ABOUT US
WE ARE NOW AN FMCA CHAPTER. Our name is FMCA Cactus Campers. Due to the removal of support from Camping World, our club made the decision to become an FMCA Chapter in order to reach new potential members. We welcome travel trailers, 5th Wheels, Class A's, B's and C's.
In 2023, Camping World decided to separate itself from the Good Sam organization. In essence the State organizations and local chapters were on their own. The Texas State Good Sam Club is in the process of redefining itself. The Cactus Campers decided to seek affiliation with the FMCA. An application to become an associate chapter was submitted and approved.
The Cactus Campers Chapter of the Good Sam Club was chartered in 1975. We have members around South Central Texas. We have members from as far-flung as Kerrville and Copperas Cove. Most of our members are retired or "near retired" and range in age from the 50's to 70+. We typically meet the first full weekend of each month Thursday to Sunday but check our rally schedule for changes. The Thursday has to be in the month to count as the first weekend. Many rigs come in on Wednesday. We don't meet in June, July or August due to the Texas heat and summer travel plans our members have.
WHERE WE GO
We generally go to parks within 150 miles of San Antonio. Once or twice a year we will do a longer trip if enough of the membership is interested. Places we have been include Natchez, Mississippi for the Spring pageant, Ruidoso, New Mexico, Big Bend National Park/Terlingua and the Coushatta Casino in Kinder, Louisiana. We held our October rally at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. We went to Galveston in October 2015 for 10 days. In 2017 we held a rally in the Rio Grande Valley. In 2018 we had our April rally at the Winstar Casino in Oklahoma. In 2019 we went to Pine Mountain, Georgia for the Azalea festival. For 2021 we went to Abilene, Texas in the Fall. For 2023 we went to Lubbock in early October. In 2024 we are planning to go to the Choctaw Casino in Durant, Oklahoma.
In addition, some members like to get together during the summer months or other times for a gathering, both in Texas and elsewhere. Places we have met include Show Low, Arizona, Branson, Missouri, South Fork, Colorado, Eagle Nest and Ruidoso, New Mexico. Several rigs may travel together during the Summer. These "unofficial rallies" are open to anyone that wants to make the trip.
Places around the area we have held rallies include Aransas Pass, Victoria, Conroe, Rockport, Ingram, Bandera, Port Lavaca, New Braunfels, Fredericksburg, Onalaska, etc. We try to go to parks that have interesting places nearby to visit and shop or have an event going on. A nearby golf course is desired. We are not too structured and let people decide what is fun for them. We just want everyone to relax, visit, and have a good time. The monthly meeting is a regular time to get the rig out and exercise it in the company of friends.
WHAT WE DO
We have a few members that play golf on Thursday or Friday mornings of the rally weekend at a course near the rally park. We have a "Breakfast Club" that goes out to eat. We spend time visiting, shopping, eating and playing card games like Jokers or dominos (42 and Mexican Train). We have gotten into putting a puzzle together at each rally. We occasionally have a group that plays poker but it is pretty low stakes. Meals are decided by the rally hosts and may be a combination of host-provided meals, eating out, potluck or group grilling. We usually do a shrimp boil at the coast and our Christmas dinner is typically catered or at a nice restaurant.
WHAT OUR MEETINGS ARE LIKE
We have a social hour each day with snacks and beverages followed by games and visiting. A full breakfast is provided on Saturday morning with a brief business meeting thereafter. Sunday we have a light breakfast after which we head for home.
OUR INVITATION
We hope you will come visit us at one of our future rallies and join in the fun. On your first visit, you are our guests and there is no rally fee/food fee. If you like us and what we do, you can apply for membership at the second rally you attend. The annual dues are $20. The rally/food fee is typically $40 a couple/$20 per person at each rally and will be charged starting with the second rally. Eating out and special events are the responsibility of each individual. You must be a current member of the national organization to join.
