Staff Star: DeeDee Bernhardt, Member Services Director

DeeDee Bernhardt is on the 30-year-plan.

That’s what DeeDee’s first manager, Mary, told her when she started at Outdoor Adventures as a Tour Booking Agent in 1995.

Being a Tour Booking Agent wasn’t something DeeDee thought she would be good at, but she rose to the challenge and soon learned she was a perfect fit. DeeDee’s positive personality and welcoming nature helped her thrive, and she eventually caught the attention of our then CEO, Greg King.

One morning, Mr. King stopped by DeeDee’s office to congratulate her on the great work she was doing. He said “I hope you don’t leave us, DeeDee!” That’s when Mary popped up and jokingly said, “Oh no. DeeDee is on the 30-year plan. She’s not going anywhere. 

It’s been 27 years and DeeDee Bernhardt is still with Outdoor Adventures.

Throughout DeeDee’s time at Outdoor Adventures she’s witnessed the company expand from one resort, Saginaw Bay, to what the company is today: nine resorts spanning across the state of Michigan with over two thousand campsites.

“I had a birds-eye view of the company’s growth,” DeeDee said. “I witnessed digging holes for swimming pools; adding new campsites, you name it. I was amongst it all, talking on the phones and telling members about all the exciting things happening.”

For DeeDee, being able to be a part of Outdoor Adventures growth is something she is most proud of. From watching Saginaw Bay turn into a beautiful resort that people drive hundreds of miles to see, to the addition of resorts such as Wilderness, Rifle River, Lake of the North and Lake Shore—DeeDee is grateful to witness how Outdoor Adventures has expanded through the years.

“The growth has been truly amazing.” explained DeeDee. “And not only do you fall in love with the parks, but you also fall in love with the members. Lots of members know who I am because maybe at one time they reached out needing help and I was there.” 

One of DeeDee’s fondest memories involving Outdoor Adventures Members occurred on a summer day when she and a salesman were taking a break at one of our resorts. While on break, they ran into a brand new member and his son, who DeeDee remembers being six or seven at the time.

“They had a wagon with them full of bats and balls and mitts,” explained DeeDee. “They told me they were going to rustle up a ball game and me and the salesman were like ‘Oh, okay, good luck with that, and we took off back to work. About a half hour after I got back into my office, I’m going, what is that racket?’ I go outside and I see grandparents, parents, kids of all ages, playing ball. I just thought wow. There were grandparents along the sidelines cheering. It was just awesome. Majority of those people never knew each other until they bought memberships with Outdoor Adventures and they all became this wonderful, friendly camping family, and after that I was hooked. At that point, there was no going back and I have been head over heels in love with this business ever since. I couldn’t be prouder of what it has become.

Born and raised in Standish, MI, DeeDee is no stranger to the outdoors. She grew up camping with her family at what used to be called H&R Campgrounds, and wasn’t familiar with the resort-style camping of Outdoor Adventures. For DeeDee, camping consisted of being in the woods with your tent and sleeping bag. It wasn’t until being employed at Outdoor Adventures that resort style camping became a way of life for DeeDee, and she has no intention of looking back. The comfort, as DeeDee says, is something she’s grown accustomed to, which these days means even more than ever to DeeDee.

“My life changed 4 years ago when I got bit by a spider and I lost my leg, so it’s a bit more difficult for me to get around, but when I have the opportunity I still love going to our resorts and watching our members have fun with their families.”

Although DeeDee misses being able to travel with ease she has no regrets. To DeeDee, life is too precious to live in regret.

“I was okay with the loss of my leg because I knew what the alternative was,” said DeeDee confidently. “I have no regrets. Things happen and we have to figure out how to adapt. That’s what I did, and Outdoor Adventures was my rock through it all. They started a GoFundMe for me, built a ramp at my house, let me work from home. They truly do everything they can to help me. Outdoor Adventures truly is like a family.’

DeeDee’s “30-Year-Plan” is quickly approaching, however, when asked if retirement is in her near future, DeeDee says that isn’t likely.

“Oh no,” says DeeDee. “I don’t like to not work. I’ve got to be doing something. Over the years, Mr. King would jokingly remind me, ‘DeeDee, remember, you’re on our 30-Year-Plan.’ And with every passing year I kept telling him ‘I think we’re going to have to renegotiate.’ It’s been a wonderful 27 years and I’ll be at Outdoor Adventures well beyond 30. Time really does fly when you’re having fun.”