When I caught up with Jamin Horton, Director of IT at Camping World, during the VerkadaOne event in Chicago, it quickly became clear just how much ground his team has to cover – literally. With over 150 retail sites across the United States and just five people managing IT, they need systems that work hard, stay reliable, and simplify rather than complicate their daily operations.
Camping World is a household name for anyone in the RV community. Founded in 1966, the company has grown from a single store in Kentucky to become the largest retailer of RVs and camping equipment in the US. Its sites are vast, often located on the outskirts of towns to allow space for open-air displays of recreational vehicles. These outdoor environments are central to the company’s customer experience – but they also present unique security challenges.
“We have to see who’s there at all times,” Jamin explained. Each site includes not just the retail space and parking areas but also restricted zones such as safe rooms, where petty cash and specialist equipment are kept. Visibility, both for safety and accountability, is vital.
Rolling Out Smarter Security
To support this, Camping World has been rolling out Verkada’s cloud-based video security and access control solutions across its estate. So far, around 60 sites have made the transition, with more to follow in the coming months.
Because the company’s locations stretch across the country, working with local integration partners has been essential. “Our installers are our eyes and ears,” said Jamin. “They’re the ones who make sure each site is set up correctly and operating as it should.”
For a small IT team, being able to oversee everything remotely from one dashboard has made a tangible difference. Centralised management means issues can be spotted and solved faster, without the need for someone to be physically on-site.
Access Control and Integration
Beyond cameras, Camping World is also using Verkada’s access control system, integrated with Active Directory. This has streamlined how the team manages permissions and ensures the right people have the right access at the right time.
According to Jamin, it’s also helped boost their Service Level Assurance (SLA). “We can manage access across all our locations from a single interface,” he said. “If someone is no longer working with us, they will automatically have no access to the sites. If there’s a problem, we see it immediately and can act before it escalates. That responsiveness is huge for us.”
Securing High-Value Assets
Theft and vandalism are constant concerns for any business operating large open lots, but RV dealerships face additional risks. One of the growing issues across the US is catalytic converter theft – these components contain precious metals such as platinum and rhodium and can be removed in minutes.
With Verkada’s system in place, Camping World can monitor sites more effectively and respond quickly to suspicious activity. High-quality video and remote alerts mean fewer blind spots and faster investigations when something happens.
A Partnership Built on Listening
What stood out most in our conversation wasn’t just the technology, but the relationship behind it. “We felt cared for,” said Jamin. “Verkada really listened to our needs and took the time to understand how we operate. That made a big difference.”
At the VerkadaOne event, he was particularly interested in the newly announced rapid-deployment camera system – a battery-powered, solar-compatible unit designed for flexibility in remote or temporary locations. “For us, that’s exactly the kind of solution that fits our environment,” he added.
Looking Ahead
As the rollout continues, Jamin and his team are already thinking ahead. Among their priorities is the ability to automate bulk video archiving directly from the cameras – something they hope to see introduced in future updates.
For Camping World, scalability and simplicity remain at the heart of their security strategy. With a small but capable IT team supporting hundreds of sites, their focus is on tools that allow them to stay connected, responsive, and confident in their visibility.
Their experience shows how cloud-managed systems, when deployed thoughtfully, can make even the largest distributed operations feel connected and in control – whether that’s across 60 sites or 150.