AUGUSTA — There have been times when Lynda Maier looked at the weather forecast and reconsidered her plans for a weekend camping trip. Then she thought of the Koontzes, Barnetts and other members of the Kansa Travelers club and knew she didn’t want to miss their company.
“When you go with a club, you go even when it’s 105 (degrees), raining or snowing,” said Maier, who joined the group with her husband, Glenn, 11 years ago. “People say you’re crazy, but it’s fun.”
The Kansa Travelers have been going since 1965. They typically camp together twice a month, May through October. Mostly they gather at Kansas state parks such as Cheney, El Dorado, Cross Timbers and Eisenhower, although they’ve also been to campgrounds in Oklahoma, Missouri and Iowa through the years. During the winter hiatus they meet monthly at restaurants.
The Kansa Travelers are a chapter of the Family Campers and RVers International Camping Club. Other local chapters include Buehler’s Sunflower Ramblers and
Derby’s Coyotes.
Currently, there are 29 members in the Augusta club, most aged 70 and up. The Maiers say they enjoy the friendships they’ve made and easy-going nature of the trips. There’s not much in the way of a schedule. On the Friday they arrive at a destination, they may to a local restaurant for dinner. Saturdays are set aside for a group meal.
“Sometimes we have themed dinners, like everybody brings Mexican,” Lynda said. “It’s always good no matter what it is.”
If there’s an event happening in the area, such Halstead Days or Yoder Days, they may venture out of the campground. Some members fish or ride bikes.
“Otherwise, it’s sit around, eat, solve the world’s problem and play games,” Glenn said. “A lot of the gals are card players.”
People interested in joining or learning more about the Kansa Travelers may contact Glenn Maier at (316) 350-6766 or gl.maier@yahoo.com.
