Travel Resorts of America Newsletter

November Newsletter, Spotlight Member Fun Resort Updates Contest Winner

The Haunted Forest at Sycamore Lodge

This year’s Haunted Forest was a rousing success! We had 1,665 people go through this year. This is going to be a record year for attendance and our donation. We are so happy that everyone could come out and support our cause as raised record donations to fund research in the fight against Lymphoma. Huge shoutout to all the volunteers, and everyone who helped make this year’s Haunted Forest our best ever!
Thank You!
(The following is from an article in and issue of Campground & RV Park E-News, Issue 642 October 29th 2021)

JACKSON SPRINGS, NC – It’s dark and you’ve got that clammy feeling as you head into the woods. If you’re looking for a Halloween scare for a good cause, the Haunted Forest hosted by Sycamore Lodge Resort has kicked off its 19th season of spooky fun.

Organized and run by a small army of volunteers, the attraction has raised over $40,000 for cancer research over the last decade. This year is already shaping up to be the best yet.

“We are going like gangbusters! I think everybody is excited to get out again and do things,” said Rod Jones, operations manager of Sycamore Lodge, a luxury camping and RV resort located in Jackson Springs.

Held on three successive Saturday evenings in October, the Haunted Forest attracts some 500 guests per night. The annual fundraising event honors the memory of Sycamore Lodge owner, Steve Baldelli’s mother, who was diagnosed with lymphoma.

“Each year this project becomes bigger and better. It takes about 30 minutes to walk through. When we’re really busy, it can be a two hour wait,” Jones said.
The outdoor trail features 13 “rooms” connected by a woodsy path, plus a graveyard maze. Small groups are escorted through the attraction and there are surprises all along the way. Each room has a built-in escape hatch “just in case you can’t make it,” Jones said.

Max Gardner is one of the 160 or so volunteers that bring the Haunted Forest to life each October. Dressed as his scary alter ego, Mountain Man Max, he heads up the trail guide team. And like Baldelli, he also lost his mother to lymphoma.

“I would do this if only one person showed up. This is something I believe in,”Gardner said. “The best part is watching the faces. If a guest has a smile or a scared face at the end, we have done our job. And we’ve had rave reviews from folks going through this year.”

Tickets to the Haunted Forest at Sycamore Lodge can be purchased at the gate on Saturday, Oct. 23 or Oct. 30, 7:30 – 11:30 p.m., at 1059 Sycamore Lane in Jackson Springs. The cost is $12 per person (recommended for 12 years and over) or $10 with military I.D. All proceeds benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of North Carolina.

For more information, find the Haunted Forest at Sycamore Lodge on Facebook, or call (910) 420-3843.

Spotlight

Team Member Of The Month

Marlo Thomas

We would like to recognize our team member Marlo Thomas for a great job well done. She gets the most kind and positive comments from our members. Marlo has worked at Bass Lake in the greeting station for over 6 years now. She has young children at home and in school and enjoys doing things with her family. When you arrive at the registration gate, she is usually the person that meets you if you arrive before 4pm. She always has a smile, and everyone stops to talk with her about everything. The next time you’re at Bass Lake, be sure to introduce yourself to Marlo. You may not know her name, but she probably knows yours.

Member Of The Month

Tiffany & Brian Stanley

Our Member of the Month is Tiffany Stanley and he camp with his Husband Brian Stanley. They have been members since 2019, stayed at all of the seven resorts Gettysburg Better field Resort, North shore Landing, Luna sand Resort, Sycamore Lodge Resort, Wally World Resort, Rocky Fork Ranch Bass Lake Resort. They Love staying at Rocky Fork Ranch that they plan so many activities not only for the kids but for the adults too. Their Favorite Memory with us is Participating in the decorating contests for a Halloween. Their Favorite Activity is Bingo & Crafts! They enjoy Cooking anything over the fire.

Contest Winner

John Allen & Dodie Makuch

November Contest Winners

Our Contest Winners are The Makuch family, which includes the Mother and Father: John Allen and Dodie Makuch, and their two Daughters: Teagan Makuch & Tesslynn Makuch. They have been Members with us for 6 Months. They currently stay with us at our Bass Lake Resort, camping in their 32-foot 2017 Coleman. When asked what they liked most about TRA, they said that everyone here is so welcoming! We are so happy to have them as a part of our TRA Family!

Updates From Other Resorts

Member Fun

Monthly Newsletter

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