Dogwood Express Newsletter
September 9 2022: Issue 29
In This Issue:
  • Measuring and Marketing the Accessibility of Lodging and Campgrounds
  • Todd's Tent Town and Todd's RV & Camping, Peachland Serving Guests from 1956 - 2022 Closes for Good
  • Invite for Owners of Water and Waste Systems to Network
  • Recreate Responsibly
Special Message

The announcement of the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022 was received with sadness and shock. Over her 70 year reign she devoted her life of service to the UK, the Commonwealth and the world. We offer our deepest condolences to Her Majesty's family. She will be greatly missed.
BCLCA Lodging and Camping Ideas Forum, Kelowna
October 18-20, Registration Now Open

Dear BCLCA Member:

Come join fellow operators at the fall “Lodging and Camping Ideas Forum” October 18 – 20, 2022 at the Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre in Kelowna.

"Together Again" Sponsored by WorkSafeBC, Signature Risk, Western Financial Group, Insider Perks and Modern Campground.

There are quality speakers sprinkled through the agenda talking on a number of topics affecting the day-to-day operation of your business. This year the Ideas Forum is a hybrid format and you can attend in person or register virtually.

The Ideas Forum is designed to provide BCLCA members and guests with a learning opportunity thanks to our sponsors and exhibitors.

As a bonus we have added the recorded highlight videos from our virtual event in 2021 so that you can see the types of sessions and hear the presenters to gauge the value of attending.

To register visit https://bc.mycampcon.com/register/ to attend in person or https://bc.mycampcon.com/virtual-register/ to register virtually.

We hope to see you in Kelowna or virtually!
MEASURING AND MARKETING THE ACCESSIBILITY OF LODGING AND CAMPGROUNDS

BCLCA has been approached by Destination BC to help support the development and improvement of accessible tourism products, services, and activities in BC to ensure every person can participate.

As a first step, tourism businesses can now add their accessibility attributes to HelloBC.com so that consumers planning a trip to BC can easily find businesses that are accessible. Destination BC has organized the accessibility attributes into five categories:

  • Mobility,
  • Vision,
  • Hearing,
  • Cognitive
  • and General.

See the attached Accessible Attributes Check List for Tourism Businesses – ACCOMMODATION – for information on each. It is estimated that the check list takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.

The goal is to have all campgrounds, RV parks and lodging that are members of BCLCA measure their existing accessibility features through a self-assessment process, and then to add those features to your listing on Hellobc.com. The data will be shared with BCLCA and we will explore adding the Accessibility feature on our website travel-british-columbia.com in 2023.

For example:


There is no cost to participate but you need to complete the Accessible Attributes Check List for Tourism Businesses – ACCOMMODATION and submit the form to accessibility@destinationbc.ca.
TODD'S TENT TOWN AND TODD'S RV & CAMPING, PEACHLAND SERVING GUESTS FROM 1956-2022 CLOSES FOR GOOD
       
Message from Graham, Kelly and all the Todd families:
 
“In 1928, our grandparents, Sarah and William Todd worked the orchard along with raising cattle. In 1956, their eldest son Jeff Todd, and his wife Jean, founded Todd's Tent Town, creating a space to welcome travelers by clearing brush and building pit toilets. As times changed, and camping became more popular, the bath house was built, and power and water were installed.
 
Upon retirement, Jeff and Jean passed managing of the year-round business to their youngest son Graham, and his wife Kelly. As camping evolved, the Todd families updated the property, adding sewer hookups, more power, larger sites, landscaping, and changed the name to Todd's RV & Camping. The camping season at Todd's RV grew from May through August to early March through November, and to hosting campers from around the world. Todd's RV & Camping also enjoyed 15 years of hosting winter campers. We were fortunate to have had many generations of guests return year after year, building friendships, and connecting with so many wonderful people.  
 
We have had amazing staff along the way, who enjoyed their Todd's experience, and contributed to our growth and success. We were very proud to have become the #1 award winning park in the Okanagan. ​Being one of the first vacation campgrounds on Okanagan Lake, Todd's Tent Town/Todd's RV & Camping was a special place to be. 
 
With heavy hearts after 66 years, the gates closed on September 7th, 2022, with the beautiful Todd family property moving onto its next stage. 
 
When you are sad to see something end, it must have been amazing while it was happening.
 
Thanks for the memories.”
 
Editor’s Note: Todd’s RV and Camping has been a member of the BCLCA for over 50 years and it is sad to see it redeveloped but change is constant. I can honestly say Graham and Kelly will be greatly missed! Good luck to you both in your retirement.
INVITE FOR OWNERS OF WATER AND WASTE SYSTEMS TO NETWORK

The BC Water & Waste Association would like to invite you to join the BC Small Water Systems Community Network.
 
The BCLCA has recently joined this free network and is encouraging members with water systems to do the same.
 
This entirely FREE platform allows small water systems owners and their teams to connect with other small water systems owners and teams, as well as supporters, to find resources, expertise, and information to help ensure systems are resilient and sustainable!
 
The Community Network has a lot of great areas to explore including:
 
  • Dashboard – a curated area highlighting new posts across the Community Network. You will also find guidance and information about new features posted here.
  • Directory – an area to search through the profiles of both Members and Organizations. Individuals can choose to reveal as much or as little information as they are comfortable with. Members can flag other Members or Organizations as a “Favourite” to hold on to the contact.
  • Knowledge Zone – this area is comprised of a variety of sections designed to connect Members with resources and expertise. Search through 40 unique Resources, a variety of Articles highlighting a topic of interest with a discussion, pose questions and chat on a variety of Technical Discussion categories, and jump over to the Online Help Centre for BC Small Water Systems – hosted by Thompson Rivers University.
  • Community News – an area that allows Members to post and find opportunities to learn, participate, and help others. This area includes Wanted/Offering, Opportunities, and Upcoming Events. Use the convenient Submit a Post feature to share with others on the Community Network!

The Community Network was developed with privacy inherent to the design, allowing individuals to manage privacy settings and choose whether they are visible on the platform. The Community Network also includes an internal messaging service that allows communication between members without having to share personal contact information. Members receive an email when they have an internal message!
 
Thank you for taking the time to learn about the Community Network. Please feel free to send an email to smallwaternetwork@bcwwa.org if you have any questions. 
RECREATE RESPONSIBLY

The Outdoor Recreation Council of BC has created a placeholder for the many programs that promote codes and rules to be prepared for the great outdoors.

If you like to play outdoors, adventure outdoors, and breathe in the beauty of the outdoors, it’s your responsibility—and the responsibility of every single human recreating outdoors—to do so responsibly all of the time.

The Outdoor Recreation Council of BC aims to enhance environmental awareness and appreciation through education and interpretation and develop and implement educational programs that foster responsible outdoor practices.

The landing page prominently features the Camper’s Code as well as other etiquettes so check it out.
BC LODGING & CAMPGROUNDS ASSOCIATION
209, 3003 St. Johns Street, Port Moody BC V3H 2C4
FOLLOW US