JUNE 2026
ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP MARKETING EDUCATION ADVOCACY BENEFITS
Camping In Ontario, is a member-based Association, comprised of small businesses located throughout the Province of Ontario. Our Association was started in 1969 by a group of campground owners that wanted to improve their businesses. While the way we do things has changed over the years, our mission remains the same: "A S A V I TA L A N D A C T I V E S TA K E H O L D E R I N T O U R I S M , C A M P I N G I N O N TA R I O S U P P O R T S M E M B E R C A M P G R O U N D S I N T H E P R O V I N C E O F O N TA R I O B Y E D U C AT I N G C A M P G R O U N D O W N E R S , M A R K E T I N G C A M P I N G I N O N TA R I O T O T H E G E N E R A L P U B L I C A N D A D V O C AT I N G T O G O V E R N M E N T. " For nearly 60 years, the association has represented campgrounds across the province. We have remained relevant by staying focused on our three core pillars: marketing, advocacy, and education. Our strength comes from an engaged membership and a committed Board of Directors. The Board reflects a wide range of campground sizes, geographic regions, and ownership structures—from independent operators to multi-park organizations—providing diverse experience that supports informed decision-making on behalf of members. Board members are also readily available to connect with and support the membership. The Association’s dedicated staff are located at our office in Ajax and are always available to assist. If they do not know the answer – they will get it for you. I encourage you to reach out to either myself, another board member, or any member of the staff team if you have any questions.
Mark Jaycock Chair, Camping In Ontario
INCLUDED IN MEMBERSHIP MEMBER BENEFITS
EDUCATION
Camping In Ontario’s supplier community is unique, as all suppliers are recommended by other owners for either price, quality of product or service. They know our industry.
CampLearn is the industry’s education-focused website and hosts our Resource Library, which features educational sessions and all campground forms, including Licenses to Occupy, waivers, and rental contracts.
CURATED FOR OUR INDUSTRY
Many suppliers offer exclusive member benefits such as discounts on Superior Propane, Rona, Blue Lemon, 76 North Street and Waterfront Rec. Included is access to our own Health and Dental Program.
MARKETING
WWW.CAMPLEARN.CA
Over the next 12 months, CampLearn will expand to include mandatory, industry-specific staff training and a job posting board. This is just the beginning— CampLearn is only starting to reveal its full potential. Camping In Ontario hosts two in-person events. We end the camping year in November at our Convention & CampEx and kick off the season with our spring meeting.
PRINT & DIGITAL Our marketing approach spans every channel— website, mobile app, print and digital directories, and social media. What sets us apart is our ability to deliver prequalified leads: every inquiry comes from individuals actively looking to go camping. Direct links to your online reservation system ensure you never lose potential customers. In addition to comprehensive listings across all platforms, members can also post vacancies and trailers for sale, further strengthening their online visibility.
PAGE THREE | YOUR MEMBERSHIP
ADVOCACY
ADVOCATING FOR OUR INDUSTRY The Association ensures that all three levels of government—municipal, provincial, and federal— understand the impact of their decisions on our industry. Whether supporting a member at the municipal level or working with industry partners on provincial issues, we continually advocate for changes that make sense for our members. The Association also partners with national organizations on broader issues, such as proposed changes to the Income Tax Act.
MARKETING The tactile experience of reading a physical magazine and the perception of print as a more trustworthy and credible source keep print relevant. Print materials can have a longer lifespan than digital content and are more accessible in certain situations, particularly for individuals who may not have reliable access to digital devices or internet connectivity. This is why we continue to produce the print and digital copies of the directory. 2027 Camping in Ontario print and digital directory The directory is PRINTED and ready for distribution to the public in January. By distributing the directory early and widely, we ensure that potential customers have access to your information during the decision-making process. We ship to RV dealerships and tourist information booths all over the province, and have limited distribution in Quebec and New York. We have run out of copies for the last two years, and this year is no different. A basic listing in both the print and digital versions is included with your membership and features key information - phone, website, and amenities.
The DIGITAL version of the Directory offers the added bonus of providing trackable, detailed insights into camper interests across the province. We are able to track which advertisements and listings receive the most clicks, allowing us to refine our marketing efforts, enhance our services and highlight trends in real time. We also know that: the average impressions (views) per page is 1200, the advertisement click-through rate is 32%, people read 64 pages before leaving the directory. What does this tell us? Campers like and use our digital directory to find their next camping adventure.
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Digital Directory https://issuu.com/campinginontarioupdate/docs/directory_2026_digital_v1_975755f04cd827
PAGE FOUR | MARKETING
MARKETING New Website Launched Fall of 2025 Our new website launched in September 2025. Campers are loving the new design and functionality. Visits are up 19.5% year over year, and organic search functions are up 6.1%. Campers benefit from an enhanced search function and additional photos of campgrounds. The trailer-for-sale feature has also been upgraded for better functionality. Furthermore, the supplier's section now includes more comprehensive details.
CampOnApp We offer both basic and full app options for your listing on the App. The basic listing provides campers with your campground’s key information, such as location, email, website, phone number and reserve now link to your reservation system. For owners looking for a more robust guest interaction, upgrade to the “full” app. Full apps are customized for your campground and can include rules and regulations, lost and found, event calendar, FAQ’s and a whole lot more. The App has over 36,000 downloads and is growing with more than 500 downloads in the last month, with continued growth in both users and usage.
Brochure Distribution Unable to attend the RV Shows? Have your brochure on the Associations’ table at all Spring RV shows which attract thousands of RV enthusiasts. Added bonus - any brochures left over go to the Fall RV show for no cost!
A basic listing on the website and app is included in your membership fees. Upgrades to your website listings are available for additional costs. There are also fees attached to upgrading to the full app. P A G E F I V E | M A R K E T I N G
M ARKETING OPPORTUNITIES Campground Profile Selection We offer three marketing profiles tailored to your budget Option #1 - Basic Listing for the website and app this is the default for all listings. It is included with your membership fees. 1 photo 350 character description Link to online reservation system and website Option #2 - Enhanced Listings - additional fees apply Rotates on the Home page and Find a Campground page 4 additional photos on website listing Select 24 facilities on website listing Highlight 8 experiences on website 1,000 character description Higher placement in search functions in both Campground Search, Trailers for Sale and Vacancies Photo on your CampON listing Option #3 - Premium Listing Package - limited number available - additional fees apply Same as Enhanced Listing, plus exclusive spot rotating on the Home page and Find a Campground page Campground listing video and description rotate as a Campground Spotlight on the website Home page
2027 Camping in Ontario Guide - 55,000 copies printed and digital directory. The directory is available at all tourism information centres, RV dealers, and is handed out at consumer shows. Marketing options: ⅛ page Ad ¼ page Ad (vertical or horizontal) ½ page Ad (horizontal only) Full Page Ad (interior and premium positions available) Premium Positions (inside and back covers) P A G E S I X | M A R K E T I N G
EDUCATION CampLearn.ca Overview The education website was originally created to host the school and resource library. Since then, it has grown into a broader platform that supports additional opportunities and initiatives for the Education Department. One of our first steps was renaming the website to CampLearn. We wanted a name that reflected our goal of making the site a central hub for careers and professional development in the Camping and RV industry in Ontario. Staff Training In partnership with CE Safety, CampLearn will offer staff training in the four mandatory modules over the next year for Ontario: WHMIS Violence and Harassment AODA Supervisor Health and Safety Training These courses were developed with industry-specific examples to make the training practical and relevant. Completion certificates will be stored on the website, making them easy to access without having to manage local files. Employers will also be able to confirm whether staff have completed their required courses. In addition, staff will be able to upload other certifications, such as Food Handling, First Aid, and Lifeguarding, for added convenience. Resource Library Camping In Ontario’s full resource library is now available on CampLearn.ca, with improved search functionality to make materials easier to find. The updated layout also includes brief document descriptions, helping users quickly identify the right resource before opening it. Job Bank CampLearn will host a robust job bank designed to make recruiting easier and more cost-effective. Once complete, job postings will be able to feed to Indeed and other job-seeking websites, allowing a single post to appear on multiple platforms. The job bank will also include sample job descriptions to help attract new talent to the industry. In addition to campground roles, the site will feature positions across RV dealerships, from reception to RV technician roles. RV Tech Training In partnership with ORVDA, CampLearn will host online RV Technician training courses. After completing these courses, students will be eligible to take the Red Seal challenge exam offered by the Ministry of Skilled Trades.
P A G E S E V E N | E D U C A T I O N
CAMPGROUND & OUTDOOR HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (COHMP) School courses will be offered both as self-directed online and virtual programs over the coming year. Over time, all courses will be available in both self-directed online and virtual formats. Level 1 - Creating Intent Camping In Ontario - available as self-directed Camping Industry 101 Customer Service 101 Leading vs Managing Customer Service 201 The Grounds Paperwork and Compliance Outdoor Hospitality and Recreation Activities and Events Case Studies (must have completed all L1 courses to be eligible) Level 2 Courses - Managing with Purpose *prerequisite required
BusinessAudit * De-escalation and Conflict Resolution * Professionalism * Fundamentals of Training * Workforce Development Financial Statements Case Studies (must have completed all L2 courses to be eligible) Level 3 - Strategic Planning Currently in development CampLearn Consulting If you are looking for an outside perspective on where to take your business but are not sure where to begin, we can help. With more than 30 years of combined industry experience, we understand campgrounds and the challenges operators face. Our consulting services can support you with: guidance after purchasing a campground setting your business up for long-term success streamlining processes and systems, and highlighting potential revenue streams reviewing inherited processes to confirm they are effective and accurate Whether you are starting fresh or refining existing operations, CampLearn Consulting can help you move forward with confidence. P A G E E I G H T | E D U C A T I O N
2026 Convention & CampEx November 15 - 18, 2026
Evolving Together
Georgian Bay Hotel, Collingwood
Register Now! https://camping.bluelemonmedia.com/conventions
Children’s Convention - Great Wolf Lodge February 28-March 2, 2027 Meeting to be held on the 28th, February 2027
SPRING MEETINGS DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND WE ARE BRINGING BACK MORE SPRING MEETING LOCATIONS Southwestern Ontario Last week of March 2027
P A G E N I N E | E D U C A T I O N
Kawarthas First week of April 2027
Northern Meeting Second week of April 2027
ADVOCACY The Association can offer letters of support for campgrounds dealing with specific issues at the municipal level. However, our focus is to assist campgrounds dealing with situations that could potentially spread to other parts of the province, such as ambiguous definitions for trailers and campgrounds. Most of the effort focuses on working with municipalities on Campground By-laws. The Association attends AMO (Association of Municipalities of Ontario), ROMA (Rural Ontario Municipal Association), and, for the past number of years, the FMC (Federal Municipal Conference). These conferences allow us to understand municipal challenges and connect with officials. The Association attends AMO, ROMA, and FMC conferences annually to understand municipal challenges and connect with officials.
Our advocacy work primarily takes place at the provincial level. We currently have an open file with the Ministry of Transportation regarding a wording conflict between two different pieces of legislation impacting the issuing of license plates for destination trailers. We continue to have conversations with the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks regarding our long-standing RV design flow rate for septic systems. In addition to maintaining a relationship with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, we have recently increased our involvement with Regional Tourism Offices. By attending conferences, lobby days and in-person meetings, we meet face to face with other Ministries to promote the opportunities and challenges facing our industry.
In conjunction with the National Camping and RV Association and an Ontario MP, we achieved the introduction of a private member’s Bill, Bill C-410, in the last parliament. Unfortunately, the legislation did not proceed due to the dissolution of parliament. We continue to advocate for the same tax change included in Bill C-410, which aims to ensure campgrounds are automatically considered an “active” business regardless of the number of employees.
P A G E T E N | A D V O C A C Y
MEMBER BENEFITS Advertising Explorer RV Club Monthly eNewsletter/Website - 10% discount on any ads placed in the Explorer RV Club Monthly eNewsletter. Booth Discounts Ontario RV Dealers Association (ORVDA) (for campgrounds only) - Special member pricing on ORVDA exhibit booth space at all ORVDA RV Shows and ORVDA technical training seminars. Toronto Spring Camping & RV Show & Sale (for campgrounds only) - Receive a discount for a 10' by 10' booth Campground Reservation System CampLife Reservations (for campgrounds only) - Discounts on reservation & park management software that helps operators easily maximize their properties & provide an experience. App/Website Companies App My Community Created by Armstrong Software - CampON App Blue Lemon Media Inc. - 15% discount on all new websites (approximately $600 savings on a $4,000 website design). Product Discounts Imagewear (a Division of Mark's Work Wearhouse) - 10% off regular retail prices (on items listed on the card) with a Pay as You Go Account Card. Waterfront Recreation Specialists (division of At The Lake Distributing) (Pool, Lake, and Cottage Recreational Products) - 10% off your order.
Programs listed below not only help you save money they also help support the Association financially. All monies generated by these programs are used to support member programs.
Medical/Dental Insurance Exclusive medical/dental coverage for our industry. Owner/operators, as well as seasonal staff, can qualify for insurance. Participating in the medical/dental program allows us to build our “pool” which will allow us to negotiate better prices or benefits in the future. Propane - Special Pricing! Join our national program with Superior Program for Exclusive Member Pricing. Click here to enroll today! Rona Pro Signup for your discount card today and enjoy the savings! Moneris Sign up for your exclusive preferred rates, PCI compliant security, Canadian Vendor.
P A G E E L E V E N | B E N E F I T S
CORE VALUES Camping In Ontario’s actions are based on our core values and guiding principles. Our core values speak to our community by keeping people our primary focus while acknowledging our natural environment. LeadershipEmpowering our members through shared developed knowledge and by encouraging innovation and the evolution of our industry. CommunityBuilding a durable foundation to bring people together with common interests, objectives, and experiences in the spirit of respect and the encouragement of diversity of opinion. Passion Channeling member’s enthusiasm for the industry to continue to excel with integrity. Environment Embracing our responsibility for stewardship of the environment through responsible planning and management of resources.
CONTACT Executive and Staff
Board of Directors
Alexandra Anderson Executive Director aanderson@campinginontario.ca
Mark Jaycock , Chair Willow Lake Campground and RV Park chair@campinginontario.ca
Sarah North-Harris Director of Education education@campinginontario.ca Sandra Galego Membership Coordinator info@campinginontario.ca
Connect with us @campinginontario @campinginontario @campinginontario
Matt Den Hollander, Vice Chair Experience Camping Ltd. vicechair@campinginontario.ca
Cyndy Bonello Glen Haven Resort cyndy@glenhavenresort.ca Lynn Cheeseman Killam Seasonal Resorts lcheeseman@KillamREIT.com
April Hearns, Secretary McGowan Lake Campground mcgowan.lake@gmail.com
Jeff Kavanagh Green Acres Manitoulin Campground and Restaurant jackiandjeffok@yahoo.ca
Patricia Maat, Treasurer North Shore RV Park nshore@northshorepark.com
Dave Hillhorst Skycroft Campground Resort dave@skycroft.com
Peter Bingeman Country Gardens RV Park info@cgrvpark.ca
Paula Rajkumar Islandview Trailer Park info@islandviewtrailerpark.com Warren Sheridan Shore Acres Trailer Park warren.sheridan77@gmail.com
@Camping In Ontario #CampingInOntario
campinginontario.ca 230 Westney Road South Unit 306 Ajax, ON L1N 2J5
Telephone: 289-660-2192 Toll Free: 877-672-2226 Membership Inquires: membership@campinginontario.ca