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The Early Days of WBCCI – The Triad

Dale (Pee Wee) Schwamborn

The following was developed from notes taken in phone conversations with Pee Wee in January 2008

There were three people instrumental in the creation and development of WBCCI. Without them and a group of dedicated caravanners WBCCI would not exist today or would be a different organization.

These three people were:

Wally Byam - the creative and imaginative motivating force behind Airstream trailers and the caravans developed in part to promote the trailers and the lifestyle they represented.

Stella Byam – Wally's wife. The mostly behind the scenes supporter of Wally and his adventures. The perfect compliment to Wally, Stella was a quiet but effective ambassador and public relations partner.

Helen Byam Schwamborn – The organizer, the diplomat and the “people” person. Helen was the one to whom caravanners turned for assistance and support. She handled the concerns and issues that came up at rallies and on caravans thus making it easier for Wally to focus on other aspects of these adventures. She was responsible for much of the planning, organizing, and production that made things happen smoothly and efficiently.

It was the combination of these three people, whose talents, skills, and personalities worked so effectively together that made WBCCI the first organization of it's kind. An organization that as of 2011, is the longest still active and most recognized RV association in the world. Wally's trust in both Stella and Helen and his respect for their opinions and input supported the development of an organization open to the needs and interests of the membership. Helen and Stella were the best of friends. They balanced out the sometimes abrasive edges of Wally's creative and impatient personality. They made the perfect team to provide support to Wally on the often very tiring and sometimes arduous caravans and rallies.

The true legacy of Wally, Helen and Stella is in the organization, management, and structure they brought to WBCCI. It is these fundamental elements that were the key to the success of Caravans such as the African Caravan in 1959, the Around the World Caravan in 1963 and numerous other caravans nationally and internationally. No other RV group had ever attempted such events and there were no instruction manuals or how to books. It was these skills that enabled the effective involvement of caravanners themselves in the myriad of activities and tasks that made not only the caravans but also the rallies and other events successful. Many of the systems developed in the early years that created well planned and organized rallies and caravans have been honed over the years and still provide the groundwork for successful events to this day. It was the successes created by organization, management, and structure that helped create the most recognizable RV brand in existence, the Airstream trailer. At a time when most other RV associations were struggling, it was this brand created through these skills and the successes that caught the attention of the Beatrice Foods Company who then purchased Airstream and kept the dream alive.

Together Wally, Helen, and Stella helped create the foundation for an association that included many activities and traditions that were unique in the 1950's. This foundation still functions to the present day and continues to change and evolve while maintaining many of the traditions of the past.

Pee Wee main page -|- family -|- Early WBCCI -|- Airstreams -|- Caravans

The documents provided and the pictures in these photo galleries have been used with permission of Dale Schwamborn. They are intended for personal viewing and enjoyment only and are not to be used in part or in full on other websites, for commercial purpose, or for any other use. For information on this material you can contact Dale at peewee(at)sierranevadaairstreams(dot)org

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