HOW & WHY TO JOIN A CHAPTER
The Good Sam RV club got its start 40 years ago when a handful of RVers put Good Samaritan
bumper stickers on the road and in campgrounds on their rigs so fellow members would know they
could get help on the road. From this small Club we grew. In the early days, Good Sam Members
spread the word at RV parks and other Club events. Soon everyone wanted to know how to get a
Good Sam "smiling face" decal.
WHAT IS A GOOD SAM CHAPTER?
All Good Sam members are encouraged to join a local Chapter for wholesome, increased outdoor
fun, fellowship, travel, touring places of interest, pot luck dinners, and other interesting camping
activities. Good Sam chapters are made up of individuals from all age groups not just retirees. We
strongly encourage the young along with the young-at-heart to join a chapter. This creates new and
long lasting friendships and memories. Chapter members usually meet once a month for a campout
get-together or other Chapter activities such as service projects or support of local charities. Some
of the Florida Chapters only meet October through May because their members are comprised of
“workcampers” or “snowbirds”.
A Chapter is made up with a varying number of rigs, each Chapter determining its own membership
size, and are composed of their own elected officers. They camp together, play together and give
support in times of need. The Chapter members have vests in their own Chapter colors, with
Samboree patches, patches from the states, parks and points of interest, they have visited. The
more you become involved in a Chapter the more satisfying the experience. The reasons for
belonging to a local chapter is for the fun, fellowship, games, travel, eating, craft, love of the
outdoors, camping, etc. Chapters support each other by having monthly campouts. The more
members who are involved, the more things the chapter can do. Many chapters support local
charities; most all the chapters support National and Florida Charities: Dogs for the Deaf, Florida
Guide Dogs and Camp Boggy Creek.
HOW TO JOIN A CHAPTER.
Each chapter has its own individual membership requirements but one that is universal is
membership in the Good Sam Club. If you are not a member of Good Sam, please click on any
Good Sam icon on this website to join Good Sam Club.
We strongly encourage you to visit with several chapters before you decide which chapter you want
to join. Some chapters are into volunteering, others travel to lots of out of state places together,
while others just enjoy spending time together relaxing. Chapter life is what you choose to make of
it. The chapters all have a weekend that they usually camp but most will also change their schedule
around depending on member’s needs and events they want to attend. All chapters have a guest
program that allows you to camp with them for a few visits without becoming a member. This allows
you to get to know them and allows them to meet you. Be sure to talk to a few presidents in your
area. They will tell you about their chapter and when and where the next campout will be. Deciding
which chapters to visit can take a little time. Click on the Chapters & Presidents page on this
website. Do not be overwhelmed when you open the page as we have over 60 chapters in Florida.
You can quickly narrow that list down to chapters near your area by looking at chapter names and
president’s towns. Some chapters are named for their area such as Citrus County Sams. Look at
the presidents towns and choose ones in your area. Remember most chapters have members from
a large area and travel to lots of different campgrounds in the area. If you are still not sure of what
chapters to contact feel free to call or email Bob Ward the state director (352-585-3677
bward5@bellsouth.net). He will be happy to help you with locations. After you have been to visit and
decide which chapter you want to join it is very easy. Just let them know you are interested and most
will have you fill out an application and they will take it from there.
WHAT IS A GOOD SAM CLUB “SAMBOREE” ALL ABOUT?
A Samboree is a statewide campout open to all Good Sam members. Information as to registration is
available from the home page of this website. Florida has three Samborees a year; Winter
Samboree in February, Spring Samboree in April, and Fall Samboree in November, a camping
adventure on a grand scale—all done by State Staff and volunteers. A multiple day event with an
emphasis on fun! Meeting new and old friends!
There are major events like Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Entertainment nights, Samgo (Bingo)
nights, and Sunday Worship. There are also all types of indoor/outdoor game competitions. There
are vendors of special interest to RVers, seminars, special products for the ladies, and crafts.
The Florida Samborees are unique from many other State Samborees. We have entertainment three
nights of the Samboree, and Samgo (Bingo) two nights. We are also noted for our Golden Wedding
Ceremony, with vow renewals, where we celebrate their Golden Anniversaries with couples from
Florida and any states that are attending the Samboree.
We pride ourselves on being a friendly, outgoing group and encourage new campers to attend. You
need not be a Good Sam member to attend but we challenge you to leave without wanting to be a
member!
The camping experience is one of a kind! And it is a safe and hospitable environment for the whole
family!
Consult the Highway Magazine for Samboree schedules in all states or contact the Florida State
Director.
The Good Sam RV club got its start 40 years ago when a handful of RVers put Good Samaritan
bumper stickers on the road and in campgrounds on their rigs so fellow members would know they
could get help on the road. From this small Club we grew. In the early days, Good Sam Members
spread the word at RV parks and other Club events. Soon everyone wanted to know how to get a
Good Sam "smiling face" decal.
WHAT IS A GOOD SAM CHAPTER?
All Good Sam members are encouraged to join a local Chapter for wholesome, increased outdoor
fun, fellowship, travel, touring places of interest, pot luck dinners, and other interesting camping
activities. Good Sam chapters are made up of individuals from all age groups not just retirees. We
strongly encourage the young along with the young-at-heart to join a chapter. This creates new and
long lasting friendships and memories. Chapter members usually meet once a month for a campout
get-together or other Chapter activities such as service projects or support of local charities. Some
of the Florida Chapters only meet October through May because their members are comprised of
“workcampers” or “snowbirds”.
A Chapter is made up with a varying number of rigs, each Chapter determining its own membership
size, and are composed of their own elected officers. They camp together, play together and give
support in times of need. The Chapter members have vests in their own Chapter colors, with
Samboree patches, patches from the states, parks and points of interest, they have visited. The
more you become involved in a Chapter the more satisfying the experience. The reasons for
belonging to a local chapter is for the fun, fellowship, games, travel, eating, craft, love of the
outdoors, camping, etc. Chapters support each other by having monthly campouts. The more
members who are involved, the more things the chapter can do. Many chapters support local
charities; most all the chapters support National and Florida Charities: Dogs for the Deaf, Florida
Guide Dogs and Camp Boggy Creek.
HOW TO JOIN A CHAPTER.
Each chapter has its own individual membership requirements but one that is universal is
membership in the Good Sam Club. If you are not a member of Good Sam, please click on any
Good Sam icon on this website to join Good Sam Club.
We strongly encourage you to visit with several chapters before you decide which chapter you want
to join. Some chapters are into volunteering, others travel to lots of out of state places together,
while others just enjoy spending time together relaxing. Chapter life is what you choose to make of
it. The chapters all have a weekend that they usually camp but most will also change their schedule
around depending on member’s needs and events they want to attend. All chapters have a guest
program that allows you to camp with them for a few visits without becoming a member. This allows
you to get to know them and allows them to meet you. Be sure to talk to a few presidents in your
area. They will tell you about their chapter and when and where the next campout will be. Deciding
which chapters to visit can take a little time. Click on the Chapters & Presidents page on this
website. Do not be overwhelmed when you open the page as we have over 60 chapters in Florida.
You can quickly narrow that list down to chapters near your area by looking at chapter names and
president’s towns. Some chapters are named for their area such as Citrus County Sams. Look at
the presidents towns and choose ones in your area. Remember most chapters have members from
a large area and travel to lots of different campgrounds in the area. If you are still not sure of what
chapters to contact feel free to call or email Bob Ward the state director (352-585-3677
bward5@bellsouth.net). He will be happy to help you with locations. After you have been to visit and
decide which chapter you want to join it is very easy. Just let them know you are interested and most
will have you fill out an application and they will take it from there.
WHAT IS A GOOD SAM CLUB “SAMBOREE” ALL ABOUT?
A Samboree is a statewide campout open to all Good Sam members. Information as to registration is
available from the home page of this website. Florida has three Samborees a year; Winter
Samboree in February, Spring Samboree in April, and Fall Samboree in November, a camping
adventure on a grand scale—all done by State Staff and volunteers. A multiple day event with an
emphasis on fun! Meeting new and old friends!
There are major events like Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Entertainment nights, Samgo (Bingo)
nights, and Sunday Worship. There are also all types of indoor/outdoor game competitions. There
are vendors of special interest to RVers, seminars, special products for the ladies, and crafts.
The Florida Samborees are unique from many other State Samborees. We have entertainment three
nights of the Samboree, and Samgo (Bingo) two nights. We are also noted for our Golden Wedding
Ceremony, with vow renewals, where we celebrate their Golden Anniversaries with couples from
Florida and any states that are attending the Samboree.
We pride ourselves on being a friendly, outgoing group and encourage new campers to attend. You
need not be a Good Sam member to attend but we challenge you to leave without wanting to be a
member!
The camping experience is one of a kind! And it is a safe and hospitable environment for the whole
family!
Consult the Highway Magazine for Samboree schedules in all states or contact the Florida State
Director.
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