“Escape To Wisconsin” . . . and learn.
By Robbin Gould, Editor
You learn something New every day, as the old saying goes. How about a whole lot of things?
Motorhomers who convene in Madison, Wisconsin, for FMCA’s 92nd Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase, July 29 to August 1 at the Alliant Energy Center, can do just that. They’ll be able to attend their choice of seminars and collect countless pearls of wisdom from knowledgeable presenters.
As of this writing, more than 110 seminar topics are on the schedule during the “Escape To Wisconsin” Family Reunion. Here’s a preview of just a few. Up-to-date seminar information will be available on-site in Madison and published at FMCA.com.
The “Featured Technical Presentations” category includes seminars dedicated to motorhome maintenance, chassis, coach systems, towing, and other subjects covered by well-known companies and RV experts. Individual sessions devoted to Freightliner and Spartan chassis join others highlighting Caterpillar and Cummins engines. The “Towing Roundtable” will provide tips on one of the most-discussed topics among motorhomers. “Ask The Experts” also will be presented in a roundtable format for attendees who seek answers to wide-ranging questions related to operating and maintaining their homes on wheels.
Gary Bunzer, known to many as the “RV Doctor,” will educate FMCAers on several subjects, including “Technically Choosing Your Next Motorhome,” “The RV Doctor’s Top 10 RV Facts of Life,” and a New presentation, “The Importance Of Battery Balance.”
The “RV Driving Safety Program,” cosponsored by the Recreation Vehicle Safety & Education Foundation (RVSEF) and FMCA, is intended to increase driver awareness and to help RVers better understand their vehicles and conditions that may affect driving. Completing the two-session course may entitle attendees to a discount on their insurance premiums.
In “Fire & Life Safety In Your Motorhome,” firefighting veteran Mac McCoy will outline the causes and types of most RV fires, offer tips on how to prevent them, and discuss the extinguishers and other media to use on them. Attendees will fight a fire with various types of extinguishers.
Travel seminars will fuel RVers’ wanderlust. Discussions on RVing to Alaska, the Canadian Maritimes, Western U.S. national parks, and South Africa, among others, will be offered by representatives of the FMCA Tour Connection, powered by Fantasy RV Tours.
Other sessions will make learning fun. For example, “Geocaching 101,” by Steve Czarsty, will introduce the audience to this RV-friendly sport, a kind of high-tech treasure hunt for hidden caches using a handheld GPS receiver and Internet-posted coordinates and descriptions. Two microwave-convection classes will be conducted by cookbook author Janet Sadlack. Those with an interest in RV history will enjoy listening to Al Hesselbart speak on “Housecars To Motorhomes — The Evolution Of Motorized RVs” and “The Evolution Of The RV Species.” And game lovers may opt for an “Introduction To Mah-Jongg” presented by Flo Purcell.
Attendees won’t want to miss presentations about myriad other subjects, too: make-and-take crafts; FMCA member benefits; exterior motorhome maintenance; smartphones, software apps, and satellite TV; coach interior tips; personal finance and health; and others.
So, if you will be in Madison for FMCA’s “Escape To Wisconsin” Family Reunion, you may benefit from a little planning. Peruse the accompanying list of seminar topics now. Then, get ready . . . get set . . . learn!
“Escape To Wisconsin” Seminars
At press time, the following seminars have been scheduled for FMCA’s 92nd Family Reunion in Madison, Wisconsin. Subsequent changes will be posted on FMCA.com and in the Madison event program.
Crafts
Attitude Adjustment: It’s Fun Art . . . Not Fine Art! NEW
Beaded Tongs New
Chandelier Earrings NEW
Dragonfly Escape Necklace And Earrings NEW
Just Say Cheese Earrings & Necklace And/Or Bracelet NEW
Make A Fabric Lanyard NEW
Silver And Turquoise Chips Necklace NEW
Featured Technical Presentations
(These seminars are also listed under their specific subject groupings)
120-Volt AC Electrical Safety
Ask The Experts
Caterpillar Engine Maintenance
Cummins Engine Maintenance And More
Cummins Onan Generator Operation & Maintenance
Freightliner Custom Chassis Fireside Chat
Importance Of Battery Balance NEW
RV Driving Safety Program, Session 1
RV Driving Safety Program, Session 2
RV Weight And Tire Safety
Spartan Chassis Motorhome Maintenance
Supplemental Towed Car Braking
Suspensions — Coach Ride And Handling
Technically Choosing Your Next Motorhome
The RV Doctor’s Top 10 RV Facts Of Life
Towing Roundtable
FMCA Seminars
Information
Candidates’ Forum
Meet FMCA National President Charlie Adcock
Orientation For First-Time Attendees
Under 60 Task Force Roundtable
Member Benefits
Benefits Of FMCAssist
FMCA Member Benefits
FMCA RVinsurance
Training
FMCA Chapter Secretary’s Roundtable
FMCA Treasurer’s Roundtable
National Director Training
Fun, Games & Exercise
Early Morning Functional Exercise — Movements That Matter
Information & Technology
Communications
Smartphone Basics For Travelers
Smartphone Photography And Other Uses For That Lens
Programs & Apps
Picasa And Google Photos: What To Do With Those Pictures
Technology For Travelers: Pictures, Maps, Movies, And Blogs
Satellite TV & Sound
Satellites And RVs
Secrets Of TV In Your RV
Websites & Blogs
Google Maps For Trip Planning And Sharing Maps
Moviemaker: Yes, You Can Make Your Own Travel Video
Lifestyle
Coach Interior Upkeep
A Better Night’s Sleep NEW
Five Things You Need To Know When Buying LED Lighting
Insider Cleaning Tips
Let’s Talk About Dirt NEW
RV Bathroom TLC
RV Renovations: Making Your RV New Again!
Safer, Simpler RVing
Successful Interior Renovations
Travels With Velcro
Cooking
Microwave-Convection Cooking For The Beginner
Microwave-Convection Cooking-On-The-Go
Hobby
Beginning Genealogy
Breaking Down Your Genealogical Brick Walls
Genealogy On Your iPhone Or Android Mobile Device
Geocaching 101
Housecars To Motorhomes — The Evolution Of Motorized RVs
Introduction To The Game Of Mah-Jongg NEW
On-Road Quilters
Quilt Magic NEW
The Evolution Of The RV Species NEW
Lifestyle
Choosing A Home Base
Full-Time RVing
Raising A Service Dog On The Road NEW
Personal Finance & Health
Emergency Medical Services: What’s The Difference? (A Product Specific Seminar)
Exercise And Rehab For The Lower Extremity Core
Exercise And Rehab For The Mid-Core
Exercise And Rehab For The Upper Extremity Core
Health Considerations For Hypertension, Diabetes, And Heart Disease
Living A Longer, Happier Life NEW
Look 10 Years Younger In 10 Minutes
Mary Kay: Fighting The Signs Of Aging (A Product Specific Seminar) NEW
Travel
Alaska: The Ultimate RV Vacation (A Product Specific Seminar)
Canadian Maritime RV Experience
Exploring The Western National Parks
Great River Road By RV
New Rallies & Great RV Destinations (A Product Specific Seminar)
RVing Down Under! Australia & New Zealand RV Tour
RVing In Mexico
RVing In South Africa . . . An RV Wildlife Safari
RVing To Alaska
The Grand West Coast RV Adventure (A Product Specific Seminar)
The Great Polar Bear Migration RV Tour (A Product Specific Seminar)
Understanding Guided RV Tours
Maintenance & Operation
Driving, Towing, And Parking
Better Diesel Driving With SilverLeaf Electronics (A Product Specific Seminar)
Collision Avoidance By Mobileye (A Product Specific Seminar)
RV Driving Safety Program, Session 1*
RV Driving Safety Program, Session 2*
Smart Coach Innovations NEW
Steering Safety & Reverse Osmosis
Supplemental Towed Car Braking*
Towing Roundtable*
White Knuckles & Windstorms
Exterior Maintenance
Coach Maintenance 101 NEW
Detailing Your Coach — Like A Pro — In Half The Time
Full Body Paint Maintenance And Collision Repair NEW
Never Get On Your Roof Again! (A Product Specific Seminar)
Sealants: Everything You THOUGHT You KNew About Sealants NEW
House Systems
120-Volt AC Electrical Safety*
Aqua-Hot And Hydro-Hot Heating Systems (A Product Specific Seminar)
Aqua-Hot Hydronic Heating
Cummins Onan Generator Operation & Maintenance*
Importance Of Battery Balance* NEW
Inverters, Auto Gen Start, And You NEW
RV Hybrid Power Systems NEW
Stop Messing Up Your Holding Tanks
Tankless Water Heating Solutions NEW
Understanding, Monitoring & Protecting Your RV Electrical System
Insurance & Warranties
Benefits And Limitations Of Extended RV Warranties
Insurance . . . Comparing Apples To Apples
The Good, The Bad, And The Grease Of RV Warranties
What Insurance Do I Really Need As An RVer?
Maintenance & Operation
Ask The Experts*
Helping Protect Your RV
Improve Engine Performance And Save Fuel
Technically Choosing Your Next Motorhome*
The RV Doctor’s Top 10 RV Facts Of Life*
Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda
Personal Safety
Exiting the Motorhome In A Fire Emergency
Fire & Life Safety In Your Motorhome
LEDs Designed For Light Savings And Security
Powertrain & Chassis
Caterpillar Engine Maintenance*
Cummins Engine Maintenance And More*
Freightliner Custom Chassis Fireside Chat*
Spartan Chassis Motorhome Maintenance*
Suspensions — Coach Ride And Handling*
Tires
Advanced Tire Knowledge & Failure Analysis For The RV Owner
RV Weight And Tire Safety*
Tire Knowledge For The RV Owner
Tire Safety And Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems
* FMCA Featured Technical Presentation