Message from the “Camping Today” Staff

This is the month your ‘Camping Today’ Staff takes time off to travel to and from Campvention. So this month’s issue will be short.   We will have a pack-filled issue recapping the event in the following months. In the meantime, we would like to leave you with this message.

With every election cycle comes new leadership, fresh ideas, and changes that help shape the future of our organization. As we look ahead, we also want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the incredible dedication of someone who has played an essential role in the success of Camping Today.

After six years of serving as Camping Today’s Editorial Proofreader, Shari Weber has made the decision to step away from her role. While we will certainly miss her contributions, we are incredibly grateful for the countless hours she has devoted to making this publication the best it could be.

Producing Camping Today is far more than simply putting words on a page. Every issue requires careful editing, attention to detail, coordination, and a commitment to quality. Shari consistently went above and beyond those expectations. Her dedication has been one of the primary reasons Camping Today has arrived in your inbox month after month, and her careful eye for detail has helped elevate both the quality and the substance of our newsletter over the past several years.

Running Camping Today is truly a part-time job in itself, and Shari embraced that responsibility with professionalism, enthusiasm, and an unwavering commitment to our membership. On behalf of everyone at FCRV, we extend our sincere thanks for her years of service. Her contributions have left a lasting impact, and we wish her nothing but the best in whatever comes next.

As many of you heard during Campvention, FCRV will be transitioning away from a full-time office staff at the end of 2026. This change will also affect the production of Camping Today.

With this transition, the current newsletter team, along with any new volunteers who join them, will assume the responsibilities currently handled by Carl W. Fromholzer, who has served as the Design and Layout Editor for Camping Today. Carl has graciously offered to train the existing team, as well as any new volunteers who step forward, to help ensure the smoothest transition possible.

As with any change, there may be an adjustment period. Future issues of Camping Today may look different as new volunteers become familiar with the production process and the software used to create the publication. Depending on the talents and ideas of the new team, you may even see an entirely new layout or format emerge in the months ahead.

While change can sometimes be challenging, it also brings new opportunities for creativity and growth.

We ask for your patience, encouragement, and understanding as these transitions take place. FCRV is an organization powered by volunteers, and the continued success of Camping Today will depend on members who are willing to share their time and talents. With your support, we are confident that Camping Today will continue to be a valuable source of information and inspiration for our camping family for years to come.

Thank you for being part of the FCRV family and for supporting the volunteers who work behind the scenes to keep the campfire burning

‘Camping Today’ Submission Forms

[ ‘Camping Today’ is currently scheduled for release on the 15th of each month.]

[ All content must be submitted by the 1st.]

Contact FCRVOFFICE@gmail.com if you have any questions or problems submitting material.

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Articles – Event Recap – Birthday Shoutout – Milestone – Farewell

Letter From Retiring Camping Today Editor

by DeWayne Johnston

July 15, 2022.

In 1989, then President Lyndon Mayer urged  me to take over the editor portion of Camping Today since Editor Dave Higbie needed to spend more time on his successful travel business. I had been doing volunteer publicity for NCHA. As editor I was hired as a contractor for service. Dave and Martha Higbie would stay on as publisher and continue to do the layout and printing and supervise mailing. Copies were printed and mailed at that time. Since then, NCHA/FCRV has had several publishers who took care of layout, printing and mailing for a fee.

I was fortunate to have several mentors who knew the organization inside out. Among them were the Higbies and Noreen Smith,  I was also glad to get to know founder Hank Nathan, National Director Don Plummer,  Office Manager Fran Opella, Layout Person Cathy Williams and many others including the presidents I served under. My wife June was always a great help, too.

My last few years were made a little easier by Vickie Roop who volunteered to take over layout when Camping Today alternated  between print and mail and online issues.  Of course, today, it’s all done on line with Carl Fromholzer and Paul Standiford doing the layout and Pat Wittmeyer taking care of the mailed subscriptions . 

My overall goal was to develop sources for interesting and useful articles and to encourage the membership to share what they are doing in the way of camping activities and other community service projects. Covering Campventions, Retiree Rallies, and other special events was also important. Making FCRV look good wasn’t hard since so many chapters, states, and provinces were doing lots of public service such as Conservation Projects, fundraising for charities, and things like bringing Christmas to orphanages and nursing homes. Also, the Connecticut ’Make A Wish’ support and the Winter Texans Veterans Home gift drive were significant. Rallies have always taken up donations for the local food banks and nursing homes, etc. including Ronald McDonald House.

Although I am retiring as editor, I’ll still be around taking a few pictures and may contribute a story or two.  We’ll continue to camp and enjoy the many great friends we have in FCRV.