Dear Seasonal Campers of Bowdish Lake 2025

Posted on April 28, 2025 by bowdishl — 1 Comment ↓

Hello! The camping season is upon us,

I know there have been a lot of cold days but it is time to get outside and enjoy the fresh air, get back to camping and hanging out with your friends.

The park will officially open on Mother’s Day weekend

however I will let you come on the first and begin Spring cleanup. The utilities will be on and if you experience any issues with them please report them to me directly.

Keep in mind that all issues with cable TV are handled directly with Cox Communications.

I participated last Thursday in a meeting with officials of the DEM to discuss the various outstanding issues.

The DEM admitted there are a substantial number of grandfathered docks, although they can’t seem to determine exactly where they are so I would say we will be O.K. for at least this season. The lawyers for both sides are working out a simple process that you, as campers, can use to obtain dock approval.

The DEM understands that our insurance prohibits us from assuming liability for the dock at your site.

Effective immediately all private dock owners ( the ones who have a dock at their campsite – if you are on the big floating dock or at the jetty, this does not apply to you) must provide the camp with a certificate of insurance for a minimum liability coverage of $500,000 If you do not provide us with a certificate of insurance for your dock you must remove it from the water and dispose of it.

The same level of insurance is required for anyone who has a power boat (either gas or electric) and a golf cart.

The insurance company is demanding that we obtain certificates for all the aquatic and motorized activities. It is required at all campgrounds, not just Bowdish. I do not believe the insurance is very expensive and if you think it is, understand that you can still have your boat at your site you will just have to accept that it may have to be beached. Also if you have a private dock it must have a gate or chain across the entrance with a no trespassing sign attached. I know it seems like a hassle but we all have to take safety seriously.

As far as docks that are controlled by the campground

, such as the big floating, dock you can only use the dock as boat slippage, it can not be used for any other type of activity especially swimming or diving. All swimming is to take place in the swimming areas or out in the middle of the lake at your own risk.

Please understand we live in trying times and I know it seems I am being abnormally tough about safety and insurance but the world has changed and we just have to accept it. Please stay positive and make yourself happy and remember I have met many people over the years who camped at Bowdish and have said it was one of the most positive things they did in their life.

Have a great season and we’ll see you around camp.

JOHN

Spring Cleaning 2025

Posted on April 23, 2025 by bowdishl — Leave a reply

We will be allowing campers to come in until 5pm daily from May 2nd to May 8th for the purposes of cleaning and setting up your campsites.

We are working on getting the utilities turned on (since they are shut down for the winter) and there may not be water or electricity in all areas. Please plan accordingly.
During this time YOU MAY NOT CAMP OVERNIGHT!

The first official night of camping will be May 9th.

Please note the campground rules require that the site fees must be paid in full before camping overnight.

PAYMENTS For new campers, a 10% deposit is required to reserve a site prior to bringing trailer in. For repeat and new season campers, 25% of the base site fee is due on or before October 15; 25% is due on or before February 28; and full payment must be made prior to May 15. No use of a stored unit may be made until fees are paid in full. Should scheduled payments not be made BLCA shall have the right to make the site available to others. Campers who ask to camp seasonally after the season has begun must pay in full before the selected site can be occupied. Should BLCA be required to remove a unit from a site for non-payment, a charge of $50.00 will apply.

Spring Message about Docks

Posted on April 20, 2025 by bowdishl — 1 Comment ↓

Dear valued customers,

I am writing to you today in response to recent issues brought forth by the R.I. DEM. In their Complaint they have enumerated a whole host of issues, many of which are old and still ongoing which the campground will deal with. However, there are two of their more recent complaints that you, as campers, will have to deal with. They are docks and the installation of crushed stone on your site. Understand that this does not include all of you, but only those of you who are within 50′ of either the pond or lake. If you are not in those areas, you can disregard this notice.

Most of you should recall that when you asked if you could have a dock I have always said yes, but I have always conditioned it on you first obtaining a Permit from the DEM. According to the DEM, none of the private docks or waterfront sites with gravel/crushed stone have permits and this has caused them to file notice. The campground, as I have also told you, is prohibited by insurance from getting involved in your dock. You must accept ownership and provide us with an annual certificate of insurance.

There also is the issue of crushed stone within 50′ of the pond or lake; this too requires a permit. You may decide to rake it back and remove your dock, but I ask you to understand that under the department’s rules, having a dock and spreading crushed stone on your site, while considered an insignificant alteration, you still MUST apply to receive it.

What I also want to explain here is that while many of you will think that the campground should handle this for me, I ask you to understand that I cannot. As I have said, we are prohibited by insurance from owning a dock.

Because the camp is a business, you as individuals have significantly more rights than I do as a business owner. If I applied as a business owner, they would tell me I am trying to run a 70-slip marina on the lake and never give permission, whereas you as individuals can have it as an insignificant alteration. The same thing for crushed stone.

Please understand that doing nothing is not an option. You either must apply for the permit or remove it. Some of you who are less sophisticated may want to get ahold of your builder or Jay Ferria to help you out. Because of the insignificance of the activity, it really is not a big deal. I know it is a hassle, but it is not much harder than registering your car. I ask for your understanding here. You are valued customers.

Thank you,

John

Halloween Prize Winners 2024

Posted on October 13, 2024 by bowdishl — Leave a reply

Hi campers

The winners of this year’s Halloween Festivities

For best decorated golf cart:

First place yellow 67

Second place Red 16

Third place Brown 24

For best decorated campsite:

First place Yellow 67

Second place Blue 1

Third place Yellow 41

The winners should stop by the office and collect their prize

I want thank all of you for participating and wish all of you a good Winter and a safe return next Spring

Thanks for camping with us,

John and Carrie

BLCA Fall Message

Posted on September 5, 2024 by bowdishl — Leave a reply

To all campers of BlCA Fall is around the corner and I think Fall offers the best time of year to be in the woods around the campfire. We have plenty of firewood available at reasonable prices if you need it.

This past Labor Day weekend’s entertainment appeared to be huge success and I have heard lots of positive feedback from many of you. What we may need to consider in the future is whether not to allow golf carts at the events, with so many people including children walking and running around For now I will allow the carts but would ask many of you to consider walking into the rec area and use chairs.

This Fall we are planning several events for Halloween including a site decorating contest, a golf cart parade and contest for best decorated cart and a costume party on Saturday night at the beach rec hall for the kids. Please plan on attending and do your part to give the camp kids a good time. First place prize will be five hundred three hundred second place and one hundred third place There will be food and refreshments served at the party as well as prizes for great costumes In the past this was always a good time so make the effort to participate please

The camp this Fall will officially close on October 15th However you will have till October 31 to be completely packed up. I do not mind if you stay overnight after the fifteenth but you must be actively packing up. Keep in mind that there will be very limited services and I will frown upon any request for extension of time.

I recently met with Glocesters Tax collector who told me that the State has dissolved the Tangible Tax on trailers. This is great news for all of you who store over the Winter “No more camper Taxes”. Going forward many of you may consider hopefully upgrading your camper. See me if you have any questions. Unfortunately in the future to make up for the loss of revenue the Town will undoubtedly raise the camps assessment. I must inform you that Winter storage fees must be raised to four hundred dollars and the late fee to one hundred and fifty dollars. Please pay your fees on time.

Have a great time and see you around camp!

John and Carrie

Dumping Station Status

Posted on May 18, 2024 by bowdishl — Leave a reply

Campers Hi

I have had to close the red green and blue dumping stations until further notice. The systems were designed in the early seventies and were not designed for theSaturday or Sunday morning surge.

I may consider allowing their use during the week but for now they are closed so please do not use them. Always use the dumping station at the tennis court. That station was designed to later regulations and can handle the weekend surge

Thanks for your understanding

John

Spring 2024 Camping

Posted on May 10, 2024 by bowdishl — 2 Comments ↓

Hello everyone and welcome!

The season is upon us, and we look forward to you and GOOD WEATHER, which is the key to happy camping. While we did not have a cold Winter, we did have many severe rain and windstorms We have cleaned much of the damage but there are a couple of areas that still need attention, so please be patient with us.

There is a large water main break in the vicinity of blue 60. Although there is no anticipated disruption in service, due to the flooding rains this break will take some time to repair. Please try to avoid this area.

Utilities

All of the utilities except cable are on. If you should have problems, please let me know. I assume everything is functioning unless you report otherwise.

As far as cable goes, I have delayed this message for I had believed I could report news that we had reached agreement with Cox about cable service.

Unfortunately, Cox is no longer interested in offering bulk TV service to the campground.

They prefer to offer you individual service to your site and that will require you to set up an account and pay their fees. They are a monopoly. I complained to the RIDPUC administrator Tom Kogurt, but to no avail. I will keep trying but as I stated Cox has the upper hand.

Electric Rates

I also have to report to you that due to escalating energy costs and the scandal involving utility company insuring their systems leading to an 18% increase in their service rates I have no choice but to pass those increases on to you and rates will have to increase by 2 cents per kilowatt hour.

Safety

We also must have a major understanding about Safety at the campground. While we have not had a lot incidents at the campground, there have been incidents that have affected the Industry in general. All of you must become conscious of safety. This year I am insisting that all rear facing seats on golf carts MUST have seat belts and they MUST be used. I will be actively watching out for this.

You will also notice that we have purchased additional speed bumps. We intend to get serious about speeding.

Also, all bicycle riders MUST wear a helmet and no bicycle can be ridden after dark, no exceptions.

Beach Safety

As far as the beach is concerned, we cannot find a lifeguard for the season. Therefore, all swimming is at your own risk. Children under eighteen years of age MUST be supervised at the beach by their parents at all times while swimming. Insurance rates have gone up dramatically and everyone must do their part to prevent further increases by becoming more safety conscious.

Campsites Rules

I have had some issues with some of you about campsites and the rules.

If you make an improvement to the site such as crushed stone it becomes part of the site.

I am not going to tolerate people thinking they can hopelessly try to remove the stone leaving the site a complete mess. DON”T purchase stone or any other landscape feature unless you intend to leave it after you are gone or switch sites.

By rule you are supposed to leave the site clean as you found it, not a mess for the camp or others to clean up.

The proper thing to do is to ask permission to make changes to your site so you have a clear understanding of what the rules are.

So come HAPPY and enjoy SUMMER

JOHN

Cable Service Issues

Posted on September 23, 2023 by bowdishl — Leave a reply

What follows is a copy of our attempt to get relief from the DPUC on the issue of the Cox cable service which has been irregular and unsatisfactory.

Please contact the DPUC and make them aware of your own frustrations with the cable service we have been getting. (Poor signal, lack of channels, changing list of channels, etc.)

———- Forwarded message ———
From: john tillinghast <blcajtillinghast@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Sep 21, 2023 at 5:47 PM
Subject: Re: Cox Issue as EC-2023-82
To: Kogut, Thomas (DPUC) <Thomas.Kogut@dpuc.ri.gov>

Mr Kogut

Hi and thanks for getting back to me

There are TWO issues that we have with Cox cable service.

First is the quality of service

Analog regen which we understand is no longer allowed by Fcc Regulations, at least they can not sell it as video service. Cox installed the system in 2010 and we signed a seven year contract for 100 channels of video service in 2011 Everything ran O K and there were few complaints from the customers.

In 2015 the Fcc banned by Regulation Analog Signal and everyone had to ethier buy a new tv or a digital antenna. In 2018 the contract expired and Cox gave us notice that due to the FCC Regulations they could no longer sell direct video analog service but was willing to continue analog service provided there was no contract. We continued paying However due to the lack of a contract Cox began playing games short changing us on the # of channels and the signal was lousy and the customers began to complain and loudly but Cox refused to listen.

The second complaint is the lack of contract

which should include the electric service we have provided to operate their system without reimbursement This power supply and node is about a mile from RIE supply so this will not be a simple fix We have researched cable companies and their offerings in other states and bulk HD service is available the question is why not from Cox The customers know the difference and want HD signal and I am just trying to keep my customers happy at reasonable cost.
Let me know if you need more info. Also you asked for account info. when the contract expired the account expired as well. Our phone # was our account # .

I have been told many tales by Cox’s people over the years They want to keep the analog getting around the FCC by selling me the video and not directly to my customers. As I said my customers know the difference and want HD

Let me Know and Thanks JT

On Thu, Sep 21, 2023 at 9:26 AM Kogut, Thomas (DPUC) <Thomas.Kogut@dpuc.ri.gov> wrote:

Good morning Mr. Tillinghast,

Please see attached.

Thomas F. Kogut

Associate Administrator RIDPUC

(401) 255-9600

2023 FALL ACTIVITIES MESSAGE

Posted on September 11, 2023 by bowdishl — Leave a reply

To all Bowdish Lake Campers 2023 Fall Activities

Thanks for coming this Summer! It is still hot and will probably
stay that way till the end.

The camp will officially close for the winter on September 30

but you will be allowed til the fourteenth of October to winterize and close up

Please try to schedule final pump out early

We cannot handle more than twenty five per day and someone has to be first

2023 Fall Activities.

We will have a Halloween trunk or treat and golf cart parade on September 30 starting at 6 pm

2023 Fall Activities Golf Cart Parade

Prizes for best decorated cart

First Place Cart Prize is $500
Second Place Cart Prize is $300
Third Place Cart Prize is $100

2023 Fall Activities Site Decoration Prizes

Prizes for best decorated site

First Place Site Prize is $500
Second Place Site Prize is $300
Third Place Site Prize is $100

So get into the spirit and win a prize!

2023 Fall Activities – Refreshments will be served at the Safari field

Have a great time and Thanks for Coming

JOHN
Connect with your Campground Neighbors on the Bowdish Lake Camping Area
Facebook Page!

Camp News Archive

Winterizing your RV camper

is essential to protect it from the harsh winter conditions. Here are the steps to ensure your RV is ready for the cold:

Drain Water Systems: Empty all tanks, including fresh, grey, and black water tanks. Open low point drains and use compressed air to blow out any remaining water ¹.
Bypass Water Heater: Install a water heater bypass kit if your RV doesn’t have one. This prevents antifreeze from filling the heater tank, saving you gallons of antifreeze ¹.
Add Antifreeze: Use non-toxic RV antifreeze to fill the plumbing system. Pump it through all faucets, shower heads, and toilets until you see the antifreeze coming out ¹.
Seal Openings: Check for any openings where pests could enter and seal them. Use silicone or expanding foam for larger gaps ¹.
Protect Against Humidity: Place desiccant containers or humidity absorbers inside the RV to prevent mold and mildew growth ¹.
Remove Batteries: Disconnect and store batteries in a cool, dry place to prevent freezing and extend their life ¹.
Cover Vents: Install covers over vents to keep out insects and small animals ¹.
RV Covers: Use a breathable RV cover to protect the exterior from snow, ice, and debris ¹.
Tire Care: Inflate tires to the recommended pressure and cover them to protect from UV damage ¹.
Lubricate Joints: Apply lubricant to hinges and locks to prevent them from seizing up in the cold ¹.

By following these steps, you can rest assured that your RV camper will be safeguarded against the winter elements and ready for your next adventure ¹.

Spring Opening 2023 – Message

Posted on May 11, 2023 by bowdishl — Leave a reply

Spring Opening 2023

Hi everyone,

The 2023 season is upon us!

I hope you are all well and excited to get back to being outdoors and at the campground.

This year marks the 50th year of Bowdish Lake and we appreciate your enthusiasm and continued support. We are planning a celebration party and other events to mark this historic achievement.

The Park will officially open this weekend, Mother’s Day weekend.

Please report any utility issues you may have to the office. Cable TV requests shall be on a first come first served basis. Also please understand that security gates are activated and any outstanding balances must be made current or you will not be allowed to camp.
I have rearranged the new dock at Beach One to accommodate more boats. Unfortunately all of the slips are rented so keep that in mind when planning a boat purchase. I will work on developing more dock space in the future.

I cannot control the escalating cost of energy, especially electricity

There is no choice but to raise by 2.3 cents per kwh (that’s 2.3 not 23 cents, by the way). Also, the minimum monthly charge shall have to increase to $45.00 per month and going forward electricity deposit shall have to increase to $450.00.

I strongly urge all of you to consider running as much of your trailer as possible on propane. You would be shocked how much cheaper it is as an energy source than electricity Its price has come down whereas electricity just keeps going up. Please help us out and consider it.

We are currently dealing with phone issues for the office.

Without notice the office phone was shut off due to the service being 3G. They gave us no warning, just shut it off. We hope to get this resolved as soon as possible. In the meantime, please use the website, Facebook or email if you need to communicate with us.

We will continue the seasonal-only format for this year and probably for the foreseeable future.

It seems to make life easier and make the park more enjoyable for all of us.

We appreciate your business a hope you have a great Summer.

JOHN

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