Surviving Economic Times: Everyone is impacted by the significantly higher cost of fuel, and the entire RV industry is dealing with perhaps its biggest challenge ever. RV parks are feeling the impacts, albeit in differing ways. But there are steps that might be considered to help weather the storm, and deal with the realities of the current economic environment.

WiFi Update: We've published a number of articles on this topic, each of which reports on developments of how high speed internet is being adapted for use in RV parks. The earlier articles provide a chronicle of these events as they were unfolding. However we now see a need for providing updated information that supercedes all of our previous articles.

Some Thoughts About Directory Listings: Without question many RVer choices about which park to select are made with reference to one of the major print directories -- often at the last minute. Listings contain crucial bits of information, some beyond the control of the park owner. However a carefully considered separate ad can provide some key information the listing won't show, and highlight some features of your park that are likely to be missed by readers.

Building an RV Park: We often get inquiries from those contemplating building a new RV park, asking our views on some aspect of the process. Rather than respond piecemeal to these inquiries, we've compiled a list of considerations we think are appropriate to this process. Each person's situation will of course be different, and the engagement of an expert consultant will be the best insurance available.

Changing Demographics of RVers: We've been observing major changes among the RV population the past few years, and came upon an article that translates that trend into the implications for those that might contemplate building a new RV park, or renovating an existing park. These are trends that no park owner can afford to neglect.

Wireless Internet -- for Free? We interview Rich and Barbara Stockwell, who designed, built, and operate Fidalgo Bay RV Park in Anacortes, WA. This park was among the first to build its own Wi Fi service, and offer it to its RV guests free of charge. Soon business was booming. Even though this interview took place some years ago, the underlying thinking is still right an target, and we think other park owners will find this interview of value.

Geocaching: Want to make your guests find your park and stay a few days longer? Introduce them to "geocaching": -- a fun new techno-sport ideal for RVers everywhere. If you don't know what we're talking about, go read our article that explains the basics. Then print a copy and post it for your RV guests. But be sure to go to the geocaching website (see article), key in your zipcode, and print out the long list of caches that are surely within an easy drive of your park or campground.

Building an RV Park: We get lots of queries from those interested in building a new RV park, or purchasing and upgrading an older one. While we're not experts in these fields, we do have opinions. This article provides information we think would be of interest. Our bottom line is we believe some independent, outside help will often prove to be a very wise investment.

Campground Etiquette: We've published a draft list of reader recommendations for a class we give in "Campground Courtesy". We found the list of reader suggestions very close to our own personal recommendations. We were also pleased to see our readers showed a keen interest in both contributing items and in learning what guidance other RVers would have to offer. We think you'll find the list informative. Your guests may too, so please feel free to post or share it...

Park Owners Rate RVer Concerns: Our regular park owner readers are familiar with surveys we've done concerning RVer attitudes and opinions, including what they're looking for when selecting an RV park. Since we've done some presentations at the ARVC Annual Meeting the past couple of years, we've had a captive audience of you -- the park owners. We took advantage of this by passing out a survey form concerning park owner issues and concerns about RVers. We got our 15 questions from you (park owners); and we tabulated the results of around 100 fully completed responses that we received. This article summarizes what you told us -- the things that most and least concern you. Take a look and see if your concerns are reflected in these survey results.

Wal Mart Issue: This one is often a contentious issue, and we express our views in an editorial on this topic. We think many park owners see this as a much bigger issue than it really is, and we offer our comments and suggestions on how to defuse the situation.

Campground Courtesy: We know you appreciate the way most RVers conduct themselves in your parks. There's a lot of signage about "do this...." or "don't do that....". Much of this is part of the unwritten code of RV Campground Courtesy, and Mel Chaney has posted an interesting editorial on this subject. We trust you will find this one of interest.

What Subliminal Messages are You Sending? Many park owners and managers work extremely hard to ensure their parks are shipshape, and make a positive "visual statement". But there are other messages, more subtle in nature, which may not be sending the message you've intended...

RVers' Tips: Here we list suggestions, recommendations, and comments calculated to communicate in a positive way RVers' preferences when selecting an RV park. We've asked our RV readers to send along their recommendations as well.

What Makes a Good RV Park? Here's an article that takes an RVer's perspective on what things make an RVer want to select and come back to an RV park.

Finally, if you'd like to let us know who you are via email, drop us a note. Our readers have expressed an interest in knowing which RV parks are actually online and participants in our growing non-commercial dialogue here. These are the same parks that typically understand and provide for the online needs of our readers when they're on the road. We think you'll find many of them will reciprocate with their patronage.