Archive for the 'RV Parks & Resorts' Category

The Happy Camper Club's directory lists more than 700 RV parks where RVers can enjoy 50% off at RV Parks Reviewed by none other than "Mr. RV" himself, Chuck Woodbury, this one seems to be the real deal. After reviewing many so-called discount camping clubs, when he came across the Happy Camper Half-Price Club he declared it a winner. The club is a family-owned and operated business that owns two private campgrounds. Just like savvy hotels, they realized that most of their fellow campgrounds owners would rather fill their extra campsites (rooms) at discounted rates than have them go vacant.

RVers joining the club can choose from nearly 1,000 private campgrounds including dozens in Canada. In most cases, a full-hookup space is less than $10, and sometimes even as little as $6! A one-year membership is $49.95 plus $5.95 for postage and handling of the comprehensive directory they send you. Members receive a membership card, plus an informative 270-page directory Campground Locations List that shows each participating half-price campground, its amenities, driving directions and even its rules about pets. Most of these quality campgrounds are operated by their owners, are in popular locations, many even lakeside or within sight of the ocean.

Memberships come with an unconditional 30-day money-back guarantee and unlike other membership campgrounds like Coast to Coast and Thousand Trails, no contracts are required. And believe it or not with this club there are no hidden fees! The annual $49.95 membership is the total dollar commitment except for the (discounted) nightly camping fees.

The club is doing well these days partly owing to high fuel and RV park prices. People on a fixed retirement income will appreciate any legitimate discounts they can get, not just those where you might run into Clark Griswold and his family (remember the 1983 movie, National Lampoon's Vacation?) Clark pays a fortune to a guy spitting watermelon seeds (Brian Doyle Murray) host at Kamp Komfort.

Members of the club can camp at participating parks as often as they want and can enjoy half-price camping that very day! Campgrounds are located all across America and Canada.

See the stars of the past at your favorite RV Resort

When I first saw the article in the Arizona Republic (Jan 9, 2008) about stars of the past being booked into RV Resorts, celebrities like Franky Avalon, The Smothers Brothers, Brenda Lee and even Patti Page, I have to admit that my first reaction may have been less than positive. Other than reminding me that I am smack in the middle of Boomerdom at the tender age of 58, I couldn't figure out why it should bother me. Then it hit me, that sinking feeling I got when I first saw Robert Wagner (with a paunch) selling that Senior Lending Network reverse mortgage stuff on TV. Being of a generation that scoffed at aging actors appearing in commercials, I just couldn't get past the stigma that I had bought into. All that is changed now, as I got older, I got over it.

Baby Boomers with targets on their backs.

These mortgage guys are smart to use a guy like RW, They are targeting us boomers with a plan for us to get cash for the equity in our homes - but, unlike our parents, does our generation really need something like a reverse mortgage? I don't much care for the term "reverse", but heck, maybe it's a good idea, I don't know. That's one reason (among others) they didn't hire me as their pitchman, they brought in the big gun, the aging but still, ultra-hip, Robert Wagner. The strategy here is that only a guy like Bob could ping our memory banks with enough nostalgic sonar waves to make us reach out and dial that reverse mortgage hotline, hypnotizing us with visions of where we were when Hart To Hart was a hit show and just what were we going to do with all that cash!  Shhh, don't tell the kids! (more…)