DECEMBER, 2020
Campfire Chronicles
We are so excited to bring you the December newsletter filled with stories, pictures, helpful tips, and so much more. Travel Resorts of America wants to put you first, making sure you’re up to date on all of the awesome things going on at our resorts. We look forward to sharing some of our favorite parts of our resorts with our amazing members. This is also a chance for you, one of our incredible members to engage with TRA. We will announce contests, member spotlights, and plenty more. Look out for our newsletter every month in your inbox!
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Employee and Member Spotlight
Employee
Julia Davis
I am a mother of two children, who are 16 months apart. I enjoy making memories with my family and traveling to see the world. Becoming a part of an accounting team has been my childhood dream since my mother works in accounting. I became the Accounting Clerk for TRA back in March of 2018.
Every morning I enjoy walking through the door at Travel Resorts. I have once heard that when you do not dread going into work then that is the place where you belong. The TRA team has treated me as a part of their team since day one.
My favorite memory, while working at TRA, was coming in to the office on Christmas Eve to a surprise Christmas celebration. The team works so hard year around and to be able to come together, as if we were family, made working on Christmas Eve special to me.
My favorite memory, while on the job, is meeting all of the resort managers. Although I have not met everyone personally, we have a bond through emails and on the phone. We are a TEAM no matter the miles between us.
My advice to the campers and/or members is while you are staying at one of our resorts, disconnect from the world. Turn electronics off and just enjoy your time with your family, make those memories and enjoy all of the resort’s activities.
members
Katie and Mike Grimes
“Hello! Our names are Katie and Mike grimes. We have been travel resort members for just over 3 years. We live in York, PA so Gettysburg battlefield resort is our home resort. We are at the campground mostly every weekend. Our kids are grown so it’s just us and our dogs. We love the Gettysburg Battlefield Resort. It is always clean and well maintained. All the staff is super nice. We always participate in as many activities as we can so we can meet other campers. We have met some great people over the years. We enjoy walking around talking to fellow campers and our daily trips to the dog park where we meet others as well. Things were definitely different this year due to covid but the staff really did a great job of trying to keep things going and providing as many activities as they could safely do. We would recommend travel resorts to any camper.”
Employee and Member Spotlight
members
Katie and Mike Grimes
“Hello! Our names are Katie and Mike grimes. We have been travel resort members for just over 3 years. We live in york pa so Gettysburg battlefield resort is our home resort. We are at the campground mostly every weekend. Our kids are grown so it’s just us and our dogs. We love the Gettysburg Battlefield Resort. It is always clean and well maintained. All the staff is super nice. We always participate in as many activities as we can so we can meet other campers. We have met some great people over the years. We enjoy walking around talking to fellow campers and our daily trips to the dog park where we meet others as well. Things were definitely different this year due to covid but the staff really did a great job of trying to keep things going and providing as many activities as they could safely do. We would recommend travel resorts to any camper.”
employee
Julia Davis
I am a mother of two children, who are 16 months apart. I enjoy making memories with my family and traveling to see the world. Becoming a part of an accounting team has been my childhood dream since my mother works in accounting. I became the Accounting Clerk for TRA back in March of 2018.
Every morning I enjoy walking through the door at Travel Resorts. I have once heard that when you do not dread going into work then that is the place where you belong. The TRA team has treated me as a part of their team since day one.
My favorite memory, while working at TRA, was coming in to the office on Christmas Eve to a surprise Christmas celebration. The team works so hard year around and to be able to come together, as if we were family, made working on Christmas Eve special to me.
My favorite memory, while on the job, is meeting all of the resort managers. Although I have not meet everyone personally, we have a bond through emails and on the phone. We are a TEAM no matter the miles between us.
My advice to the campers and/or members is while you are staying at one of our resorts, disconnect from the world. Turn electronics off and just enjoy your time with your family, make those memories and enjoy all of the resort’s activities.
Resort Updates
Updates from North Shore Landing
KAT GOLUCKE - Recreation Director
It has been an interesting November at North Shore Landing with a number of changes in our Team. Heather and Steven, our Manager and Assistant Manager, had their baby boy in September and were given an opportunity to move closer to their family in October. They left us the first of November. Katie, our amazing front desk manager, moved up into our Manager in Training program with the goal of becoming the manager. Unfortunately, her soul mate, Josh (the sales manager at NSL) was offered a great opportunity in Arizona so we lost him and Katie to the West, leaving on November 22nd.
However, all is not lost; we have Geri Hall arriving right after Thanksgiving. You may know Geri from the front desk/store at Gettysburg Battlefield Resort. Geri will be with us for at least the winter and hopefully, she will find she just can’t leave. Many of you may know Danielle Turner either from Pymatuning Adventure or at North Shore. Danielle will be rejoining us at North Shore right after Christmas to become the store manager. Jeff Peryea will be filling that role until Danielle arrives. Jeff came to North Shore from Bass Lake and has worked in all departments at both Bass Lake and North Shore. Along with all the Team changes we continue to move forward on working on the decks on the cabins by the lake as well as working on stopping the erosion of the beach (including building a small bridge over the stone to allow access). We are in the engineering and permitting process of building 16 new large full hook up sites to better serve those folks with big rigs. We are working on the permit for the new fish cleaning station as well. COVID has put a strain on everyone in the country, but camping has become a bright light through it all. We look forward to seeing you at North Shore in the New Year. From the Team, at North Shore, we wish you a safe and healthy Holiday Season!
PLEASE NOTE: We will not be offering Recreation until the spring.
We have an engineering company in the process of doing the plan and permitting for 16 new large full hook up sites at NSL.
Updates from Rocky Fork Ranch
Sharrie Yarber - Resorts Operations Manager
I read a quote this week and it brought encouragement to my heart so I thought I would share it with you all. “Let’s spread positivity to those around us and make a difference in our circle.” Can I tell you we are grateful for you and the joy we get seeing you! I have said it many times we are happier when you are here. Make plans to come see Rocky Fork Ranch in the beauty of the winter season!
We also want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Regards,
Sharrie Yarber
Updates from Bass Lake Resort
Lizette Bradley - Resorts Operations Manager
Hello from Bass Lake!
It’s a quiet December month at Bass Lake, and we’re hoping you are enjoying a peaceful and joyful Christmas Holiday Season.
Remember to contact us daily between the hours of 9 and 5 for questions about snowmobiling and camping during the winter months. Tug Hill gets snow when other areas don’t get snow. You just never know!! During the winter months, there are only a few designated staff members on the resort on any given day, leave messages if you call after hours. Carl and Dan keep the roads and sidewalks plowed and shoveled from Thursday through Sunday. We plow the main road from the entrance to the upper clubhouse, to the lower clubhouse, and cedar lodges to meet fire safety codes. Once the snow flies, it seems to be an ongoing job to keep everything open on a weekly basis. Heather, Nikki, and Marlo answer phones and catch up on administration work and housekeeping.
Nikki has been working on activities and has a bunch of them already posted for next year. If you want to take a look at CampersApp, you can view what has already been published. Just a reminder, as much as we’re all tired of dealing with COVID, we expect that we will open the resort in April with the same guidelines as we used this summer. Thanks, Nikki for posting so quickly for our members to review.
Happy Holidays from everyone at Bass Lake!
From Lizette, Heather, Carl, Dan, Nikki, and Marlo
Updates from Sycamore Lodge Resort
Rod Jones - Resorts Operations Manager
Hi Everyone!
It has obviously been a crazy year at the lodge and the rest of the world this camping season
With a roller coaster ride of restrictions and guidelines, we still had a fantastic year and look forward to some much-needed normalcy this next season (fingers crossed).
We still had a great time with adjusted and sometimes improvised activities. Our member build was a huge success this year as a bunch of hard-working members helped us create an awesome deck behind the general store we call our coffee bistro. Going into next season we will have lighting and music installed there with different coffee options and snacks available at the store.
We are moving along with our sewer installations. We will be installing sewer on Dogwood Drive next month which will add another 26 full hook-up sites. Won’t be long until the entire resort is full hook up!
Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels!
Updates from Gettysburg Battle Field Resort
Richard Kellerman - Resorts Operations Manager
Hello All,
December has arrived, the majority of the leaves have fallen and most campers have gone home. As we begin to prep for the coming season of cold and possibly snow, we wonder what the winter will bring. We do know that no matter the weather, those who come to stay with us bring warm hearts and make happy memories. We are warmed by the memories you left behind. Those hot lazy days at the pool, and your kind acceptance of our having to close and clean every two hours, the runs on the Ice Cream Parlor, and your patience while we did our best to turn out cones, sundaes, and slushies’ as fast as we could go. The modified activities, like water wars from the wagon or concerts instead of dances. Wearing of masks and social distancing was extremely appreciated. You created warm, fuzzy memories for all of us here at Gettysburg Battlefield Resort and we know that you will continue to do so and we will continue to do our best to provide you opportunities to do so.
“We now begin the chores of clearing some trees and stumps and buttoning up the campground for the winter. The General Store is ‘winter mode’ and only open 9 am-5 pm daily being closed on Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s, yet someone will be here on the resort every day of the week. The winter overhauls of sites and buildings will begin shortly and as a matter of fact, from the pictures, we have already begun on the Shuffleboard Court; temporarily placed old pad under the pavilion. In the next newsletter, you shall see the final ‘outcome’.
Hope to see you soon, even if it is winter.”
Activities Update/Monthly Newsletter for December
Some folks call this the quiet time at the resort. The playground swings twist in the breeze, just beckoning any child to come play. The Gaga pit is empty, and one can no longer hear the staccato of basketballs hitting the court. There are no sign-ups for crafts at the pavilion, no Jimmy Buffet tunes wafting over the pool area like the scent of sunscreen. A Canadian goose couplet briefly visits the pond, gliding across its surface, as they say goodbyes to the koi below. I watch the geese and think of how much they remind me of the resort this time of year. Peaceful and serene as they promenade on the surface, but below – the water churns beneath their paddled feet. So it is here. On the surface, all appears quiet, but underneath … well that’s a different story. This is the planning season here in Activities. In the office, there are flow charts and contact lists tacked to the bulletin, and the desk is covered with colorful stickies of member-suggested themes and activities. All are literally on the table for discussion … with the focus being on how we can deliver the most fun and the best experience for all our members. Look for a NASCAR themed weekend, a Celtic Weekend and even a wine-tasting weekend! We love this time of year when the soil is prepped, and the seeds planted for an amazing new year of good memories to be made!
Activities Director
Gettysburg Battlefield Resort
Updates from Wally World Riverside Resort
Barb McClintock - Resorts Operations Manager
Here at the resort, we have been busy getting ready for winter. Putting picnic tables and fire rings to rest, shutting the water off to the sites. Blowing and mowing leaves. Getting the garden house and flower beds ready for winter. This year we added a “Lady in the garden” I named her Hilda after my mom, with who I share my love for flowers. I have dressed her for 3 seasons this year and will share those pictures.
The staff here at Wally World would like to wish you and your families a safe and happy holiday season!
Updates from Luna Sands Resort
Lizette Bradley
We’re so happy that December is finally here. This begins our “busy” season at Luna Sands and we have some fun activities planned. As many activities as possible will occur outside. If the weather forces us inside, we will keep in mind that COVID guidance is still in place, and social distance and wear our masks at our get togethers. Let’s be safe, but let’s have some fun. We are planning a Member build project in February to build a deck and Tiki Hut at the Clubhouse. We will let you know the date after the new year. You may notice some materials start arriving and being stocked at the clubhouse. We will need all you carpenters and helpers during our build dates; It might take more than 2 days.
Since we are just beginning our scheduled winter activities, please refer to CampersApp for updated activity plans. Phyllis Bates will be here on December 1st to start planning. The first themed December Saturday is Candles Galore, the second weekend including December 12th, is themed Gingerbread Houses. We will celebrate Christmas on December 20th. A Thursday, December 31st, New Year’s Eve party will be scheduled, but we may do it earlier in the afternoon, as most of us just can’t make it to midnight anymore. Again, please make sure you have CampersApp downloaded and you’re logged into Luna Sands to keep up with any added or changed activities.
The Winter Daily Store hours are Sunday through Thursday 9-5; and Friday and Saturday 8-7. Due to the location of the store, if we have to move our activities inside, we will do that, and the store items will not be available during that time period. Our Host, Gary Miller, is always available to help with firewood and propane needs after store hours. He makes a list and you pay for those items the following day at the store. Please remember to call the after-hours phone if you have emergencies: (386) 624-5234 We hope you enjoy the peace and joy of the Christmas Holiday season. Please travel safely, and we’ll keep your campsite ready for you.
Thankful Fires November Contest Winner
Cassandra Phillips
We have been members since 2016 but it wasn’t until September 2020 that we purchased our first camper. We wanted a camper to fit our family of three plus our two bully breed dogs. We had our first visit camping at Bass Lake in October and it was nothing short of perfect. Every person we met was so kind, we were never judged for our dog breeds, and as new campers we were welcomed with open arms by all!! It was the first of the Halloween weekends and all of the events were a total blast especially the drive through haunted trail. We loved fishing, walking the dogs, cooking out, and spending time at the dog park. We can not wait to begin going back in the spring.
Thank you so much for such a great opportunity! We look forward to making more memories on our travels!
Sincerely,
The Phillips Family (Jason, Cassandra, and Jordan)
