When it comes to bringing military families together in a relaxing area, nobody does it better than the Agave Gulch FamCamp at D-M.
The FamCamp on D-M has won the 2011 Overall Best Military Campground for the Western USA.
“FamCamp is a recreational vehicle park on base where the traveling Air Force family can stay,” said Pam Lane, FamCamp manager. “We have 182 full hook-up areas for RV’s. We provide electric, water, sewer and wireless internet in the park. It’s less expensive than staying in a hotel, but people need to have their own RV’s. They can stay with us for one night up to six months.”
Each year, there are two winners, one FamCamp winner for west coast and one for east coast.
“We are the best in the west,” Lane said. “We have won every year since 2007, so five years running.”
Even though the camp has a number of comforts one would find in any residence, Lane believes the secret to their overwhelming success comes from the volunteers she works with and the service they provide.
“I think we keep winning because of our great customer service,” Lane said. “Other parks may have more amenities than us, but our staff here is outstanding. Everybody works really hard to make this a great place to stay. Folks also like to come here because they know they’re going to be treated fairly.”
Great service can bring repeat customers and the FamCamp is no exception. A large portion of the people who stay there come back year after year.
“We would say that more than 30 percent come back every year,” said JoAnn and Ray Morgan, FamCamp hosts. “Everyone that comes back here says it’s like coming home. They say it’s like old friends and family.”
Not only does this five-time RV campground winner provide excellent service to those who stay there, the FamCamp also provides the base with a means to get new equipment for its other facilities.
“Having a FamCamp is important to the base because not only is it good for military families who frequently travel, but it also brings a lot of money to the base,” Lane said. “We are the number one money maker in our squadron and that money gets put back right into the base. Last year with the money we brought in, we were able to buy new lockers and equipment at the golf course, new equipment for the bowling center and new campers for outdoor recreation to rent.”
In the end, it’s all about taking care of our military members and their families.
“I think people stay here because they like that it’s a military RV park,” JoAnn Morgan said. “Ray and I travel a lot and if we can stay at a military RV park, we will. People are much friendlier than a civilian park, it’s just not the same. Military sticks together.”
