New York campground directory for 2012 now available

The campground owners association of New York has released its 2012 Campground and RV Park Guide. The publication is free and available by visiting www.nycampgrounds.com and filling out the online request form or calling toll-free at (800) 497-2669.

The 100-page directory highlights the features and amenities for more than 200 privately-owned and operated campgrounds and RV parks across New York State, and is designed as a planning tool for RVers. It's available in print format as well digitally.

"Whether you are tenting, staying in a cabin, or traveling in an RV, the healthful benefits of getting outdoors is a great reason to go camping," says Donald Bennett, Jr., President and CEO of CONY. "We're living in much more sedentary and disconnected times, and camping is one of our last ways to stay truly and deeply in touch with our health, our family, our friends, and the world around us."

The directory includes website addresses and driving directions for all the campgrounds and RV parks, and advertisements for vacation destinations and RV service providers.

The camping season in New York kicks off in late April. Reservations are now being taken at many parks across the state.

Campground Owners of New York was founded in 1963. It's dedicated to the promotion, growth, improvement and development of privately owned campgrounds in New York State.

New Jersey park plan draws fire, concern

Like most other state park systems across the country, New Jersey has its own share of financial woes. Tiptoeing through the mine field of outside funding, state project developers are taking more than just a few pot-shots from folks concerned that Garden State Parks could become clones for commercial enterprise. In a story carried by philly.com (an e-version of the Philadelphia Inquirer) it would seem the lines are drawn and the guns may start blazing at any time.

A spokesman for the Sierra Club of New Jersey warns, "Next thing you know, you have to pay more for everything and the public's access is limited. You'll be getting fee'd to death." That's the opinion of Jeff Tittel, the group's director.

On the other side of the spectrum comes Lou Valente, the architect of the state's plan to generate more income through alliances with non-government entities. Valente started feeling the heat last October when the state rolled out its plans to rely less on government funds and more on outside income.

Valente told the paper, "We're planning substantial change by 2015." If plans go the way of his vision, over a third of the park monies would come from outside groups, raising funds from concessionaires and the leasing of some park properties like golf courses. Valente says the money is needed badly--parks take in $8 million a year, but the annual budget runs $40 million.

Critics envision chain restaurants operating on park grounds; huge gatherings where groups could rent out park venues for weddings--or worse. The state contends they have much more down-to-earth and park-friendly views. A non-profit group taking over life guard staffing and charging a fee for lessons and exercise classes. But others wonder what will happen if other operations are taken over by vendors. Sierra Club Tittel: They're not professionals and don't have the same level of caring for the parks," he said. "Who's screening them? Will valuables walk away? Then, there's the loss of access,"if you can make more money on a Saturday afternoon renting out a park area, then the public doesn't have access."

It's a contentious issue, and one like other states across the union are dealing with. Some states are simply closing parks, or turning them over to private entities for operations. Others are looking to fee programs that increasingly ding users as they come in the gate. California is increasingly looking to "friends" groups of non-profit organizations who either directly operate parks, or provide funding to pay for state employees to continue to do their jobs.

To read the complete Inquirer story, visit the site.

photo: Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

Pennsylvania campgrounds and RV resorts win most "A" ratings from ARVC

Buttonwood Campground

The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds' (ARVC) annual Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo wass held in Savannah, Georgia last month to award grades for their over 3,200 private RV parks and campgrounds across the country.

According to ARVC, the company's mission statement is "To promote the success and growth of RV parks, campgrounds and the Outdoor Hospitality industry."

ARVC claims to be "only national association exclusively representing the interests of all commercial RV Parks and Campgrounds in the United States. Membership includes RV parks and campgrounds, cabin and lodge resorts, membership campgrounds and resorts, industry suppliers, and park developers.

Membership provides group purchasing power, national public relations and promotional services, advocacy representation on state and national policy issues, and business management services including educational offerings, industry publications, and marketing and advertising opportunities.

But this is not a commercial for ARVC. What is interesting, though, is that of the 44 A" ratings in the fourth annual consumer satisfaction survey given to member campgrounds and resorts, ten of those "A" grades  were in Pennsylvania--the most awarded state at the conference.

According to an article written by Shannon M. Nass for the Post-Gazette in Pittsburg, "more than 30,000 camping and RV enthusiasts participated in the online survey, which evaluated guest experiences at campgrounds, RV parks, and resorts that are affiliated with the National Association."

That would certainly take some steam out of Western states RVers' beliefs that the best camping in the country is west of the Rocky Mountains. In fact, since the result reflects that of users, it likely will stir some interest in some westerners to make a trip back east to check out these "A" campgrounds.

Here is the list of the Pennsylvania "A" winners, and a few others close by:

Named the Top 10 Pennsylvania campgrounds: Meadville KOA (formerly Brookdale Family Campground), Meadville (Crawford County); Dogwood Acres Campground, Newville (Cumberland); Gettysburg Campground, Gettysburg (Adams); Kalyumet Camping and Cabins, Lucinda (Clairon); Keen Lake Camping and Cottage Resort, Waymart (Wayne); Mountain Vista Campground, East Stroudsburg (Monroe); Pioneer Campground, Laporte (Sullivan); and Rose Point Park, New Castle (Lawrence).

Also on that list are Yogi Bear's Jellystone Camp Resort, Harrisville (Butler), which also was named Medium Size Park of the Year, and Buttonwood Campground, Mexico, PA (Juniata), also tapped as Large Park of the Year (photo).

Several winning campgrounds are in nearby states include Ashland Resort in Northfork, West Virginia; Cross Creek Camping Resort in Delaware, Ohio; and Cherry Hill Park in College Park, Maryland.