SOI News From the SOI Clubhouse

Spring Edition
Vol 2 April 2014
SOI News
In this edition:
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Hi Scampers! It has been a busy first quarter
of 2014 for SOI. In February, we had the
largest attendance in history for the 2014
Scamp Camp in Sebring, FL (see the story on
page 2) and SOI sponsored a Ladder ball
tournament and table at the Quartzsite, AZ
gathering (see the story on page 5).
From the SOI Clubhouse – pg 1
2014 Scamp Camp Florida – pg 2
2014 Quartzsite AZ Gathering – pg 5
Featured SOI Lifetime Members - Dave
and Leslie DeBeaux – pg 7
Featured Modification - LED Light
Bulbs - pg 8
Featured Park – St. George Island - pg 10
Scamping Memories – pg 12
Upcoming Gatherings - pg 13
Scamps for Sale - pg 13
As of this newsletter SOI has grown to 468
memberships which is the largest in club
history. At the current rate, we should pass
the 500 membership level in just a few
weeks. SOI is growing fast!
From the SOI Clubhouse
Speaking of Scamp Camps, we now have 3
official Scamp Camps on the calendar:
1. Scamp Camp Far West– May 15-19
2014 – Pine Grove, CA - 2 spots left
2. Scamp Camp SW – Christmas in
Sedona, AZ – Dec 12-14, 2014
3. Scamp Camp Florida 2015 – Feb 914, 2015 – Sebring, FL
We are working on getting a Scamp Camp in
the Fall. If you host an event or would like to
Scamp Owners International
39506 N. Daisy Mountain Drive #122-310
Phoenix, AZ 85086
info@scampcamper.com
www.scampcamper.com
www.fiberglass-rv-4sale.com
© 2014
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and want to make it an official Scamp Camp,
let us know!
You don’t have to wait for a Scamp Camp or
gathering to catch up with your friends or
share information about how to do mods or
maintenance on your trailers. There is a
Scamp Camp going on 24 hours a day 365
days a year in the SOI online clubhouse
(www.scampcamper.com). There is no gas
or campsite fees to join in the online Scamp
Camp and we love to visit with all the
members. If you don’t have a way to get in
touch with a friend you met at the Scamp
Camp, the Online Member Directory allows
you to find them and contact them through
the online messaging system.
We now have almost 1000 forum posts and
growing. In addition, there are numerous
travelogues, blogs and resources that are
available in the clubhouse.
We hope to meet each of you soon in the
online clubhouse or at a gathering!
Keep on Scampin’!
Greg & Janea
2014 Scamp Camp
Although the meet was scheduled for
Monday through Friday, many people came a
few days early. On Sunday evening, to begin
to build community, (and to test out
equipment), a movie The Ultimate Gift was
enjoyed by the early birds.
Monday included registration and set-up of
campsites. The traditional “Chili Dump” was
held that evening as the campers brought
their favorite Chili recipes and added them to
the roasters and crock pots. Along with the
Chili, there were many salads and dessert
items contributed to make the evening dinner
a real feast. A big thank you to Betty
McAdams and Lynda Freed and Gerry
Felker for helping to organize the Chili
dump.
16th Annual Scamp Camp at Highlands
Hammock State Park
by Dick Freed
Record numbers of Fiberglass trailer
enthusiasts gathered this past February at
Highlands Hammock State Park in Sebring
FL. 70 trailers, with 123 campers were
registered for the event.
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On Tuesday afternoon, Steve McAdams led
a geocache seminar for those interested. This
was followed by the annual “Getting to Know
You” Pot Luck dinner, with hot dogs and
supplies provided by Dave & Marty Krack.
Later that evening, Ray Meyer led what he
called ABC which is “Alice’s Bingo Cards”
at the Recreation Hall. Participants won
various prizes including the grand prize of a
Visa Gift Card. Thanks to Ray for providing
the prizes for this event.
Wednesday was a busy day for Scamp Camp.
On Wednesday morning, Floyd Clark
started off the day with the “Tech Talk”
where people could ask questions about
fiberglass trailers and problems and how to
solve them. Following the Tech session, the
Open House was held, during which campers
could display the modifications they had
made to their trailers with other campers.
Wednesday afternoon Steve McAdams
gathered the group together for the traditional
camp picture, which he always offers to the
campers for a nominal fee.
Vol 2 April 2014
Following the picture, a new event “Great
Giveaway #1” was conducted.
People
brought in items of a “White Elephant”
variety, wrapped in newspaper, during which
after a person had chosen a gift, the next
person had the option of either choosing a gift
from the table, or “stealing” a gift already
chosen by someone previously. The variety
of “elephants” and the stealing that took place
made for a fun event.
That evening, the volunteer staff at the
campground held the All-camp potluck.
Afterward, Susan & Alan Schroepfer
provided musical entertainment for those
who stayed after. That evening was the only
rain event of the week, with severe weather
threatened, but never materialized.
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Supper at the rec hall that evening, which was
well attended by campers in the park. A
movie event was conducted on Thursday
evening, as campers bundled up to watch the
movie RV, starring Robin Williams.
As the rain had stopped by Friday morning,
Bob Anderson led his informative nature
walk in the park.
On Thursday morning, the volunteer staff
offered breakfast rolls and coffee in the rec
hall. After that, Sharon Cranson taught a
craft lesson about making yarn necklaces.
Friday afternoon was tagged as a “choose
your own adventure day”. Some went to
Lake Placid to sightsee, and others went to a
local lake for a picnic. My wife and I and
another couple went to the TECO (Tampa
Electric Co) Manatee Observation area to
view the manatees which were enjoying the
warm water discharge from the plant.
In the afternoon, the Great Giveaway was
conducted. These were nicer gifts that people
had donated for this event. Thanks to Greg
Arford, (the new leader of the SOI
organization) for all of the SOI shirts, hats,
decals etc. Also thanks to the members who
donated the “free week of camping” at a
campground at Intercourse, PA.
The
camping week was won by Augie Birchler.
The Camp volunteers conducted their Soup
Saturday morning marked the end of
programming for the week, as most of the
group packed up to head back home.
My heartfelt thanks to those who were noted
above in boldface print for sharing their
talents to help make the week a success. I
would also like to thank Jim & Kate Filer,
and all the other volunteers for their help in
organizing Scamp Camp 2013. Kate fell and
injured herself at the Wednesday night
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potluck. It is my understanding that Kate fell
again and broke her hip a day or two after
Scamp Camp ended. Prayers for her recovery
would be welcome. My apologies if I missed
anyone who helped… and a big thank you.
Vol 2 April 2014
2014 Quartzsite AZ Gathering
Next year’s camp will be held February 9 to
13th (depart 14), 2015. As of the writing of
this article we already have 20 sites
registered. If you want to attend, register
NOW: http://www.reserveamerica.com/
Once you register contact me with your
registration information (name & site
Number) at:
Egg Village Dome Rock Quartzsite
mailto:richfreed@aol.com.
Thanks to all for attending this year. We had
a great camp.
The weather was Arizona beautiful. A
record 93 egg trailers were there and a
great time was had by all. Many thanks
to the organizers George and Betty and
the Casita Forum folks for putting on this
great event every year.
The Soup Tent
SOI Lifetime Member Earl and the
Peanut
have
posted
the
2014
Quartzsite Gathering travelogue for
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you to read what went on in much
greater detail!
The First SOI Quartzsite Ladder Ball
Tournament was a hoot and Earl did a
great job putting it together. We had 22
players
in
a
double
elimination
tournament. We should have even more
participants next year now that everyone
understands more about the game.
The organizer Earl hard at work!
Getting ready to start
The Quartzsite gathering has always
been laid back. There are not a lot of
organized activities scheduled and so it
really gives you a chance to visit and get
to know people and enjoy the sunsets.
Several of us would gather around the
campfire in the evening and enjoy the
wonderful music by SOI Members Pete
and Jackie.
The Winners – Left to Right
1st Prize - Mike and Patti, SOI Members,
16 Scamp from CA. They said this was
their first time to ever play, but we’re not
so sure about that. Ha! 
2nd Prize - John and Lance
3rd Prize - Mike and Larry
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Featured SOI Lifetime Members
Vol 2 April 2014
E-bay in Kansas City. They purchased it
and began Scamping in June 2003.
Meet Dave and Leslie DeBeaux
By Janea A.
They enjoyed it so much they decided to
snowbird for one season in CA, TX, and
AZ in 2005-06. After that experience,
the decision was made to sell the ranch
and everything in it and hit the road fulltime. They were able to sell their house
and the contents within five weeks. They
knew they would miss the people, but
figured “Well, we can always point the
car back that direction.” Once out fulltiming, Leslie said the thing she missed
the most was her washing machine.
Dave’s greatest “miss” was his Ford
tractor.
Dave
and
Leslie
rarely
made
campground reservations during their
Dave & Leslie DeBeaux
Dave and Leslie’s camping beginnings
were very similar to a lot of people’s, but
then they took a bold step that not many
of us take – full-timing in a 13’ Scamp.
They were living on a ranch in Nevada
when they began doing some car
camping, then van camping.
They
started searching for a pop-up or A-liner
and
then
decided
they
wanted
something similar to their neighbor’s
Perris Pacer.
That is when Leslie
discovered a 1993 13’ Scamp for sale on
adventures across the country. They
discovered that with a 13’ Scamp, most
anyplace could make room for them.
Another bonus they discovered with their
small Scamp was when they were
traveling in Idaho one rainy day on a
narrow two-lane road and came upon a
mudslide that had completely blocked
the roadway ahead. They were able to Uturn with their small Scamp and head
back the other direction rather than wait
hours for the road crew to clear the
debris.
They said their favorite place to camp
was on Forest Service land in NE
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Washington at Lake Roosevelt, right on
other than Dave reminded us again that
the water. Then they quickly added,
“Well, we shouldn’t tell you that. There
goes our best kept secret.”
he still misses that tractor.
In 2010, as Leslie’s birthday was
approaching, she announced over
dinner, “Dave, for my birthday I am
buying a toilet with a trailer wrapped
around it.” Dave surely didn’t want to
disappoint her and so responded, “Well,
why wait. Got something in mind?” And
off they went to Benson, AZ to purchase
their 16’ Scamp.
They have sure
enjoyed having the bathroom and the
extra countertop.
In May 2011, making preparations for
their older years, they bought a house in
Mesa, AZ, for when the day would come
they couldn’t travel anymore.
They
currently spend just a few months there
and the rest of the year at a campground
in Quartzsite, AZ, in their 16’ Scamp.
The first Quartzsite gathering in 2007
was when we had the pleasure of
meeting this wonderful couple. They are
a lot of fun and have many stories to
share with others about their Scamping
adventures. We have always been
impressed that they full-timed in a 13’
Scamp for so many years. They both
agreed that once they hit the road, they
never looked back and had no regrets -
Featured Modification
LED Light Bulbs -- A Buyers Guide
By Dave W.
Finally, Affordable, High Quality, Energy
Saving LED Bulbs are Available! The
quality of LED bulbs has improved greatly
over the past few years while prices have
dropped into the affordability range.
Quick Tip: When buying LED bulbs, Think
Lumens and Forget Watts!
Historically, we have purchased light
bulbs based on Watts; a 100 watt bulb is
brighter than a 60 watt bulb, which is
brighter than a 40 watt bulb, etc. The
brightness of a LED bulb is based on
Lumens and not Watts. Lumens are
simple: the higher the lumens the brighter
the LED Bulb.
Fortunately, the DOE has produced a
simple guide you can use as a reference
for relating Watts to Lumens (see guide
below). Additionally, if you remember that
a 60 watt bulb is equivalent to 800 lumens
you will have a great point of reference
when purchasing LED Bulbs.
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Quick Tip: Beware, some manufacturers
produces light at 2700k color temperature
overstate the "Watts Equivalency" on
their packaging (i.e.: bulb shows 65 Watts
Equivalent on the package with only 700
Lumens of brightness, that's 100 lumens
shy of being a 60 watt bulb, much less
being a 65 Watt bulb! Shame on them!)
and a fluorescent "office" bulb produces
light at 5000k. Both the whiteness and
blueness increase the higher you go in
color temperature. Remember, there is
nothing wrong with a 3000k bulb, or a
5000k bulb, it is just a matter of your
preference and/or your intended usage,
i.e.: you might prefer to use 2700k bulbs
in your living and reading areas, but, you
could choose to use 5000k bulbs in your
laundry room or office.
Affordability: LED bulbs save energy, they
use
85%
less
energy
than
an
incandescent bulb and the new bulbs will
last 22 (plus) years! Prices have dropped
below $10.00 per bulb. When you
consider your 85% energy savings these
bulbs will pay for themselves inside of 2
years and you have an additional 20 years
of energy savings to look forward to.
In addition to the traditionally styled bulb,
LED bulbs are beginning to appear in
Floodlight, Globe, Mini Globe, Candelabra
and many other styles.
Color: the color of LED lights is based on
a "Color Temperature" scale, the scale
ranges from 2700k to 5000k(+).
Basically, what you need to know, and
remember, is: an incandescent light bulb
Quick Tip: Terms like "Warm White, "Cool
White" and "Daylight" are all marketing
terms and have no standardized meaning
or scientific basis for their use. Look at the
"Color Temperature" chart to determine if
the LED bulb will fit your needs.
Brands: Both Phillips and Cree have
emerged as the High Quality/Low Cost
leaders in the LED light bulb market. Their
LED
bulbs
incorporate
the
latest
technology and Phillips has begun to
produce exceptional bulbs in unusual
shapes (think Ping Pong paddle). Home
Depot is the exclusive distributor for Cree bulbs
and they offer a wide variety of shapes and
sizes. Cree also offers a full 10 year warranty!
In our next issue we will look at creative
ways to use the "Standard" shaped LED
bulbs in various light fixtures to avoid
spending extra money for "Decorator
Styled" LED bulbs.
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Featured Parks – Campgrounds
St. George Island State Park
By K R. Cranson
A fresh water pond along the sand dunes near the Sugar
Hill Campground
Just a few miles from Apalachicola, along
highway U.S. 98, is one of Florida’s great
parks on the Gulf of Mexico. It occupies
the entire east end of St. George Island,
one of several barrier islands along this
portion of the Gulf. With the waters of the
Gulf on the south and Apalachicola Bay to
the north, this park offers a great diversity
of environments.
St. George Island State Park features nine
miles of sandy beaches along the Gulf side
for swimming, fishing and sunbathing. On
the bay side, canoeing and kayaking are
favorite activities and both types can be
rented at the boat ramp near the youth
camping area. There are many miles of
trails designated for both hiking and
biking throughout the park. One of these,
the East Slough Trail, features numerous
elevated boardwalks and a viewing
platform that overlook the water.
There are pristine secluded beaches,
sugar-white sand dunes, a slash pine/oak
forest, coastal scrub, salt water mashes
and small freshwater pond communities.
In addition, there is a large variety of
birds, marine life and other wildlife
throughout the park. With water all
around, it is strange that this is an arid
environment.
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There are six large picnic shelters on the
was acquired for the park, construction
Gulf beach along the main park road, each
equipped with restrooms, showers,
cooking grills and tables. The Sugar Hill
Campground includes 60 campsites with
electric
and water
hookups.
Two
restrooms service the two loops with
modern facilities including hot water
showers. The main campground roads are
paved and individual sites are level with
began and it was opened in 1980. Today,
St, George Island State Park protects
nearly 2,000 acres of the Gulf Coasts
outstanding beaches and sand dunes.
gravel pads - some are paved. Like all of
Florida=s State Parks that feature
to get a reservation in as early as
possible. Camping reservations can be
camping facilities, a sanitary dump station
is provided.
made through Reserve America up to 11
months in advance of your arrival. By
phone: 1-800-326-3521 or online at
http://www.reserveamerica.com/.
Of course, St. George Island State Park is
a favorite destinations, especially during
the winter months. If you would like to
camp at this coastal gem, it would be wise
Nightly camping fees are in the mid-$20
range that include electrical and water
hookups. The park phone number is 850927-2111 and the address is 1900 E. Gulf
Beach Dr., St. George Island, FL 32328.
Campsites among the Slash Pine in the Sugar Hill
Campground - note the Trillium, a fiberglass cousin of
Scamps, Casitas and Bolers
The island has a long history of human
occupation dating back some 5,000 years
where evidence of native people have
been found. The pine forests were used to
make turpentine in the mid-1900 and it
was a training site for troops during World
War II. In the early 1960s the property
Enjoying the view of the beautiful sugar white sand.
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Scamping Memories
My Scamp Memories
By Dalton, 13 yrs old
Dalton and his faithful buddy Jake
In the SOI Winter Edition you read about my
sister’s Scamp memories, so now it’s my
turn. I really enjoyed Scamp when we got it.
One of my personal favorite campgrounds
was Campland in San Diego, CA, though I
wouldn’t suggest going unless you don’t
mind being around a lot of kids. Also, you
will have your car covered in berries by the
time you leave (that actually was pretty
funny!) It’s right on Mission Bay, across from
Sea World, and at night you get to see the
fireworks. They have all kinds of ongoing
activities, one of my favorite being the
sandcastle building contest.
Vol 2 April 2014
Grizzly and her cubs. The bison were
everywhere! It was truly an exciting place.
For those of you who don’t know, the
National Parks have a Junior Ranger Program
for kids or your grandkids. You go around
with a packet that you fill out regarding the
different aspects of the park. When you are
finished, the Park Ranger has a ceremony
where you are presented a Junior Ranger
Badge
or
Patch
and
your
parents/grandparents get to embarrass you
by taking lots of pictures. Yellowstone also
has a Science Badge that you can earn. The
Science kit came with an infrared
temperature gauge that you could aim and
shoot into the geysers, which was really fun.
The National Park I enjoyed the most was
Yellowstone, and if you haven’t gone I highly
recommend it. We got a spot right on
Yellowstone Lake with a nice breeze and a
beautiful view. We also saw tons of
interesting animals there as well, even a
Some of Dalton’s Junior Ranger Awards
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I also thought Sunset Crater National
Monument north of Flagstaff, AZ, was
interesting as well. It’s open starting in May
and you get a good look at an awesome
volcano, a lava flow trail and cinders. We
stayed at the Bonito Campground at the park
entrance and it had really nice, large
campsites for our trailer.
Vol 2 April 2014
All in all, some of my fondest memories are
traveling with my family in our Scamp. Thank
you for letting me share these memories
with all of you. As my dad always says, “Keep
on Scampin’!” - Dalton
Upcoming Gathering
Event: ScampCamp Far West
Dates: May 15-19, 2014
Location: Pine Grove, CA
Campground: Gold Country Resort
View of Sunset Crater
The Wupatki Indian Ruins are nearby as well,
so you should also stop by and check them
out. President Calvin Coolidge designated
these ruins as a National Monument in 1924
so that these pueblos would be preserved.
Call (209) 296-4650 and ask to reserve with
the group of "Fiberglass and Friends."
Limited space remaining.
Scamps for Sale
As mentioned in the prior SOI newsletter, we
are the owners of Fiberglass-RV-4Sale.
These links will take you to the 33 Scamps
listed for sale as of the date of this newsletter:
US: http://www.fiberglass-rv-4sale.com/scamp-trailers-for-sale
CA: http://www.fiberglass-rv-4sale.com/forums/fiberglass-rv-adscanada/scamp-trailers-canada
This pueblo is four stories & has over 100 rooms!
So if you are in the market for a used Scamp
or know anyone who is, make sure you check
the website. Here is a sampling from the
current Scamp listings that might pique your
interest.
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1989 16’ Scamp - $5,700 – Lethbridge, AB,
Canada
http://www.fiberglass-rv-4sale.com/for-sale/1989-16ft-scamp-sale
2013 19’ Scamp Deluxe 5th Wheel - $20,000
– Park City, KY
http://www.fiberglass-rv-4sale.com/for-sale/2013-19-deluxe-woodinterior-scamp-park-city-ky
SOI Club Business
2012 13’ Scamp - $9,900 – NE Ohio
http://www.fiberglass-rv-4sale.com/for-sale/2012-13-scamp990000-northeast-ohio
Please email any submissions for the
Summer
2014
SOI
newsletter
to
info@scampcamper.com
Check out and “like” the SOI Facebook
page! As of the date of this newsletter we
have 100 likes.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scamp-OwnersInternational-SOI/528842760519390
Interested in being interviewed for the
Featured SOI Lifetime Member article? Let
us know and we will get something scheduled
for a future SOI newsletter edition.
2010 Scamp 5th Wheel - $14,875 – West
Texas
Keep on Scampin’!!
http://www.fiberglass-rv-4sale.com/for-sale/2010-19ft-fifth-wheel1487500
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