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Campground rating system

The rating program 2011

Campground ratings are an essential source of information that helps campers make an informed choice, corresponding to their needs and tastes and gives them a reliable picture of the services offered by camping establishments. It also allows operators to make sure their product continues to correspond to consumers’ expectations. During fall 2003, the Conseil de Développement du Camping au Québec (CDCQ) has been recognized by the Ministry of Tourism as the body in charge of conducting classifications. This program was previously voluntary but is now mandatory, under the Tourist Accommodation Establishments Act. The program requires that each camping establishment be visited by an inspector once every two years. The CDCQ was asked by Vélo Québec to evaluate all the campgrounds certified Bienvenue Cyclistes! and by Kéroul to evaluate access to campground for people with restricted physical ability.

RATING PROGRAM The rating program has two separate parts: one looking at the quality of facilities and the other concerning the type of facilities and extra services. Each campground is given a rating out of 1,000 points: 700 points for the quality of facilities, and 300 points for the type of facilities and extra services.

• Quality of facilities
• Type of facilities
• Definition of stars
• Breakdown of campgrounds by Rating
• Main provisions of the act and regulations

QUALITY OF FACILITIES

The first part of the rating program looks at the quality of a large number of indicators, grouped into four separate sections: 1) comfort stations 2) campground as a whole 3) recreational areas 4) reception facilities

To obtain a rating, a campground must obtain at least 350 points (50%) in this part. In each of the four sections, the program looks closely at maintenance, cleanliness, operation of equipment and safety of facilities. Note that the ratings are calculated by means of an evaluation grid, and do not take account of the evaluators’ personal opinions. Only physical observations (e.g. defective door, no soap, leaking roof) are considered.

TYPE OF FACILITIES

The second part of the evaluation concerns the reception facilities and services offered by the campground. The maximum score in this part is 300 points. In each of the four sections, i.e. 1) comfort stations 2) campground as a whole 3) recreational areas 4) reception facilities

The program awards points for certain reception facilities and services offered for campers. Note that these are not standards, but rather additional services that the campground is not required to offer.

DEFINITION OF STARS

Each rating level has a specific meaning:

	Campground partly meeting the rating criteria
	Campground meeting quality standards.
	Campground with quality facilities, offering some extra services and activities.
	Campground with high-quality facilities, offering several extra services and activities.
	Campground with very high-quality facilities, offering a range of extra services and activities.
	Campground with excellent facilities, offering a wide range of extra services and activities.
	Evaluation in progress

 

BREAKDOWN OF CAMPGROUNDS BY RATING

Rating	Num. of campgrounds	%
	121	14.04 %
	101	11.72 %
	185	21.46 %
	290	33.64 %
	145	16.82 %
	13	1.51 %
	7	0.81 %

MAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ACT AND REGULATIONS

• By law, every person operating a campground is required to have a classification certificate.

• The classification of camping establishments is done by an organization recognized by the Minister of Tourism.

• The organization, with the Minister’s approval, establishes classification criteria and the costs related to this classification.

• The certificate is valid for 24 months.

• Rights conferred by a classification certificate cannot be validly transferred to another person.

• Any application for a classification certificate must be submitted to the Minister.

• The classification certificate is in the form of a sign indicating the name of the camping establishment and its classification.

• The certificate must be permanently affixed in public view at the main entrance of the establishment.