How to Host a Camper Rally: Roll Your Own With Friends

Gary Matos on how one simple open house in Montana grew into an annual gathering, and the tips he and Gretchen have learned for hosting a camper rally of your own.

Gretchen and I have been a part of the Four Wheel Camper (FWC) community for over 15 years. In that time, we have traveled beyond our northern and southern borders and a whole lot in between the west and east coasts of the United States. Wherever we go, we always end up meeting other FWC owners. It may be while we are boondocking, at a campground or park, or at an adjacent pump at a gas station. Like magnets, Four Wheel Campers tend to find each other. Some of our closest travel partners today are campers that we met on the road, and we have continued our friendship over many miles.

One benefit of the camper community is the annual rallies, RV shows, expos, and boondocking events where like-minded people gather. Quartzsite, Arizona, has been host to a myriad of snowbirds for decades seeking a warmer climate. Overland Expos are another venue that has grown in popularity for campers looking to upgrade their rigs, equipment, or knowledge by attending a class. Camper manufacturers have also joined the party.

We always make a point to attend the FWC Owner Rallies and reconnect with friends. Our first rally was at Ocotillo Wells near Borrego Springs, California. That was seven years ago, and we have attended one each year since. I remember our surprise at seeing 120 similar campers parked in the desert.

Two people and two dogs stand under a wooden Four Wheel Campers 1972 sign, with rows of pop-up truck campers parked among pine trees behind them — A Four Wheel Campers sign with rows of pop-up campers parked in the trees behind it. Photo supplied by Gary Matos.

In addition to meeting like-minded campers, rallies provide an opportunity to learn about new products and enjoy some group activities and great food. At a recent rally, a show and tell of your favorite camping accessory was bookended by cornhole games and tequila tasting in the afternoon. A BBQ and live music kept things rolling into the evening. The only downside is that 12 months can be a long time to wait for another fix of rally fun.

Several years ago, good friends of ours decided to purchase some ranch property outside of Helena, Montana, and build their dream home. It was not long before they had a small guest house and had groomed the property enough to welcome visitors. There was just one good problem: Brent and Cheryl have a lot of friends that all wanted to share in their excitement and Big Sky Country adventure. So, to kick off an "open house," they decided to host a get-together on their property.

Truck campers and pickups parked in a grassy field at dusk, with pine trees and a cabin behind them and a dog in the foreground — Rigs parked for the evening in an open field. Photo supplied by Gary Matos.

The format was simple. Bring your camper and some food and drinks to share. They would provide a group dinner and games. Good people always find a way to make good things happen. Three days passed by too quickly. Upon departing, everyone agreed to do it again next year. That was five years ago.

Since then, The Rendezvous has been enhanced and expanded significantly. Attendance has doubled to about 40 people, or about 25 rigs. There are now group-sized sun canopies, outdoor toilets, an annual cornhole contest (with prizes), whiskey sampling, antique shopping, hikes, group breakfasts and dinners, campfires, games, and more. Brent has also organized overland trips following The Rendezvous for several of the attendees, especially those that are heading in the same homebound direction.

Highlights from the 2024 Rendezvous at Whiskey 7 Ranch.

Each August, Gretchen and I have traveled the Magruder Corridor or followed the Salmon River en route to The Rendezvous. This roving recipe primes us for the group gathering while extending our travel experiences. This year, we took a little different spin on our path to Montana. We made loose plans to meet up with good FWC friends (somewhere near the Dakotas) who were heading to The Rendezvous for their second year.

Our route was circuitous, to say the least. As our friend Michael would say, "Put some zig and zag into your journey." We could not have taken a more indirect route to Montana from Oregon, which turned out better than we could have expected. One backroad seemed to meld into another. We saw real diversity in geography, wildlife, and the small towns and ghost towns that dotted the dashed roads.

Two pop-up truck campers parked on open ground beside a lake under a hazy evening sky — Two truck campers parked beside the water. Photo supplied by Gary Matos.

Once we met our friends in Glendive, Montana (on the North Dakota border), we decided to trace the Missouri River and Lewis and Clark's travels to the headwaters, which turned out to be a visual history lesson. Within our five-day travel window before The Rendezvous, we spent 300 miles on remote gravel roads, crossed the Missouri River twice by ferry boat, and visited Fort Peck and Fort Benton. We took in museums, soaked in hot springs, and encountered moose, bear, elk, and countless varieties of birds.

A dark pickup with a truck camper rides a cable ferry across a river, with grassy, eroded hills behind it — A truck camper on a cable ferry crossing. Photo supplied by Gary Matos.

The Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument entrance sign from the Bureau of Land Management, with pines and dry grass behind it — The Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument is managed by the BLM. Photo supplied by Gary Matos.

It was a perfect prelude to The Rendezvous, where our rigs would finally be grounded for several days. Next August, we will have to flip a coin. Heads, we head out before The Rendezvous. Tails, we tag a trip onto the end. Either way, we win!

If you enjoy camper rallies, have you ever considered organizing one? You do not need to wait for an annual owners' event. Just round up some friends and Roll Your Own. Following are a few tips we have learned along the way.

Just Set a Date

Set a date that works for the organizer and a few helpful friends. Otherwise, you can spend countless hours trying to coordinate a time when everyone can attend. We have found that the people who most value a camper rally or rendezvous will find a way to attend. If possible, schedule your rally six months in advance.

Build Momentum

A Zoom or FaceTime meeting is a great way to get a group excited about the rally and build some momentum. We typically host two "Happy Hour" video calls. In no time, ideas begin to unfold, and volunteers for meals and activities raise their hands.

A group of campers sits in camp chairs under and around a green canopy tent in a grassy field lined with pine trees — A shade canopy gives a big group somewhere to gather. Photo supplied by Gary Matos.

Select a Fun Location

Pick a location where there are outdoor activities. (Sitting in a camp chair hour after hour gets old quick.) If the location has some fun natural features like a river or open field, attendees will find a way to maximize them. There is nothing like a dunk in cold water on a hot summer day to feel like a kid again.

Campers sit in a circle of camp chairs in a grassy field, with a dog in the foreground and truck campers parked behind them — An open field gives a group room to spread out. Photo supplied by Gary Matos.

Have a Few Games Planned

Campfire games are great icebreakers for a large group. These can be as simple as introductions or as challenging as a relay race. Does anyone remember passing an egg on a spoon that is held in the mouth? In the past, we had everyone write something about themselves that no one else would know. The host then randomly picks about five people, mixes up the cards, and then reads the "facts" out loud. The attendees must try to match the fact to the person.

Cornhole, bocce ball, and volleyball are also great games that do not require a lot of equipment. We have even held "dog races," where two dogs are held side by side while their owners call for them 50 yards away. This year, we had stickers made to commemorate the event.

A group plays cornhole in a mowed field, with a canopy tent, vans, and truck campers parked along the pine trees behind them — Cornhole needs little more than two boards and a few bags. Photo supplied by Gary Matos.

Gretchen and I host an annual campout for our church each year. There are typically 50 attendees. One activity they really like is sharing a favorite camping accessory. It is a great way to get a lot of group participation and garner a few nuggets too. A few of the items can be given away as prizes. At previous FWC Rallies, we have held tequila and bourbon tastings. This is easy to do for big and small groups and always delivers a smile.

Plan a Few Outings

Mid-mornings tend to be a good time for an organized or spontaneous hike. Afternoons work well for vehicle trips that may include some exploration or a trip into the local town for antique shopping or an ice cream.

Host a Few Meals

This can require a little more work and expense but is always appreciated. Some people simply enjoy cooking and sharing meals with others. At Brent and Cheryl's Rendezvous in Montana, they always provide a Saturday night meal for the entire group. (This year it was BBQ pork, baked beans, corn, and a salad.) Other attendees teamed up for a hot dog lunch, taco dinner, and a full breakfast spread. Who does not enjoy having a meal off from cooking?

A man in a red T-shirt cooks hot dogs on a flat-top griddle under a canopy while a group sits in camp chairs behind him — Hot dogs on the griddle for a group lunch. Photo supplied by Gary Matos.

Rallies can come in all shapes and sizes. They can be open to one brand of camper, any type of camper, or any form of camping. They can start out with a group of a dozen friends or burgeon to multiple dozens. The key is consistency: making a point to have a rally each year. It is also important to recognize that the first couple of rallies will require a little extra effort by the primary host to make the time special and memorable. If done right, momentum will soon build, and the rally will (almost) become self-sustaining.

Truck campers parked on a hillside meadow at sunset, with an orange sky over distant ridgelines — Sunset over a camp full of rigs. Photo supplied by Gary Matos.

So why wait? Invite some friends, load your camper, and Roll Your Own.

A Note From Brent: Joining The Rendezvous

Thanks, Gary! If this story has you thinking about rolling into the ranch some August, here's how it works. The Rendezvous is held at Whiskey 7 Ranch outside of Helena, Montana, and going forward it will always be the third week in August.

The invite comes with a paid Shot Glass membership. The single membership covers up to 2 people, and the family membership covers 3 to 5 people. Both include 2 dinners, the refreshment table, and games. We don't make any profit on the memberships; all proceeds go towards the porta-potty, games, food, prizes, etc. Once you're a member, log in and the Rendezvous page at the top of the website has all the details.

Gary mentioned the trips after the Rendezvous. After the 2024 Rendezvous, we went on a little road trip through Yellowstone and West Yellowstone and ended up at the Blackfoot Reservoir. Here's a clip from Taylor Fork Road along the way.