SAVANNAH, Ga. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District has signed a cooperativeagreement with Outdoor Recreation and Outreach Inc. (OR&O) for the daily operations of five campgrounds at J. Strom Thurmond Dam and Lake in Clarks Hill, S.C.
OR&O is a Georgia non-profit organization that provides operations and maintenance for public parks and recreational facilities.
The agreement, signed July 25, will go into effect on Oct. 1 at the following campgrounds: Modoc, Petersburg, Raysville, Ridge Road, and Winfield. The Corps anticipates that campers will not experience any significant changes in facilities and services; however, the new agreement will change the way camping fees are spent.
“Our park visitors will see very little difference in the way our parks are operated,” said Scott Hyatt, Corps Operations Project Manager for the J. Strom Thurmond Project. “Instead of camping revenues going to the U.S. Treasury, this new agreement will allow fees collected at a campground to be re-invested in that particular campground.”
* This post was
edited 08/18/12 05:18am by Ramblin Recks *
George and Ann
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At first glance it sounds great, however, there are two big questions. What percentage of fees will go to the operator and what percent to the facility? Is the seniors camping fee discount still in effect? Remember, this is a private enterprise running the campground. I am not against private enterprise just keep your eyes open. I hope it turns out to be a good deal for all.
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At least it's a non-profit instead of Reserve America type, or something like that removing revenue. It's a step in the right direction as long as it actually produces shared revenue and that over-cost funds return to the campgrounds that produce it.
I stopped off at one of the Savannah River C.O.E. parks using my senior pass last fall and stayed a couple of weeks. Nice park, well kept, enjoyed my visit. Since I'm still working, I'm inclined to ask a lot of questions about an area in my southern natured down-home conversations. A L.E. background and years of sales experience comes in handy. On several occasions, I spoke to a particular camp host who was very knowledgeable and helpful about the area.
To conceal the identity, I'll only mention that in all of our conversations, the host briefly offered just one odd personal consideration for the future... full time traveling. Nothing specific as to why. But, considering our history and what I was seeing, that comment was way out of the ordinary. Now, I understand.
I hope operations at the C.O.E. parks don't change. I've spent the past 8 years primarily in government/public parks, many of which are managed well. Yet, I have been in parks where the services are farmed out; or the City employs a few 20 somethin' y/o whose ambition in life is to open the supply door and sit on the picnic table outside the comfort station, smoking, joking and pulling up their britches for two hours while getting paid. Assuredly, what the city loses in minimum wage is offset by the savings in cleaning supplies.
The Rangers and Hosts who, along with a stronger work ethic, have a higher degree of appreciation and understanding of the camping experience are what makes a park, IMHO.
Yes a non profit group is good and the fact that funds will go back to the campground is also good . During my stays at the c o e campgrounds. They have been well maintained and will run I was told by 1 host to expect a small campstore to help generate funds.
This has happend also with 8 of the 12 COE campgrounds on Table Rock Lake near Branson Missouri. A member of the non profit organizaiton stated it was so the money would stay in the area in lieu of going back to the federal government. They have already opened a gift shop and improved the fish hatchery. I hope it all works out for the better.
Can-AmDuo wrote: At first glance it sounds great, however, there are two big questions. What percentage of fees will go to the operator and what percent to the facility? Is the seniors camping fee discount still in effect? Remember, this is a private enterprise running the campground. I am not against private enterprise just keep your eyes open. I hope it turns out to be a good deal for all.
This is one of my concerns also, as well as the disabled Pass, when the Forest Service Contracted out thier CG's to concessionaires, they stopped accepting the passes, & the FS lets them get away with it.
It would be a great thing if it stays "non-profit" with proceeds staying in the park.
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I would love to see the contracts for these deals. Always sounds good to the public when the COE, Forest Service, etc. and the sub contractor (and that is what they are) bring in their spin doctors. Sometimes it does work better, but in our travels I could do without the middleman. This seems to be a coming trend. Hiring a subcontractor that uses disabled or whatever which is great, but what kind of moola does the head honcho pull down at the expense of everyone else.
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