The OHI site is undergoing maintenance from April 18-22.

If you’re seeking a specific resource, benefit, or need assistance logging in, please reach out to the membership team at ohi-membership@ohi.org.

 

Contact OHI
Blog

A Family’s Grand Opening from Concept to Concrete 

Ryan Johnson Shares What It Took to Bring Serenity RV Park to Life

Opening a campground is no small feat (we can all agree there), especially when you’re not just an operator, but a part of a family business that is hopeful to span generations. For Ryan Johnson, the journey of launching their family’s newly opened campground, Serenity RV Park, in Sherman, MS, was filled with anticipation and task, but most of all, it was an opportunity to create something special.  

“From the start, my dad, Ron, always said, ‘As an owner, you get to work a half-day. You just have to figure out which 12 hours you want to work,’” Ryan laughs. “And he couldn’t have been more right. We opened just before Thanksgiving in 2024, and those first few weeks were intense. There were days when it felt like we were running around with a thousand things to do and not enough hands, but it was all part of the process.” The Johnsons had a vision to create a space where guests could expect a comfortable place to stay, but making that vision a reality first took years of planning due to a Covid-19 pandemic interruption, and countless hours of collaborative efforts.  


Initially to get the ball rolling, the Johnson’s became OHI prospective members, exploring what the organization had to offer. Ryan recalls how his father, Ron, first connected with Joe Moore of Moore’s Campground Consulting, who recommended looking into OHI (previously National ARVC). They decided to become members, and it didn’t take long for them to see the benefits. “That first year, I attended OHCE®2022 in Orlando, and it was an eye-opening experience,” Ryan shares. “There was so much good information and people willing to offer advice. Even those who could be considered competitors were eager to share insights and help us navigate this journey. The speakers were incredibly helpful, and many were willing to continue conversations outside their sessions. It was like stepping into a business community where everyone genuinely wanted to see each other succeed.” 

Ryan, who helped design and oversee the opening of the park, had his hands full. “It wasn’t just about getting the layout right, it was about making sure everything felt like home,” he says. “My mom handled a lot of the details, like the dog parks and the storefronts, while my dad focused more on the big picture. Dad wasn’t a fan of trees; he just wanted everything cleared out for a big, open space, kind of like a parking lot. But my mom and I, especially me, being an Eagle Scout, always preferred having nature around. I believe the trees improve the overall look, though for Dad, they just block his satellite signal!”  


The opening days were a whirlwind of excitement and learning experiences. “We had put so much effort into making sure everything was just right,” Ryan remembers. “Like any grand opening, there were a few unexpected surprises, but we quickly adapted and kept everything running smoothly.” Their reservation system needed a bit of fine-tuning, and they had a few tech adjustments to make, but overall, the launch was an exciting and rewarding experience for the family. “We opened during one of the busiest times of the year, and it was incredible to see everything come together and welcome our first guests,” Ryan remembers. 

And there were other decisions that didn’t just make themselves. “When we were designing the park, we decided to increase our site count from 34 to 52, including 5 Amish-made cabins, which now sit on a road named after the builder who passed shortly after construction, which increased costs. But the cost increases weren’t just from those adjustments. Our initial engineer overlooked our original budget plans and kept adding without letting us know where we stood with costs. On top of that, the initial price increases from Covid and inflation added to the challenge. So, we brought in an additional engineer to help manage the dirt work and bring costs down. There were still things we wouldn’t budge on, like having asphalt roads and concrete pads instead of gravel, though. And in the long run, those details were what people would truly appreciate.”  


As the park settled into its rhythm, Ryan found himself reflecting on what he and his family had accomplished. “That was one of those defining moments, like, ‘Hey, this is actually a park.’ When my dad came in, he just looked around and said, ‘Man, this looks good.’ He told me he was so proud of me, and that really meant a lot. We were all so proud of how everything turned out, and how it looks. We have high standards, and we hold ourselves to them. We want to keep it that way.”  

Now upgraded to OHI campground membership, the Johnson family continues to enjoy their parks’ recent grand opening, and for the third generation? “I picked up my son Zander from school and asked if he’d want to work here when he’s older,’ Ryan smiles, reflecting. ‘He said, “Yeah, I’d love to work here with you.” That is just the icing on the cake.