Start of season 2024

Newsletter April 8, 2024

Now that our April snow has come and (almost) gone, it's time to get camping. Even though we still have snow, we hope the weekend brings enough sun to melt it and firm up the roads. On a related note, as a result of the recent snow, we now have a canoe-able river. So... yay for a strong river start.

Anyway, we're opening to our seasonal site family next week on Monday, April 8 and it looks like we're in for some warm camping weather.

In the spirit of spring renewal, here are a few reminders as we get our season started:

New family members:

1. Welcome to our six new seasonal members; we're glad you're here:

• Tim & Julie Fierke (S7)

• Daniel & Jennifer Hilkin (S403)

• Mike & Jodi Morse (S313)

• Darren & Tracy Nuese (S322)

• John & Brittany Wade (S404)

• Brian & Lisa Wunn (S321)

Camping:

2. Arrival: Run lots of water through your camper water lines to flush them out. This will also help activate the septic tanks since they've been dormant all winter.

3. Camper connections. Tie up all hoses and cords so that we can easily trim under and around your camper.
4. Septic hookup. Make sure your camper has a tight seal on the septic pipe. All lines should be PVC, no septic hoses. For new seasonal campers, we'll supply all the 3” piping and you can purchase the necessary fittings at the store to get these connections secured.
5. Firewood. Order a pallet of firewood (4'x4'x4') by replying to this message or letting us know in the office by Sunday, May 5th. The cost is $145 delivered to your site in shrink-wrap.

6. Picnic tables. If you need one at your site, please let us know. 
7. Canoes & kayaks. Store your personal river vessels on the racks in the Lean-to located behind the barn. Take spots that are open. Do not put them under nor around your camper; we can't trim  with your stuff laying around.
8. Golf carts. Have a heart! Be diligent about upholding the campground standards: (a) drive slow. (b) drive only on the roads. (c) drivers must be at least 12 years old/6th grade. Golf carts not recreational vehicles for kids--esp on weekends when we have a lot of additional campers. So please do not allow your kids to drive around in a golf cart full of more kids. 

9. Garbage. is picked up on weekends (9-10am & 4-5pm), so if you’re here during the week (or after we pick up on Sunday afternoon), you need to get your garbage to a dumpster. They're located next to the tube shed. Also, help your neighbors understand that everyone needs to tie up their garbage. Open garbage = unwelcomed critters.
10. Cardboard. Leave boxes outside with your tied-up garbage OR drop them next to the dumpster, and we’ll take care of them. Do not put cardboard (like Amazon & pizza boxes) in your garbage. It’s illegal in the state of Iowa to put corrugated cardboard in the landfill. And we will get fined.

Technology

11. WiFi. Your Seasonal WiFi network comes from a dedicated fiber optic signal just for you. It’s faster than the regular HFCR network, and requires a password-- Campon2024.

12. Website. Log into the Seasonal page on our website, wecamp.com/seasonal-login for seasonal-specific info, such as upcoming events, newsletters, and seasonal Facebook page posts. Use the same password as your WiFi network: Campon2024 (no username required). 
13. Facebook group. Join our closed Harvest Farm Seasonals group. Click the join button on our Harvest Farm public page, facebook.com/harvestfarmcampground. It’s a great space to organize seasonal activities and post pics and comments.

Rules to camp by.

We provide the attached map, rules, and pricing to all weekend campers so they understand the expectations for happy camping. Please be familiar with the details; campers look to you to model the example.

We'll be posting a message on Facebook and our wecamp.com website about opening to the public the weekend of April 12. Tell your friends and family it's time to camp! 

You know where to find me if you have any questions or just need my help.

Start of season 2023

It's finally happening. We're just about ready to camp. The roads are still a little soft but we're working toward this weekend (April 7) to open the campground for seasonals--who already have their camper here. If you need to bring in your camper, please contact me first so I can work with you to arrange for that to happen. Please do NOT just bring your camper this weekend.

More on start-of-season details shortly. First, let's welcome our new seasonal members:

• Sally & Robert Hertel

• Kim & Brian Dyer

• Phil & Connie Fleshner

• Kristy Kim & Erik Kleven

• Travis & Laurie Krull

• Brian & Carol Larson

• Robert & LaChelle Petzer

• Melissa & Sam Davidson

We're so glad you're here. Welcome to the Harvest Farm fam. And, now, let's review a few housekeeping items: 

1. Arrival: When you arrive at your camper, run lots of water through your lines to flush them out. This will also help activate the septic tanks since they've been dormant for five months.

2. Camper connections. Tie up all hoses and cords so that we can easily trim under and around your camper.

3. Septic hookup. Make sure your camper has a tight seal on the septic pipe. All lines should be PVC, no septic hoses. For new family members, we'll supply all the 3” piping and you can purchase the necessary fittings at the store to get these connections secured.

4. Garbage. is picked up on weekends, so if you’re here during the week (or after we pick up on Sunday afternoon), you need to get your garbage to the dumpster. You know where it is...next to the tube shed. Help your neighbors understand that everyone needs to tie up their garbage. 

5. Cardboard. Leave boxes outside with your tied-up garbage OR drop them next to the dumpster, and we’ll take care of them. Do not put cardboard (yes, even pizza boxes) in your garbage. It’s illegal in the state of Iowa to put corrugated cardboard in the landfill.

6. Firewood. Order a pallet of firewood (4x4x8) by letting us know you want one. The cost is still $120. It’s shrink-wrapped and delivered to your site. Deadline is Sunday, May 7th. 

7. Picnic tables. If you need one at your site, please let us know. 

8. Canoes & kayaks. Store your personal river vessels on the racks in the Lean-to located behind the barn. Take spots that are open. Do not put them under nor around your camper.

9. WiFi. Your seasonal WiFi network is a dedicated fiber optic signal just for our seasonal fam. It’s faster than the regular HFCR network and you need a password-- wecamp23.

10. Golf carts. Yes, they’re still allowed. But they’re not recreational vehicles for kids--esp on weekends when we have a lot of additional campers.

    1. Please do not allow your kids to drive around the campground in a golf cart full of more kids.

    2. Be diligent about upholding the campground standard for YOUR golf cart: (a) drive slow. (b) drive on the roads only. (c) drivers must be at least 12 years old/6th grade.

11. Facebook group. Join our closed Harvest Farm Seasonals group. Click the join button on our Harvest Farm public page, facebook.com/harvestfarmcampground. It’s a fun space for pics and comments.

12. Rules to camp by. Review the campground map & rules pamphlet we provide to weekend campers so you're familiar with the standard you're upholding. You model the example that other campers follow.  

We're planning on opening up to the public around mid April, probably the weekend of the 14th. We'll post an update on our Facebook page and website blog to let everyone know.

Opening Info-May 2020

Welcome back seasonal family, It's time for season 2020! We know you love to camp. We do too!! This year, due to the current health pandemic, we’ve had to adjust just a bit. So, here’s a few updates for camping with CDC guidelines & social distancing, for now:

We are taking as many precautions as possible in response to sanitizing high traffic areas and deep cleaning every space, surface, and piece of equipment at the campground, around the yard, and in the store. We hope you do the same in and around your camper. The shower houses are open and will be cleaned and sanitized regularly, but feel free to wipe down surfaces before & after use to help maintain the standard.

Since we’ve been asked to continue abiding by the social distancing guidelines, please don’t get together in large groups—even around your campfire. And keep a healthy distance when there’s more than just a few in one place. The playgrounds are still closed; we’ve wrapped them in caution tape. We trust that you will do your best to uphold the standard… for now. Naturally, we’ll post updates as the situation evolves and improves. 

The store is open with it’s normal hours, Mon-Thurs 8am-6pm; Fri-Sat 7am-10pm; Sun 7am-5pm. Please stop in anytime. The salon is open Friday evenings 4:30pm - 6:45pm and Saturdays 9:30am - 2:30pm. You can make appts online at: wecamp.com/salon. The family rec room upstairs in the barn is still currently closed.

We’re looking forward to another awesome season, even though our global community is off to a weird start. The most important thing is to just continue to be your wonderful selves, be kind to others, and give someone help when you can.

Stay safe and happy!

Season 2020 Must-Knows/Must-Dos

Woohoo, it's finally time to camp! Welcome back. But as you may be aware, we're opening the campground only to seasonal camping at this time and with temporary conditions as we responsibly respond to the current public health situation. So, for the purpose of providing a safe and healthy environment for everyone, please:

• Continue to uphold the CDC guidelines for social distancing--both at your campsite and in the store. 

• Don't gather more than 10 people in one place--even around your camp fire. 

• Be aware that the shower houses and playgrounds are still closed. 

• Be advised that the store is open but with limited hours.

• Be mindful of others' whereabouts. 

• Sanitize your area and wash your hands often; you can buy hand sanitizer in the store. 

Anywho, you know what to do... be your wonderful, kind, thoughtful selves. And now for the more important things to know as we start camping: 

1. Hip hip hooray for our 9 new family members:

• Jean Braam / Cristal Hays (S8)

• Heidi Arens / Robert Erdman (S302)

• Chris & MarcieHall (S311)

• Chase & Ashley Huntley (313)

• Bob & Rhonda Moeller (S17)

• John & Sandy Heisler (S318)

• TJ & Heather Tigges (S325)

• Zak & Delaney Vreeland (S411)

• Christopher Martin/Laura Liffrig (S420)

• Mike & Victoria Tepley (S431)

2. A general list of start of the season MUST-DOs:

CAMPING INFO

Septic pipe. Your camper needs a tight seal on the septic pipe. All lines should be PVC, no septic hoses. The campground will supply all the 3” pipe you need. Let me know if you need help with the fittings and equipment to secure these connections.

Hoses and cords. They need to be tied up so we can trim under and around your camper. When you connect your water hoses, flush the lines by letting water run in your sink for a while. 

Sheds/storage. Well... sheds are not allowed, but storage containers are. They should be smallish, and conform with other storage containers around you.

Electricity. Please do your part to conserve. Don’t run your air for weeks at a time between visits. It doesn’t take long to cool your trailer down when you get here. 

Firewood pallets. In case you don't know, a pallet is a bunch of wood stacked 4' x 4', enough for the whole season--give or take. Cost $110 delivered. We'd like to get in our order this weekend so we can get the wood to you.

Garbage. It’s picked up only on weekends twice a day: Friday-Sunday around 9a.m. & 4p.m. Please tie your bags and set them along side the road for pick up. If you’re here during the week (or after we pick up on Sunday afternoon), you need to get your garbage to the dumpster. As you know, four dumpsters are located in front of the two silos near the entrance.  

Recycling. Yes, it’s still illegal to put corrugated cardboard in a landfill in Iowa. So if you have empty boxes to get rid of (including pizza boxes), leave them alongside your garbage (on weekends) or next to one of the dumpsters at the entrance (anytime). 

Canoes & kayaks. You can store your river vessels on racks that are empty in the Lean-to, please do NOT store them under or around your camper. 

Golf carts. Hmmmm. We only have three simple rules to follow:  (1) drive slow... or slower than slow. (2) drive on the roads, not across the lawns. (3) drivers must be at least 12 years old/6th grade. Let's go for 100% compliance this season.

3. A general list of start of the season MUST-KNOWs:

SOCIAL ACTIVITIESSeasonal Directory. Please look over the attachment and let us know what you want to add or change in your listing--especially those who are missing phone #s and emails.

WiFI. Your seasonal WiFI network is a dedicated signal just for our seasonal family. It’s faster than the standard HFCR network & secured with a password: wecamp2020.

Website. The Seasonal Login page on wecamp.com is dedicated to seasonal family news & updates. Check it out, the password is: wecamp2020.

Facebook. There's a closed group for seasonal campers on our Harvest Farm Facebook page. It's convenient for planning seasonal activities and fun for sharing pics & info with each other. 

Since it's the beginning of the season, we'd like to ask for every one to please clean out under your campers for any unused or unneeded items, such as: cement blocks, rocks, PVC pipe, and anything else you don't want. If you set it by the road, we'll pick it up. Also, since we're getting a little late start, we've extended the due date for the balance of your seasonal site to June 15. 

Finally, please know that you are loved. You are our rock, our family. We are grateful for the unique and joyful qualities each of you contributes to the whole campground and our healthy, happy camping environment. Thanks for being an awesome part of Harvest Farm; we appreciate you.

June Newsletter

Hi Seasonal Family,

We're off to a great start! We're camping in full swing and we're living the dream!! We just want to touch base on a few reminders::

1. The due date for paying the balance on your seasonal site was May 15. We forgot to remind you in our Welcome to Season 2019 letter and then again in a followup email, so some of you have forgotten to pay. Per your contract, "Any rental payments not received within 30 days [of the due date] shall accrue a late fee charge of 10%" which would have been June 15. BUT, we're extending the 30 day grace period to 45 days since we forgot (twice) to remind you (we know you're busy camping). Unless you have already made arrangements with me otherwise, please pay your site balance BY Sunday, June 30th.

2. The seasonal19 wifi connection is a secure, speedy network dedicated to our seasonal family members. Please don't share the password with others outside the fam... it slows it down for everyone else.

3. We managed to snag the limited edition Empty Nest wines that ran out at the wine tasting event last weekend: Simplicity & Dragonfly Dreams. They are still limited, so once they're gone, they're gone... until next year. They're in the store now.

4. Our staff have identified many campers that had their AC running full force while you were not here. Yes, of course we know who you are; we trimmed around your camper with a frowny face. Please be mindful, resourceful, and frugal when it comes to your AC. Turn if off when you leave for the week. Please and thank you.

5. Remember, you can use the same Seasonal Wifi password (Welovehfcr19) to log into your Seasonal page on our website, https://wecamp.com/login. There, you will find a copy of all of our correspondence & reminders to you, upcoming events at the campground, and links to the Seasonal-only Facebook page.