Skoolie fest guide

What is a Skoolie fest

A Skoolie fest is a community meetup where school bus conversions park up for several days of sharing and learning. Owners open their doors for rig tours, walk through electrical layouts, and compare layouts for sleeping, galley, and storage. Organizers often post nightly campfires, live music, and kids activities, with quiet hours to keep the camp restful. Expect a spectrum of builds, from budget friendly setups to artisan interiors, plus a strong culture of respect for the land and for one another.

Most festivals operate like a temporary village. You check in at a gate, receive a site map, and find your spot in a field, fairground, or private campground. Dry camping is common, so plan for your own water, power, and waste strategy. The heart of the event is the open rig hours where owners volunteer to show what works, what failed, and what they would do differently on the next build. It is an open notebook culture aimed at helping travelers move safely and confidently.

First timer essentials

• Verify dates, ticket types, and on site rules well in advance
• Pack leveling blocks, wheel chocks, and a fire extinguisher
• Bring shade, chairs, and an outdoor mat to keep dust down
• Create a simple placard with your rig specs so visitors can learn quickly
• Carry cash for vendors and a small spare parts stash for quick fixes

Planning your trip and campsite

Route planning matters because many events take place on rural roads. Confirm clearance heights, weight restrictions, and fuel stops ahead of time. Arrive with a full water tank and an empty waste tank, since hookups are rare. If solar is your main energy source, scout your site for sun exposure and park to maximize daily charge. Keep a tidy footprint, coil cords, and secure awnings for wind shifts.

Food and storage are part of the rhythm. Batch cook before arrival, prep grab and go meals, and keep coolers or fridges out of direct sun. Lighting your camp with warm string lights keeps pathways safe without blinding neighbors. Respect quiet hours and generator windows if allowed. Many organizers encourage no trace practices, so pack out trash and leave the site cleaner than you found it.

Safety and compliance

Before you roll out, check tire age and pressures, torque lug nuts, and inspect brakes. Confirm that propane systems are leak free with a detector or soapy water test. Secure heavy items with proper anchoring so they will not become projectiles. Carry updated registration and insurance, and understand local rules about parking and campfires. During the event, keep speed low, watch for kids on bikes, and never idle near open windows.

Community culture and programming

Workshops are a hallmark. Topics range from solar design, lithium battery management, and inverter sizing to cabinetry, insulation choices, and moisture control. You may see demonstrations on safe shore power connection, battery monitoring, and best practices for crimping or fusing. Peer feedback is candid and kind, which helps first time builders avoid costly mistakes. Evening gatherings often feature music circles and story swaps about mountain passes, desert winds, and favorite boondocking spots.

Rig tours are informal but powerful. Visitors learn how different builders solve for bed height versus garage storage, how sliding pantries tame food logistics, and why airflow beats brute force cooling on hot nights. Families look for bunk solutions and safe seating, while riders and paddlers compare gear racks and wash down setups. Pets are common, so bring leashes, water bowls, and a plan for hot afternoons.

Vendors, workshops, and volunteering

Many events invite vendors for solar components, heaters, cabinetry hardware, and soft goods. Sign up early for hands on classes since space is limited. Volunteering at the gate, cleanup crew, or workshop support earns community goodwill and often nets early entry or merch.

For bus owners traveling across the country, a festival acts like an annual checkup. You can schedule minor service from trusted mobile techs on site, pick up fittings or fuses you forgot, and gather real world data on energy use and water budgets. The result is a smarter, safer rig and a stronger travel network for future miles.

If you prefer a factory grade foundation with professional integration, consider arriving in a purpose built adventure van with real off grid capability. A well engineered platform can deliver the same festival fun with easier parking, better fuel economy, and systems designed for repeated road use.

To explore custom adventure vans that thrive at festivals and on remote trails, visit recreational vans and see how a tailored layout supports power, sleep, and storage during multi day gatherings. If you want a one of one interior with reliable electrical, climate, and water systems, start with our custom build van process that maps your needs to components we trust. For an overview of our culture, builds, and handoff experience, get a feel for the shop at the OZK Customs home.

Bring festival readiness and road proven reliability together. Tell us how you travel, who rides with you, and what gear must come along. We will design and build the adventure van that fits your route and your favorite events, then hand it off at our Fayetteville headquarters so you can head straight to the next campfire.