- This event has passed.
Gettysburg Hangout (SOLD OUT/Waiting List)
May 9, 2022 - May 16, 2022
Gettysburg Campground • Gettysburg, PA • May 9-16, 2022
This Hangout is currently sold out, but join the waiting list and we’ll let you know if a spot opens up!
This Hangout is currently sold out, but join the waiting list and we’ll let you know if a spot opens up!
Immerse yourself in the turning point of the Civil War
Historians consider the Battle of Gettysburg on July 1-3, 1863 to be the most important battle of the American Civil War, and the first major victory for the Union after a string of defeats by the Confederacy. Gettysburg marked the turning point of the war, although the fighting would rage on for two more years. The bloody battle inspired President Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address,” which would become one of the most famous speeches of all time.
Today, the ghosts of the fallen soldiers on both sides of the conflict live on at the Gettysburg National Military Park, where the history of that fateful battle is preserved by the National Park Service. The Gettysburg Hangout, hosted by Kathie & Rich Anderson, will immerse you in the stories of the battle, on the very ground where it took place, as told by living historians and licensed battlefield guides.
Our special guest for this Hangout will be Dr. Rick Weil, SKP# 140637, a retired professor, Civil War living historian, and president of the Lincoln’s Generals Living History and Museum Organization, which is dedicated to preserving the legacy and history of the war.
Before you head out to the battlefield on the first full day of the Hangout, you’ll gain insight into the battle, the stories and personalities through a visit to the Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War; a showing of the film A New Birth of Freedom, narrated by actor Morgan Freeman; and a viewing of the massive 1884 Gettysburg Cyclorama 360-degree painting that places you in the middle of Pickett’s Charge on the decisive third day of the battle.
Then, Dr. Weil and licensed battlefield guides will lead you through the first of three half-day tours around the Military Park. On each one of these tours, your guides will recount one of the three days of the Battle of Gettysburg right where the fighting happened.
Each evening during the Hangout will feature a program in camp by living historians from the Lincoln’s Generals Organization. By adopting the personas of people involved in the battle, these historians will provide interactive, first-person impressions that are almost like you stepped back in time to 1863.
National Park Service rangers will present a special program about battlefield medicine during Civil War times. You’ll hear how 19th-century small town, country doctors transitioned and trained to become battlefield army surgeons, and how wounded soldiers were transported from one hospital to another, how soldiers were treated and eventually returned to their units or homes.
You’ll tour the Eisenhower National Historic Site, the home and farm of General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Located adjacent to the Gettysburg Battlefield, the farm served the President as a weekend retreat and a meeting place for world leaders. With its peaceful setting and view of South Mountain, it was a much-needed respite from Washington D.C. and a backdrop for efforts to reduce Cold War tensions.
Other activities planned for the Gettysburg Hangout include a hike or bicycle ride on area trails, a talk and picnic lunch on Culp’s Hill, a Civil War-style breakfast, a wine tasting at Adams County Vineyard, and potluck dinners.
Hangout location
Is this event right for me?
Every member is welcome at all Escapees RV Club events. With that said, the Gettysburg Hangout is best suited for members who:
- can comfortably walk moderate distances
- can participate in activities during weekdays (traditional working/business hours)
For events designed specifically for working-age RVers, with most activities in the evenings and on weekends, try an Xscapers Convergence. Or for more of an all-inclusive, guided-tour experience, you may prefer one of our Head-Out Programs (HOPs).
COVID-19 precautions
Although Escapees recommends that attendees be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations before attending this Hangout, effective March 1, 2022, proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test will no longer be required.
Please see the club’s current COVID-19 Event Policy for our current health and safety recommendations and practices, as well as situations under which you may not attend this Hangout if you’ve had recent symptoms of or a positive test for COVID-19.
Schedule
Activities and schedule are subject to change. Activities marked with an *asterisk are not included in your Hangout fee.
Monday 5/9
Arrival and check-in at Gettysburg Campground
Evening welcome gathering & introductions
Tuesday 5/10
Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War, A New Birth of Freedom film, and Gettysburg Cyclorama
Battle Day 1 guided tour on battlefield
Evening program: Lincoln’s Generals living history presentation
Wednesday 5/11
Eisenhower National Historic Site tour
Lunch at Dobbin House*
Bike ride or hike
Evening program: Lincoln’s Generals living history presentation
Thursday 5/12
Battle Day 2 guided tour on battlefield
Adams County Vineyard visit & tastings*
Evening program: Lincoln’s Generals living history presentation
Friday 5/13
Battle Day 3 guided tour on battlefield
Park Ranger talk: battlefield medicine
Evening program: Lincoln’s Generals living history presentation
Saturday 5/14
Civil War-style breakfast
Talk and picnic lunch at Culp’s Hill
Hike and explore area around Culp’s Hill
Evening program: Lincoln’s Generals living history presentation
Sunday 5/15
Visit battleground sites where participants’ ancestors fought
Potluck dinner
Evening program: Lincoln’s Generals living history presentation
Monday 5/16
GTHO breakfast
Departure
Hangout registration includes:
- 7 nights RV camping in water & electric site
- 3 private guided battlefield tours with Gettysburg’s renowned Licensed Battlefield Guides
- 6 living history presentations by Lincoln’s Generals
- Admission to Gettysburg Museum, Film and Cyclorama
- Social activities
- Civil War-style breakfast
- GTHO departure day breakfast
- Guest Civil War historian Dr. Rick Weil
- Hangout hosts
Additional costs to consider: meals out, wine tasting
Hangout price
You must be an Escapees RV Club member to attend this event. If you are not currently a member, you will be able to add a new membership during the registration process.
By attending this event, you are agreeing to the following:
- As an attendee, you assume all risk and danger relating to your personal property, RV and attendance at the Hangout, whether occurring prior to, during or after the event. In the event of loss or theft, no claim will be made upon Escapees, its volunteers, employees or agents.
- Volunteers may be directing and assisting you in your parking areas. However, it is the driver of the vehicle who is ultimately responsible for avoiding obstacles or dangerous situations and is solely responsible for any damage to one’s property or the property of others.
- As an attendee at this event, you are granting your permission to be filmed, videotaped, audiotaped, or photographed, and granting to Escapees RV Club the full use of any such recordings or images without compensation.
- By registering, you will also receive occasional email notifications of future Hangouts; however, you can opt-out of these notifications at any time.
- If COVID-19 protocols are still required at the time of the Hangout, you will help provide a safe environment for everyone by complying with our health and safety rules. If requested, you will sign a written agreement releasing Escapees from liability should you become ill during or after the event.
How to register
There are two ways to register and pay: by phone or online.
- To register online (highly recommended), click the button below and follow the instructions on your screen.
- To register by phone, call Escapees Event Registration at (936) 755-1060.
Registration opens Wednesday, November 17, 2021
at 10:00 a.m. Central Time.
We’re sorry, but this Hangout is currently sold out. If you’d still like to attend, please join the waiting list below. We’ll notify you if a spot opens up.
We’re sorry, but this Hangout is currently sold out. If you’d still like to attend, please join the waiting list. We’ll notify you if a spot opens up.
After you register
Watch for an email from registration@escapees.com for a confirmation of your registration. If you don’t receive it, call Escapees Event Registration at (936) 755-1060 to be sure that your registration was processed correctly.
After you register, please join the Hangout group on Facebook (a link to this group will be in your confirmation email). We will use this group to communicate with Hangout attendees before and during the event. You will also receive one or more emails before the Hangout with more information as needed.
Cancellations
If you cancel your Hangout registration on or before Friday, April 8, 2022, you will receive a refund of your registration fees minus a $50 cancellation fee.
There will be no refunds for cancellations received after April 8, 2022.
Waiting list
If this Hangout is sold out when you try to register, please join the waiting list by completing the form below. There are usually several cancellations before a Hangout…so if a spot opens up and you’re the next one on the waiting list, you’ll get another shot at registration! (Note: please don’t join the waiting list unless and until the Hangout sells out. Entries received before that time will be ignored.)
This waiting list is no longer available because the event has already occurred.
