Friday, March 1, 2013

Ready for Camping?


I’m returning to Lock 30 Woodlands this afternoon after having spent a week in February at the National School for RV Parks and Campground Management, where I teach guest relations classes. Most of our attendees are eager managers and owners who appreciate the friends they make at their campgrounds and while they take their businesses seriously, they do not take themselves seriously.

 I’ve been a teacher for maybe a dozen years now. I can’t help but notice the quality of adults who value the experience of improving their businesses for their guests. Less and less of a “let’s police customers” to more of a “welcome to my home” mentality. 

It’s easy to forget how lucky we are to own campgrounds and camping businesses. No teeth to drill, no bad news to deliver, little anxiety—unless there’s an emergency.  People usually walk in the door and eventually are happy to find our slices of paradise in the woods! But as I reminded my students, I often forget how much work goes into loading the car or camper and getting on the road. I forget that whatever I pay to drive my car, someone driving a 32 foot travel trailer pays more. If I’m lost and exhausted looking for a parking place, they’re more tired, dodging other drivers and knowing they can’t just “back up” or do a U-turn in the middle of a four lane highway. It’s no wonder they’re tired when they arrive.

I’m going to pledge more patience for these weary travelers who are trying to find Lock 30 Woodlands. Glad our huge sign can be seen for a half mile down the road and that it’s well-lit, but as the days grow longer and with more hours of day light, hopefully people will arrive before dark.  Just as the name implies, there’s lots of trees.

It’s small observations such as these that I’m going to remember when I consider that for many, finding Lock 30 Woodlands is still work. We’re going to try to make it easier, so that when they arrive, they’re ready to hit the ground running.

After all, there’s lots of fun to be had—and never enough time in which to play! Setting up in a campground is serious business. But after you are relaxed in your home away from home, it’s all downhill.

Karen Brucoli Anesi