Poking the Campfire

Tent Campers Extraordinaire

2011-05-01T10:45:00.000-04:00

In some parts of the country there’s a silent debate, almost a stratification among campers and campground owners that occasionally puts tent campers in a second class citizen category. Maybe a better description would be to say that some RVers and campground owners have a prejudice against folks who arrive packing tents.

I’ll leave it up to them to cite their negative experiences, what has driven the opinions that form that prejudice, short of saying that a single bad experience with a group of campers unfortunately can shape how we size up our guests. That prejudice gets in the way of recognizing a great opportunity.

If you associate tent camping with alcohol abuse, then address the behavior, separating it from the fact that the alcohol abuser is camping in a tent. The tent isn’t responsible for the behavior, the camper is.

If you associate tent camping with a camper “hard on the restrooms” then examine the cost to your facilities and your infrastructure and charge accordingly.

If you associate tent camping with a population that spends less and is rough around the edges, then check your assumptions.

Let’s look at all three of these widely held assumptions. If our younger populations of campers are tent campers and some are using camping as an opportunity to get drunk in the woods, then we can look at how to manage that specific behavior. You can prohibit alcohol consumption across the board. You can isolate “partiers” to an area where they will not impact others. And finally you can adopt and enforce policies somewhere in-between. Alcohol abuse happens in RVs, too.

I’ve heard it said that tent campers “will not pay enough” to cover the costs of keeping restrooms up to speed. If we’re talking about normal restroom use, there’s no doubt that a high tent population will trigger increased costs, both in products and labor. But ask your tent campers and read what they say online about campgrounds who keep facilities clean and well-maintained. Most will pay a couple extra dollars a night for the benefits. Our jobs are to adequately staff and supply this need, no differently than we’d stock the candy on the shelves of our campground store.

Let’s talk more about that store. It does not take long to figure out that tent campers are buying ice and replenishing supplies probably at a greater rate than many RVers, because they do not have the space appliance conveniences or storage capacity that RVers have.

First-time owner statistics from the Recreation Vehicle Industry of America (RVIA) indicate that families graduate or “step up” from tent camping to the use of hard-sided units. We hear it from families all the time at Lock 30 Woodlands: “Next year we’ll be buying our first RV. Can’t wait to return.”

Are there special challenges to this population that differentiate their needs from those of RVers? Yes.

If a storm is on the horizon and it becomes necessary to isolate and protect family pets, tents may not offer the security some dogs need. Inclement weather is always a threat to camper comfort, when it’s tough to stay dry. Such things as fire rings for cooking become an absolute necessity. Where and how tenters wash dishes and clean fish can become concerns. Campground owners will want to carry inventory in their stores that cater to this target market’s needs. Most of these tent camper needs can be addressed with relatively little expense.

This week‘s iffy weather did not discourage a couple dozen Toyota Territory Off-Roaders Association (TTORA) members from joining us for the fourth straight year. They enjoy area trails minutes away from the campground, then retreat to a carpeted clubhouse, a game of pool, hot showers and talk around the campfire at night.

We look forward to their return each year. These young men are the definition of responsible campers who are a pleasure to serve.

There are more tenters out there who are looking for clean, wholesome campgrounds where they can pitch their tents and camp in comfort. Let’s welcome them.

Karen Brucoli Anesi
Lock 30 Woodlands

Economical Travel With Pets

2011-04-19T20:46:00.001-04:00

As families plan summer vacations, pets ought to be on the radar screen in the early stages, while there’s time to consider the costs, benefits and alternatives. If you are reading this blog, I’ll assume you are a pet owner. Unless this is your first vacation, you’ve either had to leave the dog at home with a dog sitter, kennel the dog in a boarding facility or take the pet with you.

Camping with your pet is often the most economical choice, but not always. While cost should not drive the decision whether your dog travels with you, for many families, the additional cost of pet care can be the vacation deal breaker.

So what are the real costs? First of all, the campground may charge a pet fee or impose certain restrictions on breeds and sizes of dogs. The time to find out is before you make your reservation. Make no assumptions and ask questions about pet policies and management expectations.

Before travelling with any pet—especially when leaving your home jurisdiction-- a trip to the vet may be in order. Wherever dogs gather, kennel cough is a possibility. A bordetella inoculation is a good idea. Dogs that have not been tested for heartworm may need to be tested and then placed on proper preventative medication. If you are living in the far northern parts of the United States, heartworm may not be a problem. But where mosquitoes are plentiful, heartworm is epidemic. If your dog contracts heartworm, the prolonged care and cost of treatment can be quite expensive. Better to be safe than sorry.

Proof of rabies inoculation is required at most campgrounds. If you have not kept good records, costs can be incurred reproducing and assembling records.

Most families who travel with pets would have it no other way. Leaving them would not seem like a vacation. But just as no two dogs are alike, no prescription for canine campground happiness holds true for all dogs. It’s probably a good idea to take your dog on a brief camping trip closer to home to learn how he reacts to kids, other pets, or strange surroundings, before embarking on a cross-country adventure. Some dogs who may not be bothered by thunder and lightning, will be fearful of inclement weather when their home is the family RV. If you have to camp with an unhappy pet, the whole family could end up unhappy.

The bottom line is to treat your pet like a family member. Crating a dog for many hours, leaving him alone in an RV while the family is off sightseeing or stressing the pet in any fashion, means stress for all. Most campers say dogs add fun and appreciation to camping trips because of their natural love for the outdoors and that the costs are small, compared to the benefits.

Karen Brucoli Anesi,

Lock 30 Woodlands

So You’re The Group Leader?

2011-04-14T19:42:00.000-04:00

Do you like herding cats? Making camping arrangements for a group without first getting consensus or at least a flexible game plan will make herding cats feel like sand box play.
Whether you are a wagon master making reservations for thirty friends or a grandma making arrangements for three families, the challenges are familiar and often similar. The bottom line is you are responsible for keeping everyone happy. That starts with making the campground experience satisfying for all, never mind the differences in individual wants, needs and expectations.

Here’s an easy strategy, six tips for making your job easier.

1. Know the physical and social needs of your group. That’s a tall order, but if you have a group member who needs 50 amp service for a 34 foot motor home, don’t expect that camper to be happy in a campground that offers only 30 amp service in 30 foot long sites. Likewise, families who camp with pets expect their pets to be accommodated.

2. Know the campground where you intend to camp. The best way to know the campground is to pay a camping visit in which you use all of the amenities of the facility. When that’s not possible, a day visit in which the leader checks out the facility is a decent substitute.

3. Share the campground’s website address, brochures, policies and rules in advance. The more information campers have in advance—the more secure they’ll feel that you’ve made a good choice for them.

4. Be clear on financial obligations and cancellation policies. Some campgrounds require a group deposit. Others have cancellation policies that could cost campers if they make changes to their reservation. Save time and embarrassment by letting your group know when and how discounts are applied. A quick way to burn bridges for future reservations is to have an individual member of your group insist on special pricing or discounting that may not have been agreed upon for the group.

5. Have a spread sheet or draft summary of camper names and phone numbers at the time the group reservation is made. Yes, this list is going to change. But having the details at your finger tip helps you identify issues in advance. Perhaps two campers need to be placed in adjacent sites. That’s information the reservation clerk needs early on, before sites are assigned.

6. Name a back-up in the event you cannot be a spokesperson for the group. Share the information with an assistant so that if you are not available by telephone, a responsible person can make decisions or relay information to group members.

7. Contact group members by phone, newsletter or email to resolve questions or concerns prior to check-in. No one likes unpleasant surprises. Driving directions, possible additional costs and especially changes from initial arrangements should be communicated by the group leader to assure a uniform message. When all members of the group are on the same page, it’s a lot easier to herd the cats!

A big thank you to all wagon masters, group leaders, grandmas and “outdoor recreation” coordinators. Many of us would not take the time to smell the roses were it not for you herding us round the campfire.

Karen Brucoli Anesi,

Lock 30 Woodlands RV Campground Resort

How and When To Select A Campground For Extended Stay

2011-04-05T10:11:00.000-04:00

Are you thinking about parking your recreational vehicle for the season and becoming a “permanent” or extended-stay camper? Selecting the right campground is about matching your needs with a community of similar-minded people who value the things you value.

In a country that boasts thousands of campgrounds, there’s one that’s the right fit for just about every camping style. You can save time and money by doing your homework before going online or jumping in the car. Ask yourself these questions:

How does my family like to spend their free time? What do they enjoy most?

If your family would rather hike, fish or explore the forest, a campground with a crafts center and game room may not be a necessity. Look for what honestly matters to you. Camping is about enjoying your recreational time and recharging your batteries. The most popular campground in your neighborhood might not be the place to hang your hat for the summer Look instead to where you’d choose to “build” a second home.

What will it “cost” me to camp?

Decide what you are willing to spend in time and effort as well as dollars. Some campgrounds will require you to mow and trim your site every weekend, or volunteer to lead the charge in campground- sponsored activities. Others will charge you for special events, recreation or services. Some require no upkeep of site. Most charge additional fees for drop-in guests or exact penalties for late payment of fees. The bottom line is that seasonal stay camping is usually value camping that offers 24 hour recreation for less than you pay to take the kids to the movies. But it’s not a value if you drop by your camper only once a month to maintain the recreational vehicle. Read your lease carefully. Know what your responsibilities will be and what you can expect from the campground. If you’re not certain, ask.

How do I know if a campground is the right fit for my family?

Start by doing all the research you can about the campground’s history, policies and regulations. Drop by for a visit. If clean restrooms matter, the time to check them is during or after a busy weekend. If friendly personnel and campground security is important, stop at the front desk and measure how you, a stranger, are treated. Secure a day pass to walk through the property and ask seasonal campers what’s good and what’s not about the campground. Remember, one man’s meat is another man’s poison, so ask questions and listen carefully. Check out ratings and read what guests have to say. You might take some opinions with a grain of salt, but you should still honor your hunches by checking things out for yourself. Finally, when looking at policies and rules, ask yourself honestly: if these were applied to my family, would I willingly comply? Rules are not just for others, but for you, too.

What’s the biggest advantage of becoming a seasonal, or extended stay camper?

Other than saying seasonal camping is excellent economic value, campers will tell you that life-long friendships are formed when families take the time to sit around the campfire and relax in the presence of folks who enjoy similar lifestyle choices. Cooking together, lounging by the pool, walking pets and even gathering kindling in the woods bonds us to each other, especially when you have the same camping neighbors week after week. Not hassling with packing and unpacking, not stressing over weekend traffic or the uncertainty of learning the ropes in a new setting are often mentioned by moms and dads who want to maximize their free time by returning to a camp site “ready to use” whenever a free day or two becomes available.

Seasonal, extended stay camping is not for everyone. But during tough economic times, it’s an especially good value.

Spring Into Camping Without Breaking The Bank

2011-03-21T16:29:00.001-04:00

Whether it comes in like a lamb or a lion, the weather in March, on average stinks. That’s OK, because we’ve had more than a few 60- degree, sunny days this month. Enough that the phone is ringing with plenty of April camping requests.

The first thing callers say is “Oh—I didn’t expect you to pick up the phone.” Then there’s usually a degree of surprise that we’re open year-round, followed by a second surprise: the best rates and often the best time to camp is during shoulder seasons and mid-week.

Think you can’t camp in April? Think again.

For the third year in a row we’ll host a gang of great guys from the Toyota Territory Off-Road Association. They’ll take advantage of area trails by day and sit around a bonfire most nights when they’re not playing pool in our carpeted clubhouse. One night they’ll have a big feast in the pavilion, using our commercial grill for a man meal in the woods.

The TTORA group camps in tents, but RVers, too, know that the fish are biting, the daffodils are blooming and the fresh air is a welcome blast of what’s to come as the green awakens in the woods. In April, while nights are still cool, sleep is of the deep quality that only gets interrupted by the smell of bacon cooking on an open fire.

We’ll give each camper a free night to encourage them to check in on Thursday, rather than Friday. During shoulder seasons we can afford to toss out perks for extended stays. They appreciate that and we’re delighted we can offer even more camping value for the dollar.

If there’s a theme for this year, its how can we help our campers save money in shoulder seasons, yet not cut the corners on their experience. We know that the weather can be iffy, but campers know they can always pick up a morning cup of free hot coffee and some sass at our front desk.

Some days we’ll have a fire going in our clubhouse. The free books will be stacked high in the bookcase. What can beat curling up on the couch with a paperback and staring out the picture window at a blanket of stars? One hour from Pittsburgh and two from Cleveland, yet worlds away from congestion, where all that you see and all the fragrances that surround you are a reminder that yes, it’s indeed a wonderful world.

How much time does it take to recharge your batteries and where do you go for a quick “fix?”

If you are like me, it only takes 48 to 72 hour in the woods to add a month of smiles. I have to admit that I’m not relaxed enough to toss my cell phone aside, but I can tell you this much: in light of listening to CNN up to 15 hours each day and being reminded of tensions in far corners of the world, I embrace the forced isolation for all it’s worth.

My “group therapy” might be with the early return of the robins or the crocus and grape hyacinths pushing their way to the surface. Just thawing out a container of frozen chili and eating it out of a throwaway container, sitting on a tree stump in a pair of baggy jeans, well, that’s what charges my batteries for not much more than what I’d spend taking my family to see a movie on a big screen in a multi-plex theater. Need I say more?

So, you’re not yet convinced that camping is a value experience? You’re not an April eager- to- be- in- the- woods type? Consider our other value option: mid week camping.

It matters not what time of year, if you avoid holiday weeks and can tear away from the workplace between Sunday and Wednesday nights, your family can save up to 45%. Check out our rates on www.ohiorvcamp.com and do the math.

Not only will you have the advantage the wide open park offers, but you can jump on the pedal cars without a wait, stretch out on a raft in the pool, grab a cue stick to play pool or pick out your favorite tunes on the juke box and know there’s not a crowd behind you. Go ahead, sing in the showers and shout at the top of your lungs.

Just don’t do it after 10pm or you’ll be in hot water. You see, we can save you money, but we won’t run interference if you break the rules. :=)

Have fun in 2011. Get to know your family. Take a short drive down the road, save fuel costs and do your own group therapy in a safe, comfortable retreat right in your own backyard, yet worlds away from city congestion and workplace stress.

Karen and the Lock 30 Woodlands Crew

What To Do When Fuel Prices Are High?

2011-03-14T20:45:00.000-04:00

Camping families know there are years when they see the country and there are years when they explore their own backyards. Never have staycations looked more attractive

Lock 30 Woodlands, located one hour from Pittsburgh and two from Cleveland, is gearing up for changes in camping styles as gas prices top $4/gallon. Recent years of economic decline has had a silver lining for our small business. We’ve been introduced to many first- time camping families who have been resourceful in their search for affordable, wholesome family entertainment.

The Outdoor Recreation Association says there are now more campers than soccer players in the United States. That comes as no surprise for us because camping is easy on the toddlers and the grandparents, too, as long as families are realistic in their planning and expectations.

Where do smart families start when it comes to saving money while camping?

1. Consider off-season, off-weekend pricing if your work schedule permits. Many campgrounds are deeply discounted if you camp between Sunday and Wednesdays. Families save upwards of 40% and they have wide open site selection, not to mention easy use of amenities. If you are not using the swimming pool, but like to fish, the weeks prior to Memorial Day and after Labor Day can offer ideal pricing and recreation tailored to filling these less occupied weeks.

2. Park it where you’ll use it. If you visit your favorite campground three or more times a season, consider why you keep returning. It may be the year to seek seasonal/permanent membership. Haul it once, stock it for the summer and return to the woods without factoring in high fuel costs.

3. Set a summer outdoor education goal and measure your progress. Have you been putting off learning about the hardwoods, flora and fauna of your region, identifying the wildflowers and wild mushrooms that grow under the pines? Use a library card to access book resources or stop at a used book store or thrift shop. You can tuck a reference book in the corner of your car’s trunk and have instant “edutainment” and an outdoor learning lab for learners of all ages. Offer incentives for families being “on the move.” Hiking is good for the heart –literally and figuratively.

4. Plan, plan, plan. Teachers will tell you which parents give children decision making responsibility during summer months. What better way to save money than to have your pre-teen make a packing list, a meal plan and associated grocery list. Teach organization where there are real world consequences, then reward kids with the money you saved because you remembered to pack the pancake syrup.

5. Look for fuel saver specials. Some campgrounds offer discounted packages for campers returning two weekends in a row. Many have safe weekday storage and incentives NOT to haul goodies home on Sunday afternoon. Check now, as often these specials are first come, first serve and dependent on storage space available.

6. Think of hidden vacation costs that camping vacations avoid. Have you checked into the cost of kenneling a pet lately? Keep them with you and not only will they be happier, you will, too.

7. Let the campground reservation folks know your wants and needs. If you tell whomever answers the phone that you are seeking inexpensive quality entertainment for your family, then not only can they tell you when the campground’s free fire truck rides are offered, but they might point you toward charming local festivals, celebrations and local attractions within minutes of the campground. Build a full vacation experience by being aware of “out of the tent” opportunities.

8. Summer birthday? In this day of over-the-top birthday celebrations, consider how you can make a lifelong magical memory by taking two or three of the birthday boy or girl’s best friends camping. Rather than 4 hours of noise, sugar and stressful planning, invite partiers to a camping overnight. You’ll get to know them and they’ll get introduced to a wholesome alternative.

As we prepare to launch into another peak season, come back to this blog often. Every week we’ll take one of these money saving ideas and show you how to make the most of high fuel prices.

Happy camping,

Karen and the Lock 30 Woodlands Crew

Tents for Troops

2011-03-09T06:42:00.000-05:00

When you’re lucky enough to own a campground, you take for granted that you have a resource almost as precious as family: you have land in all its glory.

Lock 30 Woodlands has a mile of secluded riverfront. Much of the year—for nearly five months –it is so secluded that for as far as you can see, you won’t see anything but trees, river and wildlife. Not a single house, no traffic and often, no people. We’re open year round, but with 68 private acres surrounded by a wildlife protective conservation easement, we’re the definition of secluded.

Can you think of a better place to find peace?

That’s why we’re honored to share our slice of paradise with the ½ million active military families in this country. Tents for Troops is securing commitments from campground owners to offer free camping to these families. We were Ohio’s first campground to climb aboard.

No matter how you feel about our country’s leadership, or its military and political decisions, there’s more that unites than divides us when it comes to this country’s military families. We agree that they make great sacrifices on our behalf. We agree that they suffer immeasurably when their loved ones are called overseas. We can only imagine what level of stress they live with from day to day.

To be able to say thanks in such a small way as to offer them a place to relax is a privilege beyond what words can describe.

I hope my colleagues don’t pass up this chance to say thank you to families who can benefit by spending time together in the woods.

All News is Good News

2010-06-04T20:48:00.000-04:00

We like to say that every weekend is a dog and pony show at Lock 30 Woodlands, but if you read the Youngstown Vindicator ‘s account yesterday, you might take that statement literally.

It’s easy to call the newspaper complaining when you’ve been wronged by damaging reporting, but what about when the story, while inaccurate, is very flattering?

That was the case when the reporter mistakenly referred to our actual dog shower as a dog show. That’s right, he said we have a dog show at Lock 30 Woodlands. So all you dogs out there, lined up for your complimentary shower after swimming in the fishing lake, know that you’re putting on a real show. After all, that’s what the paper says…

There were some other amusing bloopers—like our “wildlife cooking class”. In actuality, last month we offered a horticulture talk, which included cooking with herbs guests are welcome to pick in our free “weed a little, pick a little” community garden. Do we have wildlife at Lock 30 Woodlands? Indeed we do. We think the little beasts gather among the wildflowers and marshland along the river front, where motorized vehicles are prohibited. We actually have a wildlife conservation corridor on our Wild & Scenic Riverfront, designated by the United States Department of the Interior. I can promise you, though, we do not conserve the wildlife by saving it on a spit or canning and cooking it in a crockpot.

Oops!

Now, what about the “Saturday morning parades” the story referenced?

I can recall a parade of wild turkeys marching past our pool about five years ago, but chances are if we pulled up behind those birds with our blazing, red fire truck, crowned with cheering kids, those birds would fall out of formation mighty fast. But, hey, maybe a parade is a good idea and we can thank the Youngstown Vindicator for suggesting it. So kids, decorate your bikes, bring along your drums and majorettes, go ahead and twirl away. If you want to follow the fire truck and form a parade, we won’t stop you.

We’re grateful for the compliments this reporter showered on us and proud of our high ratings. We’ve worked hard to maintain guest satisfaction year-round. (Yes, we are open year round and not from April to October, as misreported in the story). We’ll continue this ten year tradition of having our doors open to serve you 365 days a year. As for dog shows and cooking the wildlife. Sorry folks. It’s not going to happen.

Mistakes happen. We should all share a hearty laugh every chance we get, because life is short. We’re fond of saying that we can fix just about anything at our campground. Consider this a fix for yesterday’s flattering, but partially inaccurate account of what you’ll find at Lock 30 Woodlands.

And now, let the dog and pony show begin!

What Campers Say They Want: Level, Shaded and Secluded Sites

2010-04-29T14:18:00.000-04:00

What are the two questions every first-time caller will likely ask if they haven’t been to your campground?

1. Are the sites level?

2. Will my RV be packed like a sardine between two adjacent sites?

Lisbon, Ohio’s Lock 30 Woodlands RV Resort says: “No one camps in front of you and no one camps behind you.” There are no rows of campers, lined up side by side, cookie cutter matched driveways, aligned with electrical pedestals. Indeed we are not the typical campground. That doesn’t automatically make us better in the eyes of every camper, but it does make us different.

We are deep in the woods. Our full hook up sites is private, secluded and shaded —many as long as 100 feet and wide enough to accommodate three slide-outs. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but for campers wanting comfort, yet seclusion in the woods, we provide it.

It’s true. When you’ve never visited a particular campground, you have no idea what surprises will await you. You are at the mercy of websites, representations made by whomever answers the phone, and your vivid imagination. Now that can be scary.

First, let’s talk about websites. Technology can pretty much create whatever photo and impression your heart desires. Tight shots of fashion models posing in front of fire pits can glamorize away the mud and the after- hours noise; you can Photo shop away the clutter and the lawn mower sheds and the weeds. So what is a first-time camper, solely dependent on a website, to believe?

Second, many campers, while appreciative of attractive amenities, first and foremost want level, shaded and private sites, large enough that a family can camp in comfort. But short of paying a visit to the campground, what is a first-time camper to believe other than whatever the person taking the reservation says?

That’s why , at Lock 30 Woodlands, we try to strike a balance between the Internet convenience of photos and online reservation requests and the personal, attentive services of a telephone “ hostess” who’s trained to match what a camper wants and what Lock 30 Woodlands has to offer.

How does a camper increase the likelihood that the site he imagines, will be the site he’s assigned? First, if he has Internet access, he can get a bird’s eye view of the campground. Go to Google Maps, Second, he can look at independent, industry ratings, which are updated every year when representatives from Woodalls, for example, make timely visits to campgrounds. Third, a camper should access the campground map to see where his site is located in relation to the facilities he will use. (http://www.ohiorvcamp.com/). At many campgrounds, including ours, he can request specific sites, or at least general sections of the park.

Lastly, and probably most important of all, every camper needs to know what matters to his family. With hundreds, possibly thousands, of parks and campgrounds in this country, there’s a campground to match every camper’s taste and budget.

If you don’t need an Olympic size pool, there’s no need to pay for one. If you want to fish, look for a campground with a fishing lake or riverfront access. Know what matters to you and what your style of camping requires.

Lock 30 Woodlands has a 68 acre, unique configuration of one closed camping loop, a finger-like projection with all amenities, facilities and buildings within the interior, vast green area. That affords every site a private “back yard”. We advertise that “no one camps in front of you and no one camps behind you.” We mean it. Some of our sites are 100 feet long; most are over 30 feet wide. Indeed Google Earth shows that every site opens to forest, overlooks riverfront or is privately tucked in the woods.

There are no rows of campers at Lock 30 Woodlands. That’s what we’re known for and why more than 90% of our campers are “returns”. But, not every camper wants what we have to offer.

We’re committed to providing current, relevant information on our website. Often we invite first time campers to select whatever site is open. Always we invite the curious to drive through the park, ask questions, determine what works for them. We work to exceed every camper’s expectations.

A Campground Community Garden

2010-04-21T14:42:00.000-04:00

Every year at Lock 30 Woodlands we introduce something new to our returning campers, something slightly out of the ordinary they might not expect to see at most highly-rated campgrounds. One year it was the swimming pool’s big “Block O” displaying our passion for the Buckeyes in an Ohio State’s National Championship year.

More recently we decided to celebrate the Western Reserve Heritage of our corner of the state by giving a facelift to our barn red clubhouse. Maintenance head and carpenter extraordinaire, Jim Simpson, designed and installed hand-crafted shutters, similar to what one might have seen on the cozy homes of that historic time. Later this summer we’ll do a phase two to that Historic Sandy & Beaver Canal Lock 30 Woodlands’ facelift and erect twin cupolas on the rooftop.

This year our signature surprise is a “redo”of something that has fallen into and out of favor: a community garden where campers can pick a handful of parsley or sage, a ripe tomato for a sandwich or even a sprig of dill for a freshly -caught fish.

Does a community garden ever fall “out of favor”? Not really. But the effort ten years ago met with limited success. We were among the earliest of campgrounds to introduce composting to campers. It was a failed education campaign. Too many half-eaten hot dogs and not enough apple peels made their way to our compost pile. Just about the time we thought we had it nailed, the raccoons held a summit conference and declared our compost pile a top-rated, snack bar, convenient, no less to the equivalent of a raccoon’s full service mall. (Next door to our 68 acres of pine woods is farmer Bowen’s prize-winning corn field.) Seems to me I heard one raccoon describe it as “one stop shopping on Beaver Creek.”

So we abandoned the composting effort and focused instead on adding to our herb pick-as-you-need garden, close to our swimming pool and clubhouse. An eager lifeguard once stripped the sage right to the nubs, then later returned to “dig that weed out”. What can I say?

Then there was the camper who added a full cup and a half of fresh oregano to her spaghetti sauce and well, it was more like a medicinal tonic than a hearty Saturday night supper.

But last Thanksgiving—or at least the weeks leading up to it—took the prize when it comes to community garden flubs.

We had a camper’s fall potluck featuring family favorites from backyard gardens. Campers are great cooks, resourceful and imaginative. An apple cobbler tied with a pumpkin dessert to win top nods among desserts. There was a particularly flavorful chili, robust, but not overly hot with peppers. Lock 30’s staff contribution was a stuffed turkey and the trimmings. That’s where things got complicated.

The days leading up to the potluck were full of surprises, including my being bumped from several flights to Pittsburgh. So Tracy bought the turkey and camping guest, Alice, volunteered to pop it in the oven. Problem was she’d never roasted a turkey, so Karen gave instructions from the tarmac on slicing and dicing onions and celery for the stuffing. Adding sage from the herb garden was a must. Turkey without sage dressing is well, a day without sunshine, I insisted.

Minutes before we carved our “communal “turkey, I discovered a branch of rhododendron, plucked from the garden, resting on the cutting board, where one might ordinarily find the sage garnish.

Despite objections from happy campers, the rhododendron-laced dressing made its way directly from the serving bowl to the garbage disposal. Rhododendron is not for consumption. Eat enough of it and you‘ll be spending a day in our award-winning bathrooms!

So, now we’re tackling a community garden re-design. No ornamentals among the herbs and veggies, we’ve decided. I’m consulting the Farmer’s Almanac for “best planting “days and Tracy has started the seedlings. Jim is rounding up plenty of organic fertilizer and leaf compost. Our workampers, due to arrive May 1, are getting prompted about our mid-month garden landscape project.

We’re excited about this communal effort. Camping is all about community and when you can share a harvest—knowing that you helped create it, it’s that much better.

Cyber Camping vs Great Outdoors

2010-04-19T09:37:00.001-04:00

April 18, 2010

Occasionally a caller will balk at Lock 30 Woodlands’ prices and say “Well, for that price, I can stay in a motel room.”

Occasionally I’m tempted to poke gently at this comparison and ask “So, tell me, for what price can you build a campfire in that motel room?”

Most of us know that comparing motels to campgrounds is like comparing apples to cantaloupes. Yet guests expect similar levels of service, amenities, and conveniences.

That’s not a bad thing, but it should prompt campground owners and managers to consider what they offer and at what price. Some of the conveniences offered in urban settings simply don’t work as well when offered “in the woods,” yet, like offering fast food, we‘re constantly looking to super-size these services, even when their benefit is debatable.

Wifi is one of those expected conveniences.

As I type this blog on my 3 pound notebook computer I can’t help but lament how I’m tied to technology almost as much as I’m tied to water and food. I had major surgery several months ago; half my anxiety was concern over climbing the stairs to access online Lock 30 reservations, read emails and pay bills. A lightweight, portable computer allowed me to breath with more ease.

We understand that campers, too, want these conveniences and that’s why we offer Wifi. But some days I wonder if it’s not a big mistake. If we took away their cyber world for just one weekend and replaced it with the real world, would we not be doing our guests a huge favor? Would we not be opening a drawer for them that may have been closed for too long? Could we reawaken their hearing to the early morning joy of song birds or the end of day calm of a crackling fire?

I’m more than a little anxious about kids whose thumbs are constantly texting, instead of casting a line in the fishing pond. With smart phones and interactive games requiring internet access, I’m concerned there will never be enough broadband to stay ahead of the demand.

That’s only part of the problem—our part—since we’re providing the service. But if we consider the challenge parents must face every day, competing with the tech world of instant answers, instant gratification and instant access to information, when do they get the chance to explore with their children the world that makes for memories, rather than a tech world neatly packaged on a flash drive?

Camping is so much more than lodging, so much more than changing the backdrop of where we do our day to day routine. It allows us to step away—even if it’s only for a few days at a time-- from our self-created slavery to convenience.

It allows us the time and space to poke the fire with the people who matter to us the most.

Work Where You Play

2010-04-12T13:27:00.001-04:00

There’s a well –worn analogy that compares the duck swimming gracefully on top of the water to the front desk clerk smiling hospitably while she registers campers: both are paddling like hell below the surface.

If you’ve worked at a campground you know the scenario only too well. Things are seldom as calm as they appear to the weekend guest who looks around the campground and says,

“Gee. What a plum job! You collect money, assign sites and join guests as they eat S’mores around the campfire.”

It’s true that there are few jobs where you can work where you play. And most campground owners and managers appreciate the fact they they’re playing host or hostess to a great crowd of guests and customers who are eager to be camping.

After all, we’re welcoming happy people on their way to a good time. Campers don’t pull in expecting to have their teeth drilled. They arrive ready for a relaxing respite, prepared to enjoy what’s ahead.

We are the lucky ones who receive them at the front gate. If we’re ready—with facilities well- maintained and all systems functioning, chances are things can go well.

But even when we’re operating at the top of our game, stuff happens, things go upside down. The average campground has several businesses within the business. The same desk clerk greeting campers could be flipping burgers, cleaning bathrooms, shopping for and stacking inventory, managing a web site and reservation system, and cleaning up after pets. All in the same day. The life guard may be the summer employee mopping the floors, stacking the pool furniture, fixing the video games and showing the Saturday night movie after he stacks firewood.

We work hard. This is especially true in small, family-owned campgrounds, where a few workers don many hats for low wages and long summer hours.

At Lock 30 Woodlands, most workers do all jobs—or at least most jobs. When workampers apply to Lock 30 Woodlands, they know they will be camping where they’re working. Most sign on expecting that the job has clear parameters, routine expectations and predictable consequences. That’s the ideal situation, but it’s not always the norm.

Workampers at Lock 30 are treated as paid staff because usually that’s exactly the level of responsibility they assume. They have the added benefit of being given a full hook up site and a few perks beyond their wages, but for that they are often “night hosts” responsible for after hours’ possibilities.

Our reward in hiring workampers is that they bring with them perspectives from wherever they’ve camped or worked. Many are retired professionals, healthy enough to do the demanding physical tasks we require and skilled in knowing what campers want and need. Even better, they bring a breadth of experience to our recreation world that is hard to beat. We’ve had electricians and nurses, retail sales clerks and factory workers. We’ve even employed maintenance specialists and artists, government workers and homemakers. In the ten years we’ve used workampers, most, but not all, have made a positive difference and influenced change in policy and procedures.

What makes for a successful workamper experience? Three things: as clear a job description as management can offer, mutual respect, and lots of good luck.

Campground managers take a chance because often they hire workampers “over the phone.” Technology has provided tools to lessen the risk, but most workampers don’t show up at the front desk, resume in hand and ready for an interview. Managers take a risk that workampers are who they say they are and will do what they claim they can and are willing to do.

Workampers take a chance because they sign on for jobs that often require them to pull up stakes and drive a distance to work for organizations or individuals who are complete strangers. They depend on web sites for accurate representations of where they will live. They count on employers to define accurately and honestly what they will be expected to do.

Lock 30 Woodlands looks for workers who have a “happy to help” attitude. We want our workampers to understand that the first half of the word “workamper” is indeed work. But it’s work with some of the best campers on the planet.

And when you work with and for good people, work can take on all the pleasures and rewards of play.

Value For Your Camping Dollar

2010-04-05T10:13:00.001-04:00

Ever wonder where your camping dollars go when you pull into a campground? Even though a camping staycation compares favorably to a higher- priced family vacation, for many, the questions remain: what am I paying for? And how can I stretch my camping dollars?

Here’s ten easy ways to get the biggest bang for your camping buck:

1. Camp mid week or in shoulder seasons. Often discounts apply when you camp during times of low occupancy. If the website does not indicate “best price camping” opportunities or “specials” then call and ask! There may be short-term promotions that could be posted at the last minute, so familiarize yourself with your favorite campground’s website and return often to browse. Lock 30 Woodlands in Lisbon, Ohio, surprises campers with these unannounced specials.

2. Add a day or two to your stay. Good planning cuts down on unforeseen expenses when camping, but consider the amount of time you spend grocery shopping, packing and preparing for your trip when you calculate cost. Adding an extra day or two not only increases the likelihood that you’ll get a better rate, but it means fewer hours on the road and more “relaxation time“ once you ‘ve settled in for your stay.

3. Take advantage of “Fuel saver specials”. Do you have a favorite campground? Ask what it might cost if you stored your 5th wheel from Sunday to the following Friday, when you intend to return for a weekend of camping. You’ll save money hauling your RV back and forth, plus you save yourself the hassle of packing twice.

4. Consider camping where pets or children are free. But keep in mind that leaving your dog in a kennel adds to your vacation cost and lessens your fun. Most campgrounds have graduated pricing for children and campgrounds who charge for children often offer amenities specific to kids’ tastes. Consider what motels charge if you want your pet to be part of the family vacation. Pet-lovers might agree it’s worth spending a few dollars more. Look for dog-friendly park that do not restrict breeds, numbers of pets or discriminate against pets greater than 50 lbs.

5. Celebrate a holiday at a campground. Whether it’s hosting a birthday party or frying a Thanksgiving turkey, holiday camping can actually save you money because casual is almost always cheaper than decorating, cleaning, and hosting for a party at home. Even with added costs for guests not staying in your camper, (day visitors who drop by for a meal) let the great outdoors be a backdrop for your next party. Ask guests to contribute to the potluck and see how creative partiers get when they’re faced with a limited size kitchen—or no kitchen at all!

6. Just as is the case in a motel or hotel, you are paying for the fitness room, the pool, the front lobby, game rooms and spacious, clean rest rooms. So use what the campground has to offer! Explore the nooks and crannies and make the effort to broaden your horizon checking out recreation amenities you might not typically use. Who knows who you’ll meet or what spark of talent you’ll uncover if you put a fishing pole in your hand and go for it.

7. Unlike a motel or a hotel, you can build a campfire and open doors of your imagination that may have remained closed for years. Can you think of a better place for a real conversation with your lover or your children? Can you think of cheaper way to unwind than by pulling up a lawn chair to the warmth of a fire? Consider the cost of a bundle of firewood vs. an hour of therapy with a counselor. ‘Nuff said.

8. Do you belong to a health or fitness club? Do you pull on a pair of running shoes every morning just to keep your weight in check? There isn’t a campground on the planet that doesn’t offer recreational opportunities probably far superior to what can be retro-fitted to the indoors. Hiking and biking are naturals at campgrounds. If there’s a pool or a lake, make the decision that you’ll jump start your exercise program by treading water, if not swimming laps. Control the urge to sit in front of the tube interrupted by trips to graze in the kitchen. Money dedicated to health club memberships can be stretched further at most campgrounds, where outdoor activity takes the place of machines.

9. Know what you are paying for. Just as the airlines have started “unbundling” costs, some campgrounds have adopted a similar practice. Why pay $3 to $5 extra each night for the camper in the next site who is using two air conditioners when you are using none? Look for campgrounds who give you options. Pay for what you actually use—not the electric one assumes you might use.

10. Know what amenities are included in the price. If you know you are intending to fish, ask when you make your reservation if miniature golf, fishing or pool use cost is additional. Some campgrounds bundle recreation opportunities and sell arm bands or punch passes. Campgrounds like lock 30 Woodlands have an all-inclusive recreation program. Compared to hauling the kids in the car to day recreation opportunities, a weekend at a campground can be a bargain.

END

Poking the Campfire--What Mamma has to say

2010-04-01T12:29:00.001-04:00

Its no accident I'm kicking off this blog on the day that all fools are in their glory. On April Fools, the operative word is fun. That's what we're going to talk about a few times each week--who's having the most fun.

No matter the size, location or feel of the campground, fun better be a big part of the formula, momma says. Everyone knows if momma ain't having fun, then no one is. At least for me, if there's no fun in it, I'm not doing it.

A few years ago we were shopping for T-shirts, or maybe I should say, shopping for what to print on our T shirts. The top contender? A shirt that said: "At Lock 30 Woodlands, it's only fun until someone gets hurt--then its hilarious!"

Someone, maybe my lawyer, said that shirt was not a good idea.

So then we went the historic preservation route, honoring Lisbon as the oldest city and first capital of the Buckeye state:

"Ohio. Nothing to do since1802--until Lock 30 Woodlands! We play every day"

Someone, maybe my manager, said poking a stick in the eye of the whole state was not a good idea, either.

No question, everyone has their own ideas about what's fun and what's funny, so it's probably smart to first run your ideas past someone who at least appears normal.

As for what we do at Lock 30 to offer family fun and recreation, we like to step slightly out of the tent. Hold that thought, because I'll give you an example in a minute.

Probably the most fun I had last summer was snarfing all the "Made in China" glow in the dark necklaces from our store to make a twenty-foot long, looped garland. Then I attached the neon chain to the robot that cleans our 40 x 80 swimming pool. I stood in the pitch dark in a patch of lavender, near the bocce court, awestruck as Aqua Bot scrubbed away, creeping 12 foot deep, tugging a blaze of iridescent color.

The only thing that would have made my midnight caper more fun would have been a margarita. But then I would have started running my mouth, whooping and hollering. That would have gotten me thrown out of my own campground. Now that would not be fun.

(Translation: Do not try this at my home or yours.)

So how do we step outside the tent to create fun for our campers? We start by expanding our definition of fun. We believe in "edutainment"--the wonderful thing that happens when you combine learning (as in education) with entertainment.

On Mother's Day weekend I'm putting on a pot of coffee to launch our "Fireside Chat" series. I'll ask one of our workampers, a horticulturist, to join our regulars who gather round the clubhouse wood-burning stove on chilly Saturday mornings. She'll talk herbs: how and why we grow them. We have a free herb garden at Lock 30 Woodlands. When you need a fresh handful of sage for your chicken cooked on the campfire, nothing else will do.

There's fun, too, in learning how to put together a knock-your-socks off planter of colorful annuals for your deck or front porch.

For all the mothers camping that weekend: "Flowers for the Front Porch Using Thrillers, Fillers and Spillers." I'll be doing a Saturday "how to" demonstration so dads and kids can create a lasting gift for mom.

I'm a Master Gardener, courtesy of Colorado State University Extension. Gardening is my passion. It's fun for me to share what I know, and its fun for campers to learn what the great outdoors offers.

I'm going to ask a few of our extended stay campers and staff to help host our shoulder season "Fireside Chat" series. These generous folks are a diverse group, offering a wide range of knowledge and experience. I'm hoping they, too, will have fun sharing with campers what they know.

OK. Back to the T-shirts. I know you're wondering who we managed to finally offend with our tasteless selection of inappropriate mottos.

No one. We don't sell T-shirts. At least not yet.

The truth is--for momma, selling T-shirts isn't fun. And if there's no fun in it, momma ain't doin' it.

Karen Brucoli Anesi

"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."--(Neal Walsh may have said it, but my good buddy, Amy Smith is living it.)