| It's no surprise that higher fuel prices are changing | | | | professional grade - a spray painted number on a |
| the pattern of RV owners. Many are using their RV | | | | plywood sheet, or directly on the power riser, is not |
| less and, when they do go out on the road, they | | | | a good idea. |
| tend to stay closer to home and not move between | | | | Offer a picnic table and fire pit. |
| RV parks as much. However, there is one RV park | | | | I know you've been camping at least once. What did |
| user who is not affected by gas prices and is a | | | | you do to spend your time? Well, I remember that |
| growing segment of the traveling population. And | | | | the best parts were sitting around and talking, and |
| that's the customer seeking camping sites. Camp site | | | | cooking on an open fire and then eating it. So give |
| customers come from all socio-economic levels. They | | | | the customer the tools for these activities. A simple |
| drive Mercedes and Buicks and Chevrolets - both | | | | picnic table is functional, lasts almost forever, and is |
| cars and SUVs. What they all have in common is a | | | | cheap. And a metal fire pit contains the fire to |
| love of camping and, when on the road, they want | | | | improve safety, tells the customer where to build it, |
| to camp rather than stay in a hotel. Since they are | | | | and has a grill on the top for hot dogs, etc. |
| driving regular cars with 25 miles per gallon range, and | | | | Remember Smores? That's why people camp. |
| not RVs with 5, they are not as concerned on gas | | | | Use something attractive to mark the camp site |
| prices. And camping, of course, is very inexpensive, | | | | boundaries. |
| so they can stay many nights on virtually no | | | | An attractive, decorative fence is the hallmark of a |
| investment. Most RV parks should have a camping | | | | good camp site. It not only shows the camper the |
| section, since it naturally fits in with RV travelers. And | | | | boundaries of their site, but looks good, too. These |
| they require very little in the way of land and | | | | split rail fences are normally about 10' in length and |
| finish-out. Here's how to build a winning primitive | | | | can be made of white PVC vinyl, or real, rustic wood. |
| camp site section in your RV park: | | | | To create the impression you want, be sure to do a |
| Choose a quiet, shaded area. | | | | good job of installation and maintenance. While the |
| Campers don't have much to block out noise or heat, | | | | fences improve the look of the area, they will equally |
| other than a piece of nylon cloth in the form of a | | | | hurt it if allowed to fall into poor repair. |
| tent. They can't be in the direct sun with much | | | | Unless you sell it, put some firewood out there. |
| success, as they have no air-conditioning. And, of | | | | Unless your RV park has a store that sells firewood, |
| course, the sound deadening properties of a tent are | | | | be sure to leave enough out there at each camp site |
| zero. Pick a section of land that is at the end of a | | | | that they have plenty to make a campfire. If you |
| dead-end street, or some out of the way spot. And | | | | have any dead trees on the site, here's your chance |
| make sure there are ample trees. | | | | for real conservation. It does not have to be fancy |
| Provide water and electricity. | | | | wood - just something that will burn. Having wood at |
| Campers only need access to potable water and | | | | each site is a real turn-on for campers, and they will |
| enough electricity to plug in a radio. They do not | | | | appreciate your courtesy. And a happy camper will |
| need sewer connection. They also need a gravel | | | | return and tell their friends. |
| area, or concrete, to stand and move around that | | | | Conclusion |
| won't create mud that will track into their tent. The | | | | Unless every square foot of your RV park is being |
| tent, itself, will be on grass next to this "pad". | | | | utilized, you have room for primitive camp sites. They |
| Clearly mark the site and all utilities. | | | | are a great source of income, and require little capital |
| To make sure that the camper does not go on the | | | | investment to build or maintain. So look around your |
| wrong space, be sure and clearly mark the space | | | | RV park and see where you can set up a camp site |
| number, and then repeat the space number on the | | | | section. It will be, dollar for dollar, one of the best |
| utilities. And make sure that the signage you use is | | | | ideas you've had in a long time. |