CONCORD, N.H. — Not every state park in New Hampshire includes a mountain, but all staffers might be wearing pictures of little peaks on their uniforms next summer thanks to a corporate sponsorship the state is exploring with Eastern Mountain Sports. Faced with widening budget gaps, numerous states are reaching out to private companies to sponsor state park facilities, programs or park
systems as a whole. The details are still being worked out in New Hampshire, but the intent is to have Eastern Mountain Sports promote state parks in its outdoor clothing and apparel stores in exchange for having state parks promote the company's products. That could mean park uniforms featuring the Mountain Sports logo, the company's name arranged in the shape of a mountain range.
Maine, Virginia and Georgia are among other states that either have or are looking into some kind of sponsorship with corporations to support state parks. "There's a very fine line you try to walk in doing this," said Gary Waugh, a state official in Virginia. "People come to state parks for a very natural outdoor experience and you don't want to Continued Page 2
Continued from Page 1 commercialize it. On the other hand, budgets are tight."
models for collaborating with both the public and private sector.
Unlike in other states, New Hampshire's park system hasn't had its state funding cut, because it doesn't get any — it relies solely on user fees. But even before the economy worsened, revenues typically fell well short of operating expenses, and the system faces a $1.8 million deficit.
He approached Eastern Mountain Sports in February about a partnership and began announcing it earlier this summer, though nothing has been put in writing, and its unclear whether further approval is required by state officials.
In a 10-year strategic plan published late last year, park officials urged lawmakers to consider providing annual funding but said the state also should invite communities or volunteer groups to help maintain the parks. Ted Austin, director of the Division of Parks and Recreation, said a corporate partnership is in keeping with the mandate he's under to explore new
New England and the midAtlantic region. But a company executive had a different take.
"My rationale was simply: Things you sell in your stores can wonderfully be put to good use in our parks, and activities in our parks can be thoroughly enjoyed with things you sell. So in its simplest sense, it struck me as this should be a nobrainer," Austin said in a recent interview.
stores, a "park of the future" contest might invite young people to suggest new programs and features. That could attract more active outdoor enthusiasts who now bypass the parks, he said.
In addition to uniforms, Austin envisions Eastern Mountain Sports providing kayaking lessons or other programs in state parks. In
Austin said the sponsorship plan is particularly attractive given the company's reach: Eastern Mountain Sports has more than 60 stores in
Ted Manning, vice president of merchandising and marketing for Eastern Mountain Sports, said the company would likely promote New Hampshire parks in its stores in neighboring Massachusetts, but probably not much beyond that. Though the Peterborough-based company is excited to work with its home state, it has been talking with other states as well, he said. Manning is upfront about the fact that his company hopes to make money through such partnerships, but he said larger goals include raising awareness of state parks as important natural resources and Continued
Continued creating nontraditional relationships with customers and communities. "It's not enough for EMS to simply be a retailer that buys stuff and sells stuff. We're really committed to broadening the conversation we have with the consumer," about conservation and other issues, he said. Lauren Curry, spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, said such partnerships reflect several converging trends, including state budget woes, the growing environmental movement and the private sector's desire to connect with customers in a new way. Her state has hired a marketing company to explore corporate
sponsorships that could benefit not only state parks but coastal resources and wildlife areas. Those deals may include advertisements on facilities or sponsorship of various programs, she said. "It's not one specific company or one specific project. We're looking very big-picture across our assets," she said. Though the idea sparked some public concern initially, most people realize that any sponsorship plans will be handled in a tasteful manner, she said. "We have been very careful to say we're not renaming a park after a company. No one cares more than the Department of Natural Resources about being good stewards of our states," she said. "We're the last ones who want to see our beautiful natural
Campgrounds are encouraged to log on to our new facebook page to keep abreast of the happenings of our new consumer magazine- GetawayUSA. The magazine has reached out to 66 million public email addresses.
resources cheapened in any way." Virginia is close to announcing a promotional partnership with the outdoor clothing company The North Face, said Waugh, spokesman for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. That follows the state's decision to allow an energy company to install touch-screen welcome kiosks with trail information and printable maps. Visitors have not minded the limited advertising of the company's name on the kiosks, he said. In Maine, the Bureau of Parks and Lands sometimes works with private companies on specific programs and events. The bureau launched its Maine State Parks Passport program in the spring and gave out "passports" to park-goers in an effort to get more people to state parks. Companies such as L.L. Bean, Hannaford, Oakhurst, Delorme, Kittery Trading Post and Wicked Joe's Coffee are among the sponsors of the program, and their names appear inside the passports in return for their financial support. "They're all Maine companies, and it's been mutually beneficial for us," said Will Harris, the bureau's director.
Philip McKnelly: NASPD Philip McKnelly, director of the National Association of State Park Directors, said preliminary results from a survey his group is conducting indicate a growing number of states are considering corporate sponsorships for state parks, though he wasn't aware of any that included branded uniforms like New Hampshire is considering. Richard Ober, chairman of a committee that advises New Hampshire's park system, said he doesn't expect major opposition to the Eastern Mountain Sports plan. "There is a lot of sensitivity to not commercializing the parks, to not turn them into a billboard for products and services. That's why I think the specifics of working with a New Hampshire-based outdoor recreation company seems to be about as close a mission fit as you could have," he said. "If it was to partner with Apple to promote iPods, it might have raised some eyebrows." Article: Holly Ramer Associated Press
It is with great disappointment that we report Governors Schwarzenegger’s veto of AB 1824 last week. With only three nay votes in the entire legislature, we had hoped that the Governor would see the truly bipartisan support of the bill. While being a proenvironmental issue, this was also a pro small business issue. We thought the combination of these two items, along with our members’ letter writing campaign, would convince the Governor to sign the bill. However, the Governor, backing his Green Chemistry Initiative Program, chose to veto the bill. What is the Green Chemistry Initiative? Perhaps you will remember the legislation from several years ago banning certain chemicals in plastics, specifically the type of plastic in baby bottles. The scientists put forth evidence on both sides contradicting each other’s findings. During that same year, eleven other chemical related bills tried to make their way through the legislature. Eventually, the legislators and the Governor threw their hands in the air, knowing that none of them had the collective education to understand the science behind each piece of legislation. As a result, the Governor created the Green
Chemistry Initiative, a process by which chemical issues will now be thoroughly researched by the California Department of Toxic and Substance Control (CTSC). Their findings will create regulations in which to address each individual issue. CalARVC submitted our holding tank issue to the Green Chemistry Initiative in November of 2007. However, because of our close work with CTSC, they told us up front that it will be years before our issue gets to the “top of the pile.” Knowing that CTSC would be tackling issues that affect the greatest populations first, we grappled with the decision to move forward with AB 1824. But with the support of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the State Water Resources Control Board, we decided it was worth the risk. So, what’s next politically? Our Government Affairs Committee will be reviewing our next strategic steps in September. RVIA, FMCA and the major chemical companies have offered to meet and find mutually beneficial solutions. While chemical based
Debbie Sipe: Cal-ARVC treatment products are a major problem for septic and small municipal treatment facilities, it is not the only challenge facing campground operators in regards to wastewater output. Perhaps the combined efforts of everyone in the industry can find ways to work together. And even though the campground industry is a relatively small piece of this great industry, without successful campgrounds, all other parts of the industry will suffer. We will chock this battle up to a loss, but are pleased about the amount of conversation we created around the country within and outside our industry. More, now than ever, awareness of the problems surrounding chemically based holding tank products is at its greatest point. Thetford, the largest manufacturer of chemical based products, launched their Eco-Smart line in January of 2009. Dometic Corp. has permanently removed formaldehyde from the contents of its products. Just last month ELS, the largest owner of
RV & manufactured housing communities, announced a brand new product—free of formaldehyde and other chemicals. Then there have been the longtime believers in bacterial or enzyme based products all along: Eco-Save, Heartland Labs, just to name a few. The tide is coming in and it is our sincere hope that these companies will choose to support fellow members of their industry rather than continue to sell problematic, environmentalunfriendly and hazardous products here in California and around the country. We ask campgrounds and aftermarket stores to only stock environmentally safe and septic tank friendly bacteria or enzyme based RV holding tank products. We’ll take a lesson from Canada’s “Camp Green, Canada” campaign and create our own “Camp Green, California.” We will create a central point for consumers and campground operators to access resources. We’ll provide links to the best research we can find, the EPA alert and the Univ. of Arizona publications. We’ll provide a complete list of all products available and their contents. So, yes, we lost this battle. But with the help of our members, consumers and the collective RV industry, we hope to win the war!
Ten leading manufacturers show the latest trends in recreational park trailers in the show’s unique “Park Model Village” HERSHEY, Pa. – The 42nd Annual Pennsylvania RV & Camping Show, Sept. 1519 at Hersheypark Entertainment & Resorts Complex in Hershey, Pa., will feature the nation’s largest display of recreational park trailers. Ten manufacturers will display their cottage-like trailers, also known as park models, in the soldout “Park Model Village” to more than 30,000 consumers from the Eastern U.S. and Canada who will be attending the show. Show Chairman Dan Salzgiver, an RV and park model dealer from Hanover, Pa., promises a “fabulous” show this year, with at least 20 percent more products than last year’s show. Sponsored by the 368member Pennsylvania Recreation Vehicle and Camping Association (PRVCA), the show will cover 1.6 million square feet of display space. The park model manufacturers displaying this year are Bridgeview
Manufacturing Co. Inc., Cavco Industries Inc., Chariot Eagle Inc., CrossRoads RV, Dutch Park Homes Inc., Fairmont Park Trailers, Kropf Industries Inc., Silver Top Manufacturing Co. Inc., The Barnyard and Woodland Park Inc. Park models are among the most unique products to be featured at the show because you don’t drive them and you don’t tow them. Retailing for about $40,000, these are cottagelike units with peaked shingled roofs, bay windows and lofts that people use as weekend retreats and vacation homes Because they have wheels and sit on a chassis, they are classified as recreational vehicles, so they can be placed in scenic campgrounds and RV resorts, which are often off limits to both mobile and manufactured homes. The show is important for manufacturers, dealers, vendors and park owners as the show features the first look at 2011 products. “I’m hoping we get a little shot in the arm at Hershey,” said Brad Bryant, owner of Bryant’s RV Showcase Inc. in Dallas, Pa. The Hershey show is the
first chance consumers will see many of the new models. Manufacturers often show their new units at Hershey, and then give them a final tweak before the National RV Show in Louisville, Ky., in December. “It’s good for me and it’s good for the
whole industry,” Bryant said. That’s why Salzgiver and Bryant and other park model dealers expect a good show and are hoping to write some orders.
The GetawayUSA magazine, aimed at getting more people to go camping has released the first issue statistics. The issue had 858000 actual readers from the 66 million emails sent, 8783 forwarded to a friend and 104676 read the magazine more than twice. Publishers, Industry E News LLC who are also the publishers of
Campground & RV Park E News were initially disappointed at the percentage of readers compared to what was sent but considering it was only issue 1 and the fact that a high percentage forwarded the magazine on has encouraged the publishers to move quickly on their strategy of promoting the magazine by way of camping blogs and other internet activity. Seven page spread on Tennessee “We have not wavered from the intent of the magazine, we want to be pro active in promoting the camping industry and highlight the benefits, especially for children” said publisher Dennis Macready. “Encouragement from state parks has been particularly strong with many state parks promoting GetawayUSA on their facebook pages”.
Seven page spread on Maine
The magazine features four states each issue, the first being California, Colorado, Maine and Tennessee in a colorful layout with some outstanding photography. Macready said “We endevor to wet the readers appetite to visit the state by showing great photos with informative editorial and then promote the various Continued
Seven page spread on California campground, RV park and state camping accommodation options”. Private Campgrounds and State Campground Associations are being encouraged to promote the monthly magazine via their own marketing activities. “Our marketing strategy includes promoting to existing campers and RV’rs which we will achieve with blog activity, liasons with Campgrounds, RV Resorts, State Parks, State and National Private Campground Associations, achieving a good mix between new and experienced campers” said Macready.
Advertising is available to Campgrounds by way of the “What’s your interest” links on page 6 which offers links like With Cabins, With Golf Course, KOA, Jellystone, Encore, Best Parks of America, State Park lodging etc. Advertisers can be in as many links that are relevant for one low price. The second issue of GetawayUSA is planned for distribution after September 10. First issue can be viewed herehttp://issuu.com/industryen ews/docs/issue1getaway Interested parties please contact 865 684 6632
FERNLEY-- Fernley City Council has voted 3-2 voted to increase the city’s lodging tax from 6 percent to 9 percent, which would result in an extra $171,100 to a community that’s in a county with 18.3 percent unemployment, Nevada’s highest. “Increasing the tax from 6 to 9 (percent) I think is poor oversight,” resident and Desert Rose RV Park owner Debby Skinner said. Fernley is not a destination point, and travelers
generally stay because it’s less expensive, Skinner said. She added that with an increase in the room tax, tourists will travel to Reno or Sparks, where it may be more expensive, but more amenities exist.
Council members approved an ordinance some residents hope will make unwanted campers go away, and also held a discussion about how to make downtown a more convenient place to stop.
Councilman Don Parsons Parson said that raising the tax to 9 percent would also impact other businesses that rely on travelers to the Lyon County city. An increase during these tough economic times is not wise, he added. http://www.rgj.com
Ordinance No. 1466, amends Chapter 8, “Offenses and Nuisances” of the Code of Ordinances and makes it illegal to camp inside city limits except inside a designated RV Park or campground.
The ordinance defines camping as sleeping in a vacant or condemned building, in a vehicle, tent, travel trailer, camper or any other temporary structure. The ordinance does not apply to persons participating in special events approved by the city, or to families and children camping out on their own property or with permission on a neighbor’s property. Full Article: www.kilgorenewsherald.com
COLEVILLE, Calif. -Meadowclff Lodge and RV Resort has received a new upgraded Trailer Life rating for 2010. After a close inspection of the resort, Trailer Life has awarded an improved score of 8.5 / 10 / 9. This new score is an improvement over its previous score of 8.5 / 9.5 / 8.5. In addition, in 2009, Meadowcliff Lodge and RV Resort was one of only 31
campgrounds and RV resorts across the country to earn an all around "A" grade in the nation's first consumer satisfaction survey of independent parks by GuestReviews. The only RV resort in California to have received this grade and the newly improved Trailer Life rating proves the resort is on the right track, said Tim Fesko, with Meadowcliff Lodge and RV Resort. Located in Coleville, Calif., the 20-room motel and 34
site RV park is located in the beautiful Eastern Sierra where the outdoor activities are nearly endless, said Fesko. The RV Resort offers large pull-thru and back-in sites. Each site contains full hookups, 24-channel DirecTV, free high speed Wireless Internet and a picnic table.
A new outdoor pavilion with free use of propane barbecues and a group fire pit is available for use by everyone. The resort also offers a heated swimming pool (seasonal), volleyball, horseshoes, swings, propane, rv supplies, ice and ice cream.
By Anthony Breznican, USA TODAY
long-suffering sidekick, Boo Boo.
Dan Aykroyd is bringing back a wild and crazy guy from his youth, but it’s not one of the “swinging Czech brothers.”
Both came aboard because of their ability to mimic the original sound of the HannaBarbera characters: Yogi’s affable bluster and Boo Boo’s nasal pinch.
Aykroyd voices the newly digitized Yogi Bear in a 3-D film, set to open Dec. 17, re-creating a childhood influence that nudged the Saturday Night Liveand Ghostbusters star into comedy. Even when his parents tried to put a limit on his after-school cartoon consumption, “I would sneak and watch them, and my brother would watch. Of course it became ingrained,” he says. “When I heard they were doing this project, I called my agent and said I would love to be a part of this, because it’s a part of me, all those voices.” Aykroyd co-stars with Justin Timberlake, 29, who voices Yogi’s diminutive,
“Justin, it’s little known, used to imitate cartoon characters when he was younger,” says Yogi Bear director Eric Brevig. “He said when he was learning to sing, doing vocal exercises or singing lessons, part of what he did was imitate these characters. So he came in with a prepared Boo Boo voice that he’d been doing all his life, too.” Aykroyd, 58, needs zero coaxing to break out his imitation, answering his phone with the talking bear’s familiar “Hey, hey, hey … ” Yogi, as voiced by the late Daws Butler in the early 1960s, was a takeoff on Art Carney’s Ed Norton from
Warner Bros Pictures The Honeymooners— itself a character heavily influenced by the Borscht Belt and vaudeville comics. “It’s about hitting certain notes, going back to those old Lower East Side rhythms, the Catskills, Jersey, Upstate New York,” Aykroyd says. “It’s the Yiddish language, essentially, being spoken in English. It’s the ’setup, delivery, punch’ that sitcoms live on today. That’s where the origin of American humor is.”
Children who go to the family comedy will see just the antics of a silly talking bear. But parents may simply be relieved to see Aykroyd paying homage to their treasured original. “I have kids, and I remember the characters from when I was young,” Brevig says. “I really wanted this to be a movie that doesn’t make parents feel like they’ve been marginalized by changing the characters, and trying to make them hip and different from who they are.”
New Berlin, PA – The long awaited version 3.0 of the software that will run the Virtual Outdoor Hospitality Expo, slated for November 1st thru 3rd of this year, is finally complete and, on Thursday of this week, the producers, the advisory board and several invited guests will be able to see a demonstration of the actual Expo. The previous version of the software did not fully contain the many customizations and nuances that the producers had sought for the show. “This means that our nearly 50 exhibitors can begin to set up their booths and explore the various “halls” which comprise the virtual show”, says Producer Art Lieberman. “We can now begin to set up The Registration Area, the Conference Room, the Library, the Press Room, the Lounge and, of course, the Trade Show floor. We also will be setting up the Help Desk, where attendees can learn how to navigate within the Expo and even have software installed (such as Adobe Flash Player (which is necessary to view the Expo) or the latest editions of three web browsers: Internet Explorer, Firefox and Apple Safari for Macs” The registration engine of the new software is now also ready to begin accepting attendee information and producers will be making an
announcement shortly about how to join the thousands expected to attend. Once attendees have their user name and password, which they can change at will, they can attend the Expo anytime during the three live days to view the webinars or communicate with exhibitors or the press or revisit the Expo during the 90 additional days when the Expo will be in the “on demand” status. The Expo’s co-producer Deanne Bower has been experimenting with version 2.5 of the software for several weeks while awaiting the arrival of version 3.0. “It’s so easy”, says Bower, “for an exhibitor to set-up their booths, but I can understand their concern if they are not computer literate. The instructions for importing files such as videos or brochures into the software are so explicit and easy to comprehend, that little computer expertise is necessary.” Another development that has producers excited is that the first draft of the Expo’s Souvenir Directory is ready to be sent to Campground and RV Park e-News, the directory’s publisher. The Directory will list all participants in the event including the producers, the advisory board, the sponsors,
exhibitors and each person who will be conducting webinars or participating in Open Forums. Merely by clicking on the name of a sponsor or exhibitor in the directory will “teleport” an individual into their booth or into a webinar if it is running. Deb Kohls of Leisure Interactive, who has been coordinating and booking the speakers at the Expo will be announcing the names of several of these participants very soon. The producers and Deb are extremely excited about many of the confirmed speakers who have agreed to conduct the educational portion of the Expo. One of the major advantages of a virtual show is that experts from various fields need not travel to a venue to offer to share their knowledge with attendees.
By the middle of September, the producers expect to turn their attention to soliciting attendees to the Expo. Thousands of prospective attendees will be preregistered and sent an invitation that contains a user name and password, which can be changed at the time the attendee logs into the Expo’s Website. Written instructions for viewing the entire show will accompany the invitation. Information about the Virtual Outdoor Hospitality Expo can be found at their website at www.outdoorhospitalityexpo.com
or by calling them at 877901-EXPO (3976)
More than 300 are up for sale at Campers Direct, an RV dealership in Bastrop County in Texas
auction have never been used and only about 10 percent show signs of wear and tear.
Campers Direct owner Steve Stadheim said several investors, including himself, bought more than 15,000 of the trailers in one joint deal. He estimates more than 60 percent of the trailers he bought at
Tens of thousands of government-bought travel trailers have sat idle for years, at different locations around the country, visible from Google maps satellite imagery.
The Firekeepers Resort will include a spacious, landscaped recreation vehicle park and 70 cottages north of Interstate 40 in McLoud. McLoud landowner Lance Gage and Bud Surles of Bud Surles' Signature Resorts of Canton, Texas, are the project's developers. Surles said McLoud was chosen because of its proximity to the interstate, FireLake Grand Casino and Wes Watkins Reservoir. He said the 51acre resort is expected to open in March. The resort will have firstclass accommodations for motor coach and RV rallies with buildings for special events. It will include 118 RV slots, 50 buddy sites, several casita sites, a large lodge, outdoor pavilion, bath house, laundry area, swimming pool, splash pad, pool house with exercise equipment and camper service building. "This resort will be for people who enjoy the RV lifestyle, and spend upward of $100,000 on their RV," Surles said. Four retention ponds will be built on the property to enhance the landscape and handle drainage issues. The cottages will be about 400-square-feet, fully
furnished with upscale amenities like granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. They can be purchased for $75,000 to $150,000 or leased for weekly or weekend trips, Surles said. Surles has a degree in parks and recreation from Texas A&M University. He has served as director of Arkansas State Parks, and as assistant superintendent of Yellowstone National Park. He has developed resorts in Colorado, Wyoming and Texas. About 3,600 people live in the northwest Pottawatomie County town of McLoud. Its annual city budget is about $3.5 million. McLoud City Manager Larry Dillon said the added tourism could generate as much as $200,000 annually in sales tax, and additional revenue from the sale of water and sewer services. Dillon said the town also is expected to benefit from the resort's $100,000 a year marketing budget. "In a lot of ways this resort will put us on the map, and give McLoud the opportunity to show its small-town hospitality," Dillon said.
Town trustees this week approved the zoning changes to allow the project to move forward. Dillon said a few residents have voiced concerns that the project could go bellyup and turn into a low-rent mobile home park, or that it will increase traffic and crime in the area.
RALEIGH, N.C. — Federal officials say evacuations may be required in the U.S. if Hurricane Earl tracks too close to the East Coast. Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Craig Fugate said Tuesday that people along the eastern seaboard should be prepared in case evacuations are necessary later this week.
"People that drive motor coaches don't go on crime sprees," Dillon said. "As far as I can see this is a good deal for the city." Article: http://newsok.com
Officials will be closely monitoring the movement of the Category 4 storm to determine which parts of the coast will face the greatest impact. It's too early to tell right now what those might be. Earl is forecast to potentially brush North Carolina late Thursday before running parallel to land up the East Coast on Friday and Saturday.
The Texas State Railroad campground at the Rusk depot has a new spray ground open to the public. The custommade steam engine spray ground was installed recently near the dining hall. “We wanted to add a special water feature to our RV park and campground for kids and families to enjoy while camping at the railroad,” said General Manager Chapman Boaz. “Since we offer daily passes for fisherman and park visitors, we also decided that we wanted to open the spray ground for locals to enjoy.”
Day passes are available at the reservation office, next to the tennis courts. Passes are $5 per car. A yearly pass for frequent visitors is also available for $27 a car. The campground is open to pass holders from dawn until dusk. Spray ground is open from 11a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Pass holders can utilize the charcoal grills, fishing lake, spray ground, picnic areas, restrooms, nature trails Caboose concession stand is also open on most weekends serving snow cones, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, drinks and more.
Near SNOQUALMIE PASS, Wash. -- A spectacular crash sent a man and his wife to the hospital after their RV left Interstate 90 and flew more than 100 feet through the air Sunday. Authorities said the couple was heading eastbound near the Snoqualmie Pass summit when the RV appeared to launch off a roadside dirt embankment. Fire officials said the RV crash landed on its wheels on a road running underneath I-90, then bounced up an embankment before coming to a stop. Rescuers said though the RV was crushed, the man and woman inside were conscious and breathing and still belted in their seats
after the crash. Firefighters said it took 25 minutes to cut the couple out of the cab. The victims were transported to Harborview Medical Center with pelvic injuries that were non-life threatening. “We were surprised that they were in as good as shape as they were; that’s yet to be determined since I haven’t gotten a report back from the hospital; but it appears they are going to make it,” said Snoqualmie Pass Fire Chief Matt Cowan. The couple, an 82-year-old man who was driving, and his 79-year-old wife, is from McCall, Idaho. Article: http://www.kirotv.com/news/2 4806962/detail.html
Representatives from Bella Terra Realty Holdings LLC (BTRH) announced the launch of their new corporate website, www.BTRHLLC.com. The site was developed to serve as the consulting and resort acquisition platform for BTRH, the parent company of Bella Terra of Gulf Shores, the organization’s flagship property. “Over the past two years we have been bombarded by two requests. The first, guests and owners asking where our next resort will be located and secondly, developers from coast to coast wanting to join the Bella Terra family,” said Chuck Smith, president and CEO of BTRH. “The BTRH team was put together to both actively seek out additional locations for Bella Terra resorts, as well as consult with existing and yet to be developed properties in the United States and internationally.” The website features an extensive list of services provided by BTRH in addition to those provided by their strategic partners. These include: site acquisition and design, construction management, sales and marketing, HOA management, rental
management, resort management, legal and financing. Features that will be added in the coming months include a section for best practices, blogs, research, newsletter and key industry news links. “BTRH has brought together a great resource for the industry,” said Tom Derzypolski, principal of BowStern, an integrated marketing firm specializing in the RV industry. “I would say the vast majority of developers contemplating or attempting to develop an RV resort have likely never owned an RV nor visited an RV resort. The resources available through this website will not only provide valuable insight to the nuances of the RV industry, but also improve the products being developed for the RV consumer. It’s a winwin for all.” Through their flagship property, Bella Terra of Gulf Shores in Foley, Ala., BTRH has developed multiple proprietary processes and advanced practices that offer projects seamless transition through design, development and launch of RV resorts.
“We have spent well over $1 million developing what is being recognized by industry leaders as one of the finest brands in the nation,” said Tripp Keber, COO of Bella Terra Realty
Holdings LLC. “A strong brand coupled with effective systems, offer our projects early recognition, credibility and speed to market. These are winning combinations for us and our partners.”
Delaware State Parks has announced the launch of the Great Parks Pursuit will be Sunday, Aug. 29. The program is similar to a scavenger hunt and is designed to get children and their families outdoors, enjoying healthy activities in Delaware State Parks. Participants complete up to 25 tasks in the parks to be eligible for prizes. The tasks include such activities as walking a portion of the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail in New Castle County or the Junction & Breakwater Trail in Sussex County, playing disc golf at various parks, fishing, participating in a nature program, camping in one of the state park campgrounds, boating, golfing and much more.
Families that complete four to seven of the tasks will receive the bronze level prize - two free admissions to the Killens Pond Water Park in Felton. Silver level prizes, a free two-hour canoe or kayak rental, will be awarded to families completing eight to 11 of the activities, and those completing 12 or more activities will receive the gold level prize - a free 2011 Delaware State Parks annual pass. Game sheets must be completed and postmarked by Nov. 17. Some of the activities may require a fee, and some may be limited by season. Information and game sheets are available at destateparks.com/parkspursuit, or by calling 302739-9220
September 14-15: NCA Great Escape, Danforth Bay Camping Resort, Freedom, New Hampshire. For more information contact Dianne Battles at 603-539-2069 or info@danforthbay.com The 42nd Annual Pennsylvania RV & Camping Show, Sept. 1519 at Hersheypark Entertainment & Resorts Complex in Hershey, Pa., will feature the nation’s largest display of recreational park trailers.
October 18-20: Virginia Campground Association, American Heritage RV Park, Williamsburg, Virginia. For more information contact David Gorin at 703-448-6863 or tovca@aol.com October 19-20: Ohio Campground Owners Association (OCOA) Fall Fun Day & POOT, Cherry Valley Lodge, Newark, Ohio. For more information contact
Kristy Smith at 614-221-7748
November 4-7: 47th Annual CONY Conference and Trade Show, Syracuse, New York. For more information contact Donald G. Bennett at 585586-4360 or Don@nycampgrounds.com November 7-10 KOA convention in Savannah, GA Vendors interested in the Expo or Convention sponsorships can call 406254-7435.
December 1-3: InSites Convention and Outdoor Hospitality Expo, Rio All Suites Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information visit www.arvc.org December 6-8: PCOA Conference, Wyndam, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. For more information contact Beverly Gruber at 610-767-5026 or info@pacamping.com
HARRISBURG PA - RV owners would have a place to pull off the road, park in the shade and head for slot machines and craps tables if an applicant for a resort casino license wins a nod from state regulators. Penn Harris Gaming, which includes Atlantic City attorneys among its investors, wants to transform a Holiday Inn on a busy commercial strip 10 miles west of Harrisburg into a $75 million resort casino featuring an "RV World." The existing 239-room hotel falls short of a state requirement that a resort casino have at least 275 rooms. Penn Harris investors would fix that by renting out 36 recreational vehicles on the premises for overnight stays. Penn Harris made its case Monday at the start of local hearings examining the four applications for Pennsylvania's remaining resort casino license. The hearings before the state Gaming Control Board move to the Eisenhower Hotel and Conference Center near Gettysburg today and Wednesday, Fernwood Hotel & Resort at Bushkill on Thursday and Nemacolin
Woodlands Resort in southwestern Pennsylvania on Sept. 8. "Pennsylvania is very big on RVs," said attorney John Donnelly at the Penn Harris hearing in suburban Hampden Twp. "We hope to tap a completely different market than other casinos."
Greenleaf questioned whether a lucrative RV market exists and said $1.6 million to the township is paltry compared to gambling revenues going to the state. Penn Harris Gaming faces a challenge on another front, too. Penn National Gaming, which owns Hollywood Casino east of Harrisburg, objects to the application on the grounds it doesn't
meet the hotel room requirement and is too close to Hollywood casino. Penn National emerged as a partner in Fernwood's renewed license application. A future hearing will be held to determine if Penn Harris Gaming can meet the room requirement with rented RVs, said gaming board spokesman Doug Harbach. Article: http://thetimes-tribune.com
He described south-central Pennsylvania as a magnet for RV owners with easy highway access, numerous car shows in nearby Carlisle and Hershey and tourism attractions in Amish country and Gettysburg. The 22-acre hotel premises would feature a large area where RVs would park and outdoor sports facilities for family entertainment. Attorney Michael Sklar said the project would create 300 full-time jobs and bring $1.6 million in annual revenue to Hampden Twp. while avoiding the impact of a full-fledged casino with several thousand slot machines. Resort casinos can have up to 600 slot machines and 50 gaming tables. Gaming board members heard plenty of counterarguments to the proposal. Local resident Robert
OREM, Utah, Aug. 25, 2010 – Tim Anderson has had a tough time selling his wife, Jan, on the merits of tent camping, which he typically does two or three times a year. But after winning four days and three night’s worth of free RVing through a contest cosponsored by GoCampingAmerica.com and El Monte RV through OutdoorLife.com, Anderson thinks he’s got a pretty good chance of selling her on the idea of camping in a motorhome. “I plan to take them camping in Wyoming in late September to see the
fall colors,” said Anderson, an Orem, Utah resident who grew up in Alpine, Wyo., about 30 miles south of Jackson Hole. Each participant in the online contest was required to write a short essay explaining why they like to go camping. A drawing was held earlier this month and Anderson’s name was selected. Anderson and his family will camp in a Class C motorhome provided by El Monte RV and stay in campgrounds affiliated with GoCampingAmerica.com, the website of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds.
By Larry
The EPA is said to be developing construction standards for controlling runoff. Traditionally, new construction has created more runoff by reducing the amount of ground surface available for absorbing water and snowmelt. It isn’t only the land covered with a new structure but driveways, sidewalks and parking areas that make the problem. Housing developments, shopping malls and industrial parks have used up so much available ground surface that flooding results, bringing with it more contamination of both surface and ground water. After many years of study and discussion, it appears that strict new rules are about to be introduced. The goal is to have new construction that is accompanied by runoff prevention measures to a point such that when the construction is finished the parcel of land utilized will still not have more runoff than before it was developed. Such a standard will lead to forced creativity, involving greater
use of ponds, runoff storage, recycling and strategic use of water absorbing trees and plants. Because a one hundred percent achievement of the goal will not always be practical, the guessing is that the final standard will be ninety percent, hence the reference to the ninety percent rule. It is a crying shame that such an approach needs to be mandated because common sense should have dictated to all of us years ago that this was the approach to take. Land use planning has not been anything to brag about in this country. So now, for many projects, there will be less flexibility and greater expense than would otherwise have been the case. Anyone considering new construction, whether commercially or privately, would do well to follow the ninety percent rule. With environmental protection it is wise to stay ahead of the curve.