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$2.50 U.S./$3.50 Canada The Independent Voice of the North American Campground Business Vol. 46 No. 8 • August 2015 Camping Critters

RV parks roll out the welcome mat for travelers with pets

INSIDE… New Champion CEO: Focus on Quality, Service 3 Busy ’15 Summer for Jellystone Park Operators 4 Parks Adding Amenities for Pet-Toting Guests 14 Pet Products Important to Parks, Campgrounds 16 Insurers Weigh In on Pet Risks, Responsibilities 18 CRS Offers a Variety of Options for Recreation 20 Pet owners love to travel with their furry companions, so pet-friendly RV parks have a major business opportunity. Photo courtesy of KOA. PUBLISHER’S CORNER By Sherman Goldenberg A Camping Wildcard: This Wild & Crazy Weather “Dust in the wind — all we are is dust in the wind.” OK, OK, I’m dating myself in quoting this nostalgic old rock ‘n’ roll song, a tune performed back in the day by a group called Kansas . But I’ve got a point in bringing it up because I’ve been truly astonished at the unpredictable and angry weather pat - terns that have swept the nation this summer — and how help - less they make us mere mortals feel at times. They’ve impacted us all in a big way and have done a real number in many cases on both public and private RV parks and campgrounds. The headlines keep sweeping across my computer screen, and I just keep printing them out and putting them in an expanding pile on the side of my desk: Flash floods swamp an Allegany County, N.Y., campground. Rapacious winds drop trees on motorhomes at Gull Lake Resort in Brainerd, Minn. Ugly storms uproot 40 trees at Peaceful Waters Camp - ground in Park County, Ind. Drought-fueled fires force the evacuation of 130 special needs kids from campgrounds in Southern California’s Angeles National Forest. A 25-year-old Missouri man dies when a tree falls on his RV at Wakonda State Park in Lewis County, Mo. And lightning injures six at a Louisiana RV park located near the Texas state line. “It’s day after day after day,” observed Tom Gerken , a well-known independent Maine insurance executive specializing in the RV park and campground business as a contractor for USI Insurance Services . As proprietor of Tom Gerken Insurance , he’s actually had only one New Jersey client impacted thus far by the recent spate of ill-mannered weather. And he’s well aware of the fact that there’s little anyone can do about most of it, consid - ering the nature of weather-related natural disasters. Then again, he reasons, maybe there are some remedial actions park operators can take that might help them avoid worst case scenarios in some cases — like trimming back tree limbs that are likely to present hazards before wicked storms hit — that may well prevent them from being as helpless as, ah, the wind-blown dust in that old rock song. “Of course, we are all helpless to a certain degree,” said Gerken. “But I believe that you can improve your odds with some advanced planning, proper maintenance procedures, having emergency plans in place. Hey, you’re not going to stop Mother Nature by any means. But I think in terms of reducing damage, reducing the potential for bodily injury or loss of life and that type of thing, emergency planning can go a long ways toward re - ducing those potential liabilities that might exist after the fact.” Maybe we all, to a certain extent, ought to listen to Gerken. WCM

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August 2015 Vol. 46 No. 8

& MEDIA Publisher: Sherman Goldenberg G GROUP Editorial Director: Bruce Hampson Contact Information: Editorial Sherman Goldenberg, Publisher Rick Kessler, Associate Editor [email protected] [email protected] Office: (574) 457-3370 (734) 777-6830 Mobile: (574) 457-6637 Jeff Crider, Senior Editor Fax: (574) 457-8295 [email protected] Justin Leighty, Editor (760) 469-5905 [email protected] Bob Ashley, Editor at Large Mobile: (574) 370-5052 [email protected] Fax: (574) 266-7984 (765) 675-4106 Advertising: Beverly Gardner, Vice Wendy Thorne, Account President, National Ad Sales Executive, National Ad Sales [email protected] [email protected] Office: (574) 266-7980 Office (574) 266-7980 or (800) 831-1076 ext. 12 or (800) 831-1076 ext. 14 Ally Kollat, Account Art Direction: Executive, National Ad Sales Trina Nissley, Art Director [email protected] [email protected] Office: (574) 266-7980 Office: (574) 266-7980 or (800) 831-1076 ext. 11 All general correspondence, circulation and display and classified sales inquiries may be directed to the following: Woodall’s Campground Management, C/O Beverly Gardner & Associates Inc. 2901 E. Bristol St., Elkhart, IN 46514, Email: [email protected] Owners, managers or marketing directors of privately held U.S. campgrounds may receive a free subscription upon request to Woodall’s Campground Management — one free subscription per campground. Others may purchase subscriptions at these rates: $24.95 per year U.S. or $35.95 per year in Canada. Contact Trina Nissley at Woodall’s Campground Management, C/O Beverly Gardner & Associates Inc., 2901 E. Bristol St., Elkhart, IN 46514. Email: [email protected]. Woodall’s Campground Management is published monthly by G&G Media Group LLC at the above address. 2 - August 2015 Woodall’s Campground Management AmeriGO Suspends Ops, New Champion Homes CEO: Company Will Seeks Financing Options The AmeriGO RV Club notified its Focus on Quality and Customer Satisfaction 50,000 consumer members as well as dealers, campgrounds and other part - ‘We wanted to listen to what the customer wants, listen as interim CEO since January of this year ners that, effective July 17, it suspended until the interim tag was removed June 3. business operations while still working to to what we’re doing well and, more importantly, what While he said he was “just here to sup - obtain financing for the fledgling national are we not doing well,’ said newly named CEO Keith plement the team,” Anderson was emphatic consumer club. in saying Champion will be driven by “clear In making the announcement, Anderson. ‘Are we designing products that they need?’ and concise objectives that all meet the AmeriGO Chairman Joe McAdams said company’s goals and, more than anything, the interest from the RV industry and Champion Home Builders Inc. has a new CEO meet our operative principles. consumer market for the AmeriGO con - and a new agreement to produce Winnebago- “I can’t be stronger on this point: I defi - cept has been “very gratifying and branded park model RVs. nitely want to include in this discussion how extremely strong,” but the club’s man - we’re going to conduct our work life every agement needed to suspend operations day. Any time there’s decisions needing to be while it explored financing options. made on how to do something and how to “We still believe very strongly that the treat a customer and how to handle a situa - concept is much needed in our industry. tion with an employee, it’s all driven by what We are continuing to search for addi - our core operating principles tell us to do — tional funding or a suitable partner within things like doing it right the first time and the coming months,” McAdams stated, treating people they way you want to be adding that AmeriGO officials will update treated. And making 100% sure the customer members on further status changes as is satisfied. warranted. “That’s really the big push I’ve been on the AmeriGO was founded in 2013 by last three or four months both in my interim McAdams and fellow RV industry veter - status and now in my permanent full-time ans Joe Daquino and Mike Schneider , role,” he explained. all of whom are former executives of A customer survey about two months ago Ventura, Calif.-based Affinity Group Inc. is also figuring prominently in Champion’s op - The independent RV consumer club erations going forward. has been positioned as an affordable “We wanted to listen to what the cus - membership organization that cultivates tomer wants, listen to what we’re doing well a vibrant online community dedicated to and, more importantly, what are we not doing RV enthusiasts throughout North America well. Are we designing products that they who enjoy benefits, services and dis - need? Are we following up on our customer counts via partnerships with companies Keith Anderson , the new president and subsidiary, to become “known as the best service orders in a prompt and satisfactory across the industry, including resorts and CEO of Champion Home Builders Inc. , has a manufacturer in the industry from a quality and fashion? We had a gambit of questions,” he campgrounds, RV dealers, and insurance, specific goal in mind. He wants the Troy, Mich.- a customer satisfaction perspective.” explained. financing and warranty providers. WCM based producer of modular and manufactured Anderson, who first joined the company’s The survey results were tabulated and homes and park model RVs by its Athens Park board of managers in 2013, had been serving Champion Homes – continued on page 6 ARVC Park Management School Cruise Inn Network Adds Tenn. RV Holds Summer Session in Colorado Park for 36th Member Campground The National School of RV Park and and investigative reporter before be - Cruise Inn RV Parks in July entered yet Campground Management concluded coming a public relations consultant to another state with the addition of Baileyton its first-ever summer program at Metro the campground industry, and who still RV Park & Willowview Cabins in Baileyton, University in Denver, Colo., in July with does some reporting for Woodall’s Tenn. 18 students attending sessions covering Campground Management . Cruise Inn has 36 parks open or in devel - virtually every aspect of private park Park operators who make an effort to opment now in Alabama, California, Col - operations, according to the California meet with reporters face-to-face stand orado, Iowa, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Association of RV Parks and Camp - a better chance of finding out what Texas, Utah and Washington. grounds (CalARVC) . kinds of story ideas are of greatest inter - Located on 40-plus acres in the Northeast CalARVC Ex - est to reporters. Establishing and main - Tennessee Valley just outside of Greeneville, ecutive Director taining positive working relationships Baileyton RV Park offers sites designed to fit Debbie Sipe led with reporters can also help ensure that any size RV, as well as grassy tent sites and a seminar on po - you receive fair treatment in the press fully furnished cabins for rent by day or litical processes, if the day ever comes when there is a week. Amenities include free cable TV and while CalARVC negative situation involving your park Wi-Fi access, laundry facilities, covered publicist Jeff that generates media attention. pavilion, walking trails, three stocked fishing Crider con - Sipe encouraged park operators to ponds and a 300-yard driving range. ducted a semi - get involved in their local chamber of “Park owners throughout the country Scott Anderson continue to see the value of joining our Debbie Sipe nar on how to commerce as well as local service clubs, develop positive such as Kiwanis and the Lions Club, brand with all of our progressive, revenue- and marketing. media relations with print and broad - which tend to attract politicians and generating programs and comprehensive Cruise Inn maintains that it focuses on cast reporters. other influential community members. resources. We look forward to working providing key benefits to its members, in - “Part of knowing the system is know - “Hold an open house just for your closely with Baileyton’s owners and are cluding low fees, a simple contract, no ing the players,” Sipe told the students, local community and invite all of your confident we’ll have an immediate impact penalties, a voice and vote in all brand ini - who included current and aspiring pri - local politicians to come and visit,” Sipe on their revenue, profitability and overall tiatives, member-directed standards and vate park operators. said. “Offer refreshments, tours and free property value,” said Scott Anderson , pres - brand policies, innovative technology, train - Sipe said it is crucial for private park use of all facilities for the day.” ident and CEO of Cruise Inn, which is based ing, distribution marketing, worldwide sales operators to reach out to their political Other seminar topics covered busi - in Coral Springs, Fla. and marketing, comprehensive support and representatives, invite them to tour ness planning; operations manage - Launched in November 2013 by a group a brand powered by trusted industry re - their park, and get to know them be - ment; financial management; basic of experienced hospitality professionals, sources. cause the relationships you establish accounting; hiring and employment mostly from the hotel sector, Cruise Inn pro - In addition, Cruise Inn says it has a highly today with your political representa - law; legal compliance; recreation man - vides membership opportunities to RV park qualified member-support team that pro - tives can pay dividends down the road agement; risk management; leader - and campground owners and developers. vides sales and marketing assistance. The when you need their help supporting or ship; marketing; and other topics. Cruise Inn helps its members increase their team’s mission is to ensure consistent im - opposing a proposed law or regulation The July session of the National As - return on investment through higher guest plementation of standards and procedures. that affects your business. sociation of RV Parks and Camp - satisfaction; better revenue/yield manage - Members also benefit from delivered train - The same holds true for reporters, grounds (ARVC) Foundation’s School ment; meaningful loyalty programs; multi - ing programs and annual visits that ensure said Crider, who worked as a business CalARVC – continued on page 6 ple booking channels; and effective sales standards are maintained. WCM WOODALLSCM.com August 2015 - 3 It’s a Busy Summer for Jellystone Park Operators N.Y. Campground’s Inaugural Mammoth Cave National Park is one at trac - Balloon Festival Takes Flight The Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort at tion at Kentucky’s Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Lake Monroe in Bloomington, Ind., is adding Park Camp-Resort at Mammoth Cave . staff and recreation this year. But the 121-site park has many others at - tractions as well, including a 300-foot-long waterslide, swimming pools, a jumping pillow, a miniature golf course, and a water wars water-balloon game. The park also recently added more cabin rentals, a splash pad and an activity pool. “We’ve been doing a lot of improve - ments,” said park co-owner Bill Pott . “We’re really making it into a destination resort em - phasizing families.” The campground was also profiled by a local newspaper, the Glasgow Daily Times , for its use of international employees in the summer. Guests at the park don’t even need a tent or RV to camp. The Jellystone Park Mammoth While summer is the busiest camping sea - as two of the 10 top campgrounds for fami - Cave has more than 70 rental cabins, the lat - son for family-oriented RV parks and camp - lies. est seven of which were just installed last grounds across the northern U.S., it’s been an “We were very pleased and thankful to re - year. especially busy summer for many of the more ceive this recognition,” said Ian Steyn , who Finding similar popularity in its rentals, the than 80 Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp- co-owns and operates the Larkspur park with Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort at Resorts . his wife, Sally. Their park has 150 RV and tent Wichita Falls , Texas, announced in June that One park is working on $2 million in up - sites, including roughly 30 rental park models, it’s adding seven new budget-level cabins grades, while two landed on the Travel Chan - RVs, yurts, safari tents and tipis. The park also that sleep four to six people. nel’s ‘Top 10’ list for family campgrounds. Yet has a train caboose that serves as its game The additions boost the park’s total num - another is expanding its staff, facilities and room and serving area for pancake break - ber of rental units to 32, including one yurt. activities, and another one is finding rental fasts. “Each cabin is unique,” said Debbie options to be a good investment. Steyn estimates he has spent well into Norton , who handles marketing and event Major improvements are underway at the the seven digits in improvements to the park planning for the park. “All furnishings have Holmes County/Whispering Hills Yogi Bear’s during the past 10 years. been personally selected and our guests Campers at the Copake Kamp - Jellystone Park Camp-Resort near Big “Since we bought this park in 2005, it has appreciate this attention to detail.” grounds of America (KOA) Holiday in Prairie, Ohio, including nine new cabins, a Copake, N.Y., were treated to a rare new swimming pool and expanded food serv - hot air balloon festival June 26-28, ice at the park’s on-site restaurant, according where kids and adults could take ex - to an announcement from the park. citing tethered or full flights right from “We’re pretty excited about the improve - the campground. ments,” said the park’s Matt Smith , adding Participating companies were that two enclosed waterslides and additional David and Joel Berka of Mystical water features will also be installed in the Breezes Ballooning, Todd Monahan of near future. Smith said the park is also build - Sunkiss Ballooning and Dariush ing nine new one- and two-bedroom cabins, Farzhad of Southern Tier Ballooning. including cabins that are designed to accom - Michael Hernandez, pilot for Close modate people with disabilities. The restau - Encounters Balloon Team, coordi - rant menu is also being expanded and will nated the event with the Copake KOA include homestyle cooking. Holiday. These and other enhancements are part Gary and Cathy Reinard , family of a $2 million improvement effort that will owners of the campground, were just continue into next year. as thrilled as their campers. They even Smith also said that larger numbers of the Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort at Mammoth Cave, Ky., is took a flight themselves, witnessing park’s 250 campsites are now available for adding additional amenities to become a family destination resort. the beautiful vistas of upstate New seasonal campers who leave their RVs on York with a bird’s eye view, they said in site for the whole camping season. doubled its original business five times in ar - One state to the north, the Yogi Bear’s an announcement about the event. The Holmes County Jellystone was previ - guably the worst economic times,” Steyn Jellystone Park Camp-Resort at Lake Mon - The event was so picturesque that ously known as Whispering Hills RV Park & said, adding that business levels this year are roe in Bloomington, Ind., has hired new a contest was held to choose the best Resort, which has been owned and operated on track to be the best the park has ever employees and significantly expanded its photos. Peter Pelland of Pelland by three generations of the same family since experienced. daily recreation program, which includes arts Advertising chose the winners out of Wayne and Ruth Murray opened the park in With rising business levels in mind, the and crafts activities such as tie-dye shirt hundreds of submissions. 1969. Steyns plan to more than double the size of making, interactive games for children and It was part of a Dr. Seuss-themed The Travel Channel listed two Yogi Bear’s their park to 400 sites and add numerous ad - families and activities with the bears. weekend which also featured a live Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts — one in ditional features, including ziplines and a The park has also renovated its play - band. Larkspur, Colo. , and one in Cave City, Ky. — splashpark with open and closed slides. ground, created a new sandbox play area, Copake KOA intends to make this a The “aerial added a new indoor recreation room for rainy semi-annual event; their next balloon Holmes County, Ohio’s Whispering Hills Jellystone adventure day activities and completed a water play festival will take place the weekend of is in the midst of $2 million in improvements. park” will have zone with water slides, water blasters and Sept. 25-27. WCM a “mountain dozens of interactive water features, includ - and mining ing a 30-foot tall Giant Hydro Storm that theme to it,” dumps 500 gallons of water. This comple - Steyn said, ments the park’s other water attractions, adding that he which include an outdoor pool and kid’s pool hopes to have with splash feature and other attractions, the new ameni - such as a jumping pillow, kiddie train rides, ties and camp - nature trails, gem mining, and pedal karts. sites under Lake Monroe Jellystone has also added construction eight new RV sites, four new cabins and ren - later this year ovated its 10 Hoosier and White Pine cabins, with the splash - each of which now have new screened-in park opening by porches, outdoor furniture, outside barbecue Manufacturers of Quality Recreation FUNniture 2017. grills and concrete pads for parking. www.ParkEquipment.com Of course, The interiors of the existing cabins have 1-800-376-7897 serving as a also been remodeled with new futons, new 2061 Sulphur Springs Rd base camp for sinks and kitchen appliances. WCM Morristown, TN 37813 4 - August 2015 Woodall’s Campground Management WOODALLSCM.com August 2015 - 5 Champion Homes — from page 3 of the park model RV side of business, saying factured-home industry. He served as presi - CalARVC — from page 3 eight of Champion’s 27 manufacturing pants dent and CEO of Green Tree Servicing presented to each manufacturing plant as are devoted to park models, 45% of which find (formerly Conseco Finance) from 1995 of RV Park & Campground Manage - incentivized goals to be met by the end of the their way into campgrounds as rental units. through 2012. Following Walter Investment ment was its first summer session and year. “Now they are highly driven and finan - “We’re super-excited about this growth Management’s acquisition of Green Tree in the first in the western United States. cially motivated to focus on these items,” in this segment of our business and I can’t 2013, he served as Walter’s executive vice The ARVC Anderson said, adding one example of these say enough where I think the industry is president and chief operating officer, leading Foundation has goals has to do with the company’s ready-to- going in this,” he said. “You have the geo - Green Tree Servicing and assumed respon - traditionally op - ship certification process. graphic and demographic and economic sibility for Ditech Mortgage and Green Tree erated the Na - Now there is at least one senior executive drivers all pulling toward the need for more Insurance. tional School of in every plant who has final approval before and more, I’m going to call it ‘housing alter - “We are very pleased to have Keith RV Park & a home is deemed to have achieved the natives,’ from small RVs to weekend assume the leadership role at Champion,” Campground increased quality standard before it can getaways to cabins and cottages. If you look said Timothy Bernlohr, chairman of the Management in leave the facility. at all the macro trends we think this is an board. “With the key role that financing plays February at the Survey results also led to the hiring of element of the business that’s going to grow in today’s manufactured-housing market, Oglebay Resort Jeff Crider Russ Sargent as the national quality-control and flourish for years to come.” Keith’s extensive experience in commercial & Conference manager, who reports directly to Anderson. Fueling his excitement is Champion’s finance and residential mortgage makes Center in Wheeling, W.V. But the ARVC “He has direct feed into me on how are we licensing agreement, announced in April, him uniquely qualified to lead Champion’s Foundation is now offering a summer doing plant by plant, product by plant from a with Winnebago Industries Inc. for a line of continued growth and expansion.” session to better serve the needs of park compliance-control-satisfaction perspec - park model RVs as well as the introduction Champion employs more than 4,400 peo - operators and their employees, espe - tive,” Anderson said. “If he says we have an of a new upscale “tape-and-texture” cottage ple worldwide, and has produced more cially snowbird parks whose busy win - issue, then we have an issue. If he says we model. than 1.7 million factory-built manufactured ters make the timing of the Oglebay need to do something, we’re going to focus Prior to his appointment, Anderson held homes, modular homes and mobile homes sessions difficult. on it.” executive positions with major finance, mort - for buyers throughout North America. — For more information on the Anderson also was bullish on the growth gage and insurance providers to the manu - Rick Kessler WCM National School of RV Park & Camp - ground Management, to apply for a scholarship, or to enroll for either cam - Louisiana Tourism Group pus’ upcoming session, please visit Names RV Park of Year California RV Park Enters TripAdvisor Hall of Fame www.arvc.org/nationalschool or con - Anaheim Resort RV Park has reviews and opinions submitted tact Barb Youmans at 303-681-0401, ext. Located on the Louisiana side of Toledo Bend been recognized as a TripAdvisor by travelers on TripAdvisor over a 118 or [email protected]. WCM Reservoir, Cypress Bend Park has been named Certificate of Excellence Hall of 12-month period as well as the the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association’s Fame winner, the park announced. business’ tenure and ranking on the “RV Park of the Year.” It’s easy to understand The Certificate of Excellence Popularity Index on the site. Campground Insiders Named to why, television station KPLC reported. award celebrates excellence in hos - To qualify, a business must main - “People come from all over the state,” said pitality and is given only to estab - tain an overall TripAdvisor bubble California Statewide Tourism Posts Kellie Ferguson of the Sabine River Authority lishments that consistently achieve rating of at least four out of five, have (SRA) . “We have bookings already a year ahead great traveler reviews on TripAdvisor. a minimum number of reviews and Two prominent campground industry of time. We stay booked year-round basically. The Hall of Fame was created to must have been listed on TripAdvi - officials have been appointed to promi - The fishing is good. People tube. People walk and honor those businesses that have sor for at least 12 months. nent positions with Visit California , the enjoy the beautiful flowers.” earned a Certificate of Excellence for TripAdvisor is the world’s largest nonprofit marketing organization that “People come from all over the United five consecutive years. Winners in - travel site, enabling travelers to plan keeps California at the top of people’s States,” said SRA board member Ned Goodeaux . clude accommodations, eateries and and book the perfect trip. TripAdvi - minds as a travel destination. “They pull campers in. We also have 10 cabins. attractions located all over the world sor-branded sites make up the Gene H. Zanger , a co-owner and op - Yessir. This is the Cadillac on Toledo Bend.” that have continually delivered a largest travel community in the erator of the historic Casa de Fruta A popular spot at Cypress Bend Park, located superior customer experience. world, reaching 340 million unique tourism complex and its 300-space RV on Louisiana’s west edge, is the fishing pier. You When selecting Certificate of Ex - monthly visitors, and more than Orchard Resort in Hollister, was don’t need a boat. Just a pole and some bait. cellence winners, TripAdvisor uses a 225 million reviews and opinions appointed to the Visit California board, “Having access to the lake and access to a proprietary algorithm to determine covering more than 4.9 million while Debbie Sipe , executive director of fishing spot and the pier,” said resident camper the honorees that takes into account accommodations, restaurants and the California Association of RV Parks & Danny Tobin. “A lot of people don’t come in boats. the quality, quantity and recency of attractions. WCM Campgrounds (CalARVC) , was appointed This gives them the opportunity to fish.” WCM to Visit California’s Rural Tourism Committee. Sipe will also serve on the California Travel Association’s (CalTravel’s) Gov - ernment Relations Committee. CalTravel is California’s only statewide organiza - tion representing the collective voice of advocacy for travel, tourism and hospitality. Zanger is well known in the camp - ground industry nationally, having re - ceived the campground industry’s highest honor for an individual: The Stan Martin Memorial Award , which he received in 2010 from the National Asso - ciation of RV Parks & Campgrounds . Sipe, for her part, oversees CalARVC’s government affairs and marketing ef - forts, including Camp-California.com, the statewide travel planning website. WCM

Manufacturers of Quality Recreation FUNniture www.ParkEquipment.com 1-800-376-7897 2061 Sulphur Springs Rd Morristown, TN 37813 6 - August 2015 Woodall’s Campground Management WOODALLSCM.com August 2015 - 7 INSITES To SEO or Not SEO, That is the Question for Park Owners pages of meaningless content, among RV development in mind. In fact, in plan carefully, study and know the other tactics, are no longer effective. recent months, I’ve discouraged market and innovate in small incre - “Instead, longtail keywords several developers from moving ments with small risk. (searches using a partial sentence or forward when my analysis of property David phrase, rather than one word, to opti - or location caused concern and raised What Are the Industry Gorin mize results), specific title tags and H1 a red flag of caution and higher-than- Associations Up To? headers (

or

in html code acceptable risk. The three leading industry associa - that keys on the focus of the page), I’ve recently reviewed several devel - tions involved in RVs and camping are video and social content, and mobile opment prospectuses and have been the Recreation Vehicle Industry Asso - There’s a lot of disparity of opinion functionality rule today’s SEO world. surprised by some of the plans I’ve ciation (RVIA) representing the RV on the value of search-engine opti - Smart businesses take advantage of come across that are being touted as manufacturers, the Recreation Vehicle mization (SEO) for websites from two analytics, researching how a site is “sound investments” by some of my Dealers Association (RVDA) repre - long-time industry expert companies being found, how visitors are flowing consultant colleagues, including: senting exactly what its name says, in the campground market. Those through the pages, and the • One of the more interesting devel - and the National Association of RV have shown up over the last few entrance/exit pages. They stay on top opments is a projected $100 million Parks & Campgrounds (ARVC) repre - months on the Woodall’s Campground of relevant, valuable content (includ - RV park project that is planned to be senting that group. Management website as well as other ing curated content), are active on essentially a time-share or member - To some degree with some more- industry online publications. relevant social sites, optimize their ship park in St. Augustine, Fla. What or-less openness, each organization Given the differences in opinion, I YouTube videos, optimize their site industry are they looking at as a reports in some form to its members thought I’d turn to my expert — and speed and review their competitor’s model? what it is up to in programs and activ - fellow WCM columnist — Evanne SEO strategy. • A proposed high-end luxury RV ities, how much money they collect Schmarder . Evanne is the architect of It is in these small-but-critical de - park with more than 400 sites located from each source of income, how they the industry-first Digital Marketing tails that businesses can benefit from midway between Phoenix and Los An - spend the money on salaries, Benchmark Study for Outdoor Recre - hiring a web-aware SEO practitioner geles anticipates selling 100 sites prior programs, tax-exempt activities and ation, and coauthor of “Unconven - — all the better if they are familiar with to construction — a lofty goal by any - on non-exempt activities. tional Wisdom Works,” the industry’s the outdoor hospitality industry.” one’s standards. Members and others who want to premier digital marketing handbook. • On another project, I recently saw know the real scoop on how the asso - She has been active in outdoor recre - RV Park Development Heating Up a fundraising or feasibility study ciations are operating can access the ation marketing for more than a As I’ve written in earlier columns, as prospectus that used a property annual Form 990 Tax Return each decade. Schmarder is an international RV sales continue on a six-year run-up appraisal from 2007 to justify today’s organization is required to file with digital marketing speaker most and as RVing and camping continue valuation. the Internal Revenue Service. These recently addressing audiences in to gain popularity in the press, social • And one of the industry’s long- returns are supposed to be available Germany, France, Australia and the media and product marketing (see the term condo developers, whose suc - upon request to any member or to the National Recreation Vehicle Dealers recent series of credit-score ads being cesses go back to the 1970s, is back at public. The returns are also available Association (RVDA) in the U.S., and a run by Expedient , all set in an RV), it again in Jupiter, Fla., building a new at Guidestar.org , an organization go-to resource for online marketing in developer and landowner interest in park with sites proposed to sell into that tracks non-profits and their outdoor recreation. building new RV parks is heating up. the mid-$250,000s. And he’s back to subsidiaries. Here’s Evanne’s two cents on the There is certainly a need for new parks the Class A motorcoach-only model, a A quick look at the three organiza - “SEO: Yes or No?” question. in many areas of the U.S., but I think a potentially limiting approach that, to tions returns provides one interesting “Regardless of what SEO camp you word of caution is called for at this be successful, haas to be located in the finding: RVIA is, of course, the big belong to — snake oil, significant tool point. best of the best locations — Naples. Kahuna with an annual budget for its or somewhere in between — appear - In my opinion, developers should Fla., Hilton Head, S.C., Napa, Calif., Go RVing campaign alone in ing on the first page of search engine exercise extreme care in evaluating Aspen, Colo. — places like that where excess of $15 million. The surprise is results still matters, and search-engine opportunities for new RV parks. With the rich and famous like to hang out. that ARVC has surpassed RVDA in the optimization still plays a significant the recession of 2008-’09 still fresh in While the time is surely right for No. 2 position among our industry part in online success. Keyword stuff - mind, very conservative planning is new park development, conservative organizations. ARVC reported ing, non-relevant links and multiple how I am approaching clients with an planning is the key word. Take it easy, revenue of $2.284 million in 2014 while RVDA reported $2.075 million. Lots of other interesting facts and tidbits are available on these forms for UniqueUnique PacificPacific YurtsYurts those interested in learning more. David Gorin is the former president of ARVC, former executive director of generategenerate revenue!revenue! the Virginia Campground Association and is the principal of David Gorin Associates LLC. You may contact him at [email protected]. WCM

TRhe V onlBy le&ttersW youC neeM d to know in order to stay abreast of everything happening in the RV and campground arenas! www.rvbusiness.com www.woodallscm.com PART OF G&G MEDIA GROUP

Call today for a brochure: 1.800.944.0240 www.yurts.com Cottage Grove, Oregon The Original Modern Yurt

8 - August 2015 Woodall’s Campground Management WOODALLSCM.com August 2015 - 9 SMART OPERATIONS Be On the Lookout for Domain-Name Registration Pitfalls listed as a contact for your own domain tion Grace Period (RGP) status as out - worse. Their policy continues, “If we name — and they were looking for a lined in guidelines set forth by ICANN decide to provide the redemption serv - likely buyer who was willing to take the (the Internet Corporation for Assigned ice to a customer, we charge a fee of $299 bait. I have had instances where I have Names and Numbers) . The guidelines to redeem and renew a domain name Peter received several consecutive offers from (not rules) allow for a 30-day RGP term, registration during the RGP.” Pelland different companies, all offering to sell after which your domain goes into me the same domain name. The fact is “Pending Delete” status for an addi - The bottom line is that you should never that, in nearly every instance, none of tional five days. At the end of those five allow your domain name to expire. these sellers actually owns the domain days, it is purged from the registry data - What happens when your domain is Recent events have encouraged me to names that they are offering to sell. base and becomes available for anybody in this Redemption Grace Period? Basi - revisit a topic that I first brought to the Sound confusing? Read on. to register. cally, it enters a domain-name limbo public’s attention back in 2010. There is Unfortunately, some registrars add otherwise known as the domain-name quite an online industry involved with Protect your existing domain name. their own unique rules to the guidelines aftermarket, sort of like an enormous domain name registrations, the buying First of all, protect your existing do - that have been put forth by ICANN. For used-car sales lot or automobile auc - and selling of domain names, and the main name from potential hijacking. example, GoDaddy will make you pay tion. What happens is that vultures ap - consequences that involve expirations. Unless you are certain where your do - an $80 “redemption fee” on the 19th day. pear out of nowhere. The practice is Generally speaking, the people involved main name is registered, know that it is On the 26th day, they will enter your do - referred to by a number of names, with in these practices spend very little locked to prevent transfer and know its main into a 10-day “Expired Domain “domain tasting” and “domain front money while in search of tremendously expiration/renewal date, do yourself a Name Auction” and, if there are no bid - running” being the most common de - large profits. favor and perform a whois lookup. Go to ders, will then enter it into an additional scriptions. Many registrars also encour - About a month ago, one of our clients http://whois.com and enter your do - five-day “Closeout Auction,” seeking age a process called “backordering” — a campground in Connecticut — main name. Confirm that you are listed every opportunity possible to profit which allows interested buyers to move asked me to check into the availability of as the registrant and that the domain from your oversight and increasing the to the head of the line during the RGP. a more desirable domain name to re - status includes the words “Transfer Pro - likelihood that you will be unable to Some of these same registrars have also place the domain name that they had hibited,” “Update Prohibited” and recover your domain name. Only if there been known to provide information di - been using (but that was actually under “Delete Prohibited.” You might be sur - are no bidders at this second auction rectly to these domain tasters, whenever the control of another individual, with prised to find that your webmaster or will they release the domain. somebody performs a whois lookup, the strong potential for a future dispute.) hosting company is the actual registrant Network Solutions has an even worse checking on the availability of a domain When I checked the new domain name, (owner) of your domain name — the policy, stating that your domain name is name but then failing to register it im - I found that it was listed as “for sale” at a scenario that our client faced and some - subject to deletion at any time after it mediately. Returning a few days later, price of $500. My client authorized me thing that needs to be corrected imme - has been allowed to expire. They say that you find that the domain name appears to intervene on their behalf, willing to diately— that the email address they “endeavor to provide a grace period to have (not coincidentally) just been pay as much as $400. Over the next few associated with your name is an old AOL that extends 35 days past the expiration registered and is suddenly listed for sale weeks of shrewd negotiations, I sud - email address that you have not used in date” but that the “grace period is not at a very high price. The seller is hoping denly found that the domain was years; or that your domain is unlocked, guaranteed and can change or be elim - that you will still want the domain name released, and I immediately registered it which is roughly equivalent to the care - inated at any time without notice.” Net - and will be willing to submit to what is on behalf of our client for our standard lessness of leaving your parked car work Solutions states that “a essentially highway robbery. fee of $35 — not the $400 that they were unlocked on the streets of a major city. Redemption Grace Period (RGP) is not Typically, domain tasters work with a willing to pay or the $500 that the alleged Whether you or your webmaster han - guaranteed and customers should registrar that will even allow them a five- seller wanted. What happened? dles your domain-name registration re - renew their domain name registration day grace period to cancel out of the reg - Let me answer that question with an - newals, you will know if it has been services in advance of the domain name istration if you, the potential buyer, do other question. Have you ever received allowed to expire because your website registration expiration date(s) to avoid not agree to pay their fee. However it is an email from a company offering to sell will suddenly become inaccessible. That deletion of domain name registration handled, these are people who are trying you a “premium domain name” that is in itself is not a reason to panic; however, services.” Just when you thought that to sell you domain names that they usu - similar to your existing domain name? you do not want to ever allow your do - GoDaddy’s $80 redemption fee was out - ally do not even own, in many instances They contacted you because you were main name to go beyond the Redemp - rageous, Network Solutions’ fee is far running auctions of their own, driving up the price if they find more than one interested potential buyer.

Knowledge is your best defense against fraud. Understand that there are three basic components when you own a website: The site construction fee (usually the most expensive component, unless you have built a do-it-yourself site), the an - nual or monthly hosting fee and the do - main name registration fee. The domain name registration fee is by far the least expensive of those three components — unless and until you lose your domain name, when its recovery can be very, very costly. Our client was lucky in this instance and I have successfully inter - vened in many similar circumstances, but nobody in business wants to rely simply upon luck. Follow the steps that I have outlined — and do everything necessary to prevent the loss of your do - main name from ever occurring.

Peter Pelland is the CEO of Pelland Advertising, a company that he founded in 1980 and that has been serving the family camping industry for more than 30 years. His company specializes in building fully respon - sive websites, along with producing a full range of four-color process print advertising, for clients from coast to coast. Learn more about Pelland Ad - vertising at www.pelland.com. WCM

10 - August 2015 Woodall’s Campground Management MODERN MARKETING Help Your Campground by Catering to a Pet-Loving Market • Do you have a pet park or pet run? know what your pooch is barking about? board in a public area post the informa - Is there a pet-friendly green space Ronald Bell , the man behind the app, tion there, as well. If predatory animals nearby? claims that the app is “like Shazam for have been sighted in the area make the Offer more value and peace of mind dogs.” Just activate the app, let it record pet owner aware so they can keep an Evanne by providing contact information, office your dog’s barks and let it do its magic. extra eye out for the pet’s safety. Schmarder hours and brief directions to a local • Pet Acoustics ($1.99 iOS) — Janet Stock your camp store with a few pet- veterinarian as well as 24-hour pet Marlow has been composing music that friendly items such as food, treats, emergency information. is specially tailored for dogs, cats, horses bowls, leashes and other items that can Show how warmly you welcome pets and birds. The melodies are meant to easily be forgotten at home or used up Boy oh boy, RVers love their pets. with a series of sweet, “awww”-inspiring help your pets relax and help them during a stay. Whether it’s a pair of cow dogs exiting a images on your website. Assign a staff remain calm. If your park offers an activity pro - small Class C, an indoor/outdoor kitty member the task of capturing images of • iKibble (iOS and Android) — Ever gram, devise something that includes cat condo or a tank of turtles, chances pets enjoying your park, playing with wanted to know if something is safe for pets. Interest animal lovers, traveling are as a park owner/operator you’ve their owners, making friends at the pet your dog to eat? Simply install iKibble on with or without pets, with an animal seen it all. It’s estimated that there are run or relaxing at a site. Schedule time your smartphone and look it up. program put on by guest presenters. more than 6 million pets traveling by RV. for your photographer to capture the • Pet First Aid ($3.99 iOS and An - Two memorable events in my recent If you opt to accept pets at your park, images and instruct them to get the pet’s droid) — This may be the best $3.99 memory are “Animals Nobody Loves,” a what can you do to attract this sizable name, breed, and age if possible. you’ll ever spend! Pet First Aid has all the collection of less-than-warm-and-fuzzy slice of the RVing — not to mention Run a Facebook contest asking for advice for giving your pets first aid. Keep animals presented by a zoologist, and a tent-camping — public? funny pet videos. These can provide your puppy, kitten or adult pets safe. practice for dogs competing in disc dog massive word-of-mouth benefits for Learn how to give them CPR, treat competitions. The Basics: Your Website your business. injuries, poisoning, drowning and more. Whether you are a pet owner, animal Begin by making it clear on your web - Provide a list of useful — and fun — lover or neutral on the subject, you’re in site that yes, pets are welcome at your apps that can make the pet owner’s life Appreciating Your Four-Legged Guests the hospitality business. Making your property. Be upfront about any restric - a little easier and their stay perhaps a bit Welcome pets after a long day of pet guests feel at home makes your tions or special conditions to avoid un - more memorable. Jim Jackson , a mem - travel with a fresh, cool bowl of water at human guests appreciate your park all pleasant situations at the check-in desk. ber of the Escapees Pet Lovers group, the front door, a pet treat at check-in and the more. Consider creating a pet page on your suggests these, from silly to serious, in a nearby place to stretch their legs and site with the many details pet owners Chris Davis’ Pet Lovers Newsletter : have a “bathroom” break. You might Like what you see in Modern Mar - want and need to know: • BarkCam (iOS) Camera for Dogs even take it a step further by handing out keting? Subscribe to Schmarder’s bi- • Are there any breeds that you do not (Android) — If you’ve tried taking pic - a pet welcome pack that includes treats weekly trend digest Digital accept? tures of your dog or cat, you often find for later, a toy or chew, a temporary col - Marketing for the Outdoor Recre - • Do you limit the number of pets per yourself frustrated when your precious lar tag to record the guests’ site number ation Industry at www.road site? pet won’t look at the camera. This app and a “welcome note” from your or the abode.com. Ask her about her digi - • Are there additional fees for pets? makes a noise that captures your pet’s park’s mascot pets. tal marketing/social media diagnos - • What are the pet rules? interest, causing it to look at the phone Add the vet and emergency informa - tics and tune-ups, content strategy • Are there areas of the park off limits and giving you the perfect photo-op. tion to your site map, even if they are not and more at evanne@roadabode. to pets? • Dog Translator (iOS) — Want to an advertiser. If you have an information com or 702-460-9863. WCM

WOODALLSCM.com August 2015 - 11 ON CAMPGROUNDS Arizona’s Running Leaf Verde RV Resort ‘Camp for Adults’

here, but it’s not the same.” Leaf Verde RV Resort went from a “fix-up-to-sell” Swanson returned to the park, which proposition for Scott Swanson to a change in career. Reports from was founded in 1985 by his grandfather the field: Andy Anderson , five years ago with the intention of fixing it up some and selling Bob Ashley it. He became so enthralled that he changed his mind and stuck around. These days, he spends nine months of the year in Arizona and the rest of his Scott Swanson , co-owner and direc - time in Los Angeles, although he returns tor of operations at family-owned Run - to Running Leaf on most weekends. ning Leaf Verde RV Resort in the Phoenix “I’ve really taken to the industry,” said suburb of Buckeye, characterizes the 377- Swanson, who lives on-site in a Laredo site park as “day care for adults.” fifth-wheel. “It’s a different lifestyle than “It’s not assisted living by any means, what I had before. It’s like these people but it’s like a camp for adults,” he said. are on a permanent vacation. There is That’s primarily in the winter, when so much joy when you walk through the Running Leaf is a popular destination park at night and see a group of a dozen for snowbirds. In the summertime, it’s people sitting around their campfire at escorted to their site and oriented to the Amanda was in computers. another story. the end of the day.” park’s amenities. “We’ve been RVers for a long time “I’ve got 50 people who live here full- With spring training sites for the “They are like doormen and we want and thought we wanted to own a camp - time, and there are 95 here now,” Swan - Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds to give everyone custom treatment,” ground,” Amanda said. “We were just son said in 15 miles away in Goodyear, Ariz., March Swanson said. “It’s a hotel for RVers and ready to get out of the city and we de - Scott mid-July. “But is Running Leaf’s busiest month. we want to tuck them into their space.” cided to do something crazy. We went Swanson the temperature “We are not like a weekend destina - ***** from a 3,000-square-foot house and here today is 109 tion park,” said Swanson, who is explor - Amanda and Jeff Stoy performed now we live in a little travel trailer with degrees.” ing the purchase of another RV park in major surgery on Double Nickel Camp - our two kids (boys 5 and 7) and a dog. Running Leaf Arizona. “It’s either spring training, ground in Waco, Neb., after they moved “It’s an adventure; we’re enjoying it.” is owned by 18 snowbirds or over-nighters on their way from Atlanta and bought the park in Sunday through Thursday, Double members of to somewhere else.” March 2014. They redesigned the camp - Nickel draws mostly travelers heading Swanson’s ex - The family has invested $1 million in ground, cutting 103 sites to 55. to the Black Hills or Yellowstone Na - tended family, the park — $200,000 a year — since “We’ve been working on making tional Park or snowbirds going back and although a core Swanson’s return on such things as up - everything pull-throughs,” Amanda forth during the shoulder seasons. On group of half-a- grading the electric service, water and Stoy said. “We want to be big-rig weekends, the campground is popu - dozen sit on the sewer connections and building larger friendly. People would rather have a lated by local folks “who are looking for park’s board and make major decisions. bathrooms, a new laundry and a dog pull-through than have to back into a quiet place for the kids,” Amanda said. Swanson, whose mother, Sandy Cata - park. This off-season, Running Leaf’s their site.” “Business has been good,” she added. lana , also works at the park, said that rec hall is being expanded. The couple also added an outdoor “On weekends, we pretty much fill up running Running Leaf is a far cry from Customer service is emphasized at cinema to show kid-friendly movies on from Memorial Day to Labor Day.” his career in Los Angeles as a post-pro - Running Leaf, which was named Large Saturday nights and installed a dozen Double Nickel is open March 15 to duction associate producer of such TV RV Park of the Year by the Arizona Asso - refurbished pinball machines in the Oct. 30. “We close down in the winter so shows as “Person of Interest,” “Gilmore ciation of RV Parks and Campgrounds park’s clubhouse. “A lot of kids haven’t we can travel,” she said. Girls,” and “Eli Stone,” among others. (Arizona ARVC) , of which Swanson seen them before,” she said. “They’re ***** “I tell my friends in L.A. that I wouldn’t became president this year. used to playing on handheld devices.” Rainy weather hampered the start of be doing this if I were younger,” said Between November and March, Run - The move to a town with 200 people the camping season at 42-site Lake Swanson, 50. “In L.A., I’m always on the ning Leaf has maintenance people on 45 miles west of Lincoln was a major Pepin Campground , located within go and it’s always stressful. There’s stress duty until 10 p.m., and guests are change. Jeff had worked for CNN and shouting distance of the Mississippi River in Lake City, Minn. “It’s really been slow this year, but we’re going to be pretty full in July and August,” said Merri Lea Smith , who has owned the park with her husband, Den - nis , since 1990. “We’ve been having to mow the park between the rain drops.” The park, about an hour south of Min - neapolis/St. Paul, was built in the 1960s by members of Dennis Smith’s family. Pepin Lake is the widest natural lake on the Mississippi River and attracts water sportsmen. “It’s the birthplace of water skiing,” she said. “We have fishing out here — walleye, catfish, bass, and they have fishing contests here and ice fishing in the winter. The lake brings most of the people to the town. You can see eagles flying above the lake and the trees in the fall have beautiful color.” While not sitting directly on Lake Pipen, “You can see the lake from some of our spots and we are half a mile from the closet access to the lake,” Smith said.

WCM Editor-at-Large Bob Ashley is a Central Indiana-based freelance writer/ editor and a 25-year newspaper veteran who has focused on the RV in dustry and national recreation issues for the past 19 years. He received the 2013 “Distin - guished Service in RV Journalism” award from the Recreation Vehicle In - dustry Association (RVIA). WCM

12 - August 2015 Woodall’s Campground Management GUEST VIEW Applying Straight Talk, Common Sense to Park Marketing company that maintains free Google An - see if the brand is alytics on the site. This tells you where going to make it your traffic (folks who visit the site) comes before jumping from. You may even have direct access to headlong into a Brian your analytics, or you can get a copy from brand that ends up Schaeffer your web-hosting company. disappearing. Here’s the science part: The accompa - The same is true nying image is from one of the most suc - for website list - cessful campgrounds in Texas — and you ings/links. There I get my common sense from my dad, will see that ‘Direct’ accounts for 30% of are some power - who didn’t have a sixth-grade education their overall traffic to their website. This is house websites in but served our country in the military, caused when people simply type a web - our industry. You never lacked for work and owed no man site URL directly into the address bar on can go to inde - anything. Oh, he also told it like he saw it. a browser as opposed to clicking on a link. pendent ranking sites like park whose website we host (through I inherited that last trait, too, which occa - Now, here’s the common-sense part: How www.alexa.com , which rank millions of TXAD Internet) and who has a beefed-up sionally gets me in a spot of trouble, but many people do you think just woke up websites and check out where any web - presence on the site in question. His ana - let’s try some straight talk about market - one morning and said, “I need to plug in site ranks. For example: lytics showed he received no referrals in ing, anyway. this random website and see what I get?” • KOA.com ranks 4,447th strongest the last year from mobilerving.com. I was once meeting with an RV dealer More probably, those folks saw the park’s website, among all websites, in the U.S. Are there some great opportunities for to sign up an ad. As he was writing the website — printed on an ad — and de - • GoodSamClub.com ranks 10,144th marketing out there that are verifiable check for the ad, he stopped and said, “I cided to check them out by typing in the in the U.S. and that pass the common sense test? really don’t need this ad.” His service bays, printed web address. Do you really want • ThousandTrails.com ranks 18,732nd Sure. The best way to find out is using sci - parking lot and driveway were full. So I to miss out on all that ‘direct’ business? in the U.S. ence and common sense. Look at your said, “Why are you taking it?” His re - What do you do with the latest ‘hot’ • CarefreeRVResorts.com ranks analytics, ask your customers to nail sponse was priceless — “Because I like website or ‘branding’ deal that is pitched 31,465th in the U.S. down where they found you, and track seeing my name in lights!” If this is your as a can’t-miss opportunity? I remember The owners of the above websites have your advertising. Also consider niche marketing philosophy then you might not a husband and wife sitting in my office ar - spent tremendous amounts of money marketing for advertising avenues that get a lot out of my discussion below — but guing about the validity of their Best Parks promoting the sites and the traffic they best suit your customer. if you’re truly interested in what works, of America membership. At the request of generate, page views and time on the site let’s take a couple of big marketing ques - the wife, we checked the Google Analytics gives them their high rankings. Brian Schaeffer is president of Texas tions and apply some common sense. for referrals from the Best Parks of By contrast, I had a marketing client Advertising (TXAD). Its primary inter - What is the biggest marketing myth? In America website. Unfortunately, the sign call and ask if they needed to worry about ests include AGS, that publishes guest my opinion it is “Print is dead!” We hear it saying it was a best park was all they got upgrading their presence on a recently re - guides for campgrounds; TXAD Internet all the time: “I’ve decided to go straight as the park had received less than 10 done site called mobilerving.com that that designs, builds and hosts camp - digital/online.” Let’s counter this with sci - clicks from Best Parks in the previous year. claims to have 23,000 RV resorts listed and ground websites; and TXAD, which ence and common sense. If you are part Upstart brands in our industry are over a half-million visitors a year. Well, we publishes state camping guides. You of the 21st century, you probably have a tough to evaluate and often it is recom - went to alexa.com and this site ranks can reach Schaeffer at Brian@texas website and, hopefully, you work with a mended to remain on the sidelines and 267,538th in the U.S. Then we went to a advertising.net or 817-426-9395. WCM

WOODALLSCM.com August 2015 - 13 RV Parks, Campgrounds Are Building Amenities To Attract Pet-Toting Guests

RV parks and campgrounds are adding pet-friendly amenities, such as dog runs, as about 60% of all campers bring their pets - usually dogs - with them.

and, in general, we’ve found that to be the Operators of some of the top pet parks list their ‘best practices’ in making the case. The number of concerns expressed best of guests’ furry companions. ‘I think people who have dogs have bigger about barking dogs has diminished consider- ably since we opened the bark park.” hearts,’ said Nancy Wright, manager of Shady Acres RV Park & Campground. Located about an hour north of Albany in Lake George, N.Y., Lake George RV Park fea- A little more than two years ago Lake exit to the dog park. “The comment I hear all the time is how tures 400 full-hookup campsites on more than George RV Park in upstate New York opened Another highlight is the Adirondack-style having this off-leash recreation area just gives 120 acres. The park has a lengthy list of exte- Charlie’s Bark Park, a 2 1/2-acre off-leash dog benches that serve as a barrier as well as all these dogs such a great place to recreate rior and interior amenities, and King said next run that just might be the standard by which comfortable seating for pet owners. and work off all that energy,” King said. “Our year an outdoor pool will make way for a huge all other dog parks are measured. The synthetic turf, Called K9 Grass, is man- experience has been that the dogs who are water park. Among its space, Charlie’s Bark Park fea- ufactured specifically for use in dog park ap- barking the most are probably the ones that For the second consecutive year, Lake tures a large open area featuring shaded trails plications by Forever Lawn. The material has have been exercised the least, usually be- George RV Park was awarded a TripAdvisor and agility equipment, a 2,000-square-foot a net backing that, when installed over several cause people just get busy enjoying their va- Certificate of Excellence in 2015 and the park pavilion and a 10,000-square-foot synthetic turf regularly receives the highest ratings from area. There’s even a separate area for smaller GuestRated.com and the Good Sam RV Travel dogs. and Saving Guide. “I truly believe it’s one-of-a-kind in our in- When it came time to design and build dustry. You kind of have to see it to believe it, Charlie’s Bark Park, all agreed that it must live but it’s pretty exceptional,” said Dave King, up to the high standards expected by the president of Lake George RV Park. “We took a park’s guests and first set in place by King’s lot of extra time and resources in designing a parents, Victor and Jessica King, when they dog park that would really exceed the expec- opened Lake George RV Park in 1966. tations of all guests. We basically took what They didn’t have to look far when determin- we thought were the best features of all the ing a name for the park, either. Charlie was a parks we looked at all over the country and much-loved basset hound and Victor King’s tried to build it into a park here in our facility.” “right-hand man” during much of the 1980s. A The shaded trails offer ample open space, plaque and painting commemorating the two as well as a water-spraying fire hydrant, for the is planned for the park’s pavilion. four-legged friends to release all sorts of en- King said the majority of their guests travel ergy. Eighteen different sets of BarkPark brand with their pets, which are nearly always dogs. agility equipment from Playcore, featuring Most other RV parks and campground owners ramps and hoops and tunnels and more, offer contacted by Woodall’s Campground Man- even more tiring fun. Benches and pet-waste agement said the same, with many estimating stations, also by BarkPark, offer the same paw Terry Tuytan, owner of Stone Creek RV Park near San Antonio, Texas, built the agility as much as 60% to 70% of their guests travel prints, dog bones and other pet-themed de- equipment for his park’s dog run and found decommissioned fire hydrants for $15 each. with one or more dogs. signs. Likewise, Lake George RV Park’s pet poli- With its dark mahogany and timber frame cies are typical of those found at most other accents, the pavilion’s impressive architec- inches of aggregate, allows urine to drain cations and sometimes will leave the dog campgrounds and RV parks in North America: tural design reflects the Adirondack setting of freely. King said there is no lingering smell, and behind. They don’t get out and use up all that • Pets must be leashed at all times (unless the RV park. The building houses restrooms as the grass only needs an occasional rinsing energy and now they become a little disrup- in the dog run). well as a visually attractive commercial-grade every two weeks or so unless there’s rain. tive. • Owners must clean up after their pets. dog-washing station, two grooming stations Vacuuming is also part of the maintenance, “That was kind of a key to building the bark • Pets should never be left alone at your and vending machines dispensing pet treats, mainly to keep the netting free of leaves and park — to have a place where they could run site, in your RV or any other area of the park. toys and other items. With two sets of gates, other debris as well as to perk up the grass all that energy off so when they returned to • Proof of rabies vaccination should be pro- the pavilion also is the secure entrance and fibers. their campsite they’d be as quiet as could be vided upon request. 14 - August 2015 Woodall’s Campground Management Special drinking fountains at Charlie’s Bark Park provide water for humans and pets.

Charlie’s Bark Park at the Lake George RV Park includes a 10,000-square-foot pavilion.

Shady Acres RV Park & Campground in Green River, Utah, has an enclosed dog run called “Arffy Park.”

Charlie’s Bark Park includes 18 sets of BarkPark brand agility equipment from Playcore.

• Pets should be kept quiet and not disturb years ago. Named “ Arffy Park ,” the enclosed ‘children age’ and all of our customers have all the children and that is totally fine with me.” other guests. dog park has separate areas for small and dogs rather than children. Dogs are so much Shady Acres does not allow pit bulls, she Many park owners said they have breed large dogs as well as benches and picnic ta - better behaved than the children,” she said. said. “I’d be too afraid to have them around,” restrictions, such as pit bull terrier and Rot - bles for the pet owners to relax on. “It’s just important because that’s the kind of said Wright. tweiler, that are either simply because of Nancy Wright , Shady Acres’ manager, said people we want in our park. The kind of people Randy Whistler , who operates Deer Creek owner preference or due to insurance policy. the dog park is often everyone’s entertainment who love their dogs the way we do. I think peo - Valley RV Park in Topeka, Kan., with his wife, Other park owners said dogs are restricted on for the evening. She added that it’s important ple who have dogs have bigger hearts. They’re Sherry, said he determines whether a dog is a case-by-case basis. for 100-site Shady Acres to be pet friendly “be - older, they take care of their dogs like they not allowed only after he’s met the animal. Desert’s Edge RV , also known as “The Pur - cause we have dogs ourselves.” were their children and that’s the way we like “There’s no such thing as a bad dog, just a bad ple Park,” in Phoenix, Ariz., has two dog runs “I just feel that our customers are past that it. We have a KOA down the street that wants Top Pet Parks – continued on page 22 — the smaller of the two is about eight feet wide by about 30 feet long while the other one is about 40 feet long — as well as a 5,000- KOA Lets The Dogs Out In Kamp K9 The KOA Kamp K9 program sets minimum stan - square-foot off-leash area. While they’re still dards for member parks, such as the Port Huron Known for its extensive access to data when it comes to camping KOA in Michigan, to construct off-leash dog runs. exploring whether to add agility equipment, trends, Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA) realized about six years park supervisor Eric Vargas said they do have ago that campgrounds were going to the dogs. According to its re - fire hydrants so the dogs can “mark their ter - search of the entire North American camping market, 58% of campers ritory.” bring pets along at least sometimes (23% sometimes, 35% always) Vargas added that Desert’s Edge, unlike and only 34% never bring a pet. other campgrounds in the area, does not limit Armed with this intel, KOA developed its Kamp K9 program of the number of dogs people can have. The first fenced-in, off-leash dog runs, said Jef Sutherland , KOA’s senior vice two dogs are included in the rate, but after that president for franchise operations. there is a per-dog fee. “You want a place where your campers can go with their pets that “We’ll have people who show dogs that is consistent so that it doesn’t become a free-for-all. Campers need aren’t allowed at other parks because they to let their dogs run, let’s face it. And if there’s not an appropriate area might have six dogs with them. We’ve had for them to do that then they’re going to be running through the sites people with as much as a dozen dogs with or through the pool. You’ve got to have a place to take care of these them. They might have to pay more, but at least special ‘kids,’” explained Sutherland. “We wanted something that we they have the option of being able to stay with could brand and get in front of the campers so when they saw Kamp as well as agility equipment. us,” he said. K9 outside their KOA, they know that there’s going to be a safe place Kamp K9 program is all about “guest expectations that we are tak - Desert’s Edge also has a dog washing-and- for their dog.” ing care of their pet,” Sutherland said. grooming facility that gets quite a bit of use, Most of the 485 KOA campgrounds across North America have “As we all know, a pet is like a family member. In the same way especially during snowbird season when there some sort of place where dogs can be let loose, but that doesn’t al - that we have a playground for the kids and we want safety and secu - can sometimes be a line waiting to use the fa - ways mean it’s fenced in or enclosed in some way. While that may be rity for the kids, we want safety and security for the pets. That’s very cilities. perfectly fine for some dogs, it won’t work for others. important to us. And as the guests get to understand the standards “A lot of times people don’t have that option “What happens when they get off the leash and — whoosh — around Kamp K9, they’ll associate that with the good experience for because they’d have to bathe their pets in their they take off and are just gone? So the Kamp K9 idea is to have an en - their pet,” he said. RV, and the size of those restrooms aren’t very closed, safe, fenced area for pets where the camper can feel pretty Having a Kamp K9 is a requirement for KOA member campgrounds big. So they either have to do that or take their comfortable about turning their dog loose,” Sutherland said. to be able to brand themselves as KOA Resort , KOA Journey or KOA pet to a groomer,” Vargas explained, adding To qualify to be branded as a Kamp K9, the dog run has to satisfy Holiday parks, a campaign started early in 2014 to distinguish and that Desert’s Edge supplies each pet-toting certain specifications — including a minimum of 1,000 square feet, a elevate certain KOA campgrounds in the eyes of the consumer. guest with an Emergency Pet Decal, which is pet waste station, seating for pet owners, self-latching entrance gate “That’s the initiative internally, that says if you’re going to be a KOA essentially a removable sticker for the RV that and professional fencing. Optional upgrades include two-gated en - in one of our new brand positions, one of the requirements across the notifies others of a pet inside. tries and self-closing gates, Sutherland added. Also not required, but board is a Kamp K9 that meets the specifications,” Sutherland ex - Shady Acres RV Park & Campground in encouraged by KOA, are separate dog runs for small and large dogs plained. —Rick Kessler WCM Green River, Utah, built a dog park about four WOODALLSCM.com August 2015 - 15 Q: What’s new at your company that Pet Products are Becoming More and More you’d like to mention? We have a new product that goes along with our novice, four-piece dog Important to RV Parks and Campgrounds kit that a lot of people are now adding. It’s a misting fire hydrant. It’s a way to The pet-products industry doesn’t show signs of slowing its $60 billion annual pace, and its role cool pets in the warm weather with a within the outdoor hospitality sector continues to grow as well. Woodall’s Campground Man - little pizzaz. Q: What do you enjoy the most agement checked in with a handful of industry leaders to get their take on the boom as well as about what you do? the innovative products and services they are offering to fuel it. Here’s what they had to say. I enjoy the interaction with the folks that run and own the campgrounds. Camping people are just great people. The dog wash at 1000 Islands/Ivy Lea KOA in Ontario So in my field, traveling around the U.S. is a popular amenity for pet owners visiting the park. and meeting all these people, it’s just fun to watch folks look at our products and have that little “ah-ha” moment where they think, “Wait this is some - thing that would be good at my camp - ground.” Q: Do you have pets? My wife and I have three dogs. There’s Roxy and Maggie, they’re the smaller ones that we take in our camper when we travel. They’re just lit - tle brown puppies that the kids picked out. It’s good to have them out there with us. The bigger dog is an English Springer Spaniel, she’s a hunting dog, and her name is Jenna. •••••••••••••••••• Gary Sherman, President Evolution Dog Wash Aspen, Colo. 800-426-0760 Q: How is business? Business in general is very, very good actually. We’re probably grow - ing about 40% year on year. We just got back from a tradeshow in Las Vegas catering to multi-family apart - ment communities. The show floor is Thomas James, President Even when the country was in a reces - licited comments from site visitors and only open about four hours for two PetTravelCenter.com sion, we didn’t see a decline in sales; in customers. That is a testament to the days and we had 200 people in the Clemmons, N.C. fact, sales continued an upward trend. exceptional customer service that we booth. In terms of the campground 800-384-1450 Since most people consider their pets strive to provide. We’re proud of that. side, we’ve got a few KOAs that have Q: How is business in general these to be members of the family, it appears Q: Do you have any pets? the dog wash, and we’re hoping that days? that they don’t mind spending money At one time or another, I’ve had dogs, word will spread and more will see on them. However, in a strong econ - cats, gerbils, hamsters, fish... you name the benefits of having it as an Pet Gear I-GO2 omy, the pet industry typically reflects it. Sammy Boy, a 22-pound Norwegian amenity. Traveler that growth even more. Forest Cat, was the latest addition to the Q: What do you see happening in Q: What’s new at your company that family. the market? you’d like to mention? •••••••••••••••••• We continue to research new prod - Bob Hanson, National Account ucts that manufacturers bring to mar - Manager ket to determine if they are a good Pet and Playground Products match for our customers’ travel, safety Eclectic, Ala. and camping needs. We are always 866-398-3992 adding new items to our product cata - Q: How is business in general? log, but we pay particular attention to The pet side is on the upswing. What style, function, versatility and durabil - we’re finding also is that our outdoor ity. fitness equipment is becoming a very Q: What do you enjoy the most popular and unique amenity item. about what you do? We’re seeing that a lot of campers want It delights me to be able to provide to be able to get up in the morning, and solutions for pet travelers all over the if there’s a short trail that maybe has world. Whether they are looking for a four or five different types of equip - PetTravelCenter.com has been pro - special type of carrier, planning to relo - ment on it, they really enjoy that option Evolution Dog Wash viding worldwide pet travel resources cate somewhere else in the world or of being able to get some different types for nine years now. The business has need to find a pet-friendly camp - of exercise while they’re on their vaca - We haven’t had a lot of uptake yet grown to where we are serving people ground, we can help them with the in - tion. And the equipment is low mainte - from the RV community and I really all over the globe. As manufacturers formation and resources to help make nance. So pet products and outdoor don’t know why. Many parks are only continue to produce quality items to getting there a lot more enjoyable. As fitness products are the new movers open certain months of the year, so get pets to where they’re going safely our slogan says, “We Make Pet Travel and shakers for us, business-wise. maybe that is an issue for them to fig - and comfortably, we continue to offer Fun and Easy.” We receive lots of unso - Q: It seems like the pet sector of the ure out how they would recover the those selections to our customers. We camping/RV market just keeps getting cost. But my thought is, if you have an listen to our customers to determine bigger, what are your thoughts? amenity that someone else doesn’t the types of things they are interested I see that, too, and from the best I have, then people are going to want to in and look for in pet-travel products. can tell from our research, I think that come to your campground. It’s not an Q: What do you see happening in just has to do with demographic inexpensive investment, but to me, it the market? changes in the U.S. In the ’60s, ’70s makes sense. The pet industry is an exciting and and ’80s, it was “family, family, family” Q: What’s new at your company that interesting place and, to rephrase the and now we’re moving into a different you’d like to mention? Energizer bunny commercial, it keeps demographic where a lot of people We’re now doing business in the growing and growing and growing! don’t have kids at home anymore. Like truckstop arena as well, because 50% of With total industry sales of more than Kurgo Baxter my wife and I, we’re empty nesters and truckers travel with their pets. So we’re $60 billion, some project that it could Pack when we travel, our dogs are now our going to be rolling out the dog wash to top $75 billion in just a couple of years. “children.” travel centers all throughout the coun - 16 - August 2015 Woodall’s Campground Management try. And company-wise, we’re just about about what you do? to have the dog wash certified to be The thing I love the most about what sold and used in Europe. I do is meeting people and learning Q: What do you enjoy the most more about their pets. I’m the first to about what you do? admit that my wife and I treat our dogs It’s not just a business for us. I’m one like our children and I love hearing sto - of eight members appointed by the ries and sharing photos with people commissioner of the Colorado Depart - who do the same. ment of Agriculture to the Colorado Pet Q: Do you have any pets? Overpopulation Authority, so we’re in - My wife, Melissa and I have three volved with shelters and rescues all dogs: Dudley a 2-year old Basset across the state. And I was involved in hound, Stetson a 1-year old Beagle and getting a bill introduced and signed Stuart, an 8-month-old Basset. into law which introduced a license •••••••••••••••••• plate in our state. It carries the tagline Tom Seiter “Adopt a Shelter Pet” on it and the Intelligent Products, Inc./MuttMitt funds from the sales of those plates go Rabbit Hash, Ky. to shelters and rescues throughout the 800-697-6084 state. And as for dog washing: It’s fun, it puts a smile on your face, it’s a bonding IPI Mutt Mitt station experience with the animal. Q: Do you have pets? We have three dogs that are all shel - ter dogs, rescues — that’s something that we obviously firmly believe in. There’s Cyrus and Willow and Charlie. Cyrus is a Lab/Border Collie mix, Wil - low is a Catahoula Leopard Dog/Blue Heeler mix and Charles is a Yorkshire Terrier mix. •••••••••••••••••• Chris Allen, Vice President Poochie Bowl Eaton Rapids, Mich. 517-388-1488 Q: How is business in general these Q: How is business in general these days? days? Business in general is good. With Crappy – it really stinks! But it’s picking summer travel now in full swing we up! Just kidding. It’s steadily growing. have seen growth in our sales. Q: What do you see happening in Q: What do you see happening in the market? the market? There’s more competition from off - Over the last few years we have no - shore. We’re made in U.S., 26 years ticed even more people traveling with young, and facing more newcomers their pets. than ever. Q: It seems like the pet sector of the Q: It seems like the pet sector of the camping/RV market just keeps getting camping/RV market just keeps getting bigger, what are your thoughts? bigger; what are your thoughts? The camping/RV market, especially, We agree. As the Baby Boomers is growing bigger and bigger. With more reach the golden years, pets are com - and more people treating their pets as mon travel companions. Many younger one of their children, these “pet par - families also include pets during their ents” are giving more consideration to camping activities. Naturally, pets need the ability to travel with their pets ver - to do their business at destinations as sus boarding. I think that campgrounds well as while on the road, so having will start seeing a need to offer pet-re - pickup tools like Mutt Mitts handy is a lated items in their general stores. must when traveling. Q: What’s new at your company that Pet-friendly campgrounds also have you’d like to mention? a need to encourage pet owners to pick This isn’t specifically related to the up after them, so providing a pet waste Poochie Bowl as it is a separate busi - system is important to ensure a clean ness, but we have created a new busi - and pleasant experience, and any ness called Camp Fire Dogs. Camp Fire more, it’s pretty much expected. Oh, Dogs was created to offer campgrounds and by the way, we are an approved and RV sales/service stores the ability KOA vendor. to capture the pet market that is already Q: What’s new at your company that right in front of them. Camp Fire Dogs you’d like to mention? offers pet essentials such as dog bowls, We’ve re-introduced the yellow out - waterproof/odor-proof collars and door Mutt Mitt dispenser, which is leashes, but we also offer items that are highly visible for pet owners. They’re easy purchase add-on such as all natu - hard to miss. It’s also available in white ral dog treats and gourmet dog cookies. and green. And retail packs of Mutt By offering these items to a market that Mitts are a growing item in camp stores. is already in their campgrounds or Q: What do you enjoy the most shopping at their RV service stores, it’s about what you do? a great way to increase margins. It’s hard to nail down. I wear a lot of Q: What do you enjoy the most hats. Q: Do you have any pets? I have a Lab/Rot mix, Molly, who is 8 years old, and three rescued cats. •••••••••••••••••• Jeff Urso Gerber Tables/Great Outdoors Direct Madison, Wis. 800-393-9923 Q: How is business in general these Poochie Bowl days? Pet Vendors – continued on page 26 WOODALLSCM.com August 2015 - 17 having to do everything as far as collecting People Love Their Pets — But They Can data or information?” For instance, “Some campgrounds require proof of vaccination,” said Tom Gerken , a Also Create Big Risks For Campgrounds Maine-based independent agent of USI Insur - ance . “They have a dog registration form. Most RV park and campground guests love part of the responsibility is yours. After all, if Many full-time RVers who travel with their pets their pets — and most park operators do, too. they hadn’t come to enjoy your property in the expect that.” But even those who aren’t pet lovers realize first place, they wouldn’t have been hurt. Jones said rules don’t have to put a wedge that excluding pets would greatly reduce And don’t think it’s all pit bull terriers, either. between RV park owners and guests. “If you revenue opportunities. “I’ve seen a situation where a golden retriever, explain it as ‘We want to keep having dogs,’ I not a type of dog you expect to bite, bit some - think you can effectively do it,” she said. “You one and caused serious damage to a little boy,” don’t want to not have dogs at the campground said Brittani Villandry with NFP Poulous Insur - because they’re so popular, but it can affect ance Agency in the Northeast. your rates.” It’s something nobody wants to happen. “I had a dog bite claim where it was a sea - sonal camper whose dog bit a child,” said David Berg Irene Jones of Marshall & Sterling Camp - ground Insurance Program in Poughkeepsie, feet. And I love animals,” he said. N.Y. “He needs a lot of surgeries. It’s a very Whatever rules you decide to create, the upsetting situation for everybody involved best approach is to have a written dog policy Guy Gagnon because they thought this seasonal guest was in hand to give guests at check-in, insurance professionals said. But embracing guests’ love of pets comes “Develop a written policy and hand it to your with some risks for campground operators. camper when they arrive,” said Bob Barber Occasionally dog bites happen, or a leash can with McNeil & Co. , a program underwriter that Tom Gerken trip people up. And while you might think the works with Chicago-based Arch Insurance dog’s owner would be responsible for any Group . It doesn’t have to be long and doesn’t And Bryan Tolli of Leavitt warned, “It’s good injuries, in this litigious day and age camp - have to be signed, but it needs to be available to have rules and to have signs and have ground owners are also liable, insurance to guests, he said. paperwork, but if you’re not enforcing it, it’s not professionals cautioned. He suggested you consult with your insur - going to help your insurance company defend “If you have a dog bite in your park — ance agent to develop that policy to try to bal - you. You want to just make sure that you have whether you had anything to do with it or not ance guest needs with managing your own risks. the rules in place and that you’re enforcing — you get dragged in and it costs your insur - them.” ance company, just to get you out of it, $10,000 Irene Jones Villandry also suggested, “When someone to $15,000,” said Guy Gagnon of Leavitt Recre - calls you to book a stay, ask them if they have ation and Hospitality Insurance of Sturgis, S.D. like part of their family.” a dog. If they do, ask if the dog has a bite The reasoning is this: Guests are at your While the dog owners had insurance on history. If they do, say the dog needs to not property for enjoyment, and if they get injured, their RV, it only covered $25,000 toward the dog come on the trip.” bite, and that doesn’t go very far in that type of Gagnon agreed, and said if a bite happens situation, she said. in the campground, the dog needs to go. “If you So what’s the best way to approach the don’t get rid of the dog immediately, you’re held issue to try to prevent problems? to a higher standard from a liability standpoint One suggestion from David Berg , owner of because you know that the dog has a propen - Red Apple Campground in Kennebunkport, Bob Barber sity to be violent. If the dog bites again, you’re Maine, and former chairman of the National on that claim all the way. I would say zero Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds “If you’ve got a specific individual situation tolerance. I don’t care how long they’ve been (ARVC) is to require a leash — a short one. “I with dogs, you’d better talk to who you’re in - a seasonal in your park — and I’ve had those did away with Extend-a-leash,” the leashes sured with, you’d better talk to your agent,” calls — zero tolerance. You get a report of an that allow dogs to run a varying distance from Barber recommended. “Does he have a form? incident, that dog is out.” Brittani Villandry the owner. “I’ve lessened my liability because Does he have a program you can just drop into One potential approach would be to ask sea - they’re always going to have that dog within six your campground and use as opposed to you sonal guests to provide a copy of their home - owner’s insurance policy. “If you ask seasonals who have dogs, ‘We want to continue to have

Bryan Toli

dogs because that’s important to us, would you please provide your homeowners policy?’ You want to make sure their homeowners policy has at least $300,000 liability,” Jones said. Of course, that’s not a guarantee. After all, in the dog bite situation she talked about earlier, the dog owners rented their home and had no homeowner’s insurance on which to fall back. And, Villandry warned that a lot of home - owners’ policies exclude dog bites. So she suggested that if you ask for a copy of the insurance policy, make sure to ask for the exclusions page, too. Barber said the point of all this insurance- related preparedness isn’t to magically keep dog bites from ever happening. After all, that would be impossible. “You’re always going to have claims,” he said. “You want to have your - self in the best possible position.” — Justin Leighty WCM 18 - August 2015 Woodall’s Campground Management ing with Inga and Gretchen, their two German Here’s What Pet-Loving RVers Wish Park Owners Knew shepherds, said this: “Breed restrictions are ridiculous and should be eliminated. Camp - space, pet owners prefer open space. ground owners should simply say that they This ramp that Garland and Walter Clermont put on Dog washes are not common or sought welcome all ‘well-behaved’ dogs or just say, their RV steps for Gretchen, their German Shepherd, after, but if available they may be used by pet helps illustrate her importance to them. ‘No dogs allowed.’ People can then choose owners, especially washes with a raised plat - which campground they want to stay at.” form to make it easier to wash the dog and Shirley Deasy has two small dogs, Win - ones with a ramp for large dogs to walk up. ston — a cardigan Welsh corgi — and Nellie Serafin pointed out a pet walk aspect that — a Scottish terrier — and noted that parks non-pet owners may not consider: Gravel should not discriminate based on size of size. “It’s unusual but I have encountered dog dogs. On an evening walk, an 8-pound Chi - parks that are covered with very large-sized huahua attacked one of her dogs. “Aggres - gravel. Though maybe easy to maintain, sive behavior should result in immediate it was very difficult for dogs of any size to removal of the dog and owners from the navigate,” she said. park,” she said. Jim and Linda Jackson travel with Abigail, Give Them a Warm Welcome Mariah and Skeeter, their three small rat ter - Parks have an opportunity to create a pos - riers, and have never been turned away from itive impression with pet owners such as a campground. “Some have a limit of two Rose, Serafin and Davis by providing a few dogs and that is fine for large dogs, unsocial - little welcoming extras at check-in. “It’s ized dogs or those that bark incessantly. Usu - always neat when the park has a biscuit or ally with three small dogs the campground There appears to be a general consensus go far to take care of their pet’s needs. We treat for my pets when we arrive as well as a will make an exception.” among the pet-owning RVers who talked with can often use the light on our RV exterior as bowl of fresh water for them to enjoy,” said Woodall’s Campground Management . Their opposed to using a flashlight, making things Davis. Pets don’t talk — but their owners do needs and wants are simple: Ample (or at least much easier,” she explained. Juliet Whitfield , a certified dog trainer and Finding a pet-friendly park is a necessity adequate) places to walk or run a pet, informa - Fenced pet areas are welcome and allow owner of Tails from the Road , noted that she’d for a successful RV adventure. Park owners tion and resources that can make a difference the pet to run leash-free — providing it really love a park that is welcoming to pets and in - and operators can take advantage of the in an emergency — and simple considerations is a run and not a postage-stamp-sized space. vites them to specific activities. “What would many ways this is accomplished. that make their stay convenient. Serafin emphasized, “I want a good-sized dog make a pet-friendly park stand out? A happy “We always ask about pet policy and For many, the ability to travel with their park for exercise so my dog can run leash- hour that includes dogs, a happy hour at the amenities when contacting a park,” remarked pets is the top reason they choose RVing and free, not just a fenced waste collection area. dog park, activities that are designed for pets Rose. “Finding this information has been made outdoor experiences. After all, physical ac - For the most part, dog owners pick up after and pet owners, or an off-site visit to a dog- so much easier by the Internet and we encour - tivity and new friends that accompany pet their dogs but if a park is going to accept pets, friendly place — a park that encourages age park owners to include pet info on their ownership on the road are welcome parts of routine maintenance of their dog park, same social activities with pets,” she told WCM . websites. Fortunately for us, we’ve been on the lifestyle. Jane Rose and the third schnau - as they provide in their restrooms/showers, is Whitfield and others voiced a desire to be the road long enough to rely on friends’ evalu - zer that’s traveled with her, Rambling Gypsy a necessity to prevent the spread of diseases able to find information on pet-friendly ations, one reason to love Facebook.” Serafin Rose, clock up to five miles a day. “While to dogs or humans.” restaurants, activities, trails or other green relies on RVParkReviews.com and uses the walking with a pet, you often meet other pets While it may seem like an obvious item to spaces that welcome their four-legged Good Sam online directory or park websites and their people. Friendships often occur, place in pet walks or runs, Davis is always friends be it at the front desk, in a site map or for her pet information. both with the pets and people,” said Rose. grateful to find a trash can to dispose of the posted inside the clubhouse or social room. Davis shares member-curated park The majority don’t shy away from pet waste bags. Another critical point of communication to recommendations, observations and pet- rules. In fact, every RVer we spoke with Adrienne Donatelli commented that pet owners? Emergency information. This in - welcoming websites as editor of the Pet applauded park owners and operators who campgrounds that have nice off-leash areas cludes a local veterinarian, the nearest 24- Lovers BOF newsletter. set forth and enforce rules. with running water and some shade are few hour emergency vet clinic and even pet “Knowing that so many of us travel with After all, RVing pet owners — like all and far between so they are very welcome sitters in the event of a human emergency. pets and utilize this mode of travel for that guests — want a clean campground with when they are found. Her black lab Shadow, On the topic of pet fees, several RVers are very reason, I think it would just be good busi - well-kept public areas and well-behaved an - German short haired pointer Trish, and little open to paying them if required — but they ness sense for campground owners to cater imals. blond pup Baby Doll take advantage of these expect an elevated level of service in return. to dog owners,” added Clermont. “Be “I appreciate being asked for proof of im - prized outdoor areas whenever possible. There was much talk about size and breed creative, campground owners! Make us munizations, especially rabies,” Rose said. “I While agility courses are an interesting restrictions among the RVers with whom we happy and we’ll come back.” —Evanne want to know that there are leash rules, pet nicety, if the course limits an already small talked. Garland and Walter Clermont , travel - Schmarder WCM waste pick-up requirements and that leaving pets tied up outside and unattended is not permitted. I don’t take offense to being in - formed that improper actions on the part of my pet or me will get us thrown out. In fact, if a park doesn’t have a pet policy we avoid it.” Margaret Serafin and her English springer spaniel, Taylor, gave high marks to a park that offered a private key-entry dog park across the street from the RV area. “In order to obtain a key you must show that your dog’s vaccinations are current when you check into the park,” she said.

Walk the Talk Whether the RV door opens to big dogs or small, there’s a common set of needs, wants and “nice-to-haves” among this segment of the RVing population. The most frequently cited are areas throughout the park to walk and exercise a pet. While it might seem like an over-the-top obsession with the particulars of how and where a guest can walk their pet, this simple action is paramount to the enjoyment of their stay, how highly they’ll recommend a park and whether they’ll return. According to Chris Davis, who runs the Escapees Pet Lovers BOF (Birds of a Feather) group, grass is important. She and her two dachshunds, Nugget and Mr. Tibbs, appreci - ate grassy areas near their site. “A green space in front of or behind the site is espe - cially helpful at night or if there’s inclement weather so the pet owner does not have to WOODALLSCM.com August 2015 - 19 The Wibit by CRS draws crowds into the lake at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort at Lake Eufaula in Oklahoma.

Campground Recreation Isn’t a ‘One Size Fits All’ Proposition — and CRS Offers A Variety of Options

How can a Wibit, Wedgie, Zulu, Iceberg park setting. is the big draw for guests. Water attractions whether it is every weekend or once or and Jungle Joe 2 help campgrounds attract In 2004, the name was changed to Com - are often cited by guests as the reason a twice a year,” he added. more guests and increase sales? mercial Recreation Specialists to convey park is ‘recreation friendly.’” Just ask the experts at Commercial that the company was not only about Any campground with access to a pond, Creating a business model Recreation Specialists (CRS) , a company supplying equipment, but they were a full- lake or river can take advantage of CRS The staff at CRS works with camp - founded by Ron Romens in 1999 with the service resource that could design attrac - water-recreation products. Even those with - grounds to help them develop a business goal of transforming the outdoor hospitality tions and guide customers through out existing water access can create it using model that will support the investment costs industry. At CRS, they’re serious about fun, installation, maintenance and operation to the “water-based family recreation center” and help get the most bang for the money and offer those products — and more — to ensure that customers were getting the concept. spent. They recommend admission prices help campgrounds maximize revenue. most from their investments. “Campgrounds realize that water attrac - and can show campgrounds other ways to Romens originally started in the outdoor Today, whether it’s a massive floating tions are so successful, we are working with enhance their revenue. hospitality industry as a founder of Rave playground, or an attraction like a splash - many land-based parks to dig ponds to Best of all, CRS can work with any Sports, a firm built around a single product, pad, playground or miniature golf course, create recreation areas,” said Romens. budget. If a campground only has a small a unique floating trampoline that caught the CRS works with campgrounds and RV parks With CRS, the service doesn’t stop after budget to work with, they can develop a plan attention of park owners with water-based to best understand their goals and utilize the installation. The company will help parks to add an attraction or two each year until amenities. whatever space they have to create experi - develop an income stream to recover the they create a full-fledged recreation area. Two years later, Romens left to start Com - ences that keep families coming back. investment costs and provide ongoing cash Those campgrounds that really want to mercial Recreation Supply — where he not “In much of the country, the camping flow for the business. attract families can develop a “family enter - only sold the Rave Sports floating trampo - season is relatively short, so we want to help “We work with owners to use whatever tainment center” that not only includes a lines, but a variety of other unique floating campground and RV park owners make the existing assets the campground has to water park, but mini golf, a splashpad and/or products built to withstand constant use of best of what little time they are open,” said enhance the camping experience and offer playground equipment. very active children, teens and adults in a Romens. “For many parks, access to water families a reason to make return visits, “We can show a campground how an investment in some play equipment at their Miniature golf can be as elaborate as a CRS customer wants, like the Arrowhead park can increase overall camper nights as Adventure 18-hole course at Indian Trails Campground in Wisconsin. well as average revenue per camper by 3% to 15% or more,” said Romens. “We can even show owners data that demonstrates how selling a recreation pass for a certain dollar amount can increase camper nights percentage,” he added. “So rather than spending $30,000 to create a park over time, owners may see the advan - tage of getting a loan to spend $150,000 creating a full-blown recreation center and recouping the cost by the sale of wristbands.” Financing for many of the projects is pro - vided by the same companies that finance cabin installations, so the lenders truly understand recreation and how profitable it can be when done right, Romens explained. With a big recreation center, many camp - grounds can augment their income by allow - ing daycare centers and day camps to buy access to the park on weekdays. Some parks have found that weekday birthday par - ties are a profitable enhancement as well. One Jellystone Park in Oklahoma sold 22,000 day passes alone in 2014, he noted. Parks that benefit the most from CRS services, he added, are those that make a

20 - August 2015 Woodall’s Campground Management Playground equipment, of course, is an important recreation option for parks like the Jellystone in Cherokee, N.C.

concerted effort to be family-friendly. This Florida are more relaxed and not as results in more income for the park intensely focused on recreation as people owner, but also requires more work. Staff are in the northern states where nice days must be hired to manage the activity or are a premium commodity. It’s for that sell wristbands and there is some main - reason that CRS offers both water- and tenance required to keep up with the land-based activities like splashpads, constant use. playgrounds and mini-golf courses to its For example, the equipment must be customers so that they can find the best properly anchored and regularly inflated to solution for their property. maintain the proper pressure. An ultravio - Just how important are recreational let inhibitor needs to be applied twice a opportunities in determining the reputation year and, at the end of each season, the of a campground or RV park? It’s huge, equipment must be properly cleaned and Romens explained. stored. “In guest-satisfaction surveys, recre - Parks also need to be willing to as - ation is right up there with cleanliness of sume some liability, but CRS can refer the bathrooms,” he said. “Everyone park owners to a variety of insurance wants clean parks and clean restrooms, agencies that specialize in the specific but families with children consider recre -

Water equipment is a big draw at Smokey Hollow Campground in Lodi, Wis.

types of recreation offered at the camp - ation opportunities to be a huge factor in ground. Those firms can work with the determining which parks they’ll visit. For campground to institute policies and pro - them, it’s all about the ‘stuff.’” cedures to reduce the risk of injury, which “When kids can maneuver a high-ropes keeps costs down. course over water, activities like that add Amish Built Park Model Log Cabins “Commercial Recreation Specialists is excitement to the overall experience,” willing to present a comprehensive plan to Romens added. “Best of all, recreation is help campgrounds set up a recreation recession proof, and that was proven a zone, establish safety protocols and few years ago when families postponed develop operational objectives. We don’t mega trips to Orlando and other further • Real Rustic Log Cabins just sell the equipment and leave the park destinations in favor of having fun locally,” • Turn-Key! owners to figure out the best way to make said Romens. “One thing is for certain, they • Durable and Appealing the system work,” said Romens. didn’t stop wanting to have fun. Camp - • Highly Profitable CRS also knows there isn’t one solution grounds that can offer first-class recre - that works for every location, which is why ation experiences will never have to worry • Pays Off Within 1-3 Years they offer recreation solutions that can be about surviving a recession.” Cabin Kits Park Model Cabins sta rting at tailored to each region of the country For more information about Commercial starting at $20,900 based on the relaxation styles of people Recreation Specialists, call 877-896-8442 $8,900 Located in Lancaster, PA living in those areas. or visit www.crs4rec.com . —Greg Gerber For example, people in Arizona and WCM 1-800-684-5808 • www.keystonekabins.com

WOODALLSCM.com August 2015 - 21 Top Pet Parks — from page 15 is a good dog is a tired dog. Turn them loose in what we try to do, we try to treat everybody as that get a lot of use by a lot of dogs, he said. there and they can run around in there and family.” “I get a big grin on my face because one of dog owner,” Whistler said, adding they try to they just have a blast,” Whistler said. “It’s kind About six years ago, Terry Tuytan , owner of the dog parks is right by the office. I’m seeing meet every dog as they first enter the park for of funny because all the RVers will meet each 225-site Stone Creek RV Park near San Anto - a half-dozen dogs in there. They’re all out there a number of reasons, including being able to other out there and then their dogs will meet nio, Texas, attended a conference where a running around and having fun and that, to me, place a dog with its owner if ever the two are each other. The RVers will sit down on the speaker talked about how the majority of RVers is a kick. It’s like kids on a playground,” he said. separated. “But I want them to know who I am, benches and talk and the dogs will go play in travel with their pets and parks ought to provide Normandy Farms Family Camping Resort too, so if he is running loose he won’t be afraid the park.” pet-friendly amenities as an attraction. By the in Foxboro, Mass., has a 1 1/2-acre dog park to come to me so I can take him back to where Deer Creek Valley does not charge extra for next year, Tuytan built two off-leash dog parks. called Freedom Tail Park built about six years he belongs,” he said. pets, no matter how many. “And they’re not just fenced-in areas,” he ago. Since then, Normandy Farms has added Deer Creek Valley, which has 54 pull- “We try to run the park and treat the people said. “They’re actually agility parks. They’re additional pet-friendly amenities, such as through sites and five back-in sites, has a the way we would want to be treated if we pretty tricked. Most folks are jazzed about it. I’m Canine Coop dog kennels and dog walking and 20-foot-by-50-foot fenced-in dog park adjacent were coming in here to camp,” Whistler said. a pet lover and we have a lot of pets in the park. potty-break services. to its playground. Two entry gates ensure dogs “If you come in here today in your RV and I think those are really what set us apart. A lot “They are definitely in demand for sure, just are secure coming to and from the dog park, check in I’m going to treat you exactly the of campgrounds have off-leash areas, but I because of the sheer volume of dogs that we which also has waste stations and a large same way I’d want you to treat me if the situ - took it to the next level and made it pretty nice.” have,” said Kristine Daniels , director of mar - expanse of grass. When RVs first enter the ation were reversed. It’s the same way with With some help from campers, Tuytan built keting for Normandy Farms. She added that park, Whistler said dogs are usually on the the dogs. The dogs are part of the family. The all of the agility equipment. Each of the two almost 60% of their guests travel with their dashboard, eyes fixed on the dog park. dogs deserve to come along with you. The dog parks features a walking beam, seesaw, cul - dogs and last year 4,500 different dogs stayed “One of the things we’ve always believed deserves to have his own consideration. That’s vert pipe, “time-out” section, weaving obsta - with their owners at Normandy Farms, equat - cles and pyramid ramps. He also built benches ing to 31,045 “doggie nights” of camping. for each park and, since the large park had Freedom Tail Park is an off-leash, fenced-

Among its pet-friendly amenities, Normandy Farms Family Camping Resort in Foxboro, Mass., has a 1 1/2-acre dog park called Freedom Tail Park.

trees for shade, he built a shade shelter for the in area that offers agility equipment, a dog smaller park. He lined the perimeter with rail - wash and drinking fountain. The park recently road ties and used pea gravel around the added a water-spraying fire hydrant, and a agility equipment, with the rest being grass. designated area for dogs less than 30 pounds “I went online to look at buying this stuff is also available. and, believe me, it was going to cost us $20,000 The Canine Coop is totally enclosed, includ - per park,” he said, adding that local firefighters ing a roof, so guests are assured their pets are helped him locate four decommissioned fire safe when they need to leave them for a time. hydrants he bought for $15 each. The coop is also complete with a doghouse The results of his efforts are two dog parks and water spigot and is available to rent on an hourly, but not overnight, basis. Like the dog- walking and potty-break services, the Canine Coop allows guests to visit nearby tourist des - tinations knowing their pet will be take care of. “We are a destination park, but often peo - ple will take advantage of our proximity to Boston and Cape Cod. When you have your dog with you it’s a challenge to be able to do those things. So by offering those services such as the potty break and the dog walking service, it allows people to enjoy those oppor - tunities while still enjoying time with their pets,” Daniels explained. She added that dogs are given biscuits when they and their owners first arrive at the resort. They also are given a nametag with their name and site number on one side, and the campground’s pet policies on the other. Normandy Farms also rents pet-friendly popup campers, cabins and yurts. The decks on these rentals are fenced-in to allow dogs to roam freely while on the deck, and Daniels said these are so popular they typically rent out a year in advance. In addition, each year Normandy Farms hosts a Dog’s Day Weekend. Included among the weekend’s festivities is a dog parade, where the animals get all dressed up and walked around the park, and a local animal rescue will bring in dogs available for adoption. Guests’ dogs also compete in various contests, such as tallest dog, best trick and most well behaved. —Rick Kessler WCM 22 - August 2015 Woodall’s Campground Management GUEST VIEW Resources for Helping You Grow Yourself — and Your Business mostly online, which also provides the ability to instantly post questions or add to the dialog). • Networking; knowing others who Mary are far more proficient in their areas of Arlington expertise. I realized early on that my part — paying my dues, attending, listening and applying — was worthwhile. Hindsight To run your business every day at proved it. In no particular order, associ - peak performance, to score a perfect 10 ations helped me increase occupancy, every day in all areas of operations and develop new amenities, reduce ex - customer service, ahh, that would be penses, receive grant funding, broaden perfection! my resources, strengthen employee Then again, perfection is virtually im - benefit programs, streamline operations possible. Rather than perfection, when I and much more. had my RV park I strove to exceed expec - Associations provided me with a tations . Most park operators I know feel team I couldn’t otherwise afford. I could - that way; they want to provide great n’t have professionals on staff highly guest experiences. skilled in human resources, accounting I achieved it not only through TLC practices, corporate law, risk manage - and the addition of blood, sweat and ment, media relations, grant opportuni - tears, but also through growing myself ties, marketing, tourism, legislative and through teamwork. Growth and lobbying and so forth — but my associ - teamwork included professional organ - ations taught me and opened doors for izations and the expansive opportuni - networking with such professionals. ties and networks they provided. Another perk: In my family and in my But the value of membership comes own community, where my park owner’s from more than just paying your dues — life was alien, associations introduced you have to participate. Attend meetings me to people who walked my walk, who and events. Be an active listener. Share. could laugh with me and even lift me Discuss. Absorb. Adapt. Apply new ideas when I was troubled. to your business. I realize that schedules and budgets The Aqua-Cycle Water Trike Look at it this way: Education doesn’t limit your ability to actively join all of the end when you earn a degree. It certainly associations that are available to you. Aqua-Cycle Water Trikes are an adventure on the water for all ages. doesn’t end when you become a park Become familiar with your options, Their innovative design and durable materials allow Aqua-Cycle Water Trikes to traverse lakes, rivers and beaches with ease. Water owner. That’s probably just the begin - study their goals and their programs, ® ning. You have to stay current to stay vi - and go from there. At the very least, be - Ride a Tricycle on Water sports locations rate Aqua-Cycles at the top of their paddle boat Aquatic Adventures International, Inc. able and competitive. Actually, it’s better come involved with your local commu - rental list. Adults and children alike enjoy the safe, smooth ride. to strive to stay ahead of “current.” nity chamber of commerce and with Know the trends and advancements your industry at the regional, state and in RVing, technology, tourism, tax laws, national levels of the National Associa - local codes and every facet of business. tion of RV Parks and Campgrounds Take refresher courses in customer serv - (ARVC) and the U.S. Travel Association. ice. Apply new ideas. What was once a Today, viable associations realize grand new idea quickly becomes the members need not physically “come to - norm as your guests and competitors gether” to network. Electronic tools pro - advance with current trends. vide the means to achieve this now, For instance, if you were the first to without taking us away from our office. offer Wi-Fi or a giant inflated jumping Although I still strongly encourage in- Small Investment That Keeps on Working • Built to Last – Easy to Maintain • Made in pad, that’s great — or at least it was at the person networking, some of my chosen USA! • Environmentally Safe and Eco-Friendly • No Age Restrictions – Fun for All Ages time. Sadly, even exceptional products associations have partnered me with quickly become the new average. Aver - people in all American time zones (and 800-970-2688 • aquatic-adventures.com age isn’t bad. It’s just average. Average beyond); networking beyond the ability doesn’t impress — and it certainly to frequently meet in-person. I appreci - doesn’t exceed expectations. ate associations that have adapted pro - Technology, alone, is ever-evolving at grams to include online networking. warp speed and as it develops it impacts Travel expenses have decreased, and I our lives in countless ways. Don’t let ob - can even participate in many places in solescence happen to you. Don’t let your one day. competition gain the upper hand. And Be the best professional you can be by certainly don’t disappoint your cus - networking to create a team that com - tomers by being just status quo — or less. plements and completes your needs, as Look around your world. Wi-Fi didn’t your needs change and as technology exist when I was in college. Website? evolves. Let associations be resources for PDF? Not even! Online reservations? helping you grow yourself and your Nope. Nearly every tool I use today business. didn’t exist when I graduated or even My belief is this: Joining a profes - when I began my own business, long sional association should be about mak - after college. How did I learn to use these ing you a better professional rather than newer tools so effectively? Through about the association’s ability to directly my active involvement in professional drive traffic up your driveway. associations. Some of the more affordable and ef - Mary Arlington is a consultant, fective ways one can achieve continuing speaker and executive director of the education, or self-growth, is through: Kansas Association of RV Parks and • Participating in conferences, expos Campgrounds. Having sold her RV and seminars provided by professional park, Mary Arlington now works to help associations. other small businesses. Find her online • Reading business publications (now at www.MaryArlington.com. WCM WOODALLSCM.com August 2015 - 23 CAMPGROUND PROFILE

Wide lanes, lots of activities and plenty of shade serve as a draw for the Sandusky Bayshore KOA in Sandusky, Ohio.

Nearly Five Decades In, ‘Good Enough’ Just Isn’t Good Enough for Sandusky Bayshore KOA’s Owner Family ‘People like to see you doing things every year. They like to know you’re successful, and they like to see you putting money back into the campground,’ said Jeff Hoffman, one of the second-generation owners. The park is co-man - aged by third-generation family members. When you’re a few feet from the shore of one of They also this year agreed to play host to a the Great Lakes and the closest campground to one motorcycle group, the Widow’s Sons — an offshoot of America’s most popular amusement parks — of the Freemasons, not Hell’s Angels — for a large Cedar Point on the shore of Lake Erie — it would veterans’ gathering in late July. That came about be easy to rest on your laurels. after one of the group’s members stayed at the KOA That’s not the case at the Sandusky Bayshore during Sandusky’s Bike Week, a growing annual Kampgrounds of America (KOA) , however. While event that, added to the annual KOA Care Camps the park has been around for 47 years, the family- Big Weekend to benefit pediatric cancer camps, owned operation is in a constant state of change, makes a fifth major “holiday” crowd for the always looking to upgrade what they offer guests — Sandusky Bayshore KOA (on top of Memorial Day, all with an eye toward growing revenue. Labor Day and July 4). In the process, the sprawling RV campground Among the campground amenities is a snack has grown considerably since Robert Hoffman trailer that the park used to operate, Hoffman said, started with 36 sites in 1968. At that point, he in - but this year they decided to contract with an stalled back-in RV sites served by 20-amp electrical employee to run it. “He’s happy to have the extra hookups with no sewer or water. income and we don’t have to mess with it,” Today, the campground features 470 sites — a Hoffman explained. The campground also offers mix of tent, RV, basic cabin and park model catering to large groups. RV sites. This year, several tent sites are being In addition, the office/store/lounge/game-room converted to 28 deluxe patio RV sites with stone building has something new this year, an ice cream fire rings, Jeff Hoffman , Robert’s son and one of counter and coffee shop. “That’s doing better than the owners of the campground, told Woodall’s I thought it would,” Hoffman said. Campground Management . On the weekends, Alex Gooding — a third-gen - “What I find is people like to see you doing things eration family member who runs the park with Jeff’s every year. They like to know you’re successful, and sister, Pat Hoffman, as co-general managers — they like to see you putting money back into the uses his culinary background to offer baked goods campground,” he said. to guests, from muffins to pastries. That isn’t just about the facilities, either. The The proximity to Lake Erie recreation options is improvements include vibrant events, like fishing another big draw for guests at the Sandusky tournaments and music festivals. While a recent Bayshore KOA, and the addition of more family pro - attempt at a bluegrass festival didn’t draw the gramming has increased the number of guests Alanna Ehrnsberger (left), co-owner Jeff Hoffman and crowds the Hoffmans hoped, the family didn’t coming to the campground from within 50 miles office manager Jennifer Fultz pause at the front desk. abandon the idea entirely, instead switching this away, said Gooding. “We’ve brought in a lot of year to a country festival. activities and special events,” Gooding said. “Before 24 - August 2015 Woodall’s Campground Management The pool is such a popular amenity that the Hoffman family plans to add a second. The basic cabins predate the park joining KOA, but still draw high marks for guest satisfaction. it was just a campground.” For instance, the use of the land for athletic fields — and a motel, though they’ve consoli - areas like Cleveland, Hoffman said. there’s an August Wine and Cheese Social but the uncertainty illustrates the ten - dated their operations over the last “We’d like to add an entertainment with local wines, cheeses, meats and sion that arises when your main draw several years to the KOA, the Knight’s Inn venue with an inside stage facing music. There’s also a September flea can also be, in part, a major competitor. hotel and two MH parks. outward. We could use that for concerts market — a counterpoint to the spring The other competition is Cedar Point- “Knowing through the Knight’s Inn and dinners,” he added. flea market — along with two music related, too, with a bevy of local hotels that this generation is more of a fran - They also plan to add a second swim - events at the campground. They also and motels also competing for visitors. chise generation, they look for consis - ming pool and expand the playgrounds. offered a fairy tale-themed Mother’s Day That led to a still-unexplained mini-re - tency,” Hoffman said. So he had a change They’ve also upgraded the parkwide weekend. cession in Sandusky in 2000, Hoffman of heart about joining the franchise. Wi-Fi to an Ohio-based company’s sys - Doing all this is generally fun for said. “In 2000 our company income went In addition to the existing brand tem. “We scrapped our old system last Gooding. “I love the job, honestly,” he down 35%,” and it crawled back up recognition, it’s nice to have the market - year and put a whole new one in,” Hoff - told Woodall’s Campground Manage - slowly. “That was our own little recession ing muscle of KOA. While Gooding is the man said. “I used to run the old system. ment . “Yeah, everybody knows it’s stress - in this area,” Hoffman explained. park’s marketing guru for YouTube, Face - With this one, the company monitors it. ful because every job’s stressful — but During that time the dynamic of book and the park’s events webpage, “we They check the radios and all nine towers dealing with people all the time, people camping in the Sandusky area really can’t do the social-media marketing that to make sure they’re all working and they from all over on their vacation, 90% of changed, he said. KOA can,” Hoffman said. know how many people are on each the time everybody’s really happy and “We used to fill up with tents because That extends to search engines, too. tower,” he described. “We’ve looked and fun. I get to hear great stories — and I get our average hotel room was $120 a night. “If you put in ‘Camping Sandusky’ or we’ve had more than1,000 users at one to tell great stories.” Something happened. Hotel rooms now, ‘Camping Cedar Point,’ we pop up time. We’re lucky because we can have a Of course, given the location, most of you can get them for $69 during the sea - because they (KOA) pay the fees to move 100-megabyte pipeline, which most those vacationers are headed to the single son during the week, which is amazing,” us in Google. Generally when we check, parks can’t have.” biggest factor in the campground’s occu - he said. we’re the first or second choice on almost And as always, they’re looking for the pancy, Cedar Point, which bills itself as “That beat the heck out of our tent every Web search.” best way to keep guests happy and to “The Roller Coaster Capital of the World.” business,” he continued. “We made great “The other thing is their operating maximize revenue. “We’re going to be Cedar Point is the flagship amuse - money off of tents because you don’t give system and the way you can run your adding more RV sites, and we’re debating ment park of Cedar Fair LLC — which them anything. But we’ve been making campground,” he added. “One of the the mix between seasonal and overnight owns similar parks across the U.S. and the move to accommodate the RVs even great things with the KOA system is I sites,” Hoffman said. Canada, including California’s Knott’s more and probably will continue adding know, by site, how much revenue I’ve Whether it’s facilities, amenities or Berry Farm, Kansas City’s Worlds of Fun sites for RVs and adding some more got; I can tell by area. A lot of the changes entertainment, Gooding said, “Each year and Oceans of Fun, former Paramount seasonals.” that we’ve made are based on that infor - we’re always trying to keep going up.” — parks King’s Island and King’s Dominion While 2000 was rough, in 2008 and mation. The sites we’re putting in, those Justin Leighty WCM in Virginia and Canada’s Wonderland in 2009, the campground didn’t take any were tent sites that we really weren’t Ontario, among others. real dip. “I wouldn’t say we’re recession- getting revenue off of.” Cedar Point boasts a large collection proof, but we held our own. We stayed That helps the family make strong Campground Overview of some of the biggest, fastest roller even or actually grew,” Hoffman said. business decisions: What sites should coasters on the planet, a fact that over The Hoffmans decided to become a be converted to a different type? What Name: Sandusky/Bayshore KOA the years has drawn an extraor - sites can be blocked off for use in a Address: 2311 Cleveland Road, dinary amount of positive pub - Cedar Point is a big draw for the music festival? Sandusky, OH 44870 licity and name recognition. campground, bringing these “KOA does a survey that we get rated “We live and die off Cedar KOA campers to Sandusky. on, our NPS (net-promoter score) and Number of Sites: 470; 260 full- Point,” said Jeff Hoffman, who we do beautifully. Then you go down hookup RV sites, 80 electricity-only serves on the board of the Ohio and ‘Train’ gets zero,” Hoffman said. sites, 24 primitive cabins, 36 deluxe Campground Owners Associ - “The No. 1 problem we have that we can’t lodging, the rest primitive tent sites ation and on Sandusky’s Con - do anything about is the trains.” A freight Physical description: 20-acre vention and Visitors Bureau line, he explained, runs parallel to U.S. 6 wooded park which borders on board. on the other side of the highway, a few Lake Erie’s Sandusky Bay, with a It’s an interesting relation - dozen yards from the south side of the ship for Hoffman, too. Cedar campground. fishing pond, six buildings scat - Point has its own lodging ac - Still, the Hoffmans have tried to make tered throughout, one swimming commodations, including lemonade out of that lemon. The park pool, a jumping pillow, a play - camping options on the penin - maps show the train tracks, though with ground, a gem mine, game room, sula on which the park sits. a quaint steam locomotive depicted on basketball court, volleyball court, Cedar Point’s Lighthouse Point the tracks. “How do I beat that? We’ve horseshoe pit and bean bag toss campground doesn’t have tent even joked about having shirts made area. The park is urban, located just camping, but it does have 64 saying, ‘What train?’” off U.S. 6, though most sections cottages and 92 cabins, plus RV sites. KOA franchise in 2009 during the On balance, though, the location gives are screened from the neighboring Still, because of its limited land, as the national recession — which never really the Sandusky Bayshore KOA lots of businesses along the highway. The park grows its rides, Cedar Point has hit the campground. But even the benefits, he asserted. “We have the con - location is only three miles from reduced its numbers of campsites, transition to KOA has a story behind it. venience of city water and sewer and Cedar Point amusement park. Hoffman said. “I (initially) wasn’t a big fan of fran - we’re close to the destination park.” On the other hand, when Sandusky chising or KOA,” he said. But the family The Hoffmans are still trying to decide Season: May 1-Oct. 31 recently closed its airport — located just also owns three other properties, includ - whether to adopt the KOA Holiday or Rates: Variable east of the KOA — and sold the land to ing a hotel adjacent to — but completely KOA Resort brand. While their guests Website: koa.com/campgrounds/ Cedar Point, the rumor was that Cedar separate from — the KOA. In fact, they generally stay for a couple of days on Point would acquire it to use as a camp - used to own two other campgrounds a trip to Cedar Point, more and more sandusky ground, Hoffman said. As it turns out, and another 10 properties, including people are coming to enjoy the park’s Contact information: 419-625-1495 the amusement park is going to donate manufactured-housing communities amenities over the weekend from nearby WOODALLSCM.com August 2015 - 25 Pet Vendors — from page 17 ment, but also the park and recreation, Working with customers and my about what you do? multi-family housing, and homeowners coworkers. It’s exciting to see that we are making It has been a banner year for all of us association segments as well. It is one of Q: Do you have any pets? a difference in the world by providing a at Gerber. the fastest-growing trends in outdoor We have a Pug named Cubby and an tool to keep families and pets clean, safe Q: What do you see happening in the recreation today. Australian Shepherd/Boxer mixed and happy. market? Q: What’s new at your company that name Makwa. They are both rescue It is my understanding that the camp - you’d like to mention? dogs with very different personalities, DOGIPOT grounds are doing well so far this year, We have a brand-new misting fire hy - one quiet and one active. which is great for all of us. I see this trend drant that was released in March of this •••••••••••••••••• continuing in the campground industry year. It gives off a 10-second mist once Linda Rosado, Marketing and Brand at this point. the push-button is activated. We have Manager Q: It seems like the pet sector of the plans to include a wash-station line this DOGIPOT camping/RV market just keeps getting year, and also make some additions to Orlando, Fla. bigger, what are your thoughts? our waste-station line. 800-364-7681 Dog Parks are one of the fastest- Q: What do you enjoy the most Q: How is business in general these growing trends not only in the RV seg - about what you do? days? Great! Since 1994, DOGIPOT’s goal has been to keep pet-friendly areas clean for the health and safety of every - one to enjoy the great outdoors. Q: What do you see happening in the market? Dog owners are becoming more re - Q: Do you have any pets? ceptive to picking up after their pets for Yes I have three Bernese mountain the health and happiness of everyone. dogs: Fuji, Hawk and Killi. Q: It seems like the pet sector of the •••••••••••••••••• camping/RV market just keeps getting Elizabeth Caldwell, Marketing bigger, what are your thoughts? Manager More and more families want to Jamestown Advanced Products make sure they include the family pup Jamestown, N.Y. in their outings and we are happy that 800-452-0639 DOGIPOT is the No. 1 choice for pick- Q: How is business in general these up bags. days (pertaining to pet products line)? Q: What’s new at your company that At Jamestown Advanced Products, you’d like to mention? we continue to see growth with our dog- We have recently designed a line of park products and packages. We have pet products — bowls, crates and dog - received a lot of really great feedback houses. They’re all available at from our customers, because with hav - www.DOGIPOT.com ing three different packages to choose Q: What do you enjoy the most Pet Vendors – continued on page 28 CLASSIFIEDS Classified Advertising Rates are $1 per word, minimum $15 per ad. Payment must accompany order. Closing date is the first of the month preceding month of pub - lication. Published monthly. Make remittance payable to Woodall’s Campground Management, 2901 E. Bristol St., Ste. B, Elkhart, IN 46514 HELP WANTED CAMPGROUND MANAGERS SEEKING A CAMPGROUND MANAGER Travel Resorts of America is expanding Highly Successful Camping Resort is and is seeking both experienced and looking for a qualified manager to over - potential managers to join our profes - see all operations of the park. Working sional management team as opera - knowledge of Campground Manager tions managers, assistant managers or and Quick Books Pro is a plus. Position is managers in training. For more infor - in Cape May, New Jersey. Send resume mation about current and future open - to [email protected] ings, please contact Robert Bouse at [email protected] . “Have Fun, Make Money” with an industry leader! ADVERTISERS’ INDEX Advertiser Page # Advertiser Page #

Airwave Adventurers Inc...... 28 Mini-Golf Inc...... 8 Aquatic Adventures ...... 23 Mission Management ...... 10 B & B Electrical ...... 18 Mutt Mitt ...... 26 Book Your Site ...... 19 Pacific Yurts ...... 8 Campground Investment Opport ...... 27 Pelland Advertising...... 22 CheckBox Systems ...... 22 Phelps Honey Wagon ...... 17 Classified Ads ...... 26 RainDeck ...... 11 Dawan Global ...... 9 RVIA ...... 9 Dogipot ...... 21 Silver-top ...... 21 Dri-Dek ...... 23 Southeast Publications ...... 26 Frosty’s ...... 4 & 6 TengoInternet ...... 2 Hialeah Meter ...... 2 Tower Company ...... 12 Jamestown Advanced Products ...... 17 Utility Supply Group Inc...... 5 & 28 Kampgrounds of America ...... 7 Workamper News ...... 23 Keystone Kabins ...... 21 YES – Your Electrical Solutions ...... 6

26 - August 2015 Woodall’s Campground Management CAMPGROUND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Campground Brokers, we “Specializing in RV PARKS and CAMPGROUNDS FOR SALE” have a 30-year proven track Over 28 Years Experience record of selling parks! • We know the campground industry. www. rvpa rksforsale.com • We help educate buyers to this industry. About SOLD Out, NEED Listings • We meet the buyer to remove contingencies. 612 Sidney Baker St. • Kerrville, Texas 78028 • We personally attend every closing. Phone: 830-896-5050 • Fax: 830-896-5052 • We are available to help – before, during, and even years after the sale! CULLMAN CAMPGROUND • We promise to always tell you the truth…even if it hurts! For Sale by Owner 7th Ranch and RV Park 75 sites all full hookups, 67 pull thrus. Large We would like the opportunity to help you in the same way; contact owner ’s house, double-wide and single-wide us at 800-648-1624 or email to: [email protected] trailers, office bldg., has bath houses and laundry. 40 beautiful acres with pond and creek. Lots of vacant land for expansion. Great location; off busy I-65 in mid north Alabama. OPEN all year. $1,100,000,000. 256-734-5853 or email: [email protected]

PARK BROKERAGE INC . WANTED! TO PLACE YOUR Adjacent to the 3rd largest tourist Dardanelle Resort, Top of the Sierra RV parks with water feature AD IN THIS attraction in Montana, located next Nevada Mountains, Sonora, CA (lake, river, ocean), or near major to I-90, and nestled in the middle 6,500 feet on the Stanislaus River, 34 RV, SPECIAL SECTION: of the Big Horn and Little Horn 8 Cabins, 5 Motel Rooms, Restaurant, Store, attraction. Prefer 200+ sites with Outside Bar, Large Tent/Group Area high number of seasonal residents, River Valley, this 625-acre property Beverly Gardner & Associates $1,150,000, Seller Financing but will consider smaller parks is a gentleman ranch, home, 574-266-7980 • Fax: 574-266-7984 Pine Flat Lake RV Park, Sierra (with or without water feature), if campground, and activity center NV Foothills Near Fresno, CA have high seasonal occupancy in [email protected] full of Montana history, tradition, 200 RV Sites with All Year Round, Permanents [email protected] Very Popular Water Skiing & Fishing Lake desirable location near attractions. lifestyle, and excitement. Spacious Low Rents, Seller Financing at 5%, Family and/or retirement. Rural and friendly, this property has $3,000,000 or city location. We will decide been built and maintained to top Kern River RV Park, quickly and pay all cash or standards and awaits the second Near Sequoia National Park, CA owner to continue in the tradition 80 RV Sites on the Kern River with 8 Cabins structure sale to meet your needs. White Water Rafting Center of CA We are experienced RV park of hospitality and convenience. 12% Cash Flow with Low Rates owners and assure confidentiality. $3.625M with 5% Seller Financing Offered at $1,900,000 Brokers welcome. For Sale By Owner John Grant/Park Brokerage Inc. 11510 Caminito Garcia, San Diego, CA 92131 Please call or email us today: 60 SITE CAMPGROUND Contact Dan Kern, Broker [email protected] Phone: 518-725-2003 Rated 4 Stars by Woodalls Big Horn Real Estate 800-987-3363 • Fax 858-530-2368 All Pull-Thru Sites www.parkbrokerage.com Email: [email protected] 406-696-46 76 Bath House with Showers Laundromat Beautifully Landscaped Campgrounds/RV Parks 31 Unit Mini Storage Rental ME - NH - VT - NY 114 ACRE FARM Don Dunton – one of America’s most (Sold with campground or separately) experienced Campground/RV Park Brokers ……………………………………………… 8,000 Sq Ft STEEL BUILDING 2 Miles East of I-55 D……O…N… …D… …S…E…L…L……S… # ……1…4…5… Sikeston, Missouri This month’s featured listings: Famous Maine landmark, tours, 60 site CG, Serious Inquiries Call gift shop, FUN, much more ...... Only $749K Alex at 573-472-1339 100 sites, 200 canoe/kayaks, 1,000' major tourist river, house. Great Equip .Only $1.25M 60 sites, pond, pool, house, rentals . . . .$549K Quality 175 site Park Loaded! Pool, 2 apt, MICHIGAN CAMPGROUNDS FOR SALE Lg Act Blg, Near Mtns & Lge LAKE . .$1.395M SEVERAL CAMPGROUNDS AVAILABLE 80 sites, river, pool, Country Store, Quality Take Out, House, LOCATION! ...... $1.295M Including in North Central, South 100+ sites, pool, 2 homes, Pretty Park .$775K East and West Michigan Regions Contact Don for these and other listings. www.BuyaCampground.com BRIGGS REALTY Don @BuyaCampground.com www.briggsrealtyonline.com RE Broker, Campground Specialist. 616-942-1071 603-755-3944

WOODALLSCM.com August 2015 - 27 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

AUGUST State College, Pa. Contact: 610-767-5026 4-6: Tennessee Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds 10-12: Leisure Systems Inc. (LSI) Conference & Trade Show Symposium and Trade Show Clinton/Knoxville KOA Northern Kentucky Convention Clinton, Tenn. Center and Embassy Suites Contact: 865-685-5339, Covington, Ken. [email protected] Contact: Dean Crawford, 513-831-2100 ext. 12 SEPTEMBER [email protected]

14-20: America’s Largest RV Show 12-14: Campground Owners of Hershey, Pa. New York 2015 Exposition for Industry days: Sept. 14-15 the Outdoor Hospitality Industry Public days: Sept. 16-20 Turning Stone Resort Contact: Heather Leach Verona, N.Y. 888-303-2887, Contact: 585-586-4360 [email protected] 15-18: Camping in Ontario/OPCA 15-16: Northeast Campground Convention & CampEx Association Caesars Windsor Great Escape to Connecticut Windsor, Ontario Lone Oak Campsites Contact: 877-672-2226 East Canaan, Conn. [email protected] Contact: 800-422-2267 16-19: Kampgrounds of America OCTOBER Convention and Expo Ocean Center Convention Center 20-21: Ohio Campground Daytona Beach, Fla. Owners Association Contact: 406-254-7416, Fall Conference & POOT [email protected] Hilton Columbus/Polaris Columbus, Ohio FEBRUARY 2016 Contact: 877-787-7748 23: Kansas Association of NOVEMBER RV Parks and Campgrounds Membership Meeting 3-6: National Association of RV Four Seasons RV Acres Parks and Campgrounds Outdoor Abilene, Kan. Hospitality Conference and Expo Contact: [email protected] Ocean Center Convention Center Daytona Beach, Fla. MARCH Contact: 303-681-0401 4-5: Ohio Campground Owners 9-11: Pennsylvania Campground Association Spring Conference Owners Association & Trade Show Convention Embassy Suites Columbus Airport and Trade Show Columbus, Ohio Penn Stater Hotel Contact: 877-787-7748 WCM

Pet Vendors — from page 26 people. I love that I have a chance to look at trends in the campground in - from they are able to install agility dustry and look at creative ways for equipment based on the size of their Jamestown Advanced Products to en - space and their budget. Additionally, hance those trends and the experiences we have many customers who choose of our customers. I also love having con - to purchase from our dog agility line versations with our customers, hearing a-la-carte. Q: What do you see happening in the market? Pet products continue to gain in pop - ularity. Campground and park owners are seeing this rising trend, and in - stalling pet-friendly areas, complete with agility equipment, which in turn keeps dogs well-exercised. Q: It seems like the pet sector of the camping/RV market just keeps getting Dog Bone Bench bigger, what are your thoughts? I think that people have really em - their testimonials and receiving pictures braced their pets as part of the family from them. I feel a great sense of pride over recent years, and as a result their when I hear customers rave about the pets are going everywhere — including quality of our products and our cus - camping and RVing. tomer service. Q: What’s new at your company that Q: Do you have any pets? you’d like to mention? We’re all dog lovers at Jamestown Ad - Our engineering team is working on vanced Products! The owners of the adding products to our agility line, so company, Lee and Wendi Lodestro, stay tuned to see what we will be debut - have two giant schnauzers. Many mem - ing soon. bers of our staff also have dogs. Person - Q: What do you enjoy the most ally, my husband and I have two dogs. about what you do? Ramsay is a 6-year-old Yorkie/Jack Rus - In my position, I get to do a lot of re - sel mix, and Harley is a 2-year-old search and speak to a lot of different Yorkie/Cairn mix. —Ty Adams WCM WOODALLSCM.com August 2015 - 28