Really happy campers
Twin Shores Camping Area receives business distinction
The scenic beachfront property of Twin Shores Camping Area in Darnley has the stunning look – not to mention impressive bells and whistles – to make for plenty of happy campers.
“We have a location that doesn’t have to take a back seat to anybody in North America,’’ says the campground’s coowner, Darren Cousins.
“The beach gets them there, but we keep them there.’’
Cousins and his business partner, Brian Haverlock, have worked hard to improve the campground and its amenities since the pair purchased the nearly 50-year-old business from Haverlock’s parents in 2010.
Clearly, they have been doing a fine job.
The business beat out all competition in claiming the Atlantic Business of Distinction honour from the Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC), a not-for-profit organization that assists in the creation of small businesses and in the expansion and modernization of existing businesses.
Twin Shores scored the highest in each of the four criteria: operating success, sales, contribution to the local economy, and future growth.
“It definitely was a strong submission,’’ says Joe Brennan, senior program coordinator with the Atlantic Association of CBDC.
“They don’t leave any stone unturned. They really are focused on every facet of their business.’’
Cousins considers the recognition both humbling a source of pride.
“For me, it’s more the thrill of running a successful business,’’ he says.
Twin Shores will receive a made-for-TV commercial produced by CBDC to be featured during a two-week campaign in October.
The approximately 700-campsite operation has not had difficulty attracting business, averaging between 2,500 to 3,000 campers a day during the season that runs from June 1 to Oct. 1.
“We have an extremely high loyal repeat base,’’ says Cousins.
He says campers regularly praise the clean, well-kept operation that includes a large store, three laundromats, driving range, tennis court and beach shuttle.
“It’s more of a resort than a campground,’’ notes Cousins, who has help from his wife, Susan, and the couple’s two sons, Brent, 17, and Blake, 21, in operating the business.
Twin Shores has close to 75 seasonal workers and five yearround employees.
Cousins lauds the efforts of campground operators across the province for helping grow the overall numbers.
According to figures released by the provincial government earlier this month, campgrounds across the province saw almost 124,000 campsite nights sold during July alone, an increase of 12.2 per cent compared to July 2016.