Bill Burke’s 4-wheeling America

www.bb4wa.com 

When you are out RVing you run into very interesting people. On a recent trip to Grand Junction the owners of Junction West RV Park introduced me to Bill Burke. What a treat it was to spend some time with Bill getting ready for an education session of 4 wheeling and then sitting down with him for an in depth discussion. Bill and his wife Rachael are full time RVers and run their business from the RV and the workshop trailer towed behind the RV.

Bill Burke is an internationally recognized trainer who teaches back country driving techniques, winching/extrication methods, vehicle preparation and maintenance. He also teaches land navigation and woods' skills through classes, private training, trainer & trail leader courses and back country trips. He gears his education courses to individuals, families, groups, clubs, vehicle manufacturers/dealers, tour operators, government agencies and all companies that use 4WD vehicles in their operations. Bill has taught FBI hostage teams, Department of Defense, Embassy Guards, Department of State, Military and private corporate outings. He will customize an outing, so if you have questions about his abilities for you or your group, give him a call to discuss your needs.

Environmental awareness and trail etiquette are taught on every outing. He is a permitted outfitter guide through the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, who plans and leads back country vacation trips for individuals, families, clubs, and businesses.  Bill also travels the globe to consult and to lead back country expeditions. Bill serves as a technical consultant in the areas of 4-wheeling expertise and environmental concerns to various businesses, media, 4-wheel drive manufacturers, and government organizations.

The benefits of Bill’s courses are clear to those who 4 wheel but it should be noted that those who do not 4 wheel will derive great benefit from his courses. In addition, his classroom offers some of the most dramatic scenery you will ever find in a learning environment.

Bill started this passion in his younger days as a Boy Scott in the swamps of Florida. He learned leadership and conservation skills during this period of his life. In the military he was a mechanic with the 101st Airborne, which taught him how to work on large equipment. He would use this knowledge to teach foreign governments how to use and maintain large equipment and that started his love of teaching.

Fast forward – Bill was using 4 wheel vehicles for camping, skiing and back country adventures so a natural progression was the competitive side of 4 wheeling. The Camel Trophy Rally got Bill’s name out within the industry. This activity spurred his interest in creating formal educational courses for 4 wheeling. In 1986 he had his courses and was ready to start teaching.

Our first question was about the protection of the environment by off road enthusiast and we asked Bill to weigh in. 

“There is a tear it up attitude that comes with any kind of motorized or extreme sport. The problem I see is those people are not educated in outdoor recreation. They have not found or been taught the ethic that should come with any type of recreation in the outdoors. There is a need for instant gratification which leads to mistakes. These mistakes are serious, like running over trees, because they last so long.”

As a charter member of Tread Lightly and adviser to their Board, Bill insures that this type of education is contained with each of his sessions. After listening to Bill answer this question, there can be no doubt that he is a strong environmentalist and cares very deeply about the outdoors, not only for his generation but for those to come.

Bill’s typical outing starts with classes to better understand things like the mechanics of the vehicle, first aid, mapping, compass use, gps, resource location and finally driving. His adventure trips or vacation trips can last a week. At the end of the week his clients are spotting wildlife that they never saw on day 1. They have become much more attuned to their surroundings and much more aware of how they interact with nature.In August Bill has an adventure trip starting in Ft. Collins and details may be found on his website. This trip will see folks from all over the country.

Bill spends 100+ nights per year in a tent and the motorhome allows him to move home to where the work is located. His trailer has all the tools he needs to work on his vehicles and we found him in the middle of a front wheel brake job. Here is a person that has passion for RVing and 4 wheeling in the outdoors and it really comes thru when you chat with Bill. Technology is used as Bill and Rachael have a Twitter site at www.twitter.com/bb4wa and you can follow them on Twitter. We will post an update in August as we will be getting a view of these outings from the client’s point of view. Thanks to Bill and Rachael for sharing a great story with us and give them a call for that “unusual” outdoor vacation.