FMCA Midwest Area

31/05/2024

Another exciting update about our upcoming 2024 MA Rally in Amana IA...... As of today, there are 255 registered family RV Units registered - plus several on a wait list that will be moved into the rally if / as cancellations create an available opening. We are at capacity on sites, building usage and seminars. Some interesting statistics that support our belief that this is going to be a great fun friends and family event are.... Registered attendees are from 30 different states plus Canada. There are 100 First time attendees registered. There are 132 registered at this point for the ladies luncheon. We are at capacity with a wait list for inside vendor booths. We have a number chapters with up to 58 years of existence - a brief Anniversary celebration will happen during the ice cream social to recognize the 3 chapters celebrating 50 years, 1 chapter with 35 years, and 1 chapter reaching 30 years during 2024. Tons of activities, 38 seminars, Sponsored Breakfast, Catered Dinner, Volunteer Dinner, Hot Dog Bash Wed, Ice Cream Social, and Desserts at the Rally Block Party will provide opportunities to stay busy with your new and old friends. Registered attendees will be receiving pre-rally information in near future - all rally packets will be at "will-call" upon arrival. The Amana area is unique with a long community based culture so registered attendees that wish to take a 2 hour tour can arrange that in advance through the campground office. Information on arranging RV Mobile service repairs or wash/wax in advance will also be provided in that pre-rally email. Stay Safe and Healthy.

07/05/2024

Good News ..... The July 2024 Midwest Area rally at Amana Colonies RV Park in Amana is full - we are at capacity as of today.. A wait list is being taken.
We had increased additional sites available but now are at maximum capacity for the RV park as to number of sites and available building space.
We are also at building capacity for vendors with a great variety coming - including 12 that are camping with us as rally attendees. We now have vendor(s) registering for outdoor tent booths as well ... have several more outdoor spaces available but the indoor spaces are all taken... a wait list for indoor space will be offered as well.
In addition to a great rally planned, arrangements have been made for interested attendees to sign up for a 1.5-2 hour guided 14 capacity bus tour of the Amana Colonies by the Amana Historical Society - Tours will be available twice daily starting on Tuesday and continuing through Friday - Signups would be made at RV Park office after arrival - $25 per person.
More details with a planned schedule of events will be sent by email to all registered attendees in near future.

04/05/2024

We are again blessed with wonderful support and interest in enjoying the social and family Rving lifestyle we have come to love. Registrants so far to join us in Amana 2024 again represent not only our Midwest Area friends but include FMCA members from 24 states plus Manitoba. Rally is almost full..... We have an absolute capacity max of 245 RV sites available - as of this morning, we only have 12 left .... There's a good chance that this rally will be full next week and we'll have to put registrations on hold and start a "wait list" for attendees.
Planning committee is working on the "initial final" schedule of the many (20 or so) seminars (including 11 by our 18-20 vendors), plus several craft classes, games, and activities. Entertainment is set with Wednesday evening being "Ocktoberfest in July" with the Amana Colony Folksingers, and Country band "Matt Kane and the Greenbriers" on Saturday. Catered pancake breakfast, full dinner, ice cream social, chili cookoff, firepit Chapter Fair and Block Party, Volunteer dinner, hot dog bash, Line Dancing, Yoga class, Bingo, Trivia, group Bike Ride, Geocaching session, Bag Toss and Bean Bag Baseball competition. The Rambling Pushers FMCA Chapter will have their 4-corner weighing system set up at our rally for all attendees for a normal donation.

26/04/2024

Rally shaping up quickly ... Midwest area Amana Colonies Rally filling up fast .... we have 217 registered so far and only have room for 28 more to attend this rally. Campground capacity available to us is a maximum of 245 so we are expecting to fill up in next few weeks. All registered attendees should have received a confirmation email from FMCA events department. The evening entertainment and activities are pretty much set with a beverage stand being available during the Wednesday evening Ocktoberfest in July to possible assist your dancing rhythm. The scales will be there for your 4 corner weighing, the vehicle wash and wax service will be ready to use - as well as the mobile RV tech service. Expecting several RV units to be on display as well as a good number of vendors. We look forward to seeing you there.

12/04/2024

As another update, looking forward to having great time in Amana with friends from all over the U.S.
As of today, we have 200 RV units registered for our Midwest area rally. Looking through the list and pleased to note that folks are coming from 24 states and 1 Canadian Province so far ...
We have 101 ladies signed up so far for the Ladies Luncheon, a nice group of Frustrated Maestros to help entertain us, and we're also blessed with the number of attendees that have volunteered to assist making this an enjoyable rally.
We'll be swinging by Amana Colonies RV Park next Friday to meet with Don and Julia to review scheduling and optimal facilities usage for these events. After that, off to DuQuoin IL to attend the 50 year anniversary celebration of the Lincoln Landers Chapter following week during their April rally.

08/04/2024

Update on our July 2024 Amana MA rally ---- as of last Friday, we have 186 RV units registered. the entertainment Wednesday PM will be Amana Colony Folksingers with "Ocktoberfest in July", entertainment Saturday evening booked is Matt Kane and the Greenbrier band. 4 corner coach weighing, Mobile RV service on site, with some RV display units on site. Plans and schedule of seminars and events is being developed. Lokk forward to seeing you there.

24/03/2024

Guess who's cart and Area display at the Tucson 2024 "Fiesta Del Sol" Rally Parade won the Grand Marshall's Award .... ( We had a contingency of Midwest area members riding and walking - some handing out candy -I heard later that one of them discovered who the Judges were - gave them two Snickers Bars as we passed .... "maybe found their sweet spot" ) ?

13/03/2024

Excited about a few things being worked on to make this upcoming Midwest Area rally a fun and value driven event. Wednesday night entertainment by the Amana colonies Folksingers should be a blast.
We also now have made arrangements for the "Ramblin Pushers" to have their scales there so everyone will be able to get their RV unit weighed. All of us should know for sure what our units weigh for a variety of reasons including proper tire inflation. They'll be able to handle all types of RV units - including tag / triple axles. Their expected charge for this valuable safety information is really minimal. At this point, they are expecting to be able to weigh units both as units arrive - and - as you depart. 5 -10 minutes well spent. More information will follow on the details and scheduling process for optimal time efficiency but we are really pleased to have them attend and provide this service. There will also be an educational seminar on the process - and the value of knowing your RV unit's 4 corner weights.

04/03/2024

Wondering -
1) After the Midwest Area Rally in Amana, IA, (leaving there on July 28th) anyone else headed to Redmond, OR to the FMCA Convention with a bit of sight seeing in route?
2) After the FMCA Convention in Redmond, OR, (leaving there on August 18th), anyone headed to Dickinson, ND for the Nodaks Chapter Rally ( August 22-25th ) -- or to Albert Lea, MN for the Badger Chapter rally? (August 22-26th ) ?

02/03/2024

Registrations for Midwest Area rally continuing to increase nicely. As of today, 120 RV units registered. Educational and informative seminars being set up, working on fun games and activities including an opportunity to cycle on the Amana Colonies Trails ...
(The Kolonieweg, or Colony Way, is a 3.1-mile trail connecting the villages of Amana and Middle Amana. Most of the trail is paved, but a small portion is gravel. The trail offers scenic views of Lily Lake, the Millrace, pastures, farmland and the surrounding countryside. The trail is also home to numerous plants and animals. The village of East Amana and the Amana Colonies Golf Course are also accessible via a marked bike route. Parking is available at two locations along the trail: along Highway 220 between Middle Amana and Amana where parking and picnic spots are available at the Lily Lake and the recently restored Amana Depot in the village of Amana which serves as the trailhead for the Kolonieweg, providing parking and seasonal restrooms). Also looking at having a Geocaching 101 session including a challenge for some to find one or more local hidden caches.
Wednesday opening ceremonies will be followed by great evening entertainment by the Amana Colonies Folksingers. More information coming later.
One interesting point is that we currently have attendees registered from 18 home states in the U.S. .....Last year, attendees were from 24 States and Canada ... What a great enjoyable mix of friends from all over sharing knowledge and experience

22/01/2024

Registration for the Midwest Area Rally at Amana Colonies RV Park on Wednesday July 24th through Saturday July 27th is on-line and by phone at FMCA. First day had 40 registered so off to a great start. Look forward to seeing you there.

08/01/2024

Who is all going to be at the Branson Eclipse with Fantasy. I thought it might be great to do a pot luck one evening.

14/12/2023

It is going to be a beautiful day no matter the weather. A friend just sent me this fron their daily devotions and I thought it was so special and needed to be shared.

"Live can be messy, unexpected, and complicated, but it can also be filled with magic and overwhelming beauty. You can push up against this contradiction or choose to flow along side it; the decision is yours. Accepting life the way it is allows you the freedom to bend, without breaking regardless of what life sends your way. "

This is so true. I am going with the flow in my breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. I hope for the best while preparing for the worst AND continuing to plan for my upcoming RV travels. Yes, I am in pain, yes I am unable to move as I desire and yes I am struggling with my body image. But, there is so much beauty and potential all around me. Family and friends have come out of the woods to support me. I remind myself I could be in so much worse shape. I will continue to bend as the wind blows; adapting as needed. I will continue to support those in need, family, friends, neighbors, my Elks family and even strangers as my health and stamina allows.

Have a great day!!!! No matter the weather.

24/08/2023

NEWS FLASH..
Election results from FMCA Convention at Gillette -
FMCA elected Executive Officers for 2 year term effective this week.
Gary Milner - National President
Paul Mitchell - National Sr. VP
Pamela Richards - National Secretary
Barbara Smith - National Treasurer
Our congratulations to these folks, our thanks for the other candidate whose volunteerism helped FMCA move forward with their willingness to serve also. Very impressive folks that stepped up to support FMCA's needs.

01/07/2023

Are you interested in Geocaching ?

Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity, in which participants use a Global Positioning System mobile devices or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers called "geocaches" or "caches" at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world. Smart phones work great and prevent needs for additional expenses.
"Geocaching" is a great hobby that provides fun and adventurous activity for Rver's as they travel, and frequently leads one to very . interesting sights and places to enjoy.
The basic idea is to have individuals and/or organizations set up caches all over the world and share the locations of these caches on the internet. GPS users can then use the location coordinates to find the caches. Once found, a cache may provide the seeker with a wide variety of rewards.
The geocaching game began in May 2000 with only 75 hidden treasures. Now, there are well over 1 million hidden geocaches.
Each week, approximately 6,500 new geocaches are hidden world-wide, and 1.4 million log entries are filed at the Geocaching website online.
Would you be interested in joining an effort to create a NEW MA FMCA CHAPTER with a primary common interest of Geocaching all over the Midwest Area, and the U.S.? There are geocaches hidden all over - many are at very interesting and scenic locations - and we ignore the ones that aren't.
A Geocaching 101 Seminar / round table was held at the recent June MA Rally in Chippewa Falls WI with 8 members indicating
they would be interested in the possibility of forming a Chapter within FMCA to enjoy the hobby activity further. Conversations following the session confirms there is likely considerable further interest in the activity for group enjoyment.
Efforts during round table discussions at upcoming rallies throughout the Midwest - and possibly at the FMCA International Convention at Gillette will likely identify many other interested parties. Our hopes are that we will have several others
who would join together in forming a chapter with the common interest of Geocaching.
Initial plans may be to just enjoy a Geocaching event while attending Area and National Rallies and Conventions. It would be a great activity even for groups when on a "Rolling Rally" or in route travel.
Due to the many, many activities busy folks are involved in, Charter members may just decide to have a Geocaching Mini-event withing Conventions or other rallies ... perhaps in future would decide the extend of group activities desired.
Bottom line ... for the $15 or so (TBD) likely Charter Membership dues cost to startup,
Would you be interested in joining the efforts to start a Midwest Area Geocaching Chapter?
The process is relatively easy and Aaron White of the FMCA Cincinnati is there to help the process along - Would you be willing to be an Officer of the Chapter to help get it up and running.
If so, please send an email with your interest, Name, Phone Number, and Email Address to be used to: [email protected]
Looking for another party to help coordinate these efforts as well.
Stay safe, active, and healthy ...

25/06/2023

IT’S A WRAP !!!
Had a great time at Chippewa Falls and now on to new and better yet for next year at Amana.
A huge thank you to all of you that attended the recent 2023 Midwest Area Rally in Chippewa Falls WI. Your presence was truly appreciated and we, as your officers of the MA, really enjoyed having you with us for the many events and activities. We also had a great time, and hope you found the social events rewarding for the fellowship that FMCA is noted for, the seminars interesting and informative, the activities fun, and the food great.
Congratulations to all the many category winners of the Patriotic Pet Costume Display … crowd enjoyed the event.
The Bean Bag Baseball competition had 10 competing teams with the winners being the Badger Ballers in a close final game with the Spinning Wheels team.
The Corn hole competition had many contestants with the team winners being Rett Porter and Gary Milner and the singles winner being Gary Milner. Congratulations to them – well deserved but going to be a long year for some of us amateurs – we need to practice a bit more… just can’t let that happen again next year at Amana.
The Chili Cookoff was again for the second MA rally in a row won by Richard Rehak
Congratulations to the folks that won one of the many daily door prizes, the gift cards, the tours given by our sponsors and vendors, the card bingo games, and have bragging rights for a year after their victory of the Trivia contest.
We can’t thank enough the 120+ of you that acted as the Team Captains and volunteers for the many roles required to make this all happen. I continue to be amazed and proud that you work so hard with us to organize and run the many roles, activities, and events. I can’t possibly name all of the many that took on Captain roles and the many that jumped in to help in a major way on whatever popped up. Without you, no rally would be possible. Thanks also to those that helped to document with photo’s and video’s at our rally for all to see.
And talk about the generosity of our members that contributed to the 50-50 for the Hope Village Organization as the chosen charity - and then the winner donating his winnings to that same cause... rewarding to know folks like you all.
A sincere thanks to all who completed the various evaluation forms giving us feedback on how the rally met your expectations. We realized there were areas that could have been improved upon, and with your feedback and suggestions, we will be working to make improvements for upcoming rallies.
The committee to develop and organize the 2024 MA Rally in Amana, IA, July 24-27 has already begun their work. Let’s make 2024 the best one ever. Mark your calendars and plan to attend. Parking crew ended up somehow getting all attendees on power at Chippewa Falls but parking at Amana is extra ordinaire – all 50A full hook ups with good venue facilities. We’ll be able to focus on Friends, Fun, Food, and Fellowship.
See you in Amana!

21/06/2023

Thanks to Katy Matthewson Bischoff and Brenda Mable for the many photos, and Mark Simpson for the drone overhead videos of the MA rally ... Captured a lot of memories.

16/06/2023

16/06/2023

Slow Dance

16/06/2023

Come on out and listen to a great band on the last night. Home Grown Tomatoes.

16/06/2023

Hope Village was assisted by MWA FMCA. The 50/50 was subsequently donated to Hope Village.

16/06/2023

Pictures were taken using androne. The link is the drone video courtesy of Mark Simpson. See comment below for a better link. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EkHapOD7IRbXsswBpGMUtFnIpNQg2Yhe/view?usp=drivesdk

15/06/2023

Block Parties will be held starting at 4:30pm (Thursday) in front of the Leinenkugel Pavillion. Go on down and check out what is going on.

14/06/2023

AND the winners for the second year in a row led by the team captain Steve Heiman are the Badger Ballers.

14/06/2023

Finals now in process.

14/06/2023

Winner, winner, Chili dinner.

14/06/2023

Many certificates were handed out in our parade. Thanks for participating!!!!

13/06/2023

Winners of the Adventure Caravan door prize during the opening ceremonies. Perry and Roberta McPeek.

13/06/2023

You have asked.... Steven Heiman may make another run of t-shirts if there are enough orders. Leave a message here or speak to Steve Heiman.