Issue 92 campground

AUBURN, Calif., April 27, 2010 – The California Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds has presented Bob MacKinnon with the state association’s highest honor, the Stan Martin Award, recognizing his continued volunteerism, activism and support for private park operators at state and national levels.

MacKinnon, who received the award last week during Cal-ARVC’s

Disney Co. before launching Murrieta, Calif.based MacKinnon Campground Consulting 14 years ago. He advises park operators on various aspects of campground development, operations and management.

Bob MacKinnon annual convention and tradeshow in Reno, spent more than 30 years managing resort operations for the Walt

MacKinnon is also known for having developed GuestReviews™, the campground sector’s Continued page 2

Continued from Page 1 national consumer satisfaction ratings program, which helps park operators target their improvements to meet guest expectations. He regularly offers seminars on GuestReviews and other campground management topics at industry conventions across the country.

“Bob is truly deserving of this honor,” said Debbie Sipe, Cal-ARVC’s executive director. “His experience and his passion for this industry have advanced CalARVC's and CampCalifornia Marketing's Visions for many years.”

MacKinnon has been actively involved in the campground industry for more than 20 years. He served on Cal-ARVC’s board of directors from 1995 to 2001, during which time he co-chaired

the Insurance Committee and chaired the Disaster Relief Committee. From 1999 to 2001 he cochaired the Marketing Committee. He has also been on the board of directors of CampCalifornia Marketing since 2003, and served as its secretary/treasurer since 2004.

At the national level, MacKinnon has worked as an instructor at the National School of RV Park & Campground Management since 1999 and served on its Board of Regents since 2000, including chairman in 2007 and 2008 and past chairman in 2009 and this year.

MacKinnon also served on ARVC’s board in 2001 and on the ARVC Foundation Board in 2004, 2007 and 2008. He was a member of ARVC’s Business Forum from 2008 to 2009.

GetawayUSA, the new magazine targeting 66 million and to be released end of May will be offering ad space at a highly reduced rate to campgrounds and industry associations.

"The rates are structured to make it affordable for campgrounds to reach this massive new audience" said Publisher Dennis Macready.

"Late this week we will be sending a draft of the magazine along with a rate card to our 10000 strong campgrounds that receive this weekly E News." he said.

The magazine will only be available online with an easy print function should

the reader wish to print it out.

There has been a lot of interest already and the focus remains at "growing the industry."

Discussions are also taking place to increase distribution via other opportunities that have arisen where the magazine will reach existing RV'ers and campers.

For information phone: 865 684 6632 admin@industryenews.com

SANTA CLAUS, IN-----Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort received high ratings in two of the camping industry’s top publications, Woodall’s North American Campground Directory and Trailer Life Campground Directory.

Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort is one of only 307 parks listed in the 2010 Woodall’s North American Campground Directory to attain Woodall’s highest rating in both Facilities and Recreation. On a scale of 1W to 5W, Lake Rudolph scored 5W in both

categories. This select group represents less than 4% of the privately owned parks included in the 2010 edition.

Trailer Life Campground Directory also listed Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort as one of the top-rated parks for 2010.

The RV park was graded on a scale of 1 to 10 in the following categories: 1.

Completeness of facilities (including roads, sites, services, hookups and recreation) 2. Cleanliness and physical characteristics of restrooms and showers

3. Visual appearance and environment quality (including building maintenance, trash disposal, park setting and site layout) Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort earned a score of 9.5 in all three categories.

Of the more than 12,000 parks in the network Lake Rudolph placed in the top 300.

“It is wonderful to be so highly recognized by these two publications,” says Philip Koch, owner of Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort. “We work very hard to be a leader among our industry and it is nice to know that we are accomplishing that.”

The closest camping and lodging to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, Lake Rudolph features 216 family lodging options including rental RVs and cabins. The campground also offers 200 full-hookup RV sites, including 100 sites with concrete pads. The resort also includes 40 tent sites with water and electric.

Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort, located in Santa Claus, Indiana, opens daily this Friday, April 30.

The second annual CAMPCollege was held on April 26, 2010 at the beautiful Cherry Hill Park in College Park, Maryland.

CAMP-College is a one day intensive learning program for members for CAMP (Campground Association Management Professionals).

Representatives from over twenty camping associations attended the full day event which is sponsored entirely by Evergreen USA. Attendees primarily include association executive directors and officers of their boards.

Lucas Hartford, President of Evergreen, said

“Attendance at CAMPCollege was up 21% over last year. We are delighted to be able to sponsor this special education day for a second year. Because Evergreen only insures campgrounds and RV parks our future successes are tied to the camping industry, so helping to provide education to many of our industry leaders is a great way for us to give back to our industry.”

This year’s speakers included Bob Harris, the leading authority on associations, who spoke on Best Practices and Risk Management for associations. Cal Clemons, author of the book The Perfect Board, spoke about common issues seen by

Camping in Ontario's Beth Potter and Linda Profaizer ARVC met at CAMP College associations. Gregg Melia was also a speaker and spoke about the CAE designation and the education that entails.

Hartford also stated, “CAMP-College is very lucky that Cherry Hill Park in College Park, Maryland

is willing to host this event at their beautiful conference facility. It was great to see this group of industry leaders working so hard to find ways to improve their associations to help the camping industry.”

On Tuesday, April 27, 2010, CAMP conducted a business meeting at Cherry Hill Park, followed by National ARVC’s National Issues Conference on the

afternoon of April 27 and all day on April 28.

Photos supplied by Lucas Hartford, Evergreen Insurance.

1st row (kneeling): Cyndy Zbierski, NCA; Mari Garland, CCLOA; Debbie Sipe, CalARVC; Debbie Smith, PCOA 2nd row (standing): Janice Atwood, Cherry Hill Park; Linda Gurevich, Cherry Hill Park; Suzanne Mark, Tennessee ARVC; Jay Otto, NJCOA; Marji Otto, NJCOA; Charlene Barbour, Carolinas ARVC; Paula Carroll, MACO; Shannon Miller, ACOA; Kathy Frederick, CCOA; Lori Severson, WACO; Karen Radomski, WACO; Beverly Gruber, PCOA; Linda Alcorn, MOARVC; Ruth Jaszewski, WACO 3rd row (standing): Bruce Edgecomb, MECOA; Patty Edgecomb, MECOA; Beth Potter, Camping in Ontario; Don Bennett, Jr., CONY; Marcia Galvin, MACO; Justin Irons, MAC; Debbie Carter, MAC; David Gorin, Virginia Campground Association; Linda Profaizer, National ARVC; Wayne Purchase, ARVC Michigan; Peter Daniels, VCA; Michael Moore, TACO; Rick Abare, MECOA

The Conference facility at Cherry Hill Park

Not in photo but attending: Lucas Hartford, Evergreen; Mary Jo McCulloch, Maryland Tourism Council; Gwenn Ackerman, Maryland Tourism Council; Amy Winston, Maryland Tourism Council; Gregg Pitman, NeHaCa; Mike Gurevich, Cherry Hill Park; Norm Gurevich, Cherry Hill Park

Yogi at Jellystone campground in Waller TX Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park campground in Waller, TX has been recognized with the Entrepreneur of the Year Award by the Jellystone Park franchise system. The award recognizes Camp-Resorts that showed an ability to thrive despite a challenging economy, generating a large increase in revenue while continuing to offer a quality product at a reasonable price.

Located 35 miles northwest of Houston, the Waller campground has built on its legacy of strong revenue growth despite the difficult economy. With families on the lookout for quality entertainment at a budget-friendly price, the campground has the perfect solution. Guests love the snack bar, game room and cartoon theater; comfortable cabins and full hook-up RV sites. A water playground features the Serpent Water Slide—180

feet of twisting, turning excitement – and will soon introduce the new Pine Tree Plunge, a six-lane slide that stands 50 feet high and sends riders down 350 feet of wet ‘n wild freefall.

“This is the fourth year in a row we have won this award,” said campground owner Bruce Bryant. “It’s an incredibly gratifying feeling that our guests continue to show their approval of our hard work and quest for excellence.”

Campground guests also will enjoy the stocked fishing lake, swimming pool, tennis court, playgrounds, mini golf course and petting zoo. The wooded, shaded sites and nature trails are perfect for guests looking to relax and take in the outdoor experience. The Waller campground is open yearround.

BILLINGS, MT (April 26, 2010) – Take a campground loaded with fun family activities, add a colorful red character that represents one of the world’s iconic candy brands, and you just know you’re in for a good time.

The Jelly Belly Candy Company will be teaming up with Kampgrounds of America on Mothers Day Weekend, May 7-8, at the Stockton Delta, California KOA Campground for a Very Jelly Belly Mother’s Day Weekend.

The Stockton Delta KOA event follows a similar successful Easter weekend event at the Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay, California KOA. “We’ve never done anything quite like this before,” said Stephanie Scott, Event Marketing Manager for Jelly Belly.

“These are absolutely

wonderful events. The enthusiasm from the campground staff and the campers is tremendous.”

On Friday, May 7 at the Stockton Delta KOA, located at 14900 West Highway 12 just west of Lodi, the event will begin with a “Top Your Own Sundaes, Jelly Belly Style” Ice Cream Social at 7 p.m. in the campground pavilion.

On Saturday, May 8, the day will begin at 10 a.m. with Jelly Bean art classes, where kids can make Mom a special Jelly Bellyinspired gift. At 11, there will be a slip and slide before the kids join the iconic Jelly Belly mascot as “jumping beans” on the campground’s giant jumping pillow.

The big event comes at 2 p.m. Saturday, with the Jelly Belly Cupcake Decorating Classes in the pavilion. The rest of Saturday is filled with other fun events such as Jelly Bean Fishing, hay wagon

rides and Kampfire Karaoke. The event ends Saturday night at dust with a outdoor showing of the movie, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

“We’re still working on ways to make our next event at the Stockton/Delta KOA even better,” Scott said. “I think we’re onto something here.”

Cupcake decorating will be one event that the entire family can enjoy.

For more information on Jelly Belly Candy Company, go to www.jellybelly.com.

Jelly Belly's iconic mascot will be on hand at the Stockton Delta KOA for pictures and play with the kids.

An investor has purchased the dilapidated 100-site park and has hired a campground management company to fix it up and turn it into a family friendly campground in time for the summer camping season FELTON, Calif., April 26, 2010 – A new owner has purchased River Grove RV Resort and plans to invest up to $400,000 in improvements to turn the dilapidated private membership park into a family friendly campground with a new name: Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort.

In fact, the new owner will reopen the park May 1st, said James Urquhart, coowner of Petaluma-based Campground Management Group Inc., whose firm has been retained to manage the property.

A new website for the park that includes online reservations can already be accessed at www.santacruzredwoodsrvr esort.com.

“It really was a shambles of a park in a state of disrepair,” Urquhart said.

“We’ve already hauled away several dumpsters filled with debris and we have construction crews completing improvements right now.”

Initial improvements include newly leveled and graded campsites, new septic systems and new electrical connections at each campsite as well as renovations to the park office and bathrooms.

The new owner also plans to install a playground, amphitheatre, campfire center and dog park by Memorial Day. “The new owner fell in love with this park and over the next two years is expected to invest about $400,000 in improvements,” Urquhart said.

River Grove RV Resort was originally designed over 30 years ago.

But later went through several changes of ownership. “It had been a membership only park for many years, but the

the California Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds.

previous owner was unable to make the payments on the note and the park fell into disrepair,” Urquhart said.

He said campers who had purchased memberships to River Grove RV Resort will be offered introductory discount camping rates to the newly remodeled park, but the primary focus of the park will be to serve the general public as a family camping resort.

“We’re very pleased to hear that an investor has taken an interest in transforming River Grove RV Resort into a well maintained, family campground,” said Debbie Sipe, executive director of

Sipe added that the private campground industry is attracting growing numbers of investors who are purchasing parks and transforming them into attractive weekend retreats or vacation destinations for California residents as well as visitors from outside the state.

“Entrepreneurs and investors are increasingly realizing that the campground business is a viable and growing niche within the travel and tourism industry,” Sipe said, adding that the campground industry has been the most resilient segment of the tourism business during the recession.

No nudes is bad nudes for the last nudist colony in Manitoba according to The Edmonton Journal.

And so it's closing.

The Crocus Grove "clothing optional" campground, in operation since 1969, is replacing bir thday suits with bathing suits and reopening as a traditional campground.

At least owners Ray and Susan Ryynanen haven't lost their sense of humour.

The headline to their news release blares: Put Your Pants Back On! "All of the major nudist organizations are suffering declines in membership throughout the United States and Canada," said Susan, who bought Crocus Grove three years ago with husband, Ray. "The irony is sex and nudity is more out in the public than ever. But it seems we're getting more prudish about nudity at the same time," she said.

Another reason for the decline in nudists, she believes, is a different attitude among the generations. "It's common knowledge the gen Xers are not joiners. They want to be independent, just to come and go," she said.

Crocus Grove was started

in 1969 by Leon and Evelyn Prucyk. After Leon died in 2005, the Ryynanens, nudists at the campground, bought it to keep it going.

However, at the end it was only running at 30 per cent occupancy "and that can't pay the bills."

Two years ago, Muskua Meadow, another nudist campground east of Winnipeg, closed.

"It really is a fantastic way of life. It's difficult to understand unless you have the experience of it," Ryynanen said. "The women I speak with find it more freeing. Basically, we're really comfortable with who we are and how we look." www.edmontonjournal.com

New Berlin, PA – The Virtual Outdoor Hospitality Show, which will be available to attendees from around the world on November 1-3 of this year, has become an International event.

“This was our dream of the Expo since its inception”, says co-Producer Deanne Bower. “We’re happy to announce the first of what will be many International organizations that we anticipate will agree to participate. We are hoping to gain their input into the industry as it is seen through the eyes of outdoor hospitality businesses in international markets, although our first participants aren’t really that far away”, laughs Bower.

The reason for the minicelebration at Campground Expos, the producer of the event, is that CAMPING IN ONTARIO has agreed to take part in the event. The organization boasts hundreds of campgrounds in the province and has dozens of associate members that solicit business from campground members. The association’s website is at www.campinginontario.ca and their 128-page directory is available as a PDF file at: http://www.campinginontario .ca/Content/File/Public_Dire ctory/Directory2010_interior _v7.pdf.

Producer Art Lieberman was ebullient about Camping in Ontario’s involvement. “This might

give our exhibitors access to a market they did not have the ability to explore, while giving campground owners in Canada the opportunity to purchase goods and services which they haven’t previously had access to. This, however, might only be the beginning of the effort, to reach out to our neighbors to the north”, says Lieberman.

Mark Weiser, Manager, Membership & Development of Camping in Ontario promoted the event to the Board and seemed pleased that the Association had agreed to take part in the EXPO. Expo Producers are having discussions with companies involved in the

marina industry. Their amazing website www.marinas.com contains information on approximately15,000 marinas from around the world.

This industry is, of course, part of the outdoor hospitality industry that the Expo is targeting. The aerial photography of marinas from around that is prevalent on the website is fascinating. “Marina owners would be a welcome addition to the attendees for the expo. Additionally, there are many suppliers to the marina industry that might consider exhibiting at the event,” said Lieberman.

The Expo can be contacted at www.outdoorhospitalityexpo.com.

Jim and Jill Kavicky, owners of the Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park campground in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, have been recognized as Operators of the Year by the Jellystone Park franchise system.

The Operator of the Year Award is given to the individual or team directly responsible for the day-today operation of a CampResort in recognition of excellence in management.

Evaluation criteria include customer service, inspection ratings, daily management and business growth.

“We appreciate LSI’s recognition of our hard work to improve the management and inspection ratings of our park over the eight years of ownership, and we’re grateful for their continued guidance and support,” said Jim Kavicky. “As a family that camped at our park before owning it, we are honored to have the opportunity to direct the operations of the park toward its original look and

atmosphere to offer families an exceptional camping and entertainment experience.”

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park campground at Sturgeon Bay is the original Jellystone Park campground, started by founder Doug Haag 41 years ago. Located in picturesque Door County, WI, the park offers the finest area camping amenities and accommodations at reasonable prices. With campsites for tents, travel trailers and RVs, as well as furnished cabins, every guest will feel at home.

Families can enjoy two heated pools and a kiddie pool, miniature golf, three playgrounds, basketball, soccer, softball, arts & crafts, the Yogi Bear theater, a dance pavilion and more.

Every weekend features themed activities, and the original Old Faceful geyser re-opened when the campground celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2009.

The Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park campground at Sturgeon Bay is open May 15 – September 13, 2010.

How can we prevent computer viruses is the big question that millions of users make everyday. The first rule in this eternal battle for computer security is to have an up-todate antivirus. Notice the word up-to-date. That means that your antivirus software needs to be updated every day.

Viruses are always appearing, so do not sub estimate them. In less than 24 hours your antivirus could be obsolete.

Do not use disks that other people gave you, even from work. The disk could be infected with a virus. Of course, you can run a virus scan on it first to check it out, but AV programs are not 100% effective. If the disk (especially if its a hard disk) can be wiped using a bootable CD like DBAN (Google DBAN and you will see the page) and then the drive will be completely safe. Disable any autorun options so that you can scan contents of the disk before executing them.

Do not download software from just any old website.

If it is a reputable site that you trust, you are probably safe. The threat is not only from software; don't download Word documents or other nonHTML files that have something other than one of the extensions listed above, either.

Set up your Windows Update to automatically download patches and upgrades. This will allow your computer to automatically download any updates to both the operating system (I.E Windows) and Internet Explorer. These updates fix security holes in both pieces of software.

Consider switching to a different web browser.

Other web browsers (such as Firefox or Opera) are considered to have better security than Internet Explorer; some people also see them as more flexible and extensible browsers.

Be careful when surfing.

You can get a malicious script from a webpage and not know it. If you have your IE set up for the maximum security settings, you are probably safe. You can try disabling javascript, but it may also break benign functionality on reputable websites. If you ever get a window asking if you want to allow an automatic install, say "No" unless you know the site requesting the install.

Also, don't go to any porn sites. Those are almost always viruses.

Read about the latest virus threats so you are aware of the potential danger. Go to Symantec's page to read about them daily.

Try to balance paranoia with common sense. Some people get really weird about viruses, spyware, etc. It's just a computer!

Back up your data and follow these steps, and it shouldn't be a big problem.

Some people would suggest that you make sure you have a firewall and run anti-spyware programs as well. I'm not sure either of those will protect you from viruses, but they will protect you from cracking and from spyware. Microsoft's Antispyware and Ad-Aware are the best antispyware/virus programs I have found. Good luck!

Use a software firewall!

Even if you have a hardware firewall, always use a software firewall (ex.

Norton, Mcafee, there's also free ones- ZoneLabs ZoneAlarm).

Scan things you download! Be a total nut with this. Scanning new files is cheap, fast, and easy. Even if the file came from a trusted source, their computer might have been compromised without their knowledge.

Anything you get from P2P software you should scan, as you are getting it from a stranger.

Stay away from filesharing sites. Sites that distribute illegal versions of software (sometimes referred to as cracks), music, or "free movies" are known to be riddled with virii and trojans. This include torrents or other forms of P2P activities.

Staying away from these sites is in your computer's health's best interest, as well as a good way to avoid being sued for copyright violation.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is encouraging people to participate in a new initiative to conserve outdoor spaces and enjoy the outdoors.

Ocean Lakes Family Campground has been awarded the 2010 Earth Day Award by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control for its iCare Program aimed at helping reduce the environmental impact of the campground and its guests.

Salazar issued the call Sunday as he visited Mesa Verde National Park to promote better campgrounds and roads coming from about $10.1 million in stimulus money.

The park is also getting a new visitors center and the biggest update to the Spruce Tree House Trail since the cliff dwelling opened to the public in 1908.

President Barack Obama announced the "America's Great Outdoors" program earlier this month and Salazar says officials will be traveling around the country

to hear about the places people care about.

Trips to Florida's Everglades and Los Angeles are planned so far.

Most campground directory websites are limited to parks that are affiliated with a particular campground chain or association or government agency, AccessCamping.com provides links to more than 500 campground databases across the country A new website portal has been created that provides consumers with an unprecedented ability to quickly find privately owned and operated campgrounds, RV parks and resorts as well as government run campgrounds across the country.

The easy-to-use website, www.AccessCamping.com , also includes an iPhone application.

“There has never been a website like this before,” said Brian Schaeffer, president and CEO of Texas Advertising, which developed the website portal.

“Just click on a state on our U.S. map and AccessCamping.com will provide you with links to websites with listings of either privately owned and operated campgrounds or government-run campgrounds, depending on your selection.”

Deb Carter, exective director of the Maryland

Campground Owners Association put it this way: “Many words come to mind regarding your new website - but WOW seems to be the most appropriate! You've built a site that's easy to understand, intuitive to navigate, includes tons of information and is pleasing to the eye with clear graphics, inviting text and beautiful photos.

Being admittedly biased, I checked the Maryland information first - and it's fantastic. When I click Maryland on the US map, I go straight to our state page and can easily stay there and browse. It's full of great information, with a link to our own state website. It's clear that the entire website focuses on pampering the camper helping them find the perfect spot for their home away from home. Nicely done!”

AccessCamping.com also includes links to online databases of the major campground industry directories, including those provided by the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, the Trailer Life and Woodall’s North American Campground Directories, as well as the websites of campground chains, such as Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA) and Jellystone Park CampResorts.

Schaeffer said the portal is needed because most websites have limited campground listings.

“The government run websites, for the most part, list only government run parks while the websites for campground industry associations typically limit their listings to parks that are

members of their associations. As a result,” he said, “most websites only give the camping consumer a partial view of what’s out there in terms of potential camping venues.”

“Finally, a national camping website that gets the camper where he really wants to go,” said Rick Abare, executive director of the Maine Campground Owners Association and current president of Campground Association Management Professionals.

For more information on AccessCamping.com, please contact Brian Schaeffer at (817) 307-0129 or email him at brian@texasadvertising.com.

which First Merchants of Decatur provided.

Ryan Crismore can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s not an oncoming train. It’s an oncoming 1964 Malibu station wagon.

The ’64 Malibu, after all, is where all this campground business began for Crismore and his wife of 35 years, Ann Marie. And it’s not like what happens from Friday through next Sunday will be the end of it.

It will, instead, be the beginning.

The Crismores will throw an official grand opening that weekend for their 80-site Bluffton/Fort Wayne South Kampgrounds of America campground, a wooded 30acre spread on the western edge of Bluffton that includes full hookups, a kitchen/pavilion, an inground pool and playground, restrooms, showers, a general store and laundry. It’s the culmination of a dream that first took form after Ryan retired from the Bluffton Fire Department in 2001 after 26 years, but whose inspiration goes back 30some years beyond that.

To a ’64 Malibu station wagon. And a homemade tent-top camper. And family vacations around open cookfires that stick with, and inspire, Crismore to this day.

“I have five brothers and sisters, and every summer piled into a ’64 Malibu station wagon with our hand-built camper, and away we went,” he says.

“We were the Griswolds before the Griswolds were in vogue.”

That legacy only got stronger in 1975, when Ryan married Ann Marie, who grew up in a large camping family herself.

One of their first purchases, Ryan remembers, was a tent. When their girls got older, they upgraded to a travel trailer. And the seeds of their future enterprise blossomed.

“It’s been my desire for a very, very long time to provide leisure time through camping,” Crismore says.

It wasn’t until 2007, however, that the desire became concrete reality.

The impetus was the sale of a large mobile home facility the Crismores had been managing for 30 years. Rather than seek out a new owner, they opted to bet their money, and their future, on a campground.

The key was to link up with KOA (“We decided to franchise with KOA very early in the decisionmaking process,” Crismore says) and secure financing,

The Crismores, who’ve done much of the infrastructure construction themselves, broke ground on the project in September 2007, and it’s been almost three years of hard work and challenges since.

There was the time when they hit solid limestone trying to lay the sewage lines, and had to jackhammer it out to get the lines in place.

There was the sopping year of 2008 (“Absolutely a horrendous year,” Crismore says) when

equipment kept getting stuck and breaking. And there were the five camping cabins the Crismores had to build to satisfy KOA’s requirements, and which added an extra $70,000 to the project.

Then came May 2009, and the payoff. That’s when the Crismores began opening the stilluncompleted facility to visitors, and the visitors came.

By the end of the season they’d welcomed just short of 1,500 campers, almost 500 more than projected.

Full Article: www.journalgazette.net

By Larry

Here are a few suggestions to consider.

Be sure to ask your walkers for their suggestions.

Walking trails are one of those amenities that make a difference when people decide where to stay. Most of us want to exercise when we go on getaways.

But we do not want to exercise in ways that take too long, eat up too much money, interfere with other activities, keep us from doing nothing or otherwise become a bother. We want to have our cake and eat it too.

Walking fits the bill: easy, healthy, handy and quick.

Walking is also flexible: it can be a social or solitary activity, it can be done at any time of day or night and it can be strenuous or relaxing. From an environmental point of view it is ideal: no emissions from engines, no destruction of plants or wildlife, no soil contamination.

• check for poison ivy, poison oak and any other noxious weeds, vines, bushes and irritants.

Nobody wants to go home with poison ivy, skin rashes or watering eyes.

• check your trails periodically for glass, nails and similar hazards.

• what about sanitation? If the trail goes out more than 15 minutes from existing sanitation facilities consider installing a facility, something simple that requires low maintenance, such as a waterless system like the Eloos advertised in this publication.

• discourage people from walking alone at night.

Be sure to post information about other convenient nearby trails.

Variety and beauty are important. Nobody wants walking to become monotonous or boring.

For many people walking is a necessity for their health. It takes willpower and discipline to stick to the required exercise.

Beauty and variety help.

Walk and be well!

The wind picked up, rustling the prairie grass and stoking the two flapping Texas flags left behind at the entrance of the 55-acre Texas Sundown Ranch.

Other than the lull of the interstate traffic, all is quiet on the property, which was once home to RV residents and celebrations.

After the company filed for bankruptcy, any items of value left at Texas Sundown Ranch were sold off and the property was placed on the auction block this month.

PointBank in Pilot Point purchased the property at the auction.

“We’ve already had interested parties looking at the property,” said Ray David, president of PointBank. “I think they are still investigating the best use of the property.”

David said those interested parties would likely continue to use the property as an RV park and retreat center. www.dentonrc.com

Frank and Stefi Davies, owners of the Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park campground in Kingston, Nova Scotia, have been recognized as Operators of the Year by the Jellystone Park franchise system.

The Operator of the Year Award recognizes excellence in management and is presented to the individual or team responsible for day-to-day operation of a Camp-Resort. Evaluation criteria include customer service, inspection ratings, daily management and business growth.

“We are honored to be named Operators of the Year,” said Stefi Davies, family campground owner.

“We love what we do, and the best part is getting the chance to help families make amazing memories. Our team works hard to run the best property possible, and

we’re proud to have those efforts recognized.”

Nestled in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, the Jellystone Park is the highest-rated campground in the Maritimes. The park offers a full range of camping options, from rustic tent sites to RV sites complete with free WiFi Internet access, to cabins.

Guests can enjoy a wide variety of amenities and activities, from themed weekends and social gettogethers, to the popular Jumping Pillow, a kiddie waterslide and bumper boats, doggy playground, miniature golf, jumbo playground, heated swimming pools and beach volleyball. The Canadian campground also features the Old Faceful Mining Company, where campers can pan for gems.

The Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park campground at Kingston, Nova Scotia is open May 14 – Sept. 19, 2010.

The California Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds and CrossRoads RV announced the promotion during the association’s annual convention and tradeshow, which took place April 19 to 21 in Reno, Nevada AUBURN, Calif., April 27, 2010 – CrossRoads RV has agreed to provide the California Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds with a 2011 Slingshot RV Travel Trailer to award as a grand prize in a sweepstakes competition designed to promote camping and RVing.

Cal-ARVC Executive Director Debbie Sipe and CrossRoads RV President Mark Lucas announced the promotion last week during the association’s annual convention and tradeshow in Reno, Nev. “I can’t tell you how excited we are to have a partnership with CrossRoads RV,” Sipe said. “They understand the importance of promoting RV and camping options in California. Our members and the camping public will benefit from this partnership for years to come.”

Lucas, for his part, said he, too, is excited about the promotion. “The California State Fair is a great

opportunity to showcase the family friendly activities available throughout the state and we’re thrilled to have our Slingshot as the grand prize, he said, adding, “Just as camping is accessible to all types of families, this trailer, the lightest in the industry, can be towed by all types of vehicles. There is no need for a special heavy duty truck because fuelefficient minivans, small SUVs and crossovers are the perfect tow vehicle for this unit.”

The Slingshot travel trailer to be awarded at the State Fair will be provided by Happy Daze RV’s in Sacramento. “We think this is a great opportunity.

RVing is about spending time with family. It’s also a great way to see California,” said Ronnie Radigan, general sales manager for Happy Daze RV’s.

The CrossRoads Slingshot Travel Trailer and other RVs will be on display along with other camping equipment during a four-day period at the California State Fair from July 24th to 27th at Cal Expo in Sacramento.

Campgrounds, RV parks and resorts and travel destinations will also be featured at the State Fair, which will include a 2,500square foot display that shows people how they

can camp in different parts of the state. “We’ll have hands on activities, such as geocaching, demonstrations on how to set up a tent and use a Coleman stove as well as classic outdoor games, such as sack races and water balloon tosses,” Sipe said.

available at the fair. All finalists will be invited to appear on stage July 27th at the California State Fair and all finalists will receive a cash award. Other prizes, including free camping opportunities and camping equipment, will also be awarded to contest participants whose scratchers are selected.

Consumers can obtain RVing Rewards!

Scratchers to participate in the competition by camping at least one night at one of nearly 30 campgrounds and RV parks that are participating in the promotion. The winning ticket will be selected July 27th at the California State Fair in Sacramento.

Headquartered in Topeka, Indiana, CrossRoads manufactures a wide variety of travel trailers, fifth wheels, and park models at five plant locations. Its products are distributed by dealers throughout the United States, Canada, France, Japan, and Australia.

Monthly drawings are already being held to determine the semifinalists who will compete for the Slingshot Travel Travel in the drawing that takes place on the final day of the California State Fair.

Scratchers will also be

CrossRoads is a division of Thor Industries. More information on the company and its full products line can be obtained online at www.crossroadsrv.com or by calling 888-226-7496.