Twin Shores Camping Area
Darren Cousins isn’t your typical entrepreneur. His journey began at just 10 years old, selling vegetables from his garden. By 14, he had already applied for his first loan. Since then, Darren has operated more than ten businesses, including landscaping, construction, and a resort in Miramichi. But his most ambitious venture? Twin Shores Camping Area - now the largest single-site tourist accommodation on Prince Edward Island.
Before owning Twin Shores, Darren rented trailers to campers at the park and had built a strong relationship with the owners and their son, Brian, who would later become his business partner. He deeply respected the property and saw its potential to become something extraordinary. When the original owners were considering selling, Darren worried that new ownership may change the cultural dynamic of the campground.
One summer evening, around a campfire, he shared his concerns with an acquaintance who worked in finance. This person casually offered to find a way to help finance the purchase of the campground if the opportunity ever arose. In 2010, that opportunity became a reality, and Darren did not hesitate to move forward.
Darren and Brian, together, purchased the business. With help from that acquaintance in finance, they were able to secure the required financing. That moment of trust and connection around a campfire turned into a multi-million-dollar acquisition - a testament to the power of networking and perseverance.
“Not taking no for an answer and figuring stuff out is what I’m good at.” - Darren Cousins
Twin Shores spans from one shore to another - hence its name, coined by the original owners in 1969. Darren and Brian have transformed it into a destination that serves over 220,000 guests each summer, with 55,000 site bookings annually. But they don’t just keep the lights on - they are constantly upgrading power, water, landscaping, and equipment. The attention to detail is unmatched, even designing garbage collection systems to minimize the sight of garbage trucks within the campground. You’ll never see a garbage truck in public spaces - it’s all handled discreetly to protect guests and maintain a specific image.
The campground is endlessly evolving. Renovations and building upgrades never stop. Twin Shores runs events such as Christmas in July, Halloween in August, and weekly activities all summer long. Darren’s favorite part of owning Twin Shores is seeing happy people and ensuring the business continues to thrive so it can keep serving them well. While he’s not a fan of crowds, he loves dreaming big and draws inspiration from Disney’s immersive experiences.
Darren’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. While COVID-19 had minimal impact on his operations - restrictions lifted just in time - hurricanes Fiona and Dorian devastated the property, destroying thousands of trees. Cleanup has been completed, but replanting and regeneration efforts continue to this day. His advice to new entrepreneurs? “Don’t be scared to take chances, but watch your dollars”.
CBDC Central PEI played a key role during a critical expansion phase. Darren was installing park model units and needed funding to keep the momentum going. CBDC stepped in - not based on financial records but based on character. Former Executive Director Ron Holley believed in Darren’s vision and provided the support they needed.
“CBDC helped at a critical time, I wouldn’t hesitate to go back.”
While Darren once dreamed of building a large expansion, including a new office and meeting rooms, he’s now focused on refining what he has. Infrastructure limitations and difficulty finding reliable contractors have slowed expansion but not ambition. The goal is to enhance the park’s uniqueness and quality - not just scale. Twin Shores grew rapidly in the first 10 years under Darren and Brian’s ownership and has gradually slowed, but they continue to improve the grounds with meticulous attention to detail.
With his businesses now funding each other, Darren sees less need for financing but still values the support CBDC offers. He’s passionate about giving back to support new entrepreneurs and help others experience the “feel-good” side of business ownership.