Hideaway Campground near Silver Lake Sand Dunes, Michigan, is demonstrating the resilience and adaptability of private campground owners in the face of adversity.
A sudden fire on June 21 destroyed their main building, but a rapid response and innovative solutions have allowed them to recover and continue operations.
At the cusp of the summer season, the unexpected blaze erupted around midnight. The main building, serving as a reservation office, restaurant, and store, caught fire from an unfortunate short circuit in an ice cream freezer.
The event stunned both patrons and staff alike. Jim Wolfe, a regular camper at Hideaway, remarked, “It was very scary. You don’t expect to see something like that.”
Dan Kolosci, the owner of Hideaway Campground and Lighthouse Grill, was initially worried about keeping the place open. He wondered, “How will we get our customers in here and have at least a halfway season?”
In a display of resilience, Hideaway Campground bounced back, employing creative strategies to ensure continuity.
The reservation office found a new home in a small shack, while a tent and trailer were transformed into the store. Replacing the restaurant was a food truck, and a generous offer of nearby space to construct a new restaurant came as a welcome relief.
“We’re in the downtown area offering breakfast to the community and trying to keep the food going,” said Kolosci, highlighting the determination to not only survive but to serve the community despite the setback.
The Hideaway Campground’s revival story underlines the strength of community support, which is a vital aspect of operating a private campground. The campers and local community members offered their hands in rebuilding, setting up trucks, tents, and even taking on mechanical work.
“I had a great group of my seasonal campers. They came out, volunteered to help us scrub the new restaurant down, set up the trucks and the tents and everything,” Kolosci gratefully acknowledged, adding that the volunteers had been “wonderful” and “just awesome.”
This incident brings to light the importance of disaster preparedness for private campground owners and operators.
Fires can occur unexpectedly and cause significant damage. For Kolosci, this incident has significantly increased his vigilance towards fire safety, leading him to ensure the availability of fire extinguishers in every food truck.
“I never thought that this would ever happen. It was the last thing on my mind,” confessed Kolosci. “Now I’ll tell you, I am so paranoid about the fire or anything. I make sure there’s a fire extinguisher in every food truck and everything just to make sure that it doesn’t happen.”
The recovery of Hideaway Campground underlines the indomitable spirit of private campground owners. Their ability to respond to crises swiftly, lean on community support, and implement preventative measures will be invaluable lessons for others in the industry.
It serves as a stark reminder of the potential threats to their business and the necessity of being prepared for all eventualities.