How do I transition my campground to a long-time employee?

A good employee knows the daily work, but ownership adds things they may never have seen. Over a season, give them the owner’s tasks one at a time: budgeting, hiring seasonal help, dealing with suppliers, and handling the tough guest complaint. Notice where they hesitate and fill those gaps with training.

Funding is usually the hard part. An employee rarely has the cash, so ask whether a lender would back them, whether you would accept payments over time, and what happens to you if they miss them. Growth and transition financing exists for exactly this kind of handover, so ask a lender what they would want to see.

Keep the other staff in mind. Promoting one person changes the crew, so talk to the rest early and think about who might leave. Protect yourself too. Agree on what you will do during the changeover, how long you stay available, and what security you hold if you finance part of it. Put all of it in a written agreement drafted by a lawyer.

Key takeaways

• Hand over owner-level tasks one at a time and watch where the employee struggles.
• Settle how they will pay, and what protects you if you carry part of it.
• Talk to the rest of the crew early, and put everything in writing.
• Keep your own role during the changeover defined, with a clear end date.