ARVC - The Certified Park Operator Program (CPO)

Certified Park Operator Program (CPO)

ARVC's Education Programs provide members with the most innovative resources for obtaining the top-notch advice and skills from the RV Park & Campground industry's top professionals.

What is a Certified Park Operator (CPO)?

A CPO is someone who understands that to grow a business, a campground or RV park providing the highest level of customer service possible requires continuing education, training and professional development, as well as a never-ending desire to learn how to do things better in a society that is constantly changing.

A CPO is someone who acts on this understanding by pursuing the CPO designation awarded by the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, the only such professional designation in the leisure, recreation, entertainment and park industry. In order to receive this designation, a park operator must obtain a combination of courses and equivalency credits totaling 75 by attending seminars and obtaining hands-on experience working in a park.

The CPO designation is a distinguished honor accorded to campground and RV park operators and managers demonstrating their efforts in improving themselves, their parks, and their services for the betterment of the camping and RVing industry while enhancing the consumer's experience.

The importance of the Certified Park Operator Program ...

The Certified Park Operator (CPO) program offers park operators and staff the opportunity to earn the highest professional designation possible in the RV park and campground industry.

The CPO designation earns individuals the respect of fellow professionals and industry leaders. It provides a standard of excellence in employment and an accepted legal and ethical benchmark of best practices. Furthermore the CPO designation in some of the most well read and prestigious national campground directories helps consumers identify those parks that are operating with the most recent technology, best business practices and who maintain the highest possible criterion using cutting edge information to grow their business.

Whether it's a plaque on the wall near visitor registration, designation of "CPO" on business cards or inclusion in a brochure, "this park owned and operated by a Certified Park Operator", the CPO designation can enhance your business and your bottom line!

COURSE OF STUDY

TYPES OF CREDITS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

CPO FAST TRACK

Course of Study

The strength and appeal of the CPO program lies, to a great degree, in its flexibility in meeting the needs of a very diverse group of owners and operators. While operators can select those areas of interest that best benefit their operation, there is a requirement of a minimum three (3) credits in each of the 10 CPO categories. A well educated operator will be well versed and familiar with all aspects of park management, consequently familiarity with all phases of operation is essential. The 10 categories of course-work are:

Administration (front office procedures, reservations, reservation systems, computerization)
Finance & Accounting (including budgeting, cash flow and management, book keeping, business tax planning)
Guest Services/Hospitality/Concierge and Valet Services
Human Resources (recruiting, hiring, retaining, training, compensating and terminating, etc.)
Legal & Safety Issues (ADA & civil rights, insurance, eviction, zoning, criminal law, business law, employment law, loss control, and risk management)
Maintenance and Housekeeping (grounds, facilities, utilities, sewage and waste disposal, cleaning public areas and rental units, preventative measures, etc.)
Marketing & Advertising (promotions, print media, ads, brochures, trade shows, website operations)
Recreation Operations (including information, program, facilities and equipment options)
Retail Operations (merchandising, store operations and design, revenue and profit centers)
Electives (additional courses in topics covered above or other areas including, but not limited to, Park Operators on Tour, personal development and courses of a highly specialized nature not fitting into other categories.)

Types of CPO Courses

National ARVC programs including the National Convention, POOT-Park Operators on Tour, and the National School of RV Parks and Campground Management are eligible for CPO credit.

In addition to courses offered through National ARVC there are state, regional, agency and organization programs that may also offer courses routinely approved for CPO credits. Credit is awarded for "standard" courses required by the state and local governmental agencies and insurance carriers. Courses like first aid, sewage treatment plant operator, pool operator, propane safety, etc. may be applied to CPO course work.

CPO enrollees should also consider the many seminars and work shops available through their local Chamber, community colleges and universities, vocational and technical schools and adult education. It is recommended that prior approval be secured before enrollment to insure that the credits will transfer.

Attendance Credits: CPO credits are also awarded for attendance at National ARVC conventions as well as regional and state meetings.

Service Credits: Those individuals serving on National ARVC, state and regional boards are also awarded CPO credits.

Substitution Credits

Certain previous and on-going activities may be substituted for CPO credits. No more than 15 substitution credits may be applied to the initial CPO certification of 75 credits. There are no substitution credits permitted toward recertifications.

Work Experience Credits: Campground and RV park experience or ownership may be substituted for course work up to a maximum of 10 credits. A minimum one year (two credits) is required prior to completion of the initial CPO certification.

Life Experience Credits: Previous higher education degrees and certifications may be substituted for CPO credits. Relevant work experience including management or similar job responsibilities of various functions with in a park can be applied as a substitution. There is a maximum of 10 Life experience credits.

For the Substitute credits, proper documentation must be presented to the National ARVC CPO administrator for approval. Details are available in the CPO manual.

Additional Informtion

Registration: Send a completed CPO enrollment form to ARVC with the appropriate fees. An acknowledgement will be sent with a 3-ring binder, CPO manual and a receipt.

Minimum Experience: To become a CPO, the applicant must have at least 12 months of employment in a campground or ownership prior to earning the designation. Seasonal experience will require a longer time period.

Retroactive Credits: CPO course credits are not awarded retroactively. One can earn credits only while actively enrolled in the program. Credits earned while not in the program cannot be applied to certification or recertification. Some credits may be obtained for previous higher education degrees prior to enrollment through substitution credits.

Recertification: Twenty-five (25) course credits earned while enrolled in the CPO program are required for each of five recertifications. A fee of $75 is assessed for each recertification. Each recertification is valid for a five year period, but work on the next recertification can begin at any time.

Lifetime Certification: A CPO who has been recertified five times can receive lifetime certification in the program. For a $100 administrative fee, the CPO s hall be continuously enrolled in the program. No further fees shall be required of a life time Certified Park Operator

CPO Fast Track: If qualified, you can 'fast track ' receipt of your initial CPO certification you must have completed two years from the National School of RV Parks & Campground Management, have 24 months of active campground employment, and must have attended at least two state, regional and/or national ARVC conventions.

What is CPO Fast Track?

Are you an industry veteran who just has never gotten around to taking part in the CPO program? Someone who has graduated from the National School of RV Park & Campground Management? An owner, operator or manager who regularly attends state, regional meetings or the national convention? If you answered yes to these three questions, you might be a Fast Track CPO candidate!
In 2004, the ARVC Board of Directors, at the recommendation of the Education Ad Hoc Committee and the National School of RV Park & Campground Management Board of Regents, approved the program which recognizes those who have invested the time and passion into furthering their management knowledge through attendance at the annual school.
To qualify for initial CPO certification under this new program, applicants have to register for the CPO program, must hold a Certificate of Campground Management from the National School of RV Park & Campground Management, have 24 months of active campground employment, and must have attended at least two state, regional and/or national ARVC conventions.
To apply to receive "Fast Track" credit for your industry experience, complete the "CPO Fast Track Form" and CPO Enrollment Form and send along with the appropriate paperwork and fees ($100 for ARVC members/$125 for non-members).

What They Say!

"Being in the CPO program helped me when I went to the bank for financing and the banker was inpressed that I had taken the business serious enough to continue learning. It definitely helped us get a lower interest rate."

-Dennis Quigley, CPO

Kozy Rest Kampground, Harrisville, PA

"The CPO Program is a good idea especially for anyone new to the industry. Additionally, the sharing of the knowledge through the program from one owner/manager to another is invaluable."

-Neva Summerall, CPO

Willow Tree Resort, Longs, SC

There's a future of professional excellence and success waiting for you through the CPO program.

Enroll today!