Employee Spotlight: Don Smith, Assistant General Manager

March 28th, 2019 - Filed under Employee Spotlight
Don Smith

Don Smith

It’s always fun to highlight a different team member of the many here at Lake George Escape! These are the folks who work behind the scenes to make your experience at Lake George Escape the most fun and memorable. The team at Lake George Escape is one of the many reasons why campers come back year after year.  Learn more about Assistant General Manager, Don Smith!

  • Name: Don Smith
  • In position since: March 2018
  • Title: Assistant General Manager
  • Work Location: Lake George Escape Campground
  • Favorite hobbies or sport(s) or causes: Formula 1 Racing, Reading, Cooking

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your position at Lake George Escape?

The most rewarding aspect of my position is being able to help facilitate a positive experience for so many people.

How do you help make guest stays at Lake George Escape awesome?

I do my best to ensure that I do everything I can to create a stay/experience that is in line with the guest’s expectations.

What’s special about Lake George Escape?

Our activities program is what we are known for. We do our best to keep families entertained.

Can you use 3 words to describe Lake George Escape for someone who has never been before?

Eventful, Welcoming, Relaxing

What are some of your favorite local attractions that you like to take visitors of Lake George?

There is so much to do in Lake George, however, if I had to pick some things I frequently recommend I would have to say visiting the Steam Boat Co., The Adirondack Nationals Car Show they hold every September, and taking a short drive south of Lake George and visiting Saratoga.

What accomplishment at Lake George Escape are you most proud of? Why?

Having been here for a year I am most proud of how much I have learned in such a short amount of time. This is a large property with a lot of transient traffic, which results in a ton of moving parts to maintain vigilant over.

What’s your favorite funny story to tell about your time at Lake George Escape?

I once watched a guest chase a skunk while signing into a portable microphone.

Can you share your favorite memory from working at Lake George?

My favorite memory from working at LGE is a tie between our Labor Day Fair and our Haunted House.

Can you recall a time when the guests at your property surprised you?

I was surprised however by how passionate our guests are about the well being of our park. There are many volunteers who help out during large events and go above and beyond for us.

 Can you tell us about some of the friendships that have developed between guests at Lake George Escape?

Guests make life long friends nearly every day during our season. I think instantly to the Knitz and Herlihy families. Many of our guests return yearly and this is the one time they get to see the friends they have made over the course of many years here at Lake George Escape.

Can you share an example of how Lake George Escape exemplifies the idea of community?

Lake George Escape has developed many connections throughout the area. One Example of this is J. Gallup Farms. It’s a local produce stand that comes in and sets up here on weekends. It’s nice for our guests to be able to purchase local fresh produce and it helps the local farmer.

Why do you think guests keep coming back to Lake George Escape?

Our management team is dedicated to keeping this park modern and ever evolving. We offer unique amenities compared to our competitors which include Laser Tag, our onsite restaurant, waterslide, bounce house, and so much more. When you mix all of that with our staff, its just a genuinely amazing place to be.

Do you have any final words or thoughts?

I am grateful to be apart of the Lake George Team, as well as ELS. I look forward to another great season and cannot wait to see this park void of snow and filled with friends and family alike