Caravans

• Camaraderie of others with shared interests and values

• Ability to participate in experiences and events not normally on an individual's agenda

• Oftentimes a group can plan and enjoy special experiences not normally available to individuals or ad hoc travelers.

You want to make absolutely, positively sure that there are no surprises of any sort for anyone participating in the caravan in any way for any reason.

When you plan a caravan, you must account for all aspects of every participant's day to day living on the road. This includes food, fuel, maintenance, waste disposal, shopping, personal necessities, and special needs. Incidental participants must also be considered and these include others on the road, service providers, and the businesses or entities that provide facilities or materials or other things your caravanners will need for a successful trip.

Many of the skills and capabilities needed for a successful rally are also needed for caravans. At rallies, you need to schedule a campsite and plan for events. You will need staff to provide parking guidance and see that all of the necessary things get done.

Differences between rallies and caravans also provide for comparison and contrast to assist learning. The business side of rallies is usually a part and parcel of the sponsoring organization whereas a caravan tends more towards its own business structure due to its more complex and comprehensive financial and governance needs. Communications also needs much more emphasis on caravans to provide coordination on the road and over time. There are special staffing needs for caravans, too.

A caravan is a small business operating for a defined period of time. A good plan for the business will define a focus, theme, or common thread, sources of capitalization, budgeting, marketing and publicity, staffing, agreements and contracts, and other business issues. See also the rules guide and caravan application guide.

People are needed to do things to make sure your caravan is a success. Odds are that most of these people will be volunteers. They will need to have defined tasks to accomplish and agreements where the volunteers agree to be held responsible for getting them done. There will need to be backup plans to take over in case someone becomes unable to carry through due to illness or other problem. The management and oversight of this staff is also a job that needs to be well done. The caravan staff can make or break the caravan and serving on this staff can also be one of the more rewarding experiences for the caravaners.

A key to avoiding surprises is extensive, redundant, and efficient communications using any media or method possible.

Courtesy rules - This means that participants need to spread out while on the road and avoid convoys. See Courtesy on the Road.

Relax - Plan on no more than six hours on the road in one day. Plan on no more than one thing to do on any particular day. This means stopping for at least two nights at special places so visiting and touring don't mix with getting from place to place.

Coordinate - Let the camp or event host arrive at the planned overnight stop first to make sure you don't cause confusion by failing to coordinate your needs with those of the group at planned group stops. Travel in small groups of two to four rigs and make sure that the Caravan Boss knows of any special activities or excursions you plan to take.

Each person and each rig needs to be ready for the caravan else they will be a drag on everyone else. See the Preparing section page on checklists.

The caravan leadership needs to be sure that the proper structures are in place to get the job done, to provide for contingencies, and to provide the feedback necessary for smooth running.

The Wally Byam Caravan Club International can assist in promoting and publicizing a caravan conducted by its members, provide a source of expertise, and provide benefits such as liability insurance.

Caravan Basics, Planning Guide, and Medical Supply list written and presented by SNU members Milan and Eloise Wight WBCCI

Photo galleries of WBCCI Caravans in the 1950's

Photos, drawings, and diaries of Monterey Bay California Unit caravans and rallies

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