I just voted on the campground award survey. There are so many good ones that it's a difficult choice. I decided to go with a couple of the smaller CGs this time since it appears that each year the same larger ones keep making the list.

I do not want to take away the merits of the first class CGs that always make the list. But for the last couple years, I have stayed at smaller, out of the way places that are also deserving of recognition. I am wondering if it might be more fair, as well as informational, to make another category under the Eastern and Western choices for 2012? Perhaps based on size.

I understand what you're saying, as the larger winter campgrounds are more popular, because they are busier. I'll take your suggestion under consideration and see what can be done for next year.

I'd like to second that Larry - some of the smaller MCGs really work hard for us, and are fine installations.

In addition, it might be an idea that the same CG can't win over and over again - because, they get the most campers and the most votes, even if the campground is not truly "the best" ...

IF you have 400 sites, you get 400 campers, if you have three sites (like in WV, it will never even be in the running.

ON that same subject Larry - what do you do with the results??

I assume you notify the MCG manager, it might be a good idea to notify the base command as well. Command should know that we appreciate how the MCGs are run when they are run well. Will let them know we care about that issue too -

Matter of fact, why not a category of the "worst run" and notify that command as well. Might make a command take notice if it wins a "you suck" award from the people that use it.

I'd volunteer to write and mail the "award' letters (subject to your approval), in both cases. indicating why each award was given.

I agree with what has been said and that we possibly need three categories to cover all sizes of campgrounds in four geographical areas. It would make them all strive to make for a better experience and we could also identify those that are just plain poor.

Before we do the voting next year, I'll see what is feasible. I can see 4 awards, but 12 may be stretching it. I'm not sure it's fair to "not allow" a campground to win two years in a row. That's something else we would have to discuss.

I do notify the campground or MWR managers for the top 5 winners in each zone. The first place winner for each zone gets an award plaque. Visit Agave Gulch and you'll see all of then displayed. When I notify the managers of their winning (placement), I ask for contact info for those in their chain of command who should also be notified. Not all of the winners get back with me. I do know that Eagle Hammock, Agave Gulch, and Wateree fully embrace this award. (Of course, they are winners).

One year, I tried to get the Campers Choice Awards results published in the Army Times, Air Force Times, etc. But I never heard back from the newspaper publisher. But a year or so ago, they contacted me for an article on "tent camping" at military campgrounds.

At Agave Gulch, they have a ceremony for presenting the award and it's published in the base paper. At Eagle Hammock, I know an article of their award is published in the local town paper. They probably all receive more recognition, but this is what I'm aware of.

The first year of voting, I did have a "worst" campground award. I think I was being political and awarded it to the campground with the "most opportunity for improvement". After that year, I decided to emphasize the positive and not the negative. Perhaps in the middle of the year, there can be a "survey" of the worst campgrounds and publish the results. But not a formal "award".

Monkey, I may take you up on your offer to write the "award letters". I'm not real good at the "Public Relations" or "Marketing" aspect of this website. Part of the problem is getting the addresses (or email addresses) of the proper people to contact.

I appreciate the suggestions and I do want to make this award more meaningful and fair.

I totally agree with a category for the smaller campgrounds cause I know from experience that some work very hard at improving the campground and have excellent customer service....but when the CG has only 20 RV sites or less, not all the bells and whistles (full-hookups, wifi,etc.) and off the beaten path, it's kinda' hard to compete with the bigger, better located ones....and have been campaigning for years for a "most improved category"....

I, too, agree on a smaller CG selection. The larger ones all seem to be in the south and at much larger installations where they collect off the snowbirds and have other revenue sources and attractions. Clean restrooms and level sites mean a lot over cable TV or reservations...of course that's just one person's opinion

On the subject of the vote. I was at Davis Monthan one year when the voting was going on and they actually take notices out and hand them out to the campers in the campground and the ones coming into the campground. It sure makes them a lot more votes. I don't think the voting is fair because of the way it is gone about. That is just my opinion. Not that the campground is not a good one but there are others that are just as good but don't have as many visitors there at the time of the voting.

I would like to see a negative criteria for excessive cost.
It is very poor to have FAMCAMPs raise prices by 30% in five years ($15 to $19) for no reason. We surely didn't receive cost of living of 30%. I can obtain camping fees of $9 and $10 outside the gate with AOR and RPI respectively, and I firmly believe after 24 years of service my membership dues are paid. I don't see where their expenses, or lack thereof, require their fee schedule. They have no costs for real estate or high costs for maintenance. A discount for Golden Access (offered by many FAMCAMPs) or reduced fee is more important to a fixed income retired enlisted than painted rocks, a dog wash, dog run, or wifi.

I would like to see negative criteria for stupid policies, e.g., no washing of rigs, no firearms, etc.
- Where do full-timers wash their rigs? On-base residents wash their cars two blocks away.
- Where do full-timers who own legal guns check them before entering the Base/Post to purchase fuel, shop at the Commissary/BX, or stay in the FAMCAMP? Base housing residents have firearms in their quarters, there are Rod and Gun Clubs on base hosting skeet ranges, they even sell guns in the Exchanges, but we retired military can't have a firearm in our home?

Wow, You hit the nail on the head here. I fully agree with you on all criteria.
Bill
cdufault wrote:

Perhaps award by "Class"..you always hear of "Best in Class" by
the quality award folks for cars..so perhaps have 2 or 3 classes
of campgrounds..such as Full Hook up, partial hookup, dry camps.
or desert camps, ocean camps, or something like these and then
award best for each of say 3 classes....

Just my 1.02

Rich

How does one vote? I have been a member a few years now and
apparently missed out on the voting????

R

Probably a lot nore work for larry to make more categories ...

But, seems to me if the same two MCGs win every year, make little sense to have it. It's not a competition in that sense, but if the same people go to the same MCG each year (and those are the best maintained) and the same people vote then we'll know the winners already.

Not wanting this to be a 'negative post' just trying to make some kind of sense and good use of this survey. Any suggestions or ideas ??

Wonder how many people keep voting for the same campground year after year and have not been back to it? I think if you want to add a category to the voting maybe it is time to ask the question "do they allow homesteading"? This is the hot button that we read about here and in the rec. facility info. section. Most of us know what campgrounds allow homesteading and most of us would agree what homesteading is and that should throw them out immediately as a potential winner. It will not stop the homesteading but at least we are not rewarding the campgrounds that allow it. Just my 2 cents this AM and I am at a campground winner that is allowing homesteading and I was told it is all about the money, period.

mastermtn wrote:

Voting is only in November and December. When open to voting, it's announced in the monthly eNewsletter and on the website home page. An new menu option is also then available to vote. Sorry you missed it.

To everyone else, I agree with most of what's being suggested. Keep the suggestions coming. I have until September to decide how the Campers Choice Award would change. I know what we've been doing needs to be changed.

Thanks for the ideas!

Maybe a category for best homesteading campground, as that topic seems to get a lot of posts. NOTE, TO ALL WHO DON"T HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR, this was posted as sarcasm.

Stanbnv I like the way you think, now why didn't I think of that?

Another way to think about voting next year would be to have a Northern and a Southern category as most if not all of the winners are in the southern states. There has to be some really super military campgrounds in the North that folks go to in the summer. Just would need a clarification of what states fall in each category. The ones who win all the time in the East and the West would be competing with each other in the Southern category.

Well I know Wateree Recreation Area (a winner) is probably also the smallest Air Force campground at just 25 acres, 14 cabins and 22 RV sites. I also know the manager actively engages his customer base in his belief that the campground belongs to them, the customers! He has had much success with this as his customers all consider Wateree "their" campground. They actively help/volunteer with an annual "clean up" day each March (began 3 years ago in conjunction with Beautify America Day) and the 1st year had about 50-60 people; last year was over 100 (many sqadrons from Shaw AFB participating), and this year is already exceeding that total! The "buy in" by the customers has made this a very nice, family friendly escape for them all. Additionally, Wateree Recreation Area is very active on Facebook with more than 735 fans! They all know the quickest way to get the "word" about events and programs at Wateree is via their FB page. They actively seek "votes" for the award each year by putting it on on FB to their customers (they have only won 2x's - once in 2010 and again in 2011) and the base leadership in turn uses the results for more $$ and improvements at Wateree, a win, win for all.