Number One in a Number Two Business | Campground Conversations

This week, on Campground Conversations, we are going behind the scenes with our Facilities and Housekeeping Supervisor, Mark Depew. He will be giving you the inside scoop on our 5 bathhouses, located throughout the camping sections in the campground.

Mark has been with the campground for 4 years, loves to golf, and has a strong passion for Ocean Lakes!

Here is what Mark had to say on the bathhouses at Ocean Lakes |

On July 2, 1971, Ocean Lakes opened with 30 campsites and 1 bathhouse. “People were lined up outside the gate by the hundreds and we were clearing spots for their campers as fast as they could park ‘em,” Mr. Jackson would always explain with a smile.

Fast forward almost 50 years and Ocean Lakes now has 859 campsites and 5 bathhouses.

Bathhouse Basics | Each of our 5 bathhouses are air-conditioned and located throughout the camping sections (H Section, I Section, 3000 Section, and 2 in the 2000 section) in the campground. Each bathhouse has six showers, including a handicap shower, sinks, and toilets. They have everything you need to look and smell your best each day! Everyone in the campground has access to all of the bathhouses, whether you are staying at a campsite or a beach house. They are very well-kept, and we take pride in our bathhouses.

 Cleaning is Fun | We go through each bathhouse 3 – 4 times a shift (6 AM, 10 AM, and once in the afternoon around 1 PM). Then, our second shift comes in and does 3 – 4 rounds, as well, all the way up until 10 PM. We assign 2 people to the bathhouses each shift, sometimes more. On Monday’s, we do a power washing to sterilize the bathhouse, then our Team goes in and wipes down everything. Currently, there are 17 Teammates in our department that assists with the bathhouses, whether that is cleaning or maintenance. It is definitely a big team effort!

Water Temperature and Water Pressure | The two complaints we receive regarding our bathhouses are the water temperature and water pressure. With our system, just like at home, turn it on before you enter the shower, make sure the handle is all the way over, and let it run for a few minutes. Most guests tend to turn the handle to the middle and stop, and at times, that is not far enough. If you let it run, we guarantee, you will have hot water. We are over-engineered in our bathhouses so that even if we have 1 system go down, we have 3 to back it up. We have a circulating tank that keeps the water flowing. Once it gets going, there will be constant heat in the shower. Regarding the water pressure coming out of the shower head, each shower head is adjustable, so feel free to reach up and change the setting.

If any guest ever needs assistance, find a Teammate and we will be happy to help!

Unique | We aim to be a perfect 10 every year when we are rated by Good Sam. To be almost 50 years old and a perfect 10 is quite impressive. The bathhouses are tiled nicely, easy to keep clean, and we do receive many compliments on them.

We strive to keep everything as clean as possible, and our Team is absolutely awesome! If you ever see anything in the bathhouses that needs to be addressed, such as poop on the floor (hey, it has happened), then please call us immediately.

Until Next Time | Stay tuned for the Campground Conversations video segment tomorrow on our social media! You will hear from Mark Depew, Ocean Lakes’ Facilities and Housekeeping Supervisor, on all things bathhouses.