Truck Garage, Polaris RZR 570 EPS 10 - 320W Solar Panels, 4- Simpliphi 3.8 kWh 151A Lithium batteries, Victron Multiplus 3000W inverters, Victron 250/70 Charge Controllers, Progressive hardwired 50 AMP EMS, Class of 2012!

1221594356_ProfilePic.jpg.9b4d57a43f182efadbcaf4db7556bb2e.jpg

 

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