Christmas in July: with Gathering of Nomads on Helping RV Families in Need
I recorded this one in my truck — light blue t-shirt, no plan to be near a microphone that day, fresh off chasing down the BIG BOY train just minutes before. But the shirt was on purpose: a reminder that Christmas can happen any time of year. Even in July.
If you were with us last December, you remember what a small group of RVers pulled off with almost no runway at all. It came together beautifully, but everyone who lived through that scramble walked away with the same thought: next time, we start earlier. So that's exactly what we're helping them do.
On this episode, I'm joined by Shane Boyd of Gathering of Nomads and Kristina Bram, who ran the behind-the-scenes work that made last year's Christmas giving possible.
What You'll Hear in This Episode
- What Gathering of Nomads is, and the "simple church around a campfire" heart behind it
- The real story of how last year's Christmas giving came together in under three weeks
- Kristina's own hard-Christmas story, and why it drives what she does now
- Why the team is starting the 2026 giving season in July instead of December
- Practical, no-pressure ways to give — even five dollars a paycheck adds up
- How to reach out if you or someone you know needs support this Christmas
- How to get involved with Gathering of Nomads year-round, not just at the holidays
About Gathering of Nomads
Gathering of Nomads is a nonprofit built around Jesus-centered community for RVers, gathering the way this community naturally does, around a fire. Beyond fellowship, they step in for real, practical needs: lost jobs, unexpected repairs, families that can't afford to get home. Last Christmas, with less than three weeks of lead time, they helped 17 kids across multiple families with groceries and gifts.
How to Get Involved
- Give: Look for the Nomad Help for the Holidays giving link — we'll add it here and on Learn to RV as soon as it's live.
- Ask for help: Reach out directly if you or someone you know needs support this Christmas. Prefer to stay anonymous? The Gathering of Nomads Facebook group has anonymous posting turned on for exactly that.
- Connect: Join the [Gathering of Nomads Facebook group] and sign up for their newsletter so the giving link lands in your inbox the moment it's live.
- Learn more: Visit Gathering of Nomads / Gathering of Neighbors online to see the full ministry behind the movement.
Links Mentioned
- Gathering of Nomads: gatheringofnomads.com
- Gathering of Neighbors: gatheringofneighbors.com
- Nomad Help for the Holidays: [link coming soon]
- Email Gathering of Nomads: [email link]
- Email Kristina: Kristina@TravelWiththeBrams.com
Connect With Us
Learn to RV the Podcast | LearnToRV.com
Owner
In 2013, Jennifer set out on a bold adventure with her husband Frank and six of their seven children to embrace full-time life on the road. What began as a journey quickly became a lifestyle—filled with roadschooling, chasing sunsets, and visiting more dots on the map than most people see in a lifetime.
Over the years, they’ve navigated the highs and lows of RV living, launched teens into adulthood from the back of a rig, and built a life rooted in flexibility, resilience, and family. Today, Jennifer and Frank not only continue their travels with 3 teens still at home (wherever the RV is parked)—they also own and operate RV Roofing Solutions, helping other road warriors stay safe and dry wherever the journey takes them.
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