Camping on the Gulf—“As Close As You Can Get”
By Chris Manson May 8, 2003 Issue

When Pat O’Neill first arrived at Camping on the Gulf (COTG) in 1995, his career as general manager got off an unthinkable start. “I came here three days before Hurricane Opal. Half the park was destroyed. Before we even made any money, we were giving refunds,” he said.

Eight years later, the Walton County campground is thriving as a one-of-a-kind destination for beach going families.

“The main reason people come here is the beach. This is as close as you can get,” O’Neill said. “We offer service, the best place to camp and clean bathrooms.” There is also the William C. Gee Activity Center, named after an older gentleman who has visited COTG for years. “It’s dedicated to him and his love of the beach.”

At the front of the Gee Activity Center is Leona’s Memoirs Gift Shop, named after Gee’s wife and inspired by her very detailed diary keeping. Campers will find an assortment of gifts, knick-knacks, souvenirs and the big seller, soft ice cream. In the main part of the activity center, visitors can enjoy pool tables, television and exercise equipment. An internet hookup and an information station are available, too.

COTG also provides cabins with full kitchens, bathrooms and upstairs lofts, which one renter complimented as “very comfy.” O’Neill anticipates the addition of at least 10 more cabins in the near future.

O’Neill’s background in landscaping is apparent by the attractive look of the COTG grounds just before you get to the beach. There is also a fishing lake, a swimming pool and a grill. You’ll even find a shuffleboard area and a playground, while golfers can practice their swing on the putting green.

COTG has been a fixture in Walton County since 1969 when it was called Sunny Sands. The name then changed to Holiday Travel Park, which is still incorporated in the campground’s official title. There are 220 campsites available, about half of them on the beach.

O’Neill currently employees 30 members of Workampers, an organization that places people in jobs where they work and live at campgrounds. O’Neill says the Workampers stay anywhere from six months to a year—or even longer. There are only three “permanent” employees at COTG right now.

One Workamper who decided to stick around is Jeff Kantz, part of COTG’s beach patrol. The California native has been here for seven months and praises “the friendly people who make this place so cool.”

Kantz has found that this is an ideal and safe place to raise his five-year-old son Deric. “I’ll bet there’s not a beach in the country like this. When I got here, it was one of those days when it was so clear you could see 100 feet in the water. I used to jet ski for 10 years and must have driven from California to Florida a hundred times. I never stopped here.” An advertising shoot finally introduced Kantz to the wonders of our beaches.

“We have so many employees so we can serve everyone,” O’Neill said. “We try to pamper them with the amenities.” One new convenience for weary travelers is express check-in, devised by employee Mike Fletcher. Utilizing computers and credit cards, this allows campers to go right to their sites without having to stop at the front office. “It’s a cutting edge thing in the campground industry,” O’Neill said. The GM also noted the newly renovated sewer systems.

Fishing trips and the campground’s closeness to the Silver Sands Outlet Mall are also a draw, but O’Neill realizes that most people come here for the sunsets and the Gulf. In addition, COTG is pet-friendly, provided that animals are picked up after and kept on leashes.

“It’s been a busy seven and a half years, but fun, too,” O’Neill said. Future plans include more landscaping and the addition of concrete to all of the campsites. He and his staff recently installed a number of commercial laundry machines, too.

Bob and Jan McCallister, originally from Dothan, Ala. have made COTG their home for two years. “We came to work for six months and kept staying,” Jan said. She currently manages Leona’s, while Bob handles the campground’s outside affairs. “The guests are always in such a good mood it makes our jobs easier,” he said.

“Some people give their kids the option of coming here or going to Disney World, and they come here,” Jan said.

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