In mid-March, RVers who attend FMCA’s 93rd Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase in Perry, Georgia, will discover a diverse seminar schedule designed to enhance their motorhome knowledge, enrich their travels, and feed many other interests.
By Robbin Gould, Editor
February 2016
Motorhomers are an inquisitive bunch. Just step in one of the seminar rooms at any FMCA Family Reunion and observe learning sessions in progress. You might not want to leave. FMCA’s knowledgeable seminar presenters expound on subjects that can enlighten and entertain their motorhoming audiences for hours.
This learning tradition will return March 17-20, 2016, during FMCA’s 93rd annual Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase, at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry. The event theme, “Find Your Pot Of Gold,” can easily pertain to the educational riches Perry attendees will discover.
Perhaps most valuable are seminars that highlight motorhome operation, maintenance, and safety. These include technical discussions of RV components and systems, such as chassis, generators, refrigerators, electrical systems, and hydronic heating.
Panel members participating in the “Ask The Experts” roundtable will field questions from the audience regarding motorhome operation and maintenance. Gary Bunzer, the “RV Doctor,” returns with several informative sessions of his own; three of them are “120-Volt Electrical Safety,” “Optimizing The 12-Volt Battery System,” and “The Importance Of Battery Balance.”
Need help organizing your photos or planning motorhome trips? Learn how by using apps discussed by “Geeks On Tour” technology gurus Jim and Chris Guld.
Perhaps you’re intrigued by the thought of traveling to new destinations. Alaska, Newfoundland, Australia, and Western U.S. national parks are among the sites that will be discussed, whether journeying via RV caravan or one’s personal motorhome.
If you’ve attended previous FMCA Family Reunions, you’ll be able to sit in on popular seminars in Perry that you may have missed at those gatherings, and perhaps attend some brand-new sessions, too. One new seminar is “The Ultimate Dog Friendly American Road Trip.” Presenter Amy Burkert will report on GoPetFriendly.com’s list of top dog-friendly attractions by state and the District of Columbia while leading the audience on a virtual tour around the country.
Tracing one’s family roots seems increasingly popular. But where to start? Roger Marble will present a trio of seminars on the topic. One is a new presentation titled “Genealogy: How To Get The Most From The Census,” in which he’ll outline many uses for this population-reporting tool.
Family Motor Coaching columnist Mike Wendland and his wife, Jennifer, will share tips they’ve learned after traveling 100,000-plus miles in a Roadtrek during two new seminars, “Living In a Type B Motorhome: Downsizing The RV Lifestyle” and “Serendipity Travel: RVing Like The Wendlands.” In the latter, they’ll explain their “330” rule of travel and their focus on flexibility and boondocking for more enjoyable trips.
A bevy of FMCA-associated seminars will provide information for chapter officers, first-time Family Reunion attendees, and members who want to learn more about FMCA benefits. Health and exercise sessions, make-and-take crafts, towing topics . . . Many more topics await that are not described here.
Perry attendees can count on learning more about their motorhomes, and possibly themselves, by attending some of these educational sessions.
Perry Family Reunion Seminars
At press time, the following seminars are scheduled to take place during FMCA’s 93rd Family Reunion in Perry, Georgia, March 17-20, 2016. Please refer to the event program for dates, times, locations, and seminar descriptions. Subsequent changes will be posted on FMCA.com and provided on-site.
Crafts
Attitude Adjustment: It’s Fun Art, Not Fine Art!
Charmed Earrings NEW
Green Earrings NEW
Illuminate NEW
Make A Fabric Lanyard
Multi-Colored Wind Spinner NEW
Pot Of Gold Necklace And Earrings NEW
Scarf NEW
Shamrock Gold Memory Wire Bracelet NEW
Shamrock Silver Memory Wire Bracelet NEW
Stars Memory Wire Bracelet NEW
Utensils Container NEW
Featured Technical Presentations*
120-Volt AC Electrical Safety
Ask The Experts
Caterpillar Maintenance
Cummins Engine Maintenance And More
Cummins Onan Generator Operation And Maintenance
Freightliner Custom Chassis Fireside Chat
Optimizing The 12-Volt Battery System
RV Driving Safety Program, Session 1
RV Driving Safety Program, Session 2
RV Weight & Tire Safety
Spartan Chassis Motorhome Maintenance
Supplemental Towed Car Braking
Suspensions — Coach Ride And Handling
The Importance Of Battery Balance
The RV Doctor’s Top 10 RV Facts Of Life
Towing Roundtable
FMCA Seminars
Benefits
Benefits Of FMCAssist Medical Emergency and Travel Assistance Program
FMCA Member Benefits
Information
Meet FMCA National President Charlie Adcock
Orientation For First-Time Attendees
Training
FMCA Chapter Secretary’s Roundtable
FMCA Treasurer’s Roundtable
Fun, Games & Exercise
Early Morning Functional Exercise – Movements That Matter
Introduction To The Game Of Mah-Jongg
Information & Technology
Programs & Apps
Smartphone Apps For Travelers
Technology For Travelers: Pictures, Maps, Movies, And Blogs
What To Do With Those Photos: Google Photos And Picasa
Satellite TV & Sound
How To Upgrade Your RV Entertainment NEW
RV TV Made Simple
Secrets Of TV In Your RV
The Ins And Outs Of Satellites And RVs
Technology
OK, Honey, Tell Me Where To Go NEW
Smartphone Basics For Travelers
Smartphone Photography And Other Uses For That Lens
Websites & Blogs
Google Maps for Trip Planning and Sharing Maps
Lifestyle
Coach Interior Upkeep
A Better Night’s Sleep
Insider Cleaning Tips
Interior Renovations And Restoration
Lighting Upgrades
Safer, Simpler RVing
Travels With Velcro
What To Look For When Buying LED Products
Wrinkle-Free RV Laundry
Cooking
Microwave-Convection Cooking For The Beginner
Microwave-Convection Cooking On-The-Go
Hobby
Beginning Genealogy
Breaking Down Your Genealogical Brick Walls
From Housecars To Motorhomes
Let’s Meet The RV Pioneers NEW
On-Road Quilters
Quilting With Panels And Precuts
Genealogy: How to Get The Most From The Census NEW
Motorhome Living
All About RVing
Full-Time RVing
How To Get Started Work Camping
Living In A Type B Motorhome: Downsizing The RV Lifestyle NEW
Serendipity Travel: RVing Like The Wendlands NEW
Personal Finance & Health
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
Look 10 Years Younger In 10 Minutes
Men’s Health
Prostate Cancer
Travel
Alaska: The Ultimate RV Vacation (A Product-Specific Seminar)
Atlantic Canada By RV
Canadian Maritime RV Dream Trip
Caravanning With Yankee RV Tours (A Product-Specific Seminar) NEW
Exploring The Western National Parks
Great River Road By RV
New Rallies And Great RV Destinations (A Product-Specific Seminar)
RVing Down Under! Australia & New Zealand RV Tour
RVing In South Africa . . . An RV Wildlife Safari
RVing To Alaska
RVing To Alaska On Your Own
RVing To Newfoundland — Make This Great Trip On Your Own
The Grand West Coast RV Adventure (A Product-Specific Seminar)
The Great Polar Bear Migration RV Tour (A Product-Specific Seminar)
The Intentional Traveler NEW
The Ultimate Dog-Friendly American Road Trip NEW
Tips On Hosting A Successful Rally (A Product-Specific Seminar) NEW
Understanding Guided RV Tours
Motorhome Maintenance & Operation
Driving, Towing, And Parking
Better Diesel Engine Driving And RV Electronics (A Product-Specific Seminar)
Collision Avoidance And Mitigation By Mobileye (A Product-Specific Seminar)
Supplemental Towed Car Braking*
Tire Pressure Monitoring Demystified NEW
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems NEW
Towing Roundtable*
White Knuckles And Windstorms
Women & RVs NEW
Exterior Maintenance
Detailing Your Coach In One Hour
Exterior Renovations And Restoration
Never Get On Your Roof Again (A Product-Specific-Seminar)
No More Foggy Windows
House Systems
120-Volt AC Electrical Safety*
Aqua-Hot Maintenance And Annual Service
Optimizing The 12-Volt Battery System*
RV Bathroom TLC
The Importance Of Battery Balance*
Understanding, Monitoring & Protecting Your RV Electrical System
Insurance & Warranties
Benefits And Limitations Of Extended RV Warranties
How To Take Control Of Your RV Repair Budget NEW
Insurance . . . It’s Not Like Comparing Apples To Apples
What Affects My Insurance Rates?
What Insurance Do I Really Need As An RVer?
Maintenance & Operation
Ask The Experts*
Helping Protect You And Your RV
The RV Doctor’s Top 10 RV Facts Of Life*
Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda
Personal Safety
Exiting The Motorhome In A Fire Emergency
Fire And Life Safety In Your Motorhome
Operation Lifesaver NEW
RV Driving Safety Program*
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 & Tire Safety*
Tire Knowledge For The RV Owner
Tire Safety & Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems
* FMCA Featured Technical Presentation
Motorhome Driving Course
At this writing, spaces were still available in the Hands-On-Driving Course, powered by the FMCA Academy, which will be offered March 13, 14, and 15, at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter just prior to the start of the Perry Family Reunion. Receive one-on-one instruction in your own motorhome. Instructors include Walter Cannon, executive director of the Recreation Vehicle Safety & Education Foundation (RVSEF), and other driving experts. New motorhome owners, copilots in search of personalized training, and even experienced motorhome drivers are encouraged to attend.
The cost of the driving course is $400 per person. Class size is limited to 50. Before signing up, you must be registered for FMCA’s Family Reunion, which takes place March 17 through 20. To register, visit FMCA.com or call (800) 543-3622 or (513) 474-3622.
For course details, visit FMCA.com or call the national office at one of the numbers above.