Archive for October, 2005

>In 2004, visitors to Maryland’s state park campground visitors spent, on average, $301 per trip and visitors to the state’s private campgrounds spent an average per trip of $698.

That’s according to the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, which on Tuesday announced some results of a study compiled for the department in May. The study found that Maryland’s state parks and private campgrounds generated more than $231 million in total economic impact in 2004.

Of the $231.9 million in total economic impact, spending by visitors to state parks totaled $168.8 million, while private campgrounds visitors spent $63 million, according to the study. Spending by campground visitors supported 3,140 jobs in Maryland, with 2,276 of those jobs being directly related to visitor spending at campgrounds. More than $13.5 million in total tax revenue for the state and local governments was generated, according to the department. Full Story…
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>The Maryland Line Volunteer Fire Company’s efforts to raise money for its new building got a boost Oct. 8 when it received a check for $6,000 from campers at Morris Meadows Campground.

For the past 12 years, the campground’s long-term campers – called “Chipmunks” – have been recycling aluminum cans they use each summer and donating the cash they receive for the cans, said manager Lois Morris Reithlingshoefer. Each year, the campers pick a different charity to receive the funds. Full Story…

>When Ozzie Givens signed a contract allowing FEMA to set 60 campers on her site — with an agreement for at least 90 more to come — she didn’t just open up her business but her home.

“You know what my problem is, I don’t know how far my responsibility goes,” Givens explained. “But I do know one thing, I’m not going to let anybody go without.”

Givens gets to the campground early in the morning and doesn’t leave until after 8 p.m., Bernard said. Givens drives around in her golf cart and asks each person staying in the campers if he needs anything before she retires for the night, Bernard said.

Givens also knows each camper by name, keeping a private list of the FEMA residents that details any medical needs or whether they lack food, transportation or a job.

She also knows which contractors renting RV spots in the campgrounds need workers and has paired evacuees wanting the work with them.

Perhaps one of the more important ways she helps her displaced residents is by cajoling federal and local officials until the residents have what they need. She gets the name and telephone numbers of each official who visits the campground to call when problems arise. Full Story…