Calvert County Board Of Commissioners Unanimously Approves Campground Operation Update At Breezy Point

CHESAPEAKE BEACH, Md. — At the final meeting of 2024 on Dec. 17, the Calvert County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a plan to update the layout and operations at Breezy Point Campground. Under the new plan, the campsite will host 35 short-term/daily camping sites and 48 seasonal sites. Seasonal sites will also see increased fees, with “General” seasonal campsites rising from $2,375 to $4,300, “Water View” seasonal campsites from $2,675 to $4,500, “Canal” seasonal campsites from $3,075 to $4,800, and “Beach” seasonal campsites from $3,075 to $5,000.

Representatives of the Calvert County Department of Parks and Recreation at the meeting justified the increases by noting that other campsites similar to Breezy Point have implemented comparable price adjustments.

Other notable changes include pump-out fees increasing to $55 per pump-out, the introduction of a lottery held before every season to determine the distribution of seasonal campsites (more information on the lottery can be found in the “Camping” section), and mandatory pre-season meetings with camp staff and other seasonal campers.

This hybrid camping model marks a significant shift from last year’s plan, which featured 75 short-term campsites and no seasonal campsites. That plan was made in response to frustration among campers regarding the inability to secure short-term campsites, which often sold out within one or two weeks of becoming available. However, as The BayNet reported in January of last year, many campers criticized the 2024 plan, calling it a “logistical nightmare” and predicting it would create a “tent city campground” beset by “crime, drugs, and even lawsuits.” Some campers simply left in response to the loss of seasonal campsites.

In recent years, Breezy Point has struggled to balance its identity as a family-friendly environment with its popularity as a general vacation destination. Commissioners referenced issues with “partying” and “hellraisers,” which contributed to an environment they described as “a bit touchy.”

Despite public concerns, when asked about the success of last year’s changes, a representative of the Calvert County Department of Parks and Recreation said, “I will say from fielding concerns and having to reply to them… I had significantly less last year than I have ever had working for Breezy Point Campground.” Visitor numbers increased, particularly on holidays and weekends, and the department reported greater net profits compared to recent years.

The updated plan appears not to reflect the failure of last year’s changes but instead focuses on increasing revenue by finding a middle ground. Under the current plan, revenue would more than double from an average of about $290,000 over the last two years to $623,500 if all seasonal and daily campsites are fully booked for the entire season.

While revenue remains a primary focus, a representative of the Calvert County Department of Parks and Recreation noted that in the upcoming year, the camp’s policies will have more “teeth” by coordinating with the Calvert County Attorney’s Office to issue citations to campgoers who disregard camp rules. The mandatory pre-season meetings aim to enforce camp rules more effectively by ensuring all seasonal campers are fully familiar with expectations.

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