Living the Black RV Lifestyle

I love the camping lifestyle. I developed the love as a child when my parents used to take us camping. They fed the interest by involving us in a church-based youth program called Pathfinders. Back then, we did the old school tent camping, but as I matured, so did my me preference in where I laid my head. So, I graduated from the tent to an RV. My first rig was a Class C, the kind that looked like a UHaul truck. Now, I have a class Class A motorhome. Imagine a Greyhound bus with all the amenities and you have it.

However, there has always been one drawback to RVing that nagged at me. Far too often, when I take my RV to a campground, I’m one of the few Black campers there and I would find myself asking, “Where are my people?” This puzzled me, because as a teen I camped alongside hundreds of Black camping clubs.

Now that I'm an adult, Black campers in commercial campgrounds seemed to have all but vanished. Still, most people I meet in the RV communities are friendly and helpful, but I still miss my people.

So, I started searching for African-American RV groups. My search led me to Arnellmumford.com run by Arnell Mumford and Melanatedcampout.com run by Cayela Wimberly White, Jocelyn McCants and Shunte' McClellan. Both groups seemed to attract Black campers who appeared to be having a good time and apparently cater to adults. However, I had never been to an event with either group.

That changed on Labor Day Weekend, 2024. 

Last year, I went to Washington, D.C. for a short, restful vacation and I left my RV behind. During this "relaxing" vacation, I realized I was relatively close to Arnell Mumford’s Coles Point Beach Party campout. Even though I didn’t have my rig, I wanted to see what it was all about. What I found was a whole weekend soul festival. I had found my People and RVing would never be the same again! 

• On Thursday, it was rep your fraternity or sorority, RV Club or HBCU night. I don't belong to a fraternity, and I didn't attend a HBCU, but I definitely had a good time.
• Friday came with a fish fry, a pajama beach party featuring a live performance by Norrosha and a beach bon fire followed by a late-night glow pool party.
• Saturday offered a charter fishing trip, Beach Fitness Boot Camp; an ATV Trail Ride; a Seafood Fest with a comedy show; a pool party/adult football/Soul Train Line/water gun fight. The night concluded with a cookout and an all-white beach party, 50-50 raffle and E-bike giveaway. Of course, no holiday weekend would be complete without fireworks.
• Sunday was also filled with activities and as a bonus, Maysa Leak, better known as Maysa, was the headline performer.

(Most people remember her as the lead vocalist for the British band Incognito. However, she went to Morgan State University in Baltimore and started her career as a background singer for Stevie Wonder.) 

On Sunday morning, I called the number on the Arnellmumford.com site. To my surprise Arnell answered. I told him about myself and a little about Atlantic City Focus and he said come on down. We’d love to have you, and I was certainly glad to have them.

The Coles Point Marina and RV Resort was nearly full of Black campers and others were few and far between. The community was friendly, helpful and welcoming from the top down.

For me, the real thrill of the Arnellmumford.com event was that it offered activities that I enjoy surrounded by people who look like me. The whole experience was like finally finding my adult camping tribe.

Arnell used to own the Half-Time sports bar near Waldorf, MD, so he knows customer service. Although he delivered a spectacular event, Arnell doesn’t think of himself as a promoter. “I put people together,” he explained. “If I make a profit, that’s great. But I enjoy putting people together.” When Arnell became an RVer, he seldom saw other Blacks. So he became one of the first people to organize events to help change that. “Now, I have 908 Black RV owners in my phone.”

I also had the pleasure of meeting Cayela Wimberly White, one of the co-founders of Melanatedcampout.com. She and her partners, McCants and McClellan, have created a unique adult camping experience that draws “camp cousins” from Atlanta and beyond. This year's Melanated Campout signature event, "I Love the 90s" campout is scheduled for September 26-28, 2025. And if their event is anywhere near as cordial as White, Black RVers, tent campers and outdoor adventurers alike should make it their business to get to Cordele, Georgia for the Melanated Campout experience.

As for the lineup for Labor Day Weekend at Coles Point 2025 with Arnellmumford.com, it's just as exciting this year as it was last year. Most of the events are the same, but additions to the Saturday schedule include:

• a 3-on-3 Basketball tournament
• Line/Hand Dance class

Sunday additions include:

• Cowboy Church & Breakfast & Gospel Show W/Samette George
• Paint & Sip with Eunice
• Veterans meeting
• Cornhole Tournament with cash prizes
• Beach axe throwing contest
• Football on the screen. Wear your favorite jersey; and
• Live performance by Luther Relives

There is definitely enough going on for anyone who enjoys camping and an active lifestyle to have a good time.

If you’re thinking about trying the RV lifestyle, but the holdup has been wondering whether you could handle being one of few, in a sea of others, don’t stress. Black RV enthusiasts are out there.  Arnellmumford.com, and Melanatedcampout.com are great places to start your research. The people are friendly, the vibe is welcoming and I am sure you'll feel right at home.

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