Rocky Mountain

By Elizabeth J. Smith, F106207

When the Ferrin family, A436, invited every motor coach owner they could locate in Denver, Colorado, to their home in Golden (a suburb to the west), on July 23, 1966, little did they realize what they had started.

The group gathered several months for meetings and outings and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. While at Camp Hosa, located in the foothills 30 miles west of Denver, in October 1966, the participants decided to join a new organization called the Family Motor Coach Association. FMCA national headquarters sent out organizers in those days to advise and guide prospective chapters into membership. The Millers, F620, and the Scotts, F63, from FMCA were dispatched to help them. Bob Miller was national treasurer and Ken Scott was executive director.

After a little more organization, the brand-new club, aptly named the Rocky Mountain chapter, had a charter issued on January 3, 1967. The scope included Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, western Nebraska, western South Dakota, and western North Dakota. The Rocky Mountain chapter was the eighth chapter received into FMCA, and the second west of the Mississippi River.

Separate groups of the chapter formed to meet in the northern, southern, and western parts of the area. Eventually many spinoff chapters were instigated from the original, to cut down on travel time; 300 or 400 miles is a long distance to drive to attend a weekend rally. The Rocky Mountain Area now has 33 chapters and encompasses Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.

Throughout the years the number of FMCA members in the Rocky Mountain chapter has fluctuated from the original 18 couples up to 200; we now have approximately 100 members. Our longtime members are aging, but we have many new younger members to perpetuate the chapter. Many of our members have actively participated on national committees and in the formation of the Rocky Mountain Motorcoach Association, the area organization.

The Rocky Mountain chapter has been active in supporting FMCA at the international conventions and assisting in any way possible. We have hosted several Rocky Mountain Area Rallies called "Rocky Mountain Rambles" in Colorado with help from fellow chapters. We have caravanned large groups to the FMCA conventions, and to our area Rambles. We really have a lot of fun together! There are so many caring, loving people in the Rocky Mountain chapter; they always seem to be there when you need them. They are a tremendous support group for anyone.

Rocky Mountain chapter members have rallied at many areas in Colorado and surrounding states over the years. We celebrated our fifth anniversary at Great Sand Dunes National Monument (now a national park) near Alamosa. Five years later, the chapter celebrated its 10th anniversary in Durango, and 10 years later, with a considerably larger membership, we commemorated our 20th year in Estes Park. The largest attendance in chapter history was recorded at that reunion, with 80 member coaches and 19 visitors who came from Florida to California. Twenty-five years also were celebrated in Estes Park, with many members attending as well as guests from the Cowboy Ambassadors, a Wyoming chapter. In 1997 we celebrated our 30th anniversary in Golden (where it all started) with an exceptional turnout, including many members who have retired from motorhoming and/or moved to other states.

The 35th reunion was held in Colorado Springs. We had dinner and saw a Western show at the Flying W Ranch to honor our members, especially the longtime and retired members. There was a tremendous turnout and everyone had a great time.

Our rallies are exceptionally well planned, and the participants very enthusiastic. The future promises more great get-togethers.

For more information about the Rocky Mountain chapter, contact FMCA’s Chapter Services Department at (800) 543-3622.