~ Let’s go camping, have fun and make some friends! ~
CARAVAN LOCATOR ~ from Homes On Wheels Alliance (HOWA)
This Caravan Locator Service is for you to find where to camp with other nomads for fun and friendship, be you a full- or part-timer. These Caravan Locations are accessible by all types and sizes of rigs — cars, vans, RVs, trucks, bikes and more. While larger society is often divided and divisive, in the Caravans we focus on what brings us together.I love my nomad friends from years on the road. They are dear to me. We live simply, are self-sufficient, love nature, and take heed when the road calls.![]() Homes On Wheels Alliance (HOWA) Similarly, I hope you also find your own life-long friendships among the mobile community to “see down the road” for many years to come.Suanne Carlson, Executive Director, Homes On Wheels Alliance Quick Links: Video about the Caravans ~ AND ~ FAQs about the Caravans |
CURRENT CARAVANS
DIRECTIONS to get location information for each Caravan Group:
~~~ FIRST ~ Review Liability Release (below), then
~~~ SECOND ~ Go to the Caravan Group Section that you want to learn about (below), then
~~~ THIRD ~ Click that you agree to the Liability Release, then
~~~Detailed info for each of the Caravans will “drop down” just below where you clicked to agree to the Liability Release.
~~ LIABILITY RELEASE, click HERE to review ~~
Liability Release
Going camping is inherently dangerous and risk is a necessary part of it. When you join a Caravan, you open yourself up to so many potential risks, we could not begin to list them all. It is totally impossible for us to go around with you and brush aside all potential danger to you, so we are not offering you any guarantee of safety. Just the opposite, we guarantee that there will be many normal and even some abnormal risks around you. By going to the Caravan, you are agreeing that camping is risky and you join the caravans knowing that you alone are taking on that risk and that Homes On Wheels Alliance, Inc. can not be held liable for any harm that befalls you while at a Caravan Event.
Now for the legal wording that requires your agreement:
Activity Release Agreement & Waiver
By joining a Caravan Group, you (the Participant), and Homes On Wheels Alliance, Inc. (HOWA) do contract and agree as follows:
You, the Participant, hereby release and discharge HOWA, and any representative of HOWA of all claims, causes of actions, liabilities, disputes, demands, damages, agreements, contracts, obligations, promises, debts, and/or accounts of any kind or any nature, whether currently known or unknown, for any damage, loss, injury or death relating to actives at the Caravan, or participation in activities at the Caravan, which you, the Participant, have or may have in the future against HOWA, or any representative of HOWA, specifically applicable to any claims of negligence against HOWA or any representative of HOWA, as well as all other claims as described herein.
By joining the Caravan Event, the Participant agrees to this entire Release and Waiver Agreement.
The Participant understands, acknowledges and agrees that this Release is a final settlement for any and all claims or actions relating to or arising out of Caravan Activities and that Participant has had the opportunity to carefully review the terms of this Release and Waiver Agreement and/or have it examined by an attorney if so desired. Participant further understands that Participant will not be allowed to litigate any claims against HOWA as a consequence of agreeing to this Waiver and Release Agreement, despite any injury that may be sustained during participation in Caravan Activities. The Participant and HOWA are entering into this Release & Waiver Agreement voluntarily.
This Release & Waiver Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes any prior or contemporaneous understandings, whether written or oral.
~ End Liability Release ~
Now go to the Caravan Group Section to agree to this Liability Release.
Click HERE (once) to attest that you AGREE to the Liability Release (then look directly underneath for current Caravan info).
Turn phone sideways to view all Caravans |
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CARAVAN DATES |
RED Bighorns |
BLUE Javelinas |
BROWN Kit Fox |
ORANGE Women’s Jackrabbits |
PURPLE Pup Fish |
YELLOW Cactus Wren |
GREEN Men’s Whiptails |
Dec 29-Jan 12 Noon to Noon |
Location: Earp S near Parker, AZ | Location: AGM (American Girl Mine) near Yuma, AZ | Location: AGM (American Girl Mine) near Yuma, AZ | Location: Earp N near Parker, AZ | —– | —– | On 11/3/21, the Men’s Caravan was postponed due to extremely low to no attendance in Oct. |
Jan 12-Jan 26 Noon to Noon |
Probable Location: Scaddan Wash E 14-Day Camp in Quartzsite during the RTRs |
Probable Location: Dome Rock 14-Day Camp in Quartzsite during the RTRs |
Probable Location: Hi Jolly 14-Day Camp in Quartzsite during the RTRs |
Probable Location: Plomosa Rd W 14-Day Camp in Quartzsite during the RTRs |
Tentative Location: Roadrunner 14-Day Camp in Quartzsite during the RTRs |
Tentative Location: Plomosa Rd E 14-Day Camp in Quartzsite during the RTRs |
If a core group of men want to re-start the Men’s In-Person Caravan, email |
Jan 26-Feb 9 Noon to Noon |
Tentative Location: American Girl Mine near Yuma, AZ |
Tentative Location: Earp N near Parker, AZ |
Tentative Location: Earp S near Parker, AZ |
Tentative Location: American Girl Mine near Yuma, AZ |
Tentative Location: Plomosa Rd BLM land near Bouse, AZ |
Tentative Location: Hippie Hole between Yuma, AZ & Blythe, CA |
HomesOnWheelsAlliance @gmail.com. |
Feb 9-Feb 23 Noon to Noon |
Tentative Location: Dome Rock 14-Day Camp in Quartzsite |
Tentative Location: Plomosa Rd E 14-Day Camp in Quartzsite |
Tentative Location: Scaddan Wash E 14-Day Camp in Quartzsite |
Tentative Location: Roadrunner 14-Day Camp in Quartzsite |
Tentative Location: Scaddan Wash W 14-Day Camp in Quartzsite |
Tentative Location: Hi Jolly 14-Day Camp in Quartzsite |
HOWA offers a Men’s Virtual Caravan on Sun at 11am PT; RSVP at meetup.com/caravans. |
What is a HOWA Caravan?
A HOWA Caravan is a group of people who want to join others from the mobile community. Participants casually camp together for days, weeks, or months at a time. Caravan Groups range from 5 to 75 people, depending on the number who show up and how many vehicles the camping location will accommodate. Participants are free to stay to themselves or join-in, as they desire. Caravan Groups move to a new camp every 14 days. Participants drive individually to the next location and do not convoy as one large group.HOWA has multiple Caravan Groups running at the same time. Sometimes participants come and go, and try out different Caravan Groups. Caravan Locations accommodate many types of rigs – cars, vans, RVs and moreThe Caravans are free. No registration is required. Click here to go to where you can agree to the Liability Release and get the most current information. |
How do I sign up to join a Caravan?
Join a Caravan Group:
HOWA also offers optional online CHAT for you and your campmates before and during the Caravan.
The Caravans are free. No registration is required. Click here to go to where you can agree to the Liability Release and get the most current information.
*TUTORIALS for ZOOM: How to join a Zoom Meeting How to use Zoom on iOS devices How to use Zoom on Android devices. |
What is the Caravan Announcement Schedule?
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How do I a find a Caravan's Location?
![]() Each red pin shows the general location where a Caravan will be camped. In the Fall we start in the north, then move south with the cooler weather in the Winter. To make it as easy as possible for participants to find each of the Caravan Locations, before each Caravan begins, HOWA will provide:
*Recommendation: Once off pavement, do not follow Google Maps’ directions (or any other mapping program’s directions) to the GPS coordinates of center camp. The mapping programs will direct you to take the shortest distance. On dirt and gravel roads, the shortest distance is not always the safest route. Look at satellite views for a better idea of the safest route. Read the written directions provided by HOWA for a safer route. Many have got stuck in sand, or unable to turn around, when blindly following the mapping program’s directions to GPS coordinates in the back country. Click here for Bob Wells’ CheapRVLiving video to learn about GPS Coordinates. Keep yourself safe!The Caravans are free. No registration is required. Click here to go to where you can agree to the Liability Release and get the most current information. |
What do I do when I arrive at a Caravan Camp?
When you arrive:
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Recommendations for selecting your personal camp.
HOWA’s Recommendations to select your personal camp within the larger Caravan Camp:
*Since the Caravans began, we’ve observed that some people like to be close in, and others far away from center camp (a half mile or more). There’s not a single right way to select your personal camp location. In fact, you can move your personal camp every day if you want to! |
What does HOWA provide BEFORE each Caravan Camp begins?
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How much do I prepare? What will HOWA provide AFTER the Caravan begins?
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Recommendations for safety and comfort.
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What do I do in case of emergency?
Sexual Harassment: What should I do?
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Recommendations to create community.
When you join a new Caravan Location, it’s sometimes intimidating to be around so many new people. This is a time to take baby steps to expand our comfort zone. One suggestion: First, simply give a friendly nod to people on a daily walk or a visit to the campfire, then wave to them the next day on a walk. The following day, say something like “nice rig” as a conversation starter. By then, I suspect, at least one connection will happen. Take it slow, and you will find your community. As nomads, we have so many unique attributes that make us like-minded, such as our —
Focus on these attributes and everything else that makes us like-minded nomads; and also recognize and honor the differences as we get to know one another. To avoid conflict at the Caravan Camps, please do not bring up or wear items that highlight controversial topics or imply devaluing of others related to:
Homes On Wheels Alliance is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness. The collective sum of our individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, and talent represents not only part of our culture, but our reputation as well. When we camp together, we welcome the unique contributions that participants can bring in terms of their education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and belief. |
Recommendations for being COVID safe.
![]() Homes On Wheels Alliance recommends following CDC’s guidelines for reducing transmission of the COVID virus in large outdoor gatherings among people who have recently traveled from all over the country. At the Caravans, we’ve interpreted those to mean:
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Recommendations for camping among those who have different ideas about COVID.
IMPORTANT: In HOWA Caravans, everyone is welcome regardless of their personal beliefs, convictions and decisions about their own COVID-related practices. Respect. RECOMMENDATIONS*:
Simplistically: My vaccine protects me. My mask protects you. Social distancing protects both of us. *Much appreciation to Sept 12th’s women of HOWA’s Virtual Caravan for providing their wisdom, which then formed the basis for the above recommendations. |
Recommendation to create spin-off camping groups.
Spin-Off Groups are Good: What usually happens, is that people make friends, gain confidence and then go off to travel together in smaller spin-off groups. Thus, maintaining a stable Caravan Group size as new people join and experienced people leave. On the other hand, many will decide to stay with the larger group until the end of the season. Going back and forth is good too. HOWA considers these unofficial spin-off groups a successes! Some examples of reasons to create a spin off group:
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Can I bring my pet?
Where are some of the Caravan Locations?
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What is the history of the Caravans?
The History of the CaravansIn January 2018, Bob Wells of CheapRVLiving started talking about Caravans on this video. He wanted to create a way for nomads to camp together and be a community.CheapRVLiving began the Caravans in the Fall of 2018. Click here for Bob Well’s Fall 2018 introduction of the Caravans (note: although the Caravan expectations are still relevant in the video, CRVL contact information and links provided are no longer active). After the January 2019 RTRs, we started a Women’s Caravan. Click here for a video that Bob and Suanne made at that time (note: although the Caravan experiences are still relevant in the video, CRVL contact information and links provided are no longer active).In 2019, the Caravans were adopted by HOWA. Before their transfer to HOWA, several serious accidents happened within the Caravans. As a result, HOWA realized the need for a Liability Release Statement so that participants understood that camping in the back country is inherently risky and that they would hold HOWA harmless should another accident happen. So, in the Fall of 2019 HOWA implemented an RSVP system using Meetup.com so that, when joining HOWA’s Meetup Caravan Group, participants agreed to the Liability Release. Meetup also provided a place for participants to text chat, as well as single online place to communicate instructions, directions, and GPS coordinates for each Caravan.Happily, some of the Caravan Groups continued, unofficially, long beyond the end of the official Caravan (3 months at the time). They simply continued camping together. Some Caravans Groups formed Facebook Groups to communicate online when not camping together. A few of these online groups remain active today.Then COVID hit. The Caravans were postponed beginning April 2019. Who would have thought that they would have been postponed for a full 18 months. Now we begin them again in October 2021? The processes surrounding the Caravans continue to evolve, but the basic premise of finding community remains the same.The Caravans are free. No registration is required. Click here to go to where you can agree to the Liability Release and get the most current information. |
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