The Outdoor Hospitality Membership category includes privately owned South Dakota businesses which provide outdoor hospitality to outdoors enthusiasts. Examples: campgrounds, RV parks, glamping resorts, RV resorts, … all outdoor hospitality. (Out of state? Join as an Associate Member.)
We are in partnership with the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds, which means a campground or RV park has the option of joining both when they join us (one dues payment can include both memberships).
We also work closely with South Dakota Tourism Office, the Visitor Industry Alliance (VIA), and other professional organizations.
WHO’S ELIGIBLE
Owners or managers of privately owned South Dakota outdoor hospitality properties, including those which are still being built, are eligible to join.
The property becomes the member, which means its current staff are also members.
Owners of multiple South Dakota outdoor hospitality businesses may join at a reduced fee when more than one joins us.
NOTE: THE BUTTON SHOULD BE ACTIVATED BY 4/15. Please contact us to apply until we automate the button.
MEMBERSHIP TERM
January through December
New members who join in February through May pay prorated dues for the remainder of the year (some of the pay-to-play may also still be available; check with the office). Benefits will also be prorated. In August you will be billed for your next year’s dues.
New members who join us June through December pay prorated current year dues plus the next year’s full dues. (Please contact the office before submitting your payment and form so we can ensure you have the correct dues calculation.)
Those who were members in the past 12 months, but didn’t renew in time for your previous uninterrupted membership benefits to continue, must pay the current full year’s dues. If their renewal falls between June and December, they’ll also need to pay for the next calendar year.
BENEFITS
Click here to see our video presentation.
The seed of SDCOA was planted when several campground owners met to discuss some issues within the state: Networking and Public Affairs.
In the decades since that first meeting, members have expanded our areas of focus to these eight distinct programs.
Networking with campground owners.
Examples: Our education, exhibitor and business meetings, scheduled online cracker barrel discussions and webinars, option to request that the SDCOA office distribute an email to seek suggestions or to announce that they have something for sale, and our Autumn Gatherings.
ARVC also offers their opportunities for those who choose to join them.
Networking with industry suppliers
Examples: Networking with our industry supplier members as found on our roster, at our Autumn Gatherings and online cracker barrel discussions and webinar sessions.
ARVC also offers their opportunities for those who choose to join them.
Professional development on best practices of campground operations and management and industry trends.
Examples: Our emails and online cracker barrel discussions and webinar sessions. Additionally, ARVC also offers opportunities for those who choose to join them.
Monitoring of legislative and regulatory affairs (advocacy; watchdog).
SDCOA monitors legislative activity in Pierre and Washington D.C., and we have ties to other states, all as a means of staying ahead of issues that could impact our members. We have support in this mission through ARVC, the Visitor Industry Alliance (VIA), and the South Dakota Department of Tourism.
Assisting with local authorities having jurisdiction.
Our proactive efforts during COVID-19 was carried to several local communities and public health authorities about the nature of RVers and RV parks.
We have provided information to members who are building or expanding when their local authorities have requested industry information. SDCOA and ARVC have played key roles in enlightening the local authorities of the insight that’s available in the NFPA 1194®, nationally documents campground and RV parks standards.
Purchasing power.
In the first quarter of 2024, we’ll be announcing special purchasing opportunities. For those who choose to also join ARVC, they offer opportunities as well, such as the music license, propane, office supplies, and John Deere®.
Industry public relations.
Examples: Distributing press releases and social media posts that are relevant to campgrounds or campers, and working with industry partners.
Marketing to campers.
Examples: Member listing on CampInSouthDakota.com and posts on our social media pages (e.g.: Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest)
ARVC also provides marketing through GoCampingAmerica’s website and social media platforms. (ARVC members, please remember to log in through ARVC.org to maintain your park’s information and your own profile!)
An additional marketing perk: GoRVing uses the data from ARVC’s GoCampingAmerica’s website. When someone requests South Dakota camping information on GoRVing.com, they’re taken to this page: https://gocampingamerica.com/states/camping-in-south-dakota.
TWO TRUTHS
- Your ranking of priority on our eight areas of focus will likely differ from someone else’s (highest need might be someone else’s least need).
- We aren’t here to be everything to everyone, yet we exist for everyone, and these programs exist because there’s been significant need for each.
Click here to see specific details for 2024.
JOIN US!
After we approve your application and receive your dues, we’ll activate your benefits and, if you chose to join the national association, we’ll will notify the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds (ARVC) to do the same.
NOTE: THE BUTTON SHOULD BE ACTIVATED BY 4/15. Please contact us to apply until we automate the button.
MORE INSIGHT
When creating our programs and determining our dues calculation, we factor in many details, including a few we’ll mention here.
Most South Dakota campgrounds fall into one category, and most fall into multiple categories:
- Overnight campgrounds
- Vacation destinations, whether it’s for a weekend or even a few weeks
- Long stays who are in the area to work (go to work all day)
- Long stays who come for the entire summer (live onsite all day; form a community)
- Weekenders who leave their RVs at the campsite all season but who return home for their workweek
- Residential (at least some sites are purchased)
- Event-only campgrounds (sometimes open for only a few weeks)
Months of operation vary from a few weeks to all year.
While most of our programs are included in the basic membership, we have seen a need by some of our members for us to offer pay-to-play programs. We’ll review these with you during the membership sign-up process.