For Immediate Release         Media Contact:  Steve Kappler or Marjorie Beenders
June 30, 2008                                                Phone: 573-636-8282 « Email: info@tbwgroup.net

Camping Attracts Families, Retirees
to Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks

 Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. –Campers of all kinds will find exactly what they’re looking for at Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks.  From a sleeping bag on the ground to a cot in a tent … or from a cozy camping cabin to a fully appointed (and air-conditioned) RV, the Lake-area’s 21 privately-owned campgrounds are ready to welcome you.

For families looking for opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors, or retirees following their dreams of independence, the Lake offers a memorable and affordable camping vacation.  Campers can select from more than 1,500 private campground sites, including rugged, wooded sites at the water’s edge, or meticulously groomed, paved sites with full hook-ups and numerous amenities.  At today’s Lake of the Ozarks campgrounds – many now simply known as RV parks – those amenities can include free wireless Internet access, cable TV, modern laundry facilities, club rooms with full kitchens, well-stocked stores, marinas with boat rentals, mini-golf and more.  Most are pet friendly and offer easy access to the Lake-area’s popular attractions, activities and entertainment.  The parks can accommodate fold-downs, fifth-wheels, truck-campers, travel-trailers and motor homes.

The only RV park in Osage Beach is aptly named the Osage Beach RV Park, operated by Larry and Pat Jones for nearly 20 years.  Popular amenities include a half basketball court, swimming pool and kiddie pool, air-conditioned club room, camp store, and free Wi-Fi.  The park has 75 sites and five cabins.  The park is located within walking distance to restaurants, shopping, golf and bowling.  “We’re in the middle of town but on 40 acres of woods,” Jones says.

Jones says three-quarters of his business is repeat customers and the majority of those are retirees who frequently bring their grandchildren along for the experience and the fun.  “When I first started out most of my customers were families.  Now it’s mostly retirees who want to relax in woods, or rent a boat and enjoy the Lake.”  Osage Beach RV Park is open from late March through early November.

For campers who prefer a quiet riverside setting, the River View RV Park in Lake Ozark is a good choice.  Owner Vicky Stockman says most of her guests are repeat customers.  “We attract families, fishermen and groups of all shapes and sizes, including a lot of family reunions.  In fact, a lot of people come more than once during the year,” she says.  “They come from all over.  We meet so many nice people and that’s the best part of the job.”  In fact, Stockman says, each year she sends out more than 500 holiday cards to customers.  “We get more customers every year and we’re proud of that,” she adds.

River View has 75 RV sites and a few tent sites.  Guests appreciate the scenic Osage River location, stocked pond, well-equipped playground, swimming pool and pond, and the camp store.  Also on-site are a boat ramp and dock.  Stockman frequently drums up bingo games, puppet shows, fish fries and barbecues for guests.  The park is open from early March to mid-November.

Former policeman Glenn Smith is one of the newer campground owners at the Lake.  Although he has owned Ozark Trails RV Park in Linn Creek for about one year, he and his partners Phil and Patricia Weide have been busy making improvements at the 39-acre park, including adding on to the two cabins and 62 RV sites, and expanding the boat and RV storage areas.  In addition, Ozark Trails is bucking the trend of reducing or eliminating tent business by creating additional “walk-in” tent sites.  “These are very private sites you reach by walking down a trail into the woods,” Smith says.

Open year-round, most of the park’s guests are families, Smith says, who enjoy the pools and playground, two hiking trails, pontoon rental, store and game room.  “We get a lot of repeat business from people all over the region.  A lot of people come in and park and stay all summer,” he says.  “People like it that there’s plenty of room here.  You’re not back to back and the kids can play and have fun.”  After his first year as a campground owner, Smith acknowledges it’s a lot of work.  “But, compared to being a cop, I feel like I’m on vacation all the time,” he says.

Suzanne Pointon at Hava Space RV Park in Gravois Mills would agree: Campground ownership is a challenge, but rewarding.  “We have met a lot of nice people and made a lot of good friends,” Pointon says.  She and her husband Jeff have owned the 20-year-old Hava Space for four years.  One of their innovations has been to offer guests a yearly lease which allows them to park their RV at Hava Space and visit whenever the spirit moves them.  “This has been very successful for us and our guests,” Pointon says.  “They know they will always have a spot here.  It’s the ideal situation, unless you want to travel a lot.  You can avoid the hustle and bustle and save a lot of money.”

Open year round, the park offers 28 RV sites and two cabins.  Amenities include a pool, game room and meeting room – plus a unique gift store where Pointon sells quilts, jewelry and her own watercolor paintings.  The store also stocks Missouri wines and Pointon frequently holds tastings for her guests.  She also cooks breakfast for camping groups one morning during their stay, and even distributes home-baked cookies during the holiday season.  “We hope our guests will take home the same kind of great memories we used to have when we camped with our families,” Pointon says.

Most of the Lake’s campgrounds offer seasonal rates, special prices for seniors and other savings.  Many have toll-free phone numbers or web sites to help travelers plan their trip.  Rates and reservation policies vary.

Whether you pitch your tent or pull in your RV overnight or over several weeks, make sure your camping trip includes the Lake of the Ozarks.  For more information about campsites and facilities, as well as events, activities, shopping, dining, attractions and more, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253) or visit www.funlake.com.

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