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Brookdale Family Campground Begins Preparation for a Busy 2009 Camping Season!

Brookdale Family Campground is winding down from another busy camping season. Now is the time that Brookdale begins planning and preparation for the next season’s projects, activities, and events.

According to owner Tim Chilson, “We’re at the end of the season, and while many campers think the season is over and we spend all winter in Florida, we only wish that were true.” Chilson says, “After we close everything down, do inventory, and winterize our buildings and RV’s, we’re off to our off-season responsibilities.” Chilson goes to say that the planning of events and activities happens in early autumn, the season prior. “We have to book our entertainers and get our schedule ready this early, in order for it to be in our brochures for the RV Shows that begin in early January.” Chilson then added, “My wife Robyn began working on her schedule in late August, and has already booked most of our entertainers for next summer. Then, she updates the website for the next season.”

Campground owners don’t stop working when the campers go home for the winter. There is still work to do. Chilson went on to add that, “Fall and winter is when we do preventative maintenance on our equipment, try to do projects that can’t be done during the busy season, and of course we have yard work to do. At Brookdale, we do leaf removal for several days after the season ends. This year, we're also preparing for more Seasonal, long-term campers. With the high fuel prices and our completion of the sewer project, we're expecting more long-term campers for the 2009 season, too. ”

Then, there are the educational requirements that campground owners have to keep meet. According to Chilson, “We attend state and national conventions to continue our education and our educational credits necessary to operate our campground. We’re required to have licenses to operate swimming pools, do meal events, operate sewage plants, and more. Therefore, we have to attend classes to keep our credits up which allow us to maintain our licenses. We attend other classes to update us on current trends and governmental regulations and legislative issues, how to handle problems, and even on what procedures or policies we need to operate our businesses. For instance, we’ve developed an employees manual, emergency plans, and more.”

“We also compete with other campgrounds at these conventions for best in class with our brochures, website, t-shirts, hats, and more.” Chilson added. “Our website,” Chilson said, “www.brookdalecampground.com, has an awards page that lists the many awards we’ve brought home. The competitions are friendly, and fun, and the idea is to foster creativity for the campground owners to come up with ways to market and promote their campgrounds. We always hope to bring home another award.”

Brookdale Family Campground won 2006 Best Guest Service award winners from the Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association (PCOA), were 2005 Best Event in PA winners from the PCOA, and were 2003 Best Event In PA Winners from the PCOA.

Brookdale Family Campground is rated in the top 5% of campgrounds nationally and hosts 165 camp sites, 4 camping cabins, seven fishing ponds for catch and release fishing (no license required), a swimming pool, a creek for wading, a hiking trail, volleyball, basketball, soccer & ball field, horseshoe pits, paddle boats, mini golf (open to the public), planned activities, themed events, hay wagon rides, and more!

By Robyn Chilson

Tim & Robyn Chilson own and operate Brookdale Family Campground in Meadville, PA. Robyn can be reached at 814-789-3251 or at robyn@brookdalecampground.com

Why vacation just once a summer, when you can vacation every weekend, all summer long! Remember, you don't have to travel a long way, just to get away! Call 814-789-3251 or email:

camp@brookdalecampground.com and ask about Seasonal Camping today!