While it might seem like life on the road would limit the opportunity to create community, author Noami Grevemberg has found the opposite to be true. RVing not only gives her a chance to be closer to nature, she has also forged deep connections with people–both in person and online.
Grevemberg is an author and road traveler originally from the island of Trinidad. Exploring the United States and connecting people through travel is a passion of hers. Noami is the founder of The Diversify Van Life Community Organization, working to ensure everyone has equal opportunity to travel.
Hopping into the Driver’s Seat
Grevemberg’s passion for road travel initially started with weekend tent camping trips near her home in New Orleans. In 2016, she made a life-changing decision to sell everything and move into a 1985 VW Vanagon and set out on the road full time with her husband and dog.
Grevemberg's adventures took her all across the U.S. Along the way, she discovered a passion for nature and sustainability. As she states, “Road travel has been a bridge to the outdoors for me. Nature has been a powerful, healing force in my life, and I want people to harmonize with nature because that's where the magic happens.”
Her travels inspired her to write the book Living the Vanlife: On the Road Toward Sustainability, Community, and Joy, published in 2023. Part memoir, part road-trip advice, the book documents her experiences navigating her travels “as a black-identifying, mixed-race, queer immigrant in the United States.”
Creating an RV Community for Herself and Others
Through sharing her travels, Grevemberg has found a whole community, one offering both diversity and inclusivity. She says, “Spending time on the road has allowed me to build a social network of incredible people, and I get to tap into that wherever I go. There's literally no other lifestyle that can bring that kind of freedom and social network.”
On a mission to inspire and support other travelers, Grevemberg started the The Diversify Van Life Community Organization in 2019. According to Grebemberg, “Our online platform serves as a hub for connection, where community members can ask questions, engage in meaningful conversations, and share tips and resources. It's been a beautiful and transformative journey.”
From this online community, Grevemberg has made some real-life friends. She says, “People can foster a sense of community on the road by opening themselves up to what this lifestyle can bring. The community is out there waiting for you.” The RV lifestyle doesn’t have to be isolating.
Tips for Finding Your RVing Community
If you’d like to find a network of like-minded people, consider these tips:
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Join online groups for RVers There are hundreds of online communities. Some are centered around websites, podcasts, and social media networks, while others are related to RVing in general, specific types of RVing or manufacturers, or RV organizations. More specific groups connect RVers with similar interests and niches, such as national park travel, vanlife, retirees on the road, family travel, and more.
- Attend an RV rally or meetup. RV rallies and meetups happen all across the U.S. throughout much of the year. Like online groups, these may be connected to specific organizations, manufacturers, or interests.
- Put yourself out there. If you can’t find a group related to your RV lifestyle or interests, create one, as Grevemberg did. While she started off advocating for herself, she eventually connected with others and formed meaningful relationships.
- Share a campfire. Finding community doesn’t have to be complicated. It takes no planning or preparation to invite a neighbor to your campfire. You may meet some uninterested parties, but you may also meet some life-long friends.
RVing has the potential to bring people from all walks of life together to celebrate the treasures of nature, simple magic of a campfire, and all of the joys of travel. To fully embrace this benefit of RVing, go out and find your RV community–or build it yourself!
