Joe Welcing, president of the Shawano Area Campers, has been a member since 2000.
“Camping, for me, is a way to get away,” he said. “Camping is a different world. I love being outdoors.”
The group was formed in 1971 by Tom Staniforth, Kathy (Staniforth) Welcing’s father, who is a member along with her husband, Jim.
It started with four couples and their children. Currently, there are 11 camping units in the club. They have monthly campouts Friday through Sunday from May through October, with the first and last one held at St. James Retreat in Shawano.
The group includes people from Shawano, Appleton, Bonduel, Coleman/Pound, Manitowoc, Oconto Falls, Pulaski and Shiocton.
“The members aren’t members,” Jim Welcing said. “They’re friends.”
They pick our their sites in February and March, but might have to start sooner since many fill up early. They will be in St. Croix Falls from June 17-21.
“We meet people from all over,” Kathy said. “Our group is in charge of the games.”
The club is affiliated with the Good Sam’s Camping Club, which has advantages such as roadside assistance and discounts at campgrounds.
The campers pay from $25 to $40 for a campsite depending on what kind of service they want. They sit around the fire, play games, go golfing, shopping or sightseeing. If it rains, they improvise. They only pick campgrounds where dogs are permitted.
“We’re tying to get more families with kids involved,” Joe said. “We need to get some of the younger generation involved.”
The club meets once a month. In the summer, the meeting is held at a campsite. During the other months, they meet at 3 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month at a restaurant.
“I’ve been in it mostly all my life,” Kathy said. “It’s fun to go and see people and get together.”
“You can sit around with family and friends and just talk,” Joe said. “That’s what’s missing in the world today.”
Good Sam’s clubs are charitable organizations. The Shawano club is selling cookbooks, with the receipts going to area food pantries. The cookbooks are $8 and available from members.
Joe and Jim’s mother, Shirley Welcing, typed up all the recipes. She died in July.
“We all put in recipes,” Kathy said.
Other officers are Chris Brooks, vice president; Kathy Welcing, secretary; Deb Van Dyke, treasurer; Karen Welcing, wagon master; and Lori Maki, assistant wagon master. Karen Welcing is also the state treasurer and Jim Welcing is the assistant state director.
For information, call Joe Welcing at 715-853-4106 or Jim Welcing at 715-304-9369.
