Editor’s Note: The standards highlighted in this article are “voluntary,” according to the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (National ARVC).
The Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association’s (PCOA) Board of Directors opposes the program that the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (National ARVC) has formed to create “standards,” according to a press release.
“PCOA encourages all our member parks to strive to be leaders in the industry; we will do so by educating, marketing and advocating for each and every member of our association,” states the release. “PCOA realizes our role as a campground owners association is to support each one of our members and do not feel National ARVC’s standards as presented are in the best interest of the industry.
“Upon review, our board quickly realized that it was not in our best interest as private park owners to submit official answers to all the questions which ARVC will utilize to create standards for the outdoor hospitality industry,” the release added. “While we do agree industry standards would make defending a park against government regulations or possibly government overreach, easier, there is a greater risk that it could open the door for government agencies to evaluate campgrounds. Creating industry standards does not align with either the PCOA mission or the ARVC mission.”
According to the release, National ARVC’s mission reads: “National ARVC, a leader in the outdoor hospitality industry, is the only national association dedicated to representing the interests and needs of private RV parks and campgrounds in the U.S. and Canada.” (ARVC.org)
PCOA’s mission is to support and promote privately owned campgrounds in Pennsylvania.
PCOA’s VISION:
PCOA will facilitate its members’ continued growth and success, striving to be the best association providing unparalleled educational opportunities, world-class marketing strategies and robust member services, creating value that exceeds expectations.
PCOA MEMBERSHIP PHILOSOPHY
- A member is the most important person in PCOA.
- A member is not dependent on us, we are dependent on him or her.
- A member’s need is not an interruption of work, but the purpose of it.
- We exist to serve our members. Without him or her, we would be out of business.
- A member is part of our effort — not just a patron.
- A member is deserving of the most courteous and attentive treatment we can provide.
- A member is the lifeblood of this campground association.
“With the best interest of all our PCOA members in mind, unless these “standards” could be unanimously approved by our membership, we are opposed to creating “standards” for all ARVC parks,” noted the release. “While well-intentioned, our organizations were established on the reciprocal support of each of our members and our organizations.
PCOA represents some of the most modern innovating parks in the country, offering a wide variety of camping experiences that range from very small parks to mega parks,” concluded the release. “The standards as written do not appear to address the uniqueness among the varying types and sizes of campgrounds in Pennsylvania. The PCOA board feels that what works in some states and some localities may not apply in other regions and vice versa.”
