b'EDITORS NOTES By Ben QuiggleUnruly Campers: Tiny Headache or Massive Migraine?Dealing with unruly campers is part of the job for RV park andcampground owners. Maybe someone is playing loud music after quiet hours havebegun or two RV owners have gotten into a tussle because one parkeda little too close. More likely than not this summer you will have to deal withcampers who are breaking the rules and getting on your nerves. WoodallsCampgroundManagement (WCM)hadtherecentpleasure of attending the Wisconsin Campground Owners Associa-tions (WACO) annual conference and sat in as WACOs AttorneyMark Hazelbakerspoke about managing disruptive campers. With all of the political tension over the past yearincluding theCOVID crisisyour campers could be arriving at your park stressed and ready to boil over, butHazelbaker noted there are steps you can take to ensure you remain calm.Create a Positive Culture and Set Expectations.You need to decide what the atmosphere atyour park will be. Are you family friendly? Adults Only? Whomever your park caters to, it is im-portant that you set the tone. Consistency is Key.No matter who the camper is, you need to make sure the rules are en-forced equally all the time. Hazelbaker said it can create major headaches with other campersif rules are bent for some and not others. Remember, you are On When in the Presence of Others.It is best to behave the way youwish your campers would when you are out and about in your park. Hazelbaker also unveiled a number of levels that serve as a guide for how to engage unrulycampers. He noted that you always want to start with the least possible intervention but escalateto the appropriate level without hesitation. Level 1:A Peaceful Surrounding. You want to remain calm and let the camper know why youare there. Level 2:Staff Interacting Positively. Staff should interact in a calm manner, too. Level 3:If disruptions occur, isolate the disturbance and deescalate. Level 4:If deescalation fails, attempt removal. Level 5:Involve security or law enforcement. Level 6:Expulsion from the campgroundHazelbaker noted that it is important to understand that it is never OK to use force except inself-defense. He also noted that you may run into people who are just off or not mentally sta-ble. In those situations, it may be appropriate to call for law enforcement right away. It is im-portant for campground owners/managers to be able to gauge the situation and take action. While no park owner ever wants to engage with a camper who is causing a disruption, un-fortunately it is part of the business. Making sure you stay calm and collected will also ensure that you dont attract the attentionof social media. That is a scenario that can leave you dealing with a full-on migraine instead ofa small headache. WCMwww.woodallscm.comMay 2021 Vol. 52No. 5G & M E D I A LLCGROUPContact Information: Editorial Rick Kessler, Managing EditorSherman Goldenberg, Publisher rkessler@rvbusiness.comsgoldenberg@rvbusiness.com (734) 777-6830Office: (574) 457-3370 Gary Gerard, Editorial DirectorMobile: (574) 457-6637 ggerard@rvbusiness.comFax: (574) 457-8295 (574) 528-1275Ben Quiggle, Editorbquiggle@rvbusiness.com Jeff Crider, Senior EditorMobile: (574) 306-7781 campinginfosource@gmail.com(760) 469-5905Advertising:Ally Kollat, Account Wendy Thorne, AccountExecutive, National Ad Sales Executive, National Ad Salesakollat@g-gmediagroup.com wthorne@g-gmediagroup.comOffice: (574) 266-7980 ext. 11 Office (574) 266-7980 ext. 14Art Direction:Trina Nissley, Art Directortnissley@rvbusiness.comAll general correspondence, circulation and display and classifiedsales inquiries may be directed to the following:Woodalls Campground Management, C/O G&G Media Group LLC, 2901 E. Bristol St., Ste. B, Elkhart, IN 46514. Fax: (574) 266-7984Owners, managers or marketing directors of privately held U.S. campgroundsmay receive a free subscription upon request to Woodalls CampgroundManagementone free subscription per campground. Others may purchase subscriptions at these rates: $24.95 per year U.S. or $35.95 peryear in Canada. Contact Woodalls Campground Management, C/O G&GMedia Group LLC, 2901 E. Bristol St., Ste. B, Elkhart, IN 46514. Email: rvbusiness@rvbusiness.comWoodalls Campground Management is published monthly by G&G MediaGroup LLC at the above address.2 -May 2021Woodalls Campground Management'