Join the Elks lodge if you can afford it

[user 37446]

Thanks to all who’ve commented on the fraternal organizations available.  While not having joined anything yet, I may someday as an alternative way to get showers instead of the gyms that aren’t found in all that many smaller to mid sized towns vs. Elks or whomever.  (I’m referring to Planet Fitness, they sound national but really are only in the bigger cities.)

 

[Headache]

I learn something new every day! My brother heads the Moose lodge in Las Cruces. Now I have to ask him about camping and getting sponsored!

 

[Almost There]

I may someday as an alternative way to get showers instead of the gyms that aren’t found in all that many smaller to mid sized towns vs. Elks or whomever.  (I’m referring to Planet Fitness, they sound national but really are only in the bigger cities.)

Most of the lodge style facilities that I've seen or heard about offer very simple amenities, some have power hook-ups, some do not. BUT none of them that I know about have shower facilities.

Smaller communities often have community pools where for a small daily fee you can use the public swimming hours and just head for the shower.

 

[wasanah2]

Most of the lodge style facilities that I've seen or heard about offer very simple amenities, some have power hook-ups, some do not. BUT none of them that I know about have shower facilities.

Smaller communities often have community pools where for a small daily fee you can use the public swimming hours and just head for the shower.

I got on the phone today and called several places (Moose) where they say there is RV parking.  One of the places where I will commonly travel to said it's FREE and there's FREE electricity and water but you have to dump black tanks elsewhere.  Gray can go on the ground.  There's a shower (for women) inside the lodge in the women's restroom.  Men's in the men's room.   You have to use it during the times the lodge is open, but hot showers are there.   Activities every night but Sunday.  A bar on site (which doesn't get me excited) and bingo and dances and poker nights and stuff like that.

I called a couple more locations on the list and one has an entire full service campground with everything including laundermat and wifi.  The cost was 15 a night though.  But still, if I want full hookup, I can splurge on 15 a night once in awhile.  I think the dues and initiation money will pay for itself in camping.  And no cop will be pounding on my window.  You're on private land in which you are entitled to be parked on.

Some are dry camping spots in grassy spots in the back of the buildings.  Many are free, and some are like the one I found that have free electric.  They're glad to have you come because LIKELY you will go in and spend money at the bar or restaurant or losing at Bingo.   But I would have no qualms erecting a shower tent if it's in the back and kinda secluded if there is no shower.  I expect to get clean daily for sure.  So the alternative is to get clean in my van, but I'm hoping not to have to do that too often.

 

[wasanah2]

I learn something new every day!  My brother heads the Moose lodge in Las Cruces.  Now I have to ask him about camping and getting sponsored!

YES, if you know someone to get sponsored, it'll be fast to get in.  Here is the list of camping places:  http://www.mooseintl.org/portal/pdf/LodgesWithCamping.pdf

Unfortunately, Las Cruces doesn't have camping but 4 other places in NM do.  Deming isn't far.  Just take a look at the places you'd like to visit.  There are so many!

 

[maki2]

I have been living next door to an Elks club. It is right on a sandy saltwater beach in Seattle. In the summer time it is open to the public one night a week for a bar-b-que type casual dinner. If you want to join all you have to do is go to a public night, strike up a conversation and ask to be sponsored for membership. They really are that friendly at least at this Elks club they are. They want new members. Other than the inititial meetings new members need to attend they don't care if you don't show up for meetings. But they do have fun stuff there like paddle board surfing nights for boy scouts and others. There is an annual vintage car show, art nights, some dances, a small bar, craft fairs, etc

They do allow RV parking for several nights for free. However there are no hookups, you are in a large usually nearly empty parking lot but there is a lawn area with the beach to hang out on. It is a good neighborhood. Just up the street is a large marina with public restrooms and a little further up the street is a large city park with big sandy beach, walking trails bathrooms and I think showers too. Nice places to eat on the street as well. It is also across the street from a bike trail. There are always rental electric bikes around on the street.

Prices for RV camping are quite varied within the Elks clubs, much depends on the amenities and the popularity of the place. But even some of the ones that charge might have some spaces with no hookups that you can stay in for free. You can ask to barter with some casual work camping chores in place of fees. Like any place there is ALWAYS a list of chores and small repairs that need doing.

 

[Dingfelder]

That sounds pretty cool, Maki. I had never thought of fraternal orders as a resource. My dad was in the Elks in Hawaii, and they had a beautiful place right on the beach, with a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, and I think pool tables, not sure. We didn't go there often, because the restaurant was a little pricey, but loved to just go to the beach and pool, with the occasional club sandwich for a treat. People were nice.