Attn: AirVenture Oshkosh Campers!

[Hal Bryan]

We need your stories about camping at Oshkosh, whether with your airplane or in Camp Scholler. Have you had a particularly memorable experience, made new friends, experienced aspects of the convention you would have missed if you weren't living on the grounds?

Please take a moment to tell your story here, and we might use it in the April issue of Sport Aviation magazine.

Thanks in advance!

- Hal

[TedK]

Camping at OSH adds the icing to the cake. My first three trips I managed to snag a motel room and had a good time. Last year I flew in, but perhaps better than camping under the wing, I was lucky enough that my best friend George hauled a Pop Top Camper ( all the way from SLC).

He set up the Camper in Scholler which seemed to be Luxury in comparison to the thought of sleeping on the ground. Camping at OSH moves the experience of OSH from the 8 hours or so, to every waking hour.

Airventure wouldn't be what it is without airplanes, but it is the people that take it from being a trip to the airport to a near religious experience. Camping provides much more opportunity for interaction with the new found friends that are in the campsites next to yours.

in my case, of all the people I met at OSH, the one I never expected to meet, and the one who impressed me the most with her self reliance, confidence and wonderful attitude was a disabled mother who, with her teenage daughter, wrestled her tent up in the spot next to ours. She camouflaged her handicap very well, to the point I didn't notice it at first. She showed up, wanting to see what made OSH special and to have a Mom and Daughter trip. I really hesitate to use the words disabled or handicapped, because she sure showed no sign of having limitations. For her privacy I won't describe what, on a less capable person, would be a certain handicap. She certainly impressed this old aviator. I have lots of wonderful memories from OSH '13, but this is the one that I never saw coming or suspected.

[rleffler]

Every year I attended OSH except one while I was building my RV-10, I had the priveledge of camping at Camp Scholler in the area affectionally called the RV-10 HQ. It was started by Tim Olson, Bob Condrey, and Gary Specketer. Without their support it would have been a bust. They very graitiously arrive early and stake out sites for the other participating RV-10 builders. Some years it grew to over thirty camp sites, but more often its been around ten to fifteeen campers. In the early years, they would host multiple dinners through out the week. It would not be uncommon for 50-60 RV-10 builders and a variety of vendors to attend. Recently, the dinners have been reduced to one during the show. Thanks for Brenda Specketer and Susan Condrey for starting that tradition and to Ed Kranz for keeping it going.

When I first started building my RV-10, I was like most builders and was an information sponge. I couldn't get enough information and tips about building a RV-10. The first year or two I attended every forum that was related at the show. Then I discovered the amount and quality of intellectual capital that I was overlooking at the RV-10 HQ. Conversations during breakfast, lunch, afternoon airshows, and the evenings proved to be more valuable to me during my build than the show itself. There were a few years I just hung out at the camp site the majority of the time. You never knew who you would run into at the site or one of the dinners.

The first year my wife camped with me, at one of the dinners, set sat with Allen Barrett and Rhonda Bewley (BPE Performance Engines). My wife was still apprehensive about the me building an experimental. They helped her understand the engine better, which helped put her mind to ease. Tim Olson took the two of us up in his RV-10. His wife Andrea spent time talking with my wife as well. My wife didn't really like flying my Cherokee 180, but she fell in love with the RV-10. Many of the wives that camp at RV-10 HQ are now Facebook friends and keep up with each other throughout the year.

We could easily see the airshow from our camp site and many would gather to watch and socialize. Additionally, many folks would drop by in the evening to share their favorite adult beverage even if there wasn't a planned dinner. These are the memories I cherish the most. We've had debates about which EFIS was the best, as well as which mods make sense for the RV-10 and which ones don't. Many lessons learned were shared so us newbies wouldn't repeat the errors of those that have gone before us. The list of RV-10 builders that have mentored me at the RV-10 HQ at Camp Scholler is too long to mention.

I can safely say that without the mentoring and friends that I gained over the years while camping at the RV-10 HQ in Camp Scholler, my RV-10 build would have taken longer and not have turned out as well.

bob

[Mike Berg]

To me, flying in to Oshkosh is what it's all about. My home is on the other side of the state so it's not a long trip for me (even in a Champ). When I fly I camp under the wing and finally bought a big enough tent, air mattress and sleeping bag to comfortable and still have some room to move around. As I'm flying a L16 I could most likely park in the war bird area but I choose to park in the vintage to be 'close to the action' and visit with other 'vintage' people. Last year I camped next to a nice gentleman from Canada. You can relax and watch airplanes...what more could you ask?? The only problem is stuffing enough 'comfortable equipment' in the back seat of the plane.

[TythePilot]

Around Oshkosh '99 or 2000, future "Stars of Tomorrow" flight lead and upcoming aerobatic pilot Nick Nilmeyer camped at a spot in Paul's woods just off of Shaick AVE. Being very involved with the Air Academy it wasnt long before many Academy friends started camping with him. Eventually Nick moved over to the Hilton when he got very involved in flying the airshows but his friends still remained at the campsite.

I started camping with the group in about 2003 on the same spot that Nick started at, and he would still come by every night to hang out. When he was tragically killed in 2006, the campsite took on a whole new meaning. The group is made up of about 10 people give or take, and every year we gather from all corners of the United States, and aviation industry. We are airline pilots, mechanical and aerospace engineers, military service members, and lovers of all things aviation. We all cram into a campsite better suited for a small family, but for most of us it is the highlight of our year. As we have all grown up and moved on to careers and families, camping has gotten harder.

We are now at a crossroads as we dont want to give up our primo campsite with well over a decade of memories, but with some of us having kids and needing more space we know the day is fast approaching when we will have to give up Nick's spot. The site has hosted everyone from Paul Poberezney, and Harrison Ford, to Capt. Sullenberger.

The highlight of every year occurs on the night with the biggest turnout, when we all stand around the campfire and raise a toast to Nick's memory. I am sure the site will live on for a little while longer, and to all of the people who camp in Paul's Woods....sorry about the noise ;)

[MADean]

My first "full week" at Oshkosh was 1992. I showed up, at Camp Scholler, on the night before... and wound up camping out near Hwy 41. That's the last time THAT happened. The next year I came a couple weeks early to find a spot closer to the flight line. This will be my 21st year down in Paul's Woods.

A couple years later, in 1994, on the day before opening day, I noticed a kind of scraggly looking guy setting up a tent practically out in the middle of the road. (the grounds DO get pretty packed by then). Well, I really didn't think that was such a good idea. And since I had room in my site I invited him to slide his tent over next to mine. Turns out Gary's a near genius about mechanics and electronics and all kinds of other things. Not to mention a heck of good guy. (Even though he is from Iowa.) We've been camping together ever since. I provide the site. He brings the steaks and baked potatoes. And we spend the week sitting around tellin' lies. Drinking beer. And complainin' about the gubermint. And through Gary I've met a couple other Iowinians, who have also been sharing our site all these years. And they've turned me on to places like Blakesburg.

And like so many other folks, becasue of Oshkosh, I've been fortunate to meet, and become friends with, people from all over the world. Geat Britian, Australia, South Africa. Even Canada, by gosh. Life is good.

[rallyr]

Please take a moment to tell your story here, and...
- Hal

I've camped at Airventure both with my plane and at Camp Scholler, in a tent and an RV. The best, of course, was with the plane out on the North 40. I say this even though one year a thunderstorm knocked over our tent and soaked everything we we owned! I think we left that year with 50 pounds of extra water in the plane, and that's a lot of extra weight for an old Tomahawk!

Camping at Camp Scholler is still an awful lot of fun too. The one year we were in an RV we had air conditioning, so that was nice on hot days, but even with the tent it was more than just ok. Walking from Camp Scholler to the outdoor movie theater and other entertainment venues is easier, so in that way it's actually an advantage to be there rather than with the plane.

In the end, you simply can't camp at Airventure and not have fun!

[Jim Hann]

We need your stories about camping at Oshkosh, whether with your airplane or in Camp Scholler. Have you had a particularly memorable experience, made new friends, experienced aspects of the convention you would have missed if you weren't living on the grounds?

Please take a moment to tell your story here, and we might use it in the April issue of Sport Aviation magazine.

Thanks in advance!

- Hal

BTW, do I have to stand in line behind the two guys at the end of the AV2013 video? :cool:

[Infidel]

I camped in Scholler in 2011 and how that came to be has a twist. My initial intention was to camp under the wing of my plane. A friend and I loaded my plane and departed my home field, only to be met by a series of unfortunate events. I'll save that story for EAA's "Never again" article.

We rented a car, completed the trip, and set up camp in camp Scholler. From there on out, things were finally getting better. Our closest neighbor, whom if I remember correctly, was an elderly gentleman by the name of Don. He was alone and camping in his old motorhome. We had several conversations and I learned he's been a regular for several years.

One morning as we were leaving the camp to begin the long walk to the air show, my friend retrieved his cellphone from the passenger side door of the rental car (it was charging) after we had already started walking. Shortly thereafter, he caught up to us. We spent a solid eight hours on the grounds before deciding to head back to camp.

As our walk back to camp was near completion and from a distance, I noticed the passenger door of our rental vehicle was ajar, wide-open. My heart sank immediately. Knowing my Ipad was on the front passenger seat, and two sets of Bose headsets, a Garmin GPS', and other articles were on the back seat. I just knew for sure that everything was going to be gone.

To my amazement, not a single thing was missing and we were parked right next to the main drag in the camp across from the little store and bath house! I imagine a couple hundred people had to have walked right by the open door during that eight hour period and not a single soul took the opportunity.

Still shocked several minutes later, our neighbor Don stepped out of his RV to relax in his evening chair. I asked Don about the car door and if it had been open all day. Don said "Yep, and I figured you guys left the door open because it's so hot out". Shocked he would think that way, I responded by saying "if that was the case, I would've cracked the windows". Don simply replied with a "that's what I would've done."

Good memories that will stay with me forever. If this scenario would have transpired anywhere else, I have no doubt it would have been a different unfortunate outcome.

[Gil]

I have been going there since 1974. Never worried about security or theft. I am sure it may occur, but I have never heard of it. Last year I left iPad and smart phone charging for hours out in the open without concern.

[TedK]

I have been going there since 1974. Never worried about security or theft. I am sure it may occur, but I have never heard of it. Last year I left iPad and smart phone charging for hours out in the open without concern.

OSH is what Disney aspires to be. It is the true magic kingdom, he happiest place on earth. Its denizens are aviators, which for some reason, inspires their better angels.

[jjhoneck]

OSH is what Disney aspires to be. It is the true magic kingdom, he happiest place on earth. Its denizens are aviators, which for some reason, inspires their better angels.

Well put.

OSH is my happy place. For 32 years, I have moved heaven and earth to attend. It has not been easy.

Births, deaths, weddings, four different businesses -- all have been subordinated to Oshkosh for one week per year. When we hire employees, one of our interview questions is "Can you work full time the last week of July?". A negative answer is disqualifying.

I meet a lot of pilots in my business, and I am always amazed when I meet one who has never attended the convention. IMHO it is the quintessential piloting experience.

Someday Mary and I will be retired, and we plan to volunteer. I can't wait!
:-)

[gbrasch]

Hal, I attended my first "Oshkosh" in 1984 and have only missed 2 since, all of them attending from my home state of Arizona. It started out as a reunion of sorts with an old college friend who led me down an airport road in Southern Illinois for my first airplane lesson in 1970. We have been meeting there ever since. After my son was born I took him to his first "Oshkosh" when he was 5 in 1997, pulling him around in a wagon. He is now 6'4" and has attended with me every year since. I have volunteered every year for about the past 10, in KidVenture, Protect Our Planes, but mostly in the campground either parking campers or working in the Camper Locator Shack. My son started volunteering with me 5 or 6 years ago. We bought a brick at the arch that says "Oshkosh volunteers, like father, like son." My most memorable year was "Sploshkosh" riding around in the mud on my own scooter since there were not enough Gators to go around that year for the volunteers. I am still chipping Oshkosh mud off that bike! This year I hope to fly in for the first time with my son in my recently completed RV-9A. Regards, Glenn

[TedK]

I meet a lot of pilots in my business, and I am always amazed when I meet one who has never attended the convention. IMHO it is the quintessential piloting experience.


:-)

Last year, I talked one of my best friends into attending. He is a very seasoned aviator, having been one of the Navy's Chief Test Pilots. He was truly like a kid in a candy store. Half of my fun was watching the amazement on his face as we explored OSH. This year, the fun is watching him plan and recruit others for this years expedition to OSH.

[stummers]

Like any other campsite, ours has evolved quite a bit over the years. My son and I have become part of a group from central Indiana. We send a truck and trailer full our gear up the Wednesday before to secure a spot, usually somewhere near the South African encampment. We've gone from a few trailers and tents to several campsites next to each other, complete with two large canopies, a large grille, several generators, a sink with running water, ceiling fans, a freezer, electronics charging station, and a fire pit surrounded by plenty of chairs. Each day is started with a hot meal from the grille with chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream a favorite. The inhabitants that filter through during week are quite diversified in all aspects. We have people aspiring to get the coveted Private Certificate when they are old enough and ones who have completed their time behind the controls. We have non pilots, veterans who have flown a B-36, an engineer who helped build Skylab, a flight test engineer from the C-17 program, a female T-6 and C-340 pilot with P-51 time and one who has attended almost every convention since Rockford. These people come from Indiana, California, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Michigan, Texas, and Australia. The day ends with a circle of chairs around the campfire and a beverage. Any and everyone is invited to join in, one night four F-15 pilots from the MASS ANG stopped by. We try to maintain a PG atmosphere so some of the stories get bleeped or edited. Every year the campsite grows in size, comforts, and diversity and like everyone else, we can't wait for July.

[Floatsflyer]

Like any other campsite, ours has evolved quite a bit over the years. My son and I have become part of a group from central Indiana. We send a truck and trailer full our gear up the Wednesday before to secure a spot, usually somewhere near the South African encampment. We've gone from a few trailers and tents to several campsites next to each other, complete with two large canopies, a large grille, several generators, a sink with running water, ceiling fans, a freezer, electronics charging station, and a fire pit surrounded by plenty of chairs. Each day is started with a hot meal from the grille with chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream a favorite. The inhabitants that filter through during week are quite diversified in all aspects. We have people aspiring to get the coveted Private Certificate when they are old enough and ones who have completed their time behind the controls. We have non pilots, veterans who have flown a B-36, an engineer who helped build Skylab, a flight test engineer from the C-17 program, a female T-6 and C-340 pilot with P-51 time and one who has attended almost every convention since Rockford. These people come from Indiana, California, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Michigan, Texas, and Australia. The day ends with a circle of chairs around the campfire and a beverage. Any and everyone is invited to join in, one night four F-15 pilots from the MASS ANG stopped by. We try to maintain a PG atmosphere so some of the stories get bleeped or edited. Every year the campsite grows in size, comforts, and diversity and like everyone else, we can't wait for July.

I've never stepped into Scholler, never had a reason to since I/we don't camp. We rough it in a nice hotel, we like our creature comforts. However, your site as you've described sounds like a lotta fun with nice, interesting people and a cool place to hang out. If it's OK with you I'd like to visit one night. Could you please provide simple coordinates. Thanks.

BTW, we're Canadian, we'll fit right in with the SA's and Aussies, being from the Commonwealth and all that.

[rleffler]

I can't speak for Stummers, but I know at the RV-10 HQ and most camp sites at Scholler, if you show up with a six pack of your favorite beverage, you'll be welcomed. Especially if it's your favorite beer from home. The large dinners hosted at the RV-10 HQ have had folks show up that aren't RV-10 builders and they were welcomed. It usually doesn't take much effort to make friends at Camp Scholler. That's the value that most people miss when they stay in hotels. There are places that will rent trailers and deliver them for you at the camp. The thing I enjoyed about camping was not having to deal with that morning traffic jam coming into the grounds.

[stummers]

Hi Floatsflyer, we usually don't know exactly where we will be until our advance group gets there, often its around 40th and Elm st. I have to agree with rleffler, showing up at ours, or most other campsites with a six pack and or a smile you will be more than welcome.

[stummers]

3692368936903691
A shot of one our home made amenities, a choice of light or dark beer, along with our group. Our international grille crew, Zak from Indianapolis and Greg from Australia.

[jfred65]

I started going to Oshkosh in '91. I slept in my fiero, couldn't even lay down! In '95 I upgraded to a pup tent and learned never, ever, forget the sunblock. A few years later we upgraded to a pop-up camper. Last year we brought a camper with slide-outs. My dad actually comes every year more to wander the campground and look at everybody else's rigs.
When I first started coming, it was for the day or two Every few years we decided an extra day would be nice. For the last six years, we come on Saturday before the show starts, mostly because we have waited 356 days and can't wait one more!
I have always camped out by the tree at cedar and stits. We could be closer, but being able to sit out each morning and evening and watch ultralights fly overhead is part of the experience.
I work part time at a liquor store (money for Oshkosh vacations). Almost ten years ago, a guy walks in and see's my Sport Aviation on the counter. He asks if I go to Oshkosh. "you bet!" Turns out we had camped about two rows apart. Now we camp next to each other and have become good friends, and get together all year. He keeps threatening to run for Mayor of Camp Scholler every year.
When you camp in the same spot every year, you start to get to know the neighbors. It is a reunion with the best people on earth. We all help each other out after the inevitable wind storm.
I can completely relate to the job situation. I have quit jobs and refused jobs because I couldn't get that week off. People have told me "you'll go until you die". WRONG! my kids are under orders to spread my ashes on the grounds of Oshkosh, just so I can be there even when I'm dead.

Oshkosh is heaven on earth.

[rickatic]

Relative newcomers to the Oshkosh/Camp Scholler fiesta...We have attended 5 of the last six years. We missed last year due to me taking a new job. Well, I have taken another...this time it looks like I will be in Iowa this summer...but I am going to the big show somehow...

The first year Deb and I only spent 3 days at Oshkosh and stayed in a hotel 35 miles away. After having a great time we made a decision to do the whole week thing and camp in Scholler. We bought a new Fifth Wheel and headed for Oshkosh early enough to arrive on Sunday. Beginning with "Sloshkosh", we made our arrival on Friday before the show. That year we lucked out and were one of the very last people allowed into the campground due to flooding. We had purchased an electric/water site and found a high and dry site right next to Elm...we had a great time despite the water...

Like Jfred's dad, we actually have a blast riding our scooters around Scholler checking out the camping crowd. Hopefully it will work out so we can do some Scholler camping this year...

Regards

[PaulDow]

People have told me "you'll go until you die". WRONG! my kids are under orders to spread my ashes on the grounds of Oshkosh, just so I can be there even when I'm dead.

Oshkosh is heaven on earth.It would be interesting to know how many EAA members have discretely become permanent residents of Winnebago County over the years that way.

I guess that gives a new meaning to the Dead Grass award,

[glider90]

It would be interesting to know how many EAA members have discretely become permanent residents of Winnebago County over the years that way.

I guess that gives a new meaning to the Dead Grass award,

I may or may not know one.... Dad was a Century Club Member, Lifetime Member, and nobody in our family ever missed a convention in Oshkosh since 1970. In his final months, every day he woke up he was "going out on the line" at Oshkosh. Rather than a formal burial we dedicated a brick in his honor on Compass hill. We gather there every year to celebrate the passion for flight that he instilled in us all. He was eternally "Oshkosh Bound"...

[avinuts]

I started to attend Oshkosh in 1974. It all started with a drive for a "day" visit. Fortunately we lived only 2 hours from there and eventually drove back and forth for both days of the weekend. Later on I started to camp in a small pup-tent in a private area near the old tower. At that time there were a lot of homes almost on the flight line on the north end of the airport. In 1980, the love of my life and I spent our honeymoon in Camp Scholler in a pup-tent. Almost everything was done in a "Horizontal" attitude including, but not limited to getting dressed. Mowed hay, corn fields, ponds, cold showers, the mall were all part of the daily routine. Our oldest daughter was about ten weeks old when she first attended Oshkosh and our youngest daughter was about five months old for her first. I started one day at a time, went to long weekends, then stayed the week and now weget there to set up befor the show starts and stay to the last Sunday. We have made it a "family" tradition. We have seen a lot of changes over the years but the one thing that has never changed is the interaction with the people. EAA Oshkosh is not just about the airplanes, but rather about airplane people. We have people that we now camp with that the only time we see each other is at Camp Scholler for up to one week a year. We attend every year and certainly have seen both the best and the worst. We would not have given up any of it to miss the "Oshkosh experience". There is always room at our campfire for anyone to join us and talk about the days events or just a lot of aviation-related nonsense. You may not leave smarter than you came, but you will be entertained. See you there!!