You’ve probably noticed something weird happening at RV parks lately. The new corporate campgrounds have fancier pools, brand-new pickleball courts, and all the latest amenities money can buy. But somehow, they just don’t feel right anymore.
What’s missing? The secret ingredient that big corporations will never understand: real human connection.
In this eye-opening video, the RV Wingman shares an emotional story about a campground owner named Galen who changed his life decades ago. He explains why he bought his own campground, ran it successfully, and then watched it lose its soul after selling to a corporate giant. This isn’t just about RV parks—it’s about what we’re losing in the camping community.
If you’ve ever stayed somewhere that felt like home versus just another parking spot, you already know what he’s talking about. Let’s dive into why family-owned campgrounds still win, even when they don’t have the flashiest facilities.
1. They Don’t Have a “Galen”—And They Never Will
The RV Wingman tells the story of Galen Gilbreth, a campground owner from 35 years ago who didn’t have the newest facilities. But he had something priceless: he made everyone feel like family.
Every night at his place called “Bourbon Street,” campers gathered around his barbecue pit. Someone brought a casserole, another brought brownies, and Galen cooked the meat. People from all over the country sat together, talked, and built real friendships.
One night, the Wingman overheard other campground owners trying to poach Galen’s customers with lower prices and better facilities. The campers’ response? “You don’t have a Galen.”