Wisconsin Camper's Association

50 Years of Promoting Family Camping!

About WCA

Gib & Rosie Schmitt
Members of the
Hartford Y-Knots

Young children and camping worked very well for Gib and Rosie Schmitt. The first time the Schmitt family went camping, they camped in a tent. A very large tent at that time, Gib and Rosie had nine children and the youngest was only one year old.

The Schmitt family traveled to Canada where they also tent camped and had a great time touring Canada. Another trip out of Wisconsin was shortly after they purchased a new motor home. They took four of their children to Idaho to visit another daughter, Patty, who was serving in the Air Corp.

Rosie and Gib joined the Wisconsin Camper's Association at the Milwaukee RV Show in 1965. It wasn't until the 1967 Campvention that the Schmitt's joined the Hartford Y-Knots. At the last minute they decided to go to Campvention, which was at Rubidell Campground. They took a chance and figured there would be room for them. They hooked their boat up to the station wagon and took off. Rose said, the boat leaked and we didn't fish, but it made a wonderful trailer! As they were driving into Rubidell, a friend from Hartford was walking up the road and invited them to camp with the Hartford group. It turned out that Gib also knew several men from the National Guard who were also camping with Hartford.

Rosie and Gib say the best Campvention that they attended was in 1975. It was held in West Salem and hosted by the LaCrosse Chapter. Rosie remembers that, there were at least 300 campers at that Campvention and it was so much fun being next to the river.

Rosie and Gib enjoy theme Mid-Winter Balls the best! According to the theme, each chapter dresses in costume. They particularly remember the Mid-Winter Ball at Muskego Beach and  they dresses as Beer Cans. The costumes were easy to make. Front and back of a beer can made on two pieces of cardboard tied together with twine or a strong rope and slipped over your head. One year the Hartford Y-Knots won the door prize. Guess what it was? A Door! The chapter had rented a bus to travel to the Mid-Winter Ball and they had a difficult time getting the door home! At a Mid-Winter Ball held in Madison, Gib and Rosie were crowned King and Queen.

For 50 years, the Schmitt's have given their time to serve the community. Rosie and Gib were active in the Wisconsin Camper's Association and the American Legion. Rosie received the WCA Entertainment Award for dancing on the tables, whereas she was known as the Queen of Table Dancing. Gib served as President of WCA from 1989 to 1991 and Rosie was Recording Secretary for four years. They are still very active in the American Legion, where Gib is currently serving as Commander of the American Legion and Rosie previously served as District President.

The Schmitt's do not get to Campvention and campouts as often as they would like to. However, if you the opportunity arises for you to meet Gib and Rosie, please do so. They have had numerous good times with WCA and have made many lasting friendships and will be happy to share their memories with you.