Writers Block
I usually try to have some clever introduction to the eNewsletter, but I'm coming up empty minded this month. Okay - no jokes about my empty mind.
The website is still growing with about 500+ new members each month. There's currently 23,334 registered members of the website. This eNewsletter is being emailed to over 21,000 members this month. In May, we had 102, 653 visitors to the website, with 10,742,450 "hits". Wow! It's not cheap, or easy keeping the website operational. It's your support that has allowed us to grow! Thank you!
Happy and Safe Travels!
Larry and Connie Farquhar
Featured Facility - Destin Army Infantry Center Recreation Area, FL
Although operated by Fort Benning, this military recreation area is located on the Choctawhatchee Bay in Destin, Florida (northern pan-handle). This is about 220 miles South of Fort Benning. We were staying at Eglin AFB FamCamp and decided to check out the Destin Army Infantry Center Recreation Area. We've updated the driving directions here to be a little more precise. Since our visit in early 2010, the price of the toll bridge has been increased to $3. But the toll bridge only applies if you're coming from the North. There's no military installation at this precise location, just the recreation area. However, the recreation area is still pretty secured.
=====> Click here to read the entire article with more photos.
Navy Replies to High Cost of RV Parks
A couple months ago, I ran a article from reader Rich about an "Open Letter to MWR Pricing". Later, I received a few emails back from other readers that had received replies from the Navy IG. The replies to all of them were exactly the same. Obviously, it was a canned reply.
Here's an excerpt from the original article: "The present full hook-up fees, for example, at Del Mar, Camp Pendleton, of $50.00 per night, $100.00 for a 2 day weekend, $350.00 per week, $1500.00 per month are unreasonable. That’s almost an house mortgage! Again, what is the objective? Is it to provide a place for military folks or is it to generate jobs, pay increases, and benefits for the civilian contractors who now manage the recreation?"
Here's the same reply everyone received from the Navy Inspector General:
Dear XXXXXXXXXX
This is in response to the concerns you raised in your hotline complaint (hotline #201101010).
Thank you for your e-mail of 7 April 2011 concerning the pricing policy of MWR facilities, specifically at military campgrounds. While you have referenced various other Service MWR facilities, I can only speak to the Navy MWR pricing policy.
Based on information provided by CNIC MWR officials, MWR campgrounds and RV parks are considered to be Category "C" MWR activities. As defined by the Department of Defense, Category "C" MWR activities are revenue generators for the installation MWR Fund and are not authorized to receive appropriated fund support. They must are self-sustaining and rely entirely on user fees to offset operational costs and general overhead expenses. Therefore these recreational facilities cannot be managed and staffed as a mission essential benefit but must operate in a business-like manner.
The MWR mission is to provide authorized patrons with excellent service at an affordable price. A general rule of thumb is to provide a quality of service at least equal to what is available in the private sector, but at approximately a 20% discount to the customer. However, since West Coast expenses, especially in the San Diego area, are greater than the national average, the campground user fees must reflect that higher cost of doing business.
I appreciate and share your concern that the cost of living for many enlisted and retired personnel is greatly exceeding their discretionary income; however, MWR pricing must keep pace with the escalating costs of providing these popular recreational opportunities.
Thank you again for bringing this matter to our attention.
Sincerely,
CNIC Inspector General
=====> Click here to learn read the original Article on MWR Pricing.
Website Tip
A very powerful feature of the U.S. Military Campgrounds and RV Parks website is the COMMUNITY section. This section of the website is only available to registered members of the website (registration is free). The COMMUNITY section is like a mini "Facebook". Users can post comments, join and create common interest groups, view other users profiles, send private messages to other members, maintain your personal profile and profile photograph, upload video links, and maintain and upload photo albums.
Once you've logged into the website, click on the COMMUNITY menu option. From there, you'll see the many features available here. Go ahead and explore this area and feel free to participate!
What's Happening to Hurlburt Field FamCamp?
I've received various "reports" that Hurlburt Field FamCamp will be removed and housing built in this location. I've heard that a new FamCamp will be built at Hurlburt Field near existing Military Family Housing at "Commando Village". I've heard that MWR will stop repairing and supporting the existing FamCamp after this Labor Day. Butt here seems to be much confusion and speculation on what's really going to happen. My inquitries to Hurlburt Field MWR come back with "we don't know anything" answers.
There's a discussion going on in our Discussion Forums regarding this topic. Let us know what you know or discover. Perhaps we can start getting some straight answers about the future of Hurlburt FIeld FamCamp. Their phone number is (850) 884-6939 or (850) 884-6105.
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here to send Hurlburt Field FamCamp an eMail.
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here for the discussion on this topic in our Forums.
Macintosh Version of the U.S. Military Campgrounds Directory Software
In addition to the free website, I've been offering the U.S. Military Campgrounds Directory software for a low fee. Although the Directory software contains much of the same information as on the website, NO Internet access is required to use the Directory software. It operates on your computer instead of a website. This is useful when traveling and you don't have Internet access. In addition, the revenue generated from the sales and subscriptions of the Directory software helps support the operation and improvement of the website.
The U.S. Military Campgrounds Directory software has been around for over four years. But only a Microsoft Windows version is available. I periodically get requests to have the Directory software available in a Macintosh compatible version. Lately, I've also been getting requests to have an iPad/iPhone version, as well as an Android phone version, and even a few requests for a Windows phone version. Although I would love to be able to offer the Directory software in all of these various versions, it hasn't been economically feasible. Less than 13% of the total website visitors are using a Macintosh computer. However, this isn't to say I don't want to offer the U.S Military Campgrounds Directory in a Macintosh, or various phone apps, version.
I'm looking for feedback and advice from any experienced computer programmers. I'm beginning to investigate my options for development and support of a Macintosh version of the Directory software. Perhaps even an iPad/iPhone version as well. If you have some experience in this area, please contact me.
New U.S. Military Campground Being Built
Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, AK has started clearing land for their new military campground, called Chena Cove. For years, we've heard rumors that the existing Glass Park RV Park at Fort Wainwright would be removed, but these rumors haven't come true, yet. Perhaps once this new RV park is completed, Glass Park will close down.
While not much information is known about the new RV Park, reports indicate the new Chena Cove will be "bigger and better".
Camp Host Wanted
Camp Ripley, MN is looking for a Seasonal Camp ground Host for its DeParcq Woods campground. Electric and water provided at site. Contact CW4 Marie Festler at 320-616-2706 for inquiries.
Latest Military Campground and RV Park News
Please send all news and articles to larryf@militarycampgrounds.us
Your contributions will benefit us all!
- Maxwell/Gunter Recreation Area at Lake Martin, AL - A report was received that this recreation area was severely damaged by a recent tornado.
- Sea Mist RV Campground, Dam Neck Annex, Oceana NAS, Virginia Beach, VA - Currently all calls for reservations are being routed to Ocean Pines RV Park at Oceana. Please be patient..Jackie is the only one to answer all of these calls. Leave a message with your name and phone number first, then give other info. Please don't hang up thinking that you have reached a wrong number as that just makes her list of messages longer. She will give you information about how and when to pay for your stay when she calls you back. Her reservation program is new and running for both parks and is very slow so be prepared for her to get your info then have to call you back a second time.
- Cliffside RV Park, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, Oak Harbor, WA - This park closed in September, 2010 for major renovations. As of early April, no construction work has been started. The last word I got was that the contract had not yet been issued.
- Rocky Point RV Park, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, Oak Harbor, WA - it was reported that a new dump station had been installed here.
- Camp Perry Lodging and RV Park, Camp Perry, Port Clinton, OH - Free WiFi is now available at the club house. They now also have a new bath house. Dogs are also now allowed with the usual leash and clean-up rules.
- Buckley AFB FamCamp, Longmont, CO - Many months ago (a year?), we announced that a new USAF FamCamp was going to be built here. Since then, no updates had been received... until now. It's been reported that construction has begun on this new FamCamp. Yey!!!
- Engineer Beach RV Park, Fort Rucker, Dothan, AL - Roads in the campground and many of the RV sites have been paved. No more dust! New bathrooms, a laundry room, and a recreation room are also scheduled to be completed this month.
- DeParcq Woods, Camp Ripley, MN - While this military campground was under construction, they were allowing free dry camping. However, construction has now been completed and they now offer full electric and water hook-ups at 15 RV sites for $17 a night. It's great to see new military recreation facilities open up!
- Glass Park RV Park & Outdoor Adventure, Fort Wainwright, Fairbanks, AK - The new summer camp hosts have arrived and reported that they are aggressively cleaning up the RV Park, widening the sites. These are some dedicated hosts! They recently completed being camp hosts for over 5 months at Grassy Pond Recreation Area at Moody AFB, GA.
- Offutt AFB FamCamp, NE - An important update if you are coming to Offutt in Jun 2011 (maybe July). Be certain to call and ask for the current status before coming to Offutt. The Missouri river is flooding north of Omaha. The Corps of Engineers are considering releasing additional water from up-stream dams. There is a chance that the Offutt RV camp will be flooded (on purpose) as well as the surrounding area. Just call first to make sure everything is ok and to avoid possible disappoint.
Your Support Is Appreciated
To help support the operation of the U.S. Military Campgrounds and RV Parks website, this eNewsletter, and our U.S. Military Campgrounds Directory software:
- Visit our advertisers. Advertiser website links are at the top and bottom of every web page. No purchase required.
- Purchase the U.S. Military Campgrounds Directory software.
- Make a Donation. A donation link is available at the bottom of each web page.
- Advertise your product or services on the website. Click here for information and rates.
Your support is GREATLY appreciated and helps with the continued operation and improvement of the website, this eNewsletter, and the Directory software.
