Additional discounts are offered to parks that send multiple representatives in an effort to recognize the loyalty of family operated parks while increasing their participation in educational seminars, panel discussions, networking events and the annual tradeshow
DENVER, March 2011 – The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) has reduced the price of attending its annual Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo Continued Page 2
Continued from Page 1
possible while still ensuring that ARVC takes in just enough revenue to cover its costs in producing the Nov. 28th to Dec. 2nd convention, which will take place at the Westin Savannah Harbor Resort & Spa and Savannah International Trade and Convention Center.
by nearly a third for parks with 250 or fewer sites. “I want small and medium size park operators and their staffs to come and see what they’ve been missing,” said Paul Bambei, ARVC president and CEO. He said the price reduction was developed in direct response to members who said the high cost of conference registration prevented them from attending ARVC conferences in the past. Bambei said ARVC has also reduced conference registration rates for parks that send more than one representative in an effort to recognize and encourage attendance by multiple generations of campground family owners from the same park who have been loyal to ARVC and its state affiliates over the years. Under the new fee schedule, representatives from parks with 250 or fewer sites that sign up for a full registration to attend the event before Aug. 31st will pay $379 for the first person, a 31 percent discount from the $550 standard registration rate.
ARVC is also offering to discount registrations by an additional 10 percent, or $40, for each additional small or medium size park representative who registers for the full registration at the conference before Aug. 31st. This means that parks with multiple representatives would pay only $339 each for their additional representatives. Bambei said the new fee structure should have widespread appeal across the outdoor hospitality industry, since more than 80 percent of ARVC members parks have 250 sites or less. The large park registration fee remains at $449 if registering before August 31 for the first registrant from each large park. However, large parks with multiple registrants will also
receive a 10 percent or $45 discount for each additional registrant. That means large parks with multiple representatives would pay only $404 for each of their additional representatives. “We think our new pricing structure will be very attractive to park operators across the country,” Bambei said, adding that registration fees have been reduced as much as
Bambei said it behooves park operators to sign up for the conference before Aug. 31st because registration fees for all park representatives will revert to $550 per person after that date. For more information about this year’s Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo, please visit www.arvc.org.
Best Parks in America is pleased to be sponsoring a seminar and the Keynote Address at the upcoming Northeast Campground Conference on Monday, March 28, 2011 at 7:30 am in the Dudley Room (Off the Courtyard) Sturbridge Host Hotel, Sturbridge, MA Blake Ashdown, a key BPA Strategic Partner, will present a seminar on Sunday, March 27th, at 1 pm on Marketing in the NEW Experience Economy. Blake will also present the Keynote Address that evening at 8 pm. If you've not heard Blake, I'm sure
you will learn a great deal from the presentations. Blake will also be joining us for the Monday morning meeting of Best Parks in America affiliates and invited New England park owners who qualify for affiliation.
Blake Ashdown
On Monday morning, the NCA buffet breakfast will take place in the hotel courtyard. Our meeting room is right off the courtyard and very convenient to where breakfast will be. Please pick up your breakfast and bring it with you to the Dudley Room where the meeting will be. All park staff attending the NCA conference are cordially invited to join us. For details, please visit www.bestparks.net (the B B website) and www.bestparks.com (the consumer website).
David Gorin, President, Best Parks in America, Inc.
At a specially called Board of Directors meeting held March 7, 2011 by Chairman David L. Berg and with all but two board members present, unanimous approval was given to purchase a new ARVC headquarters office in South Denver. The office space, a westfacing corner unit within the Panorama Falls building, is located along the commercially vibrant Interstate 25 corridor, just inside the C-470 beltway. It is easily accessible to the new RTD Light Rail system, is within a mile radius of Colorado’s largest and most successful shopping mall and a variety of hotels and businesses within the Denver Technological Center, and will represent 40 fewer miles of driving per day for 90% of ARVC employees. The closing is scheduled for Wednesday, March 9th
and follows over two months of due diligence that included a full inspection and value appraisal. After closing, the office will require some slight wall reconfiguration and finish improvements that will take approximately a month to complete, with staff move in scheduled for April 8th. According to Chairman Berg, "It has been a long and arduous process, but I am confident after viewing the office this is the right property for our new ARVC headquarters. Paul Bambei is to be commended for his efforts in this process and the entire board was pleased with the final purchase price of $367,160, being half of other properties that were under consideration in the past few years."
By Art Lieberman I’m a newbie in this industry by all standards. I first became active in the industry in 2004, only seven years ago. Since then my company – MCPS for Campgrounds – and I have become extremely pro-active. Nearly four years ago, Deanne Bower joined my business and together we have made many inroads and gained huge insights into this industry. We have discovered that the more we read and discuss the issues that pertain to campgrounds, the more successful we become. This is also true for
campground owners and for suppliers too. Based upon what we’ve learned, here are some tips to help make your individual campground a success: 1. Be a joiner. Join an Association whether local, regional or national. The advantages are too many to mention. Getting in communication with others in your business is essential to success. Keeping abreast of new developments in the industry puts you ahead of the game. Join a 20 group. Attend conventions. Meet suppliers. Attend seminars
and webinars. If you have the time, join a board and share your own input. Keep in mind that your dues and convention expenses are tax deductible as a business expense. 2. Read everything. Subscribe to Woodall’s Campground Management, Campground & RV Park Enews, Park & Rec Magazine and even to the RV web newsletters such as RV Daily News, which have a Campground section. Make sure you thoroughly read the publications sent out by your Association(s). 3. Shop and compare prices. There are hundreds of suppliers out there who want your business. They’ll stock your store, provide registration programs, insurance, credit cards, WiFi, plumbing, electrical, pool and maintenance services for you and will give you good deals. Check out their reputations, beside their prices. Will they stand by what they deliver? 4. Look for things that will make your campers happy and make yours the campground they want to be at. Water parks, amusements, rides, playground equipment, miniature golf and dozens of other items that create enjoyment are available if you explore the market.
5. Use your computer, not only for e-mails and for your websites, but for a registration program, to do research, to read on-line publications and to do credit card processing. Be sure to attend our Virtual Expo too. 6. Finally, think about the families who would love to spend time at your RV Park that don’t own an RV. If you invest in cabins, park models, yurts or rental units you can expand your campground and costs can be recovered, generally, in only a year or two. I realize, in some cases, I’m preaching to the choir. But during the past seven years I’ve watched some campgrounds grow substantially, while others remain stagnant. If gas prices do climb to $5.00 a gallon, campers will become more selective in determining WHICH RV Park to stay at. Make them want to come to yours! Art Lieberman is the President of MCPS for Campgrounds and, along with Deanne Bower, is the Producer of the Virtual Outdoor Hospitality Expo II, which will begin on 11/11/11. Art can be reached at MCPS at 877858-9010 or at Campground Expo at 877901-EXPO (3976)
You have been reading and hearing a lot lately that you should be using Social Media to promote your park, but have you truly considered why you should be using Social Media? I would like to take a moment of your time to take a look at a quick analysis of who your guests most likely are, what they are looking for and how you are going to be able to recapture their interest. Bear with me while we look at a number of statistics. I promise I will get to the meat of the discussion as quickly as possible. Who is RVing in today’s world? 1.) In 2005 the University of Michigan performed a study that was commissioned by RVIA (Recreational Vehicle Industry Association) that stated “the largest segment of RV owners are aged 3554.” According to the US census figures, 11,000 Americans turn 50 EVERY day. 2.) The fastest growing segment of RV buyers is people 18-34. Have you even considered 20 something’s as a potential market for your park? Yes, they bring their own set of needs and desires, but they also have a lot of disposable income. 3.) RV ownership has grown by leaps and bounds. Over 8 million American households now own an RV. There are a large
number of parents who are now home schooling their children while living in an RV. Join that with the fact that there are a number of jobs that require the employees to move on a frequent basis. Many of these employees have found that living in an RV makes sense for their job environment. Pamela Wright Who is using Social Media in today’s world? 1.) The average age of a Facebook user is 38 years old according the team at Flowtown. This means that the vast majority of Facebook users are older than 38. Why is that true? Let’s think about it. I would guess that 90% of middle school children are on Facebook. In order to bring the average up to 38, there would have to be a lot of people much older than 38 to balance that number out. 2.) The average age of a Twitter user is 39 years old. While Twitter was once considered the place for teenagers, the tides have turned. In the last election, Twitter became a tool used by the campaigns post things like where the candidate was going to be
next, what the stance was on the latest questions and just to stay in touch with the candidate’s base. 3.) On average the social network user is 37 years old. Just like Facebook, there has to be a large number of people over 37 using Twitter in order to offset the number of younger users (and we are talking grade school users here.) 4.) When the majority of the Social Media sites are considered, the statistics say that they are dominated by the age group 35-54. Don’t believe me? Google it yourself. It is absolutely amazing how quickly this media has been adopted. What does this mean to the RV park owner? 1.) Whether you are tied in
to Social Media or not, it is very likely that your guests are already savvy in the use of Social Media. And if your guests are tied in to it, shouldn’t you be? It is a great way to stay on top of what people are saying about you, what they are looking for in an RV park and when they are most likely to travel. 2.) Your guests who are new RVer’s are of a generation where Social Media is the way you communicate not only with your friends and family but also how you get information about businesses you are interested in. Have you taken a look to see how much of your competition is currently using this medium? Are they cutting back on their print advertising? Should you? 3.) Raving is continuing in its growth. While the past few years hit all of us hard, the RV industry was one of the first to see a rebound in sales. When we used to think of RV’s as being purchased by the retired community, if we take a hard look outside the RV park office door, we will see large RV’s being driven by people in their late 30’s and early 40’s. Makes sense, as they are the ones with the income to support the cost of a 40 footer. Should you consider a Social Media plan? Which category do you fit in? Are you planning on Continued
Continued owning your RV park long term? Or maybe you are beginning to think of selling out and retiring to your own RV. If you are planning to sell out and retire then you don’t need to read any further; however, if you are planning on long term ownership, the time is now to jump into the Social Media pool. While it can be challenging to learn all of the new terms, methods, timetables and finding the time to actually manage your sites, the Social Media universe is still new enough that everyone is learning the ropes. But your window of opportunity is closing. Do you remember when having a website for your park was something that you would get around to one day? Today it is a given that you will have a park website and some means of making a reservation online. We are on that same road today
As many of you know I’m one of the few people in this industry that will speak out against AGI and their entities when I think their actions are not beneficial to the RV industry. I don’t profess to have all the answers, and I’m certainly not always right in my words or actions, but I’d like to think it is a voice of reason most of the time. I have posted an interesting
with Social Media. In a very short period of time, you are going to be expected to have a Facebook page at a bare minimum and a full fledged Social Media plan if you are going to stay current in your guest’s minds. Take the time today to get serious about where you are headed in today’s world and how you are going to stay in the race. Pamela and her company FocusedWords is dedicated to helping you promote and market your campground to RVer’s everywhere. Be sure to follow her on Twitter: @RVStops and @FocusedWords. Check out her blog at www.FocusedWords.com/blog.
Pamela has now made her database of rally Group contacts available to you. For more information, email: pwright@FocusedWords.com.
blog on the announcement this week about a new “partnership” between Camping World and Woodall’s that you may find interesting. My point in writing is to encourage you to comment on the blog if you disagree with me. I spoke to a lot of people in the RV industry this week who shared my thoughts on this announcement and I’m really curious if I am missing the boat here.
The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) and other major travel industry related partners have teamed up with Mandala Research to learn more about the “Drive Market.” Mandala Research first surveyed the consumer market to learn more about their vacation drive habits and now they are focused on learning more about this particular market from the “Operator” point of view.
You are certainly welcome to post a comment if your agree with me, but I’m not looking for kudos here – I truly want to make sure I’m speaking for the independent dealers and campgrounds that must fight this continuous battle with AGI / Good Sam / Camping World / Freedom Roads / Woodall’s Trailer Life and on and on and on ……Here’s where you can find the Camping
In an e-mail, ARVC is asking members to take a few moments to participate in the survey. “The results will truly help us learn more about this market and in turn will help ARVC in upcoming marketing efforts to bring more business to your park,” ARVC concluded.
World/Woodall’s blog: http://bit.ly/gnc1An I also posted a consumer blog this week on the merging of the Trailer Life and Woodall’s Buyers Guides into one book this year, you can read that one at http://rvinsights/blogspot.com
Campground & RV Park E News has previously run articles relating to this issue from information we have been supplied. If it has caused any confusion please read the summary from the Texas Association. "Texas Association of Campground Owners (TACO) has fielded many questions regarding the recent ADA updated rules, particularly as it relates to the new 'pool regulations and accessibility'. TACO asked their attorney, Casey Erick, http://www.mckamielaw.com /casey_erick.html to review the new law (2010 Standards) and the previous law (1991 Standards) and issue a brief summary on how this would effect TACO members. The 2-page summary is available on the TACO member site under the Legislative / Industry Advocacy tab http://tacomembers.com/doc s/Condensed-ADASummary.pdf. There is also an expanded version of the review which is 10 pages in length, available by emailing Brian Schaeffer, TACO executive Director tacoexec@swbell.net. Schaeffer commented, "This is one of the reasons
TACO members and many state association members around the country look to their local association to protect their businesses and provide timely legislative input. This happens to be a national issue but, it hit the states with little to no advance warning at the national level, thus creating a great deal of confusion. We think we have sorted that out."
The United States Department of Justice has amended its regulations implementing Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which applies to public accommodations (private businesses that fall within one of twelve categories established by the statute) and commercial facilities. Some RV Park owners have interpreted the new guidelines to require all existing recreational facilities (such as swimming pools) or elements of these facilities to be modified to meet the new accessibility guidelines. They have expressed concern that the
guidelines would have a significant economic impact on their businesses.
be carried out without much difficulty or expense). EFFECTIVE DATES
EXISTING FACILITIES To clarify, the new guidelines for recreational facilities apply to newly designed or newly constructed buildings and facilities and to existing facilities when they are altered. The rules do not require that all existing facilities be modified to meet these guidelines. However, businesses that own, lease (or lease to), or operate recreational facilities still have a separate obligation under Title III of the ADA to remove architectural barriers (known as “barrier removal�) where it is readily achievable (i.e., easily accomplishable and able to
From September 15, 2010, to March 15, 2012 If a covered entity undertakes new construction or alterations, it may choose either the 1991 Standards or the 2010 Standards. It must use that Standard for all elements in the entire facility. For example, an entity cannot use the 1991 Standards for
The new rules will become effective March 15, 2011. On March 15, 2012, compliance with the 2010 Standards will be required for new construction and alterations and barrier removal. In the period between September 15, 2010 and March 15, 2012, covered entities may choose between the 1991 Standards and the 2010 Standards. Covered entities that should have complied with the 1991 Standards during any new construction or alteration of facilities or elements, but have not done so by March 15, 2012, must comply with the 2010 Standards. A summary of the deadlines is as follows.
accessible routes and the 2010 Standards for accessible seating. On or after March 15, 2012 All newly constructed or altered facilities must comply with all of the requirements in the 2010 Standards. If elements in existing facilities already comply with corresponding Continued
Continued elements in the 1991 Standards and are not being altered, then entities are not required to make
From September 15, 2010, to March 15, 2012 If the elements in a business serving the public do not comply with the requirements for those elements in the 1991 Standards, the elements must be modified, to the extent readily achievable, using either the 1991 Standards or the 2010
changes to those elements to bring them into compliance with the 2010 Standards.
Standards. The public accommodation must use only one standard for removing barriers in the entire facility. For example, it cannot choose the 1991 Standards for accessible routes and the 2010 Standards for restrooms. On or after March 15, 2012 Elements in a facility that do
not comply with the 1991 Standards' (for example, where an existing park has never undertaken readily achievable barrier removal) must be modified using the 2010 Standards to the extent readily achievable. March 15, 2012 A covered entity must comply with the 2010 Standards' supplemental requirements in existing facilities to the extent readily achievable. SWIMMING POOLS, WADING POOLS, AND SPAS The new guidelines apply to newly designed or newly
constructed and altered swimming pools, wading pools, and spas. At least two accessible means of entry shall be provided for swimming pools. However, swimming pools with less than 300 linear feet of swimming pool wall, wave action pools, leisure rivers, sand bottom pools, and other pools where user access is limited to one area, do not need more than one accessible entry so long as it meets certain guidelines. Catch pools shall not be required to provide an accessible means of entry provided that the catch pool edge is on an accessible route.
Pine Mountain, Ga. - Pine Mountain, an RVC Outdoor Destination has announced a unique addition to their property with their “Yurt Village.” The construction of three new yurts was completed last week with a few finishing touches to be made within the month. Additionally, Pine Mountain has completed renovation of their shower and restroom facilities, which are in close proximity of Yurt Village. “We decided to build more yurts because they’re our most requested and sold out accommodation type,” said Yale Spina, Vice President of RVC Outdoor Destinations. “As seen on the Clark Howard blog, the Pine Mountain yurts offer one of the best glamping values in the market,” Spina added. Each yurt was built with quality indoor and outdoor features for guests to enjoy.
Every yurt has a fire ring and deck for outdoor activities. Indoors, guests will find attractive furnishings with a place for dining in case of inclement weather. Standard yurt features include beds with fresh linens, a tent-like design, wooden floors, advanced heating and A/C units, windows, and a skylight. Yurts are often associated with a luxury camping experience and are a rare find in the United States. Jim Anderson, General Manager at Pine Mountain, said people “love” yurts because they “provide a fresh and fun overnight experience while eliminating all the negatives associated with camping: extreme temperatures, rain, bugs, and dirt.” The price of nightly stay starts at $34.95 (off season) for a 16 foot yurt, sleeping four persons. Pine Mountain
also has 20 foot and 24 foot size yurts, sleeping up to eight comfortably. Yurts will also be available for rent at RVC Outdoor Destinations’ newest resort in Hot Springs, Arkansas – “Catherine’s Landing,” opening this spring.
Jellystone Park™ Campground in Cave City, KY is hosting its Spring Clean-up/Reward Weekend from Friday April 1 through Sunday April 3. For that weekend only free camping (or $30 credit towards a cabin per night) with 4 hours per adult cleanup help on Saturday. Mention “Clean-up” when reserving to get this special so we’ll know to count you
Pine Mountain, an RVC Outdoor Destination is located at 8804 Hamilton Rd., Pine Mountain, GA 31822. For more information, visit www.pinemountain.rvcoutdo ors.com
in! Help finish the winter chores and get Jellystone Park spick and span for the new season. Turn flower beds for planting, shovel, rake, paint, grass seeding, landscaping, and more. Bring rakes, shovels, paint brushes, brooms and window cleaner. A complimentary lunch will be served on Saturday for all workers and their families.
The RVIA Board of Directors adopted a new Strategic Plan for the association during the group’s meeting on March 2 at the Loews Ventana Canyon Hotel in Tucson, Ariz. The plan was recommended by the Strategic Planning Committee, which met two days earlier to review and update the long-term goals and objectives that will guide RVIA through 2011 and beyond. Under the new plan, the Board reaffirmed the association’s vision statement that RVIA will be the proactive leader in promoting the health, growth and expansion of the RV industry and confirmed that the
RESTON, Va. -- The RV Industry Association's Committee Week 2011 events will be held at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C. from June 6 to 9, the group announced today. During the four-day event, the association’s standing committees, executive committee and board of directors will meet to set the association’s agenda for the upcoming fiscal year. The Go RVing Coalition is also scheduled to meet during Committee Week June 6.
organization’s mission is to promote and protect its members and the RV industry by focusing on the following key goals: • Growing and expanding the RV market • Pursuing a favorable business environment for RVIA members • Promoting the health and wellbeing of RVIA • Creating a positive RV experience for all consumers • Providing industry information and knowledge • Fostering continuous improvement of RV products
In addition to a full slate of committee meetings, other key events taking during the week include: Annual Membership Meeting -- The luncheon program June 7 will include reports on the state of the association from key officials, including RVIA Chairman of the Board Gregg Fore and RVIA President Richard Coon. Capitol Hill Advocacy Day -RVIA members will visit Capitol Hill for RVIA’s Advocacy Day June 8 to increase awareness of the RV industry on the federal level. (Please note that the
“The Strategic Planning Committee headed by Doug Gaeddert did a fine job in adjusting and modifying our existing plan to address the current economic environment and marketplace,” said RVIA President Richard Coon. Richard Coon “This new plan addresses short-term objectives while setting the stage for longterm growth and success.” During their meeting, the RVIA Board also approved the creation of a Canadian Coalition Committee and revised the By-laws to accommodate the association conducting business in Canada. RVIA’s Canadian Coalition Committee will work
date is June 8, not June 9 as previously specified in the Winter 2011 print issue of RVIA Today.) Remarks from Dr. Richard Curtin -- Dr. Richard Curtin, director of consumer research at the University of Michigan, will report on the latest RV Consumer Demographic Profile research and provide his outlook for the RV industry for the coming year. The date and time of this presentation is to be determined. Committee Week meetings are open to guest attendance. However, those
alongside the RVDA of Canada and CRVA to help U.S. and Canadian manufacturers and dealers effectively coordinate efforts on important North American RV industry issues, such as the harmonization of the NFPA 1192 and Canadian Z240 RV standards and the coordination of federal and provincial legislative and regulatory lobbying efforts.
planning to attend a committee meeting as a non-member should contact the RVIA staff liaison or the committee chairman for information on the guest policy. Full details on Committee Week will be mailed to association members in early April. For more information about the event, contact Doreen Cashion in the RVIA Meetings and Shows Department at 703.620.6003, Ext. 324 or by e-mailing dcashion@rvia.org.
A YOUNG man who at age 18 was told he could not walk around a NSW caravan park at night without his parents has won his battle for compensation. Ryan Johnson, now aged 20, has been awarded $7500 for age discrimination and victimisation during his holiday at the awardwinning 3.5-star Ocean Beach Holiday Park on the state's central coast. The NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal decided he had been treated "disrespectfully" and discriminated against on the ground of his age, causing him to feel embarrassed and humiliated. It also found Mr Johnson was victimised because his family's confirmed holiday for the following year was cancelled by FreeSpirit management after it was told a complaint was being lodged with the AntiDiscrimination Board. Mr Johnson, who was paying an adult price at the park, said he was stopped by the manager at around 9pm while on his way to the beach with his girlfriend and told he could not move around the park after 9pm because there had been problems with teenage behaviour. He claimed he was told no teenager was allowed to
walk around at night without their parents. The incident had happened because he "looked like a teenager" and that the same restrictions were not applied to adults, he added. The manager, Mr Phillip Fordyce, said he did not "target" Mr Johnson but spoke with him because he was part of a larger group which he was informing of the curfew, thus ensuring that "quiet time" was observed for the benefit of everyone at the park. In recently announcing the damages, the tribunal said that at the hearing much had been made of the noise curfew. "It was submitted that the noise curfew applied to everyone at the park, whether they be young or old," it said. "The tribunal accepts this evidence but is of the view that it is irrelevant. The real issue is whether Mr Johnson was restricted in his movements because he appeared to be a teenager. The tribunal is satisfied that Mr Johnson has established that he was discriminated against on the ground of his age." The tribunal said the "coincidence" between the sending of the letter indicating there would be a complaint to the Anti-
Discrimination Board and the subsequent cancellation of the following year's reservation was "too strong to ignore". A spokesperson for FreeSpirit told Caravanning News: "FreeSpirit is disappointed with the result and is now reviewing the tribunal’s report into its findings." The 249-site park is owned by NRMA Motoring and Services and was voted number one in last year's Holidays with Kids Top 10 Family Friendly Holiday Park awards.
By Larry
Make sure you and your staff stay safe: monitor the forecasts, be prepared to sandbag, get valuables to high ground and be prepared for very rapid evacuation. Do not drive through water. Keep survival equipment in your vehicles: cell phone, water, blankets, radio and dried food. Keep those fuel tanks full and make sure when you travel somebody knows where you are. Stay in close touch with your Emergency Response office. The help needed for the kind of flooding being forecast for this spring in the north central states is of various kinds. If your facilities are safe from flooding consider providing accommodations for rescue workers, out- ofstate emergency repair crews, local residents needing temporary housing and the like. If your facilities are not safe from flooding be sure to keep your customers and patrons well advised. Remember, they must make plans. If they cannot count on you to keep them
informed you may not be able to count on them as future customers. It is always a two-way street. You may need help. Be sure to ask for what you need, the easiest way for others to know what it is you need. If your operation is likely to take an economic hit, make plans now to get financial help in order to survive: monitor closely what types of assistance may be made available, hunt around with those who might partner with you, and consider recommending other campgrounds and RV parks to your customers. Those wondering what they can do to lend a hand: for every town featured on the news there are dozens more that are being equally devastated but never make the news. You may be able to help with cleanup equipment or by spraying and disinfecting or with repairs. Ask what is needed, knowing you will get a long answer!
Lying about your age is a time-honored Internet tradition, which is why it should come as no real surprise that plenty of preteens are on Facebook nowadays. Facebook officially forbids children under the age of 13 from using the site but, according to a study from the Pew Internet and American Life Project,
there are plenty that do. About 46-percent of all American 12-year-olds use social networking sites, compared with 62-percent of 13-year-olds. It's worth pointing out that Pew's data is from September 2009, so there's a very real chance that these numbers have risen since then. Facebook's Public Policy and Online Safety team
does its best to identify minors who may be lying about their age, but it's an understandably difficult task.
schoolers are doing something a few months before they're "supposed" to.
Complicating the team's job is the fact that many parents don't have a problem with their kids using Facebook, even if the site says they're too young to do so. It should also be noted that Pew's study didn't examine social network use among kids younger than 12. If it turns out that half of all 5-year-olds are on Facebook, we might have a crisis on our hands. But it's hard to justify sounding the alarms when a bunch of middle-
http://issuu.com/industryenews/docs/getawayusamediakit1
A remote campground nestled near Camden County swampland has plans to expand with a 20room motel, a big deal in this small rural county looking to grow its ecotourism industry. Everett and Judy Sawyer, owners of North River Campground, a 25-acre mix of cabins and traveltrailer lots, plan to invest $750,000 to build the motel and a swimming pool and add 22 RV sites to the 70 already there. The campground is one of only two places where the county collects occupancy taxes, fees charged for room rentals. The other is at the U.S. Training Center, formerly known as Blackwater USA. But the campground is open to the public. The Training Center houses military and police groups. The campground attracts visitors from most of the 50 states and from as far away as the Czech Republic and Turkey. Travelers can learn of it online and in RV magazines.
Restaurants and gas stations may reap some of the benefits of increased tourism. Topside Restaurant, the closest eating place, sits a few miles away in the tiny Shiloh community but has a regional reputation for good food. "We'll send 30 or 40 at the time to them," Everett Sawyer said. The campground needs county water to expand. The county applied for and was awarded a state grant for $89,950 to run water lines from Sandy Hook Road to Garrington Island Road near the campground site. Camden has to match the grant. The grant agreement says the Sawyers must hire a full-time employee for every $10,000 spent by the local government, or nine jobs, county Manager Randell Woodruff said. Full Article: http://hamptonroads.com
Series to include two live events for Flying Flags RV Resort guests. Livingston, TX (March 2, 2011) – The RV Cooking Show, in partnership with Horizon RV Resorts, is delighted to announce episode themes for the upcoming Food, Fun & Friends at Flying Flags series. The five episode series will include two live events at Flying Flags RV Resort in Buellton, California. “It was an absolute pleasure to develop the theme schedule for this terrific new RV Cooking Show series. After all, Flying Flags is ideally located in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley, famous as Santa Barbara’s wine growing region and located right next to the lovely Danish town of Solvang. This area is a food and beverage paradise and a sensational place to go RVing,” remarked RV Cooking Show producer and host Evanne Schmarder. “I can’t wait to share off the beaten track must-sees, people, places and delicious food and entertaining howto’s with our fans. It’ll be like nothing we’ve done before,” she added. RVers and foodies alike are encouraged to book their stay now for this food and fun focused live event weekend:
The Dinner and a Movie al fresco evening, Friday, April 29th, is a genuine good-time RVer event: an opportunity to mix and mingle with other RVers and the RV Cooking Show host/crew, talk about favorite local attractions and experiences, share recipes, and make friends. The evening culminates in a food-related film shown under the stars on the resort’s big blow up movie screen. On Saturday, April 30th, guests are invited to a barbe-queue blow-out Party in Paradise. Tri-tip, a local specialty, is on the menu and the event features a live cooking demonstration, audience participation and fantastic giveaways. Other episode themes in this series include Local and Luscious where the show will explore local food producers and products then return to the resort to prepare a simple delicious dish using fresh, local ingredients in Schmarder’s RV kitchen, a peek inside the local restaurant scene and an intimate dinner party hosted by a local food luminary called Gourmet Guests and Taste of Flying Flags – a tour of some favorite local wineries/breweries and an easy entertaining how-to fireplace wine tasting and appetizer evening back at the resort.
Flying Flags RV Resort Manager Dan Baumann couldn’t be more excited. “From the moment we started planning this series with Evanne I knew we were on to something special. What a perfect way to share the culinary specialties of our area, the incredible wines of Santa Barbara county, and the picturesque beauty of the central California coast. The RV Cooking Show will be a treat not only for our regular guests who already know us, but also for RVing and cooking enthusiasts everywhere.” Episodes will be available in time for the summer
Evanne Schmarder travel season. For more information about the upcoming Food, Fun & Friends at Flying Flags series contact Evanne Schmarder, RV Cooking Show, at evanne@RVCookingShow.com
or 702-460-9863.
Hershey Lodge in Hershey, PA. Details about the show and the show drawing can be found in our Show Drawing Kit.
Reserve your space at the PA RV & Camping Show (held September 12 - 18, 2011). The Show Drawing date is Thursday, May 5 at the
To download your copy of the Show Drawing Kit, which includes the space reservation form, visit http://www.prvca.org/Portals/ 0/Show%20Drawing%20Kit %202011.pdf Simply print your form and fax it to 717-303-0297. If you have any questions, please contact the PRVCA office at 888-303-2887.
North Hollywood, CA, March 8, 2011 - Bob Zagami explores the reasons and benefits of renting an RV before buying. The article and video are live at www.RVBuddies.net now. "RV's are complex vehicles. RV's can be expensive to buy. RV's are not your father's Oldsmobile. They are all that and much more, including fun and a lifestyle that will bring years of enjoyment to your family, friends, and outdoor enthusiasts you meet along the road or in a campground," introduces Bob Zagami, Editor for RV Buddies Feature Articles. This article should be mandatory reading for anyone considering the RV lifestyle. Zagami suggests all the considerations a person should go through in
their mind in their decision making process; and provides deep links to resources like GoRVing.com and the RVRA for further research into the subject. "This is the kind of service we want to provide at RV Buddies," says Mark Summers, Executive Producer of the show. "This article is the first of many to come providing the RV community with valuable information about this great lifestyle." To read the entire article and see the video, visit www.RVBuddies.net. RV Buddies is available via internet 24/7 and is always free. For more information contact Mark Summers at: Mark@RVBuddies.Net.
Idaho parks could see fewer state tax dollars in the next state budget, though its total spending plan could increase slightly due to an increased use of fees on visitors and recreational vehicle (RV) campers. The shift is part of a new business model by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) to depend less on state funding, due in part to budgetary pressures.
Kilauea Volcano on Hawaii's Big Island spewed lava 65-feet into the air over the weekend, prompting the closure of trails and campgrounds at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a popular tourist destination for adventurers and families. "In response to the current volcanic conditions, the park has closed Chain of Craters Road and all east rift zone and coastal trails, along with the Kulanaokuaiki Campground, until further notice," reads an advisory on the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park website. A recorded message on the park's "eruption update" phone line says
that as of Monday, steam, sulfur dioxide and small traces of other volcanic gases continue to erupt from the summit. The volcano has been erupting since the early 1980s, but the collapse of the Puu Oo Crater caused the spectacular eruption on Sunday. The park may be closed, but visitors can still catch glimpse of the volcanic activity. The park recommends the patio of the Jaggar Museum, where it may be possible to catch views of the glowing crater lake "sloshing" after sunset. Fiery lava flows can also be seen at the Kalapana View Site outside the park
“We hit this parks department pretty severely in terms of general funds,� said Rep. George Eskridge, R-Dover, who helped write the new parks budget. State funding for parks dropped from almost $16 million in the 2009 budget year to a proposed $1.3 million in the 2012 budget. Eskridge and other lawmakers on the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) approved that budget unanimously Tuesday.