​Over 11.2 million households own an RV according to the RVIA; this is up 26% over the past 10 years and 62% over the past 20 years. How do we keep it up?

The RV industry is a multi-billion-dollar industry: $140 billion to be exact. It contributes greatly to the country’s economy and even connects travelers from across the globe. More people than ever before are discovering the joy and wonder of RVing. With such a rapidly growing industry, how do we keep it from falling?

Help us to advocate for RV parks and campgrounds  

Speak to your local legislators and assembly members about bills happening now in California, but also be aware of national bills as well. We have been working hard to make our members aware of Assembly Bill 1472, which fines RV park owners who have tenants move out for a period of time and then allows them to move back in under a new lease as a method of preventing residency. Currently, the bill is in the judiciary phase, and CalOHA is working with a lobbyist to combat its passing.

There is also a national bill that we need to pass: America’s Outdoor Recreation Act. This bill attempts to modernize and expand campgrounds in order to keep up with the current demand in the industry. It will also increase jobs and access to public lands, ensure more Americans are able to enjoy an outdoor lifestyle, and create more RV camping opportunities.  

With campgrounds and RV parks experiencing record-breaking demand, it is vital that we keep them not just operating but updated and well kept. One way to assist with this is to pass America’s Outdoor Recreation Act. This week, our President and CEO is in Washington DC advocating for your parks, and this act is one of many discussions.

Our industry is continuing to grow. However, if we do not take care of them, RV parks and campgrounds may not be able to sustain themselves in the future.

For more information on these bills and advocacy efforts, please send us an email or call our office at (530) 885-1624.

​As we’ve learned from California’s recent flooding, a natural disaster can strike at any time. As things start to dry out and Summer comes into full swing, be sure you and your campground are prepared for wildfire season.

We spoke with Damian Petty at Leavitt Recreation & Hospitality Insurance to give some insight into what you should keep in mind for your insurance agent should you ever be faced with a wildfire emergency. 

Having an established evacuation plan is crucial for not only your staff, but also your guests. However, having a plan does no good unless it is actually practiced regularly. In addition to a set procedure, you should know how you will notify the guests staying in your park. Damian recommends having a text alert system set up in the event that a guest is off property, and you cannot find them to inform them of potential danger and evacuations.

You should also take note of the following for your insurance agent as well as your business:
• Who were you evacuated by if evacuation occurred?

• When were you evacuated (date, time)?

• How far away was the fire?

• Take photos of assets for reference.

• Keep track of cancellations and extra expenses brought on by the emergency.

CalOHA also spoke with Chris Wood of San Francisco North Petaluma KOA; with his experience in aiding with evacuations, he was able to provide 5 important steps/strategies.

• Be prepared ahead of time with both written and phone messages that gives options to potential guests (discount codes if you are taking in evacuated guests, website address to book online)
• Have all hands on deck to help wherever needed

• Have options for guests and potential customers to go if they cannot stay in the park (oftentimes, the fairgrounds have free shelter, or other parks around you may be offering discounts)

• Be prepared for the higher demand of pump stations and propane

• During peak crisis, have a crisis manager that can interact with more sensitive guests

Our last advice is to have access to a printed list of the current guests in your park that you can provide to law enforcement should an evacuation be ordered. Some guests may be off property hiking or enjoying a nearby town at the time of evacuation; this way, law enforcement is able to verify that the guest is staying in your park so they can re-enter and retrieve their belongings. This also makes it possible for guests to come back to retrieve things that were forgotten.

At the end of the day, natural disasters are scary and unpredictable. However, utilizing the above tips could make an emergency more manageable for you and your campers.

As the camping season comes into full swing, make sure you have everything you need for your campers as well as what is required by the state!

The state of California requires RV parks and campgrounds to have four specific regulatory signs posted in your park prior to registering your guests. These signs are also the first step in the eviction process, should you need to have a guest removed from your park. Fortunately for our members, the California Outdoor Hospitality Association has provided legal regulatory signage containing the required state law, penal and civil codes to protect your park. These specific signs include the SB317 Formaldehyde sign, an emergency information sign, an eviction sign, and an inn keepers sign. CalOHA recommends ordering this signage directly from our office, as we have had our legal team look over and clear them for use.

​Before you take on those summer employees, make sure you are educated on the rules and regulations concerning underage workers!

With summer coming up, you may be looking to hire some seasonal workers to help you around your park. You may even have friends or relatives calling to let you know that their child is available for the summer to give you a hand! While this is great news for you and your park, make sure you are familiar with California’s child labor laws before you start hiring.

California Outdoor Hospitality Association has partnered with CalChamber to bring you a new edition of our White Papers on child labor laws in California. This document covers the laws and provisions of juveniles in the work force both during the school year and on days that students are not in school, including holidays. We also have a breakdown of both California and Federal laws by age group and categories such as wages, hours of work, and exemptions.  

While it may seem great to take on a younger worker to help you with the ins and outs of your park, be sure that you are aware of the laws and provisions associated with hiring minors. If you are caught not adhering to these requirements, you could face fines, imprisonment, or both.