WAUPACA COUNTY POST

February 24, 1924

PAID CAMP SITE IDEA IS DISPLACING FREE CAMP SITE FOLLY

            A hurried call was sent out Tuesday by R.H. Holly, secretary of the Civic and Commerce Association, to come to the city hall that evening to hear E.O. Barstow, secretary of the Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce on his favorite theme:  “Wisconsin the Lake of Lakes Association.”

            Mr. Barstow reviewed work and recited results of last year’s advertising by the association comprising counties of the northern portion of the state and outline plans for operation in 1924 to include the entire state of Wisconsin.  An expression by a rising vote of those present would seem to justify the board of directors in contributing a proportionate amount with other cities of the state to secure Waupaca’s share of the benefits of this national advertising of Wisconsin as the play ground of the middle west.

Camp Site Discussion

            Mr. Barstow was asked to give his experience with camp sites and his views as to whether these conveniences for the tourist should be “free” or should a small fee be charged.  The speaker admitted that it is a ticklish question. The camp site at Rhinelander has been free in the past and may be so continued until the proposition has been tried out elsewhere.  “I hope Waupaca will try it; we want your experience.  Oshkosh will have a paid camp site and a “free” camp site this season, I understand.  We have found out that we must erect a building and deep our fuel under lock and have an attendant so tourists may be mindful that slab wood even at Rhinelander has to be paid for by someone:  Why those people from Illinois come up there, build a camp fire and sit around and watch it while they burn a cord in an evening.”

            Mr. Fisher was called to give his views based upon his experience while on his western trip.  He told how he had stopped at both classes of camps and personally from the standpoint of the tourist he preferred to stop at the camp site where a fee is charged.  He would drive several miles to stop at a paid site rather than stop at a place having no supervision, no protection and he believed that service and a small fee will contribute to the popularity of a camp site.

Editorial

            The practice of training the tourist, especially the children of the party, in the notion that what they find lying around is for their free use or appropriation is unwise if it is not indeed demoralizing.  The better class of tourist will not resent a small fee.  The Gypsy class of tourist is not worth catering to.