The overall name of the RV Club – Everything else falls underneath this parent brand. Escapees.com

Refers to members of the club and when verbalized sounds like “Escapees.

This is a member’s official membership number. It is often said aloud as “SKiP Number” when asking for their number on the phone or at a registration desk, etc.

Escapade is the largest event of the year for all members of the club. It has a strong focus on education as well as entertainment. For new members, it’s the place to go to learn all about RVing. For existing members, it is a place to find new friends and catch up with old ones like a family reunion. Escapade.escapees.com is the site for this event and recaps from past events.

A lifestyle group within the club geared towards working-age RVers. Benefits include club-scheduled activities at "Convergences" that happen later in the day so that they don’t interrupt the typical workday.

You don’t have to be working or working-age to be an Xscaper. It’s more of a mindset that you don’t mind things going late and music and activities being geared towards a younger generation of RVers.

There is no additional charge to be an Xscaper. Members just check a box on their member dashboard and will receive Xscapers communications.

Officially known as Escapees HOPs- Head Out Program, the program name was rebranded a couple of years ago to make HOPs the primary name (rather than head out program) as that’s how it’s commonly referred to and known. It’s also spunky and fun. In print we typically write out the whole name- Escapees HOPs- Head Out Program for sake of clarity for new and long-time members.

HOPs are events where most of the details of the event are taken care of for you. This includes any campground reservations, travel to and from events while at the HOP (Tour Bus, etc). Some meals are included. Admission to some off-site events is included.

HOPs are typically the highest cost events to unique events and experiences. We call them our “White Glove RV Experience.” Think of it as taking a cruise in your RV or an actual cruise because not every HOP is in your RV!

Hangouts are the counterpart to Xscapers Convergences.

They strive to provide a relaxed, enjoyable experience for all members of the club. They take place all over North America. The difference between Hangouts and Convergences is that these will have activities scheduled throughout the day, and will not go as late.

Hangouts appeal more to early and active retirees or those with free daytimes.

They are often in campgrounds with full hookups and are limited to around 30 RVs.

These are member-led regional groups of the Escapees RV Club.

Some chapters have been in continual operation for over 30 years.

They may have monthly luncheons and annual rallies.

You’ll hear it pronounced “B-O-F” or “bof.” When new members are present we make sure to define it, so we don’t alienate them.

These are member-led shared lifestyle groups set up by Escapees members. These are not location based, but instead are focused on the varied interests of RVers.

Examples include: Jeepers BOF, the NudeScapers BOF (Naturist Xscapers), Ham Radio BOF, Photography BOF etc.

They may host their own gatherings. You’ll find many host gatherings in Quartzsite in January.

The ROW takes place at Escapade and a mini version at Party on Plomosa.

This is where Chapters, BOFs, and CO-OPs that are present set up a table to share their group and attract new members.

Party on Plomosa is held once a year in Quartzsite Arizona in January when there are thousands of RVers in town.

It’s a free afternoon event open to everyone (not just members). It’s approximately 4 hrs long.

The Escapees Event trailer Freedom1 is brought out to a spot on Plomosa Rd in Quartzsite. Chapters, BoFs, and Co-Op members present in the area can set up a table and share with attendees.

There is a short presentation about the Escapees RV Club and club benefits. Then we have a live band play while attendees talk with the Chapters, BOFs, and CO-Ops as well as visit the club table that is set up and staffed.

In the past we have provided free hot dogs, water, and chips. In some years RV Country (a long-time sponsor of the club) has brought out some RVs for tours and provided free beer on site.

This event used to be called National Happy Hour and you may hear or see references to that from members.

CARE (Caring Affordable Respite Experience) is a non-profit that was founded by Kay Peterson (the founder of the club). It runs as an independent non-profit in Livingston TX at the (former) Escapees HQ.

CARE is an independent living facility where members continue to live in their own RVs and can get assistance with housekeeping, maintenance, laundry and have their meals cooked for them in a shared dining room, with an onsite nurse available during working hours.

This is very useful for full-time RVers that may need a major surgery or medical treatment and can not physically operate their RV during recovery or can no longer travel and need some extra help.

Raising donations for CARE has become a large part of Escapees and Xscapers events. There is a friendly rivalry between Escapade and Annual Bash to see who can raise the most.

The name of the Escapees Mail Forwarding service.

These are parks that were originally built by Escapees members, and are now run as independent Co-Ops. Escapees has no direct control over these parks. They are run by their own Co-Op boards, but you must be an Escapees Member to buy into one, or stay there as a guest.

These are RV parks owned and operated by Escapees, Inc.

You don’t have to be a member to stay there, but members will receive discounts.

Some offer extended stays, long-term leases (ERPU), or deeded lots.

This is a white-label Roadside Assistance plan from Saferide.

We currently have the lowest cost roadside assistance program in the industry.

FYI: This is the same provider that FMCA uses and almost exactly the same plan. Sometimes members choose to carry more than one roadside plan because they may have better coverage with a different one in some areas. Some members may buy the FMCA plan not realizing we share the provider.

The magazine is published by Escapees RV Club bi-monthly.

It focuses on educational and lifestyle topics relevant to the membership.

Most articles are written by members.

The magazine is printed and mailed to members that have opted into the printed copy. Magazines are usually distributed at RV shows as well.

It is also available digitally on the member dashboard.

The magazine is one of the most beloved benefits of long-time members.

Escapees online RV education

It is currently on thinkific.com at rvou.thinkific.com and escapees.com

There are two main courses in RVOU.

This is a job board set up by Escapees.

This is a blog and series of books and lead magnets that was recently purchased by Escapees.

We have integrated most articles into the Escapees blog.

This is a service to weigh your RV at each tire position and help you interpret how to safely load and set up your RV.

This service is usually offered at major events and has permanent locations at some Escapees RV Parks.

Do you know if you’re overweight? You should! Our program provides accurate, individual wheel weights for your RV, towables, and tow vehicle. This is different than standard scales, which offer only your total weight. Knowing how much each wheel carries enables you to determine if your rig is balanced. We have Smart Weigh scales at Rainbow’s End in Livingston, TX, Sumter Oaks in Bushnell, FL and North Ranch in Congress, AZ. Prices range from $45-$55 https://www.escapees.com/education/smartweigh/

An in-person education event that focuses on the operation, safety, and maintenance of your Rv.

This is usually held immediately prior to Escapade and throughout the year in Livingston, TX (Rainbow’s End park where the former HQ is).

We just announced “Beyond Bootcamp” that will go into more depth on key topics.

This is the name of the fully wrapped Escapees event trailer based on an old Escapees tagline, Freedom Driven. Freedom One is primarily used at larger Xscapers events, Bash, Escapade, and Party on Plomosa.

The trailer is built with fold-down stages and contains tables, chairs, lighting, projectors, a sound system, and more to put on an event. There is also a custom 40’ x 100’ tent that can be used with it. The trailer is completely solar powered, and the power system was sponsored by Battleborn Batteries.

Companies and businesses may purchase a listing in the Commercial Directory. They may also offer a discount to members.

There is a Commercial Member level almost any business can purchase and a Commercial Partner level that is chosen. Partners offer a high level of discount or services to members.

Internal travel agency for cruises

Escapees currently has three newsletter and we refer to them with two letters internally.

Member News (MN) is sent to all Escapees members.

Escapees RV Club News (CN) is a public facing list.

Xscapers News (XN) is a mix of members that have checked the Xscapers box on their member account and the public that opts in.