Today we’d like to introduce you to Brynrawlins@gmail.com.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story starts when my Grandfather, Derris Rawlins, purchased Highland Park Fish Camp in 1962. Me, being born in 1988, never had a chance to meet my Grandfather but learn to get to know him through the business and legacy he left behind. After he passed away in 1971, my Dad Rick Rawlins and my Uncle, Ron Rawlins, took over operations of Highland Park Fish Camp. Fast forward to today, I am now the third generation to operate this family business and the first woman in my family to do so. Highland Park Fish Camp, located in DeLand, FL is a true original Florida Fish Camp. We rent boats and cabins along with campsites, a bait and tackle shop and we also offer guided fishing trips. Florida Fish Camps are a dying art due to the heavy development of Florida, especially in the central Florida Area.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As any business owner will tell you, owning and operating a business is a lot of work. My challenges have really focused breaking the mold of being a female fishing guide in a male-dominated industry. Even though I am a 7th generation Floridian and grew up on the backwaters of the St. Johns River, I still had to prove myself for a lot of years.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Highland Park Fish Camp was established in 1962 and we are proud to be celebrating our 59th year as a family-owned and operated business. We are most proud of our southern hospitality we provide our guests. With the growth and development of central Florida, we are one of the last remaining original Fish Camps still in operation. Two years after my Grandfather purchased the camp, we got a life-changing opportunity. The 20 thousand acres surrounding our fish camp was bought by the Lake Woodruff Wildlife Refuge, which locks us into a completely untouched, undeveloped part of Florida that most people have never seen. There are no houses, cars, or roads for miles once you leave our docks.
Pricing:
- Boat Rentals $79 a day and up
- Cabins $105 a night
- Guided Fishing Trips $300 for a half day
- Free catch and release fishing pond
Contact Info:
- Email: info@highlandparkfishcamp.com
- Website: www.Highlandparkfishcamp.com
- Instagram: @highlandparkfishcamp
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/highlandparkfishcamp/
Image Credits
Reg Garner Sandra Cassiday Ann Axon
