If you’ve ever thought about turning your campground into the must-visit spot where people come back year after year, here’s a tip that doesn’t involve a pricey renovation or some wild gimmick: use the stars. Yes, the actual ones, not the Yelp stars (although that wouldn’t hurt). Imagine a stargazing setup that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, attracts families, amateur astronomers, and even social media influencers, and makes your campground memorable long after your guests hit the road.
You see, out near Big Bend National Park, I attended a stargazing program run by an interpretive ranger—a certified astronomy nerd, if you will. We were under some of the darkest skies in the country, and the ranger walked us through the night, showing off constellations, planets, and even a comet or two. With the help of a nifty telescope—the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ (available on Amazon for a cool $499, in case you’re tempted to get one)—we got crystal-clear views of celestial objects that made even the most "been-there-done-that" campers feel like excited kids again.
So, why should you add a stargazing program to your campground? Well, for one, it doesn’t take much to get started, especially now that technology has made telescopes smarter and more affordable. Gone are the days when stargazing meant peering through a tiny lens with one eye squinted, hoping you’d spot something. Now, this telescope connects to your phone, so you can easily point it at a comet, hit a button, and the telescope brings the image right to your iPad screen. Think of it as cosmic magic with a side of convenience.
Now, let’s talk business. Campground Accounting is all about turning your campground into more than just a place people stay. We’re here to help you breathe life into your campground investment without the overwhelming workload. Adding a stargazing program is an excellent way to do just that. It’s memorable, fun, and gives your guests a reason to return—and, better yet, it’s not going to break the bank.
So if you’re ready to “press play on your bigger ideas,” think about adding stargazing as a feature. And if you do, we’d love to hear how it goes. After all, there’s more to running a campground than crunching numbers—sometimes, it’s about making magic happen right under the stars. đźŚ
Read on to learn more about setting up your own stargazing program and watch those campers turn into lifelong fans.
Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Please make sure to check out our blog and our website link below. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the bell to be notified when we post. You can email me at donna@campgroundaccounting.com.
Donna Bordeaux, CPA with Campground Accounting
Creativity and CPAs don’t generally go together. Most people think of CPAs as nerdy accountants who can’t talk with people. Well, it’s time to break that stereotype. Lively, friendly, and knowledgeable can be a part of your relationship with your CPA, as demonstrated by Donna and Chad Bordeaux. They have over 50 years of combined experience as entrepreneurial CPAs. They’ve owned businesses and helped business owners exceed their wildest dreams. They have been able to help businesses earn many times more profit than the average business in the same industry and are passionate about helping industries that help families build great memories.