Spoiler alert: You’re already doing the work. Now make it pay off.
Owning a campground can feel like juggling firewood, endless to-do lists, and the occasional customer who insists their RV isn’t really that long. But what if I told you that in just 15 minutes a day, you could increase the value of your campground by a cool $100,000? No, I’m not about to sell you a time-share in the desert. I’m talking about something as simple as documenting your day-to-day processes. Yes, process documentation—it’s the low-hanging fruit you didn’t know could pay off in such a big way.
I get it—"process documentation" probably sounds about as exciting as untangling Christmas lights in July. But here’s the deal: Without it, your business doesn’t just feel chaotic—it actually is chaotic. And when you’re ready to sell your campground, guess who gets stuck teaching the new owner how to run the place? That’s right—you. And I bet after getting that nice check, the last thing you want to do is stick around for six more months to babysit.
But let’s flip the script. What if, instead of trying to pass on your tribal knowledge verbally, you had everything already organized in a neat little package? Enter process documentation. It’s not just about keeping things tidy; it’s about making sure your campground is sellable, scalable, and stress-free. Think of it as creating a user manual for your campground—only instead of teaching someone how to use a blender, you're handing over the keys to a well-oiled machine. The great news? You’re already doing the work. The processes that make your campground run—like opening up in the morning, closing out sales at night, or how you handle reservations—are already part of your day. Now it’s time to turn those daily tasks into valuable documentation. And guess what? You don’t need fancy software or to be a tech wizard to get started. You just need your phone and a few simple tools.
First up, let’s talk about the one thing we all have on us 24/7—our phones. The easiest way to start documenting is by pulling out your phone and recording what you’re already doing. Whether it’s your morning routine of unlocking the gates, turning off the alarms, and making sure the Wi-Fi is up and running—talk through each step as you do it. It won’t hurt; you’re doing it every day anyway.
Next up, there’s Loom, a tool that will become your best friend for documenting computer-based processes. Have a specific way you handle end-of-day closeouts or booking systems? Record it with Loom. Walk through the process, talk it out, and—voila—you’ve just created a reusable guide for anyone on your team. And the best part? Loom can even create a written version of the video, so you’ve got an SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) ready to go.
Then, there’s Scribe, another fantastic tool that can take screenshots of step-by-step processes, making it easy for your staff to follow along or for you to create detailed guides for tasks that happen less frequently, like annual forms or reports.
Now imagine this scenario: You’ve documented everything. The new owner comes in, excited to take over, and instead of holding their hand for months, you hand them a beautifully organized playbook. Not only does this make the transition smoother, but it also increases the value of your business. In fact, I’ve seen two similar businesses, where one had documented processes and the other didn’t. The one with documentation sold for $100,000 more. Why? Because organized systems are valuable. They show the buyer that your campground is easy to run, and that’s worth serious cash.
And here’s a pro tip: Even for those tasks you only do once a year, document them. The next time tax season rolls around, or it’s time to renew permits, you’ll have a step-by-step guide ready. It’s like having your own personal instruction manual for your business.
So, there you have it. With just 15 minutes a day spent documenting your processes, you can increase the value of your campground and make running it a breeze. Process documentation is your ticket to a smoother operation, a higher selling price, and—best of all—more time to enjoy the great outdoors.
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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.