Since 1923, Libby’s Oceanside Camp in York, Maine, has been a cherished destination for campers. Founded by Fred Libby, this family-run campground has remained strong by adapting to change while staying true to its roots. Now managed by fourth-generation owners Brien Davidson and his brother, Mark, Libby’s continues to balance modern upgrades with their commitment to providing a welcoming experience for all guests. 

From Clam Shack to Campsites

Libby’s began almost by chance. Fred Libby purchased land along the southern coast of Maine, where he operated a pie and clam shack for travelers passing through the area.

“Because of the location, it wasn’t long before someone asked, ‘Would you mind if I put a tent up for the night?’ “ Brien shared. “That’s when the light went on, and he realized there was more opportunity to use the area.”

In 1923, camping was added, and Libby’s never looked back.

By the 1960s, as travel trailers gained popularity, the family recognized the need to shift their focus from the restaurant to the growing campground. They repurposed the restaurant into a general store to better serve their campers. In more recent years, with continued changes in the size of RVs, they eventually decided to tear down the store altogether. 

“We knew we had to decrease the number of campsites and make them bigger,” Brien explained. “Campers have gotten larger so we reduced our number of sites to accommodate them.” 

What some might see as downsizing, the family viewed as upgrading—providing more space and comfort for their guests.

Upgrading to Meet Modern Campers’ Needs

As RVs grew larger, their power demands increased. Things reached a breaking point during a heat wave a few years ago, exposing the limits of Libby’s electrical system and making upgrades unavoidable.

“We had people trying to run two, sometimes three air conditioning units,” Brien recalled. “That’s when the breakers started popping, and we realized we couldn’t put this off any longer.”

The family responded by revamping their electrical system, adding 50-amp service to nearly all campsites. They saw this as an opportunity to bundle multiple projects at once.

“We figured, since we were already digging for the electrical, why not tackle the water and sewer, too?” Brien said. “While we were doing that, we had trenches, so we decided we also were going to invest in the WiFi system. It made more sense to handle everything at once.”

For Brien, bundling projects wasn’t just about convenience; it was a strategic move to minimize disruption now while planning for future needs.

“You have to look at the most important needs,” Brien advised. “It’s about long-term planning and thinking ahead. It took some financial planning, but by addressing those systems at the same time, we avoided having to dig up the campground again down the road.”

The electrical and water upgrades may go unnoticed—“no one notices them until they stop working,” Brien said—but the improvements to the park’s WiFi have generated plenty of positive feedback. 

“Better WiFi definitely made it easier for people who want to work from their trailer,” Brien shared. “They don’t have to go home during the week to fulfill their obligations. They get to spend more time here.”

Building Connections and Community

While upgrading infrastructure is essential to meeting the needs of modern campers, The Davidson family has always recognized that it’s the personal connections that truly set Libby’s apart. For Brien and his family, these relationships are just as vital as the physical improvements they’ve made.

“When I was a kid, if there was another kid staying at the campground, we were going to be friends that week,” Brien recalled. “I still see those same folks. They’ve started bringing their kids back. We’ve formed those bonds, and people keep coming back.”

Those bonds became especially clear during Libby’s 100-year anniversary bash. 

“We had a big celebration,” Brien said. “We brought in a bunch of food trucks, we had a band, and we brought the community together to celebrate. It was neat because I introduced two campers who had been camping a couple hundred feet from each other for 12 years but had never met. That made me realize we need more opportunities like this. In a small campground, it’s good to know your neighbors. People come back year after year because they want to see their friends.”

Since that milestone celebration, Libby’s has focused on hosting more social gatherings, helping guests form deeper connections with each other and the Davidson family. 

Planning for the Future and Keeping the Family Legacy Alive

As Libby’s enters its second century, Brien and his brother remain focused on keeping the campground a family-run business. The fifth generation is already involved, with Mark’s children helping out part-time, and Brien is optimistic about the future of the campground.

“We want to keep this business going, and we’re going to keep it in the family,” Brien says. “That’s what’s important to us.”

By investing in smart upgrades and being flexible to meet the needs of modern campers, Libby’s Oceanside Camp is set to thrive for years to come.

Thinking About Your Own Park’s Future?

While CampLife can’t help with infrastructure upgrades, our system can streamline your operations, freeing up time for you to focus on big-picture projects. Whether you’re improving your electrical system or creating larger campsites, our software allows you to spend less time on the day-to-day and more time building the future of your park. 

‍Reach out today to see how CampLife can support your park’s success, so you can focus on the improvements that matter most.