In the previous episode of MC Fireside Chats on June 4, 2025, host Brian Searl welcomed guests including recurring contributors Rafael Correa, President and CFO of Blue Water; Simon Neal, founder of Camp Map; and Scott Bahr from Cairn Consulting Group. A special guest for the session was Jayne Cohen, founder and CEO of Campground Consulting Group and its sister company, Glamping Consulting Group, who—despite Brian’s playful jest about her youth—celebrated her 50th year in the industry. The discussion immediately turned to pressing industry concerns when Rafael Correa highlighted a recent Baltimore Sun report about Raystown Lake in Pennsylvania. Camping at this large Army Corps-run recreational lake was reportedly shut down due to staffing cuts linked to “Doge inefficiency efforts.” This closure significantly impacted local businesses, with some experiencing a 40-50% downturn over Memorial Day weekend, underscoring the ripple effects of such decisions on local economies and the potential risks to state and national park accessibility. Scott Bahr elaborated on this, noting an “enthusiasm gap” among potential guests stemming from a “dark cloud” over national parks, citing news of over 5,000 anticipated staff layoffs. He differentiated this concern from purely economic anxieties, explaining that while people understand macroeconomic pressures, they are more deterred by factors that diminish the on-the-ground experience. The perception that staff cuts will lead to a lesser experience weighs more heavily on travel decisions than economic factors alone, creating a cumulative negative effect. The conversation then explored whether park closures and staff shortages or broader economic concerns were more heavily influencing camper behavior. Rafael shared a contrasting experience from Blue Water’s home base in Ocean City, Maryland. Despite initial concerns about federal government layoffs and return-to-office mandates affecting their key feeder markets (DC, Northern Virginia, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh), their properties were experiencing significant growth. He attributed this to the affordability of outdoor hospitality and Ocean City’s appeal as a blue-collar, drive-to beach destination, suggesting that economic uncertainty might be playing to their strengths. Scott Bahr concurred, emphasizing the advantage of drive-to destinations, as people are likely opting for shorter, less uncertain trips. Jayne Cohen, drawing on her extensive industry experience, supported these observations. She noted that during economic uncertainty, travelers prioritize accessible, easily cancellable, and affordable options, bringing back the “150-mile sweet spot” for travel distances, reminiscent of 2019 trends. She asserted that camping remains an affordable vacation choice, often driven more by desired location and activities than by price alone. Campers, she argued, can tailor their trips to their budgets, perhaps by forgoing restaurant meals if campsite fees are higher in a preferred area. The discussion then shifted to the crucial concept of value proposition in camping. Rafael emphasized that it’s not just about affordability but the overall value, including amenities like water parks and organized activities not typically found at budget hotels. Jayne Cohen added that, in her experience, the most expensive sites, like waterfront ones, often book up first precisely because of their perceived value, offering experiences that would be significantly more costly in other accommodation types. Brian Searl underscored the necessity for campgrounds, especially independent ones, to effectively communicate this value through their marketing efforts. Exploring how to communicate this value, Rafael stressed the importance of visual storytelling – high-quality lifestyle photos and videos that allow potential guests to imagine themselves at the property. He also advocated for leveraging micro-influencers and the authenticity of Facebook Lives to connect