Originally established as a Good Sam chapter, the Calgary Pioneers #1 were the frst chapter in Alberta, organized in 1972. We have operated continuously since then and are now the Calgary Pioneers with the Alberta RVers. As a long established group we have a history of friends camping with friends and a strong social core to our activities. We currently have about a dozen active camping rigs and at least as many retired campers, who are registered as associate members. Group picnics become an important part of some of our closer camping trips and winter social lunches are a monthly event. Our membership base is Calgary, but we do have a few members from outside the city – Cochrane, Caroline, even Lacombe (that’s a ways away for sure, we are a friendly bunch!)
As campers we are wanderers throughout much of Southern Alberta. We seek out a few new destinations each year and return to a few favourites as well. Our range in 2024 will be from Police Outpost in the foothills on the US border to Metis Crossing on the North Saskatchewan south of Smoky Lake, Alberta. A few favourites for this year will be Dinosaur PP (our annual frst camp for the past couple of years), Crammond Hall in July and Cardston in August.
Camp sites include commercial parks with hook-ups, dry camping in remote or private sites, Provincial Parks, etc. Our destinations are based more on activites and location then on facilities. Hiking from the campground or nearby is always a treat. There are usually a few bicycles along and some kayaks or a canoe, if we are on a lake or river. We enjoy plays, and the theatre at Cardston draws us there, as does Rosebud. And it is always amazing where you can fnd a great ice cream shop!
A typical camp will be anywhere from 2 to 4 or 5 nights. There may be some organized common activities and plenty of opportunity to explore the area on your own or with friends; there will always be time for yourself as well. We often enjoy a pot-luck supper and/or a common breakfast. At Crammond we have access to a great kitchen and have a slightly more organized supper and a pancake breakfast. Evening music and sing-alongs are normal as we are fortunate to have excellent and willing musicians and occasionally, we have a campfre as well (That pesky smoke is really hard on some of us).
We enjoy the outdoors, and we enjoy being there with friends. We also enjoy welcoming new friends to our circle and are always honored when someone new joins us for a campout. Give us a try, we are a friendly bunch.
