Spring Samboree - 2013

The Oklahoma Good Sam Club held its final “Spring Samboree” at the “Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center” in Shawnee, Oklahoma.  During the Fall 2012 Committee Meeting, it was decided that Oklahoma would join other Region IV states in transitioning to one Samboree per year.  Oklahoma will return to Claremore, Oklahoma, one final time for the 2013 Fall Samboree, but begin its annual Samboree schedule in Shawnee in the Fall of 2014.  

The theme for the Spring event was “Around the World,” and a total of 238 rigs were present to join in the festivities.  As usual, Oklahoma enjoyed many out-of-state visitors, including folks from Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska, as well as other places across the nation and beyond.   Without the help of our Wagonmaster, John Tull, and his assistants (lower right photo), all those rigs would never get situated!

In an effort to get the Samboree underway, the Oklahoma State Staff arrived on site the Sunday before Thursday’s official opening.  After dinner at the “Firelake Grand Casino,” Oklahoma State Director, Bettye Franz, conducted an organizational meeting to brief all staff members about various assignments.  

The Oklahoma Good Sam Club was honored to have its Regional Director, Don & Helen Woodard, as its guests.  Don and Helen brought with them a display promoting “Good Sam Club Chapters.”  As seen in the picture at right, Don is not only a good mentor to our club, but he’s also lots of fun!

While the staff began the task of setting up the Samboree, members from Southern Oklahoma Sams (SOS) began construction of the Samboree stage . . . .

REGISTRATION – MEET & GREET

VENDORS & MERCHANDISE

CAMPING WORLD

NOTABLE SPEAKERS

Donna Merry conducts a book review of “Cowboy Story” (left); Attorney, Keith D. Magill, conducts an Oklahoma Estate Planning Seminar (center); and Colonel Jim Wilhite presented his book, “We Answered the Call,” and conducted his seminar, “Believe it or not, there are no Good Sam Chapters in Afghanistan” (right). 

SEMINARS & CRAFTS

Red Hat Social (left); and Craft Project with Barb Montz making decorated tins (center and right). 

CHAIRITY & FUNDRAISING

Grace Shiles and the Kickapoo Sams are avid supporters of local charities.  Grace Shiles and Paul Percival present the camping grill donated by Camping World to support Grace’s “Cool Collars” project to benefit American soldiers (top left).

GAMES, GAMES, AND MORE GAMES!

CAKE WALK & ICE CREAM SOCIAL

PET PARADE

MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

The evenings’ music and entertainment was provided by “Sunday Drive” (left); “Luck of the Draw Band” (center), and the “Little Axe High School Show Choir” (right).

CHAPTER RECOGNITION AND AWARDS

COSTUME PARADE

THE SAMBOREE AND ITS PEOPLE

The Oklahoma Good Sam Club hopes you enjoyed our pictorial review of the 2013 Spring Samboree!  To join in the fun, visit this site again, join an Oklahoma Good Sam Chapter, or contact our State Director, Bettye and Edward Franz, Email: bfranz2920@aol.com, Phone: (918) 970-6205.

The Oklahoma Good Sam Staff wishes to thank and acknowledge Don Deweese (Western Prairie Sams) for his photo contribution to this site!