KOA: ‘Undercover Boss’ Hit to Re-air June 7

If you missed the escapades of Kampgrounds of America CEO Jim Rogers on CBS’s “Undercover Boss” last January, you’ll have another chance to see Rogers in action when the episode re-airs Friday, June 7.

The initial showing of the KOA “Undercover Boss” episode on Jan. 11 easily “won the night,” ranking first in households watching, first in actual viewers and first among both adults in the 25-54 age group and the 18-49 age group, according to a news release.

Ratings for the episode were up 20% over the “Undercover Boss” episode that aired the previous week. The KOA episode was the third-most-watched episode of the 12 shows in the award-winning reality show’s recently concluded fourth season.

The KOA episode will re-air June 7 at 7 p.m. in the Central and Mountain time zones, and at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific.

“Undercover Boss was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to both receive totally unfiltered feedback from employees and our franchisee partners, as well as promote KOAs new Deluxe Cabins, destination attractions, KOA Care Camps, and outstanding guest service to over 9 million viewers,” Rogers said. “We showed North America the great diversity of KOA’s outdoor hospitality.”

The show also provided a bump for KOA.

Reservations across the 485-campground KOA system were up 17% for the weekend of Jan. 11-13, compared to the same weekend last year, and reserved nights at the four KOA properties featured in the episode were up 169% over last year.

KOA’s popular KOA.com website also benefited, with a 128% increase in visits versus the same weekend last year. The initial showing of the “Undercover Boss” episode also set records on KOA’s mobile website, which saw an increase in site visits of 391% over the same weekend in 2012, and an increase in total visitors of 1,218%.

“The effects of our participation in the show will be felt by KOA and our industry for a long, long time,” said Rogers. “You just can’t buy that kind of exposure for your brand.”

 

KOA Reports on Newest Franchise Affiliates

Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA) this week reported on a number of new franchisees affiliated with KOA. Highlights of those reports follow.

Rick and Debra Sweigart, new owners of the KOA in Perry, Fla., are new to the campground business, but their first steps have shown what they’re made of.

“We have only owned the campground for a few weeks, but in that short time we have really made some progress,” says Rick Sweigart. “The very first thing we did was raise a new American flag at the entrance. The old one was tattered and worn. We have started clearing years of clutter and are cleaning, organizing and stocking. Tree trimming is in full force and we’re planting some colorful flowers in front of the registration office and at the entrance. We have pressure washed the pool deck and the pavilion patio as well as pool furniture. We are getting ready to make some of our tent sites into deluxe tent sites and have started to remodel some of our park models. We have addressed some electrical issues on some sites and have them operational again.”

The Sweigarts are used to staying busy. After four years in the Air Force, Rick had a 25-year career with the North Naples Fire Department in Naples, Fla. Debra worked as a paramedic for Collier County EMS in Naples and as an office manager for a medical transcription service.

“We both enjoyed camping as children and continued that love of camping while raising our six children. They are all now grown and they still love to camp,” says Rick. Rick and Debra’s two sons are joining them at the campground, as there is enough work for everyone.

“The Perry KOA had everything we were looking for in a campground. We saw real potential to make it into our idea of a great campground. It has great “bones.” There are many amenities here that can increase camper nights and remind people what camping is all about. Some of our campers that have been here before have complimented us on the improvements they have seen already. We are looking forward to putting lots of personal touches on it and truly making it the campground we know it can be,” says Debra.

“We both love being outdoors and the variety of work that there is to do on a campground. We also love the idea of taking a good campground and making it better. We have a plan for what we want our campground to be and we are excited to be able to watch it happen day by day,” says Rick.

“We always camped with our children at KOAs because we knew that there would be clean bath houses and things for us all to enjoy as a family. We all have many great memories while camping at KOAs. We also love the support and guidance offered by owning a KOA. It is invaluable to a new campground owner,” says Debra. “We are extremely proud and excited to be part of the KOA system.”

***

The new owners of the Hardin, Mont., KOA, Dave and Gina Trzebiatowski, are eager to begin the next chapter in their lives, as KOA owners. They are so eager, they opened the Hardin KOA earlier than it has been opened in the past, in spite of a colder-than-normal spring in Montana. “We have welcomed a lot of campers who are new to the Hardin KOA this year,” explains Dave.

You might expect the Trzebiatowskis to be looking forward to a life of relaxation at this point. Dave was a maintenance superintendent for 26 years at an iron foundry. “I had 54 people working under me in the melt department. It was a 24-hour, 7-days-a-week job,” says Dave. “Gina worked as a teacher’s aide for 18 years, primarily with special needs children.” “We had our picture taken with our very first guests, who were from the Yukon. As we chatted, we found out that the gentlemen worked for the same company that I had, in a different branch! That’s the best part of the campground lifestyle: meeting new people that have a passion for camping and hearing the stories they have to tell,” says Dave.

“Gina and I have been avid campers for many years. We started out with tents and over the years we worked our way up to a class A motorhome. We have always stayed at KOAs when possible. We look forward to overlooking the operations at Hardin KOA during the summer as owners and then traveling south in our motor home for the winter,” says Dave.

Dave and Gina are from Wisconsin, where their three grown children and three grandchildren live. “I’m sure that they will be at the Hardin KOA from time to time throughout the summer,” says Dave.

Gina and Dave live on the campground and are in the process of instilling their own personalities in the property. They are planning to add a pole building and possibly a home for themselves. They are currently living in the apartment above the registration area in the 1960s-era, A-frame building.

“We love wearing the yellow downtown and being recognized as KOA people. Our customers also support the KOA brand and have stopped and camped just because we are a KOA,” says Gina.

“We love all the support and help we have received, not only in person, but over the telephone also. There were so many great people we met at KOA-University in Billings.”

***

Ken and Carrie Conger, and Robert and Betty Conger took their time when deciding to buy a campground. If all goes well, it may not be their last.

“Coming from Michigan, we were looking to escape the long cold winters, but did not want to move too far south where it could be too hot and humid in the summer. We have been searching for the perfect campground for many years and when the Natural Bridge/Lexington, Va., KOA came on the market, we rushed to check it out and fell in love with the area. There are beautiful mountains all around, but we are still close to schools and shopping. The Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail are close by, as are other natural and historical attractions.”

Ken and Carrie will enjoy the help of several family members, including their two sons, ages 10 and 13; Ken’s parents, Bob and Betty, who will also live at the campground; and, as time allows, his sisters Kim and Becky who will visit from their homes in Minnesota and North Carolina. Their lab-terrier mix, Dancer, will take on the campground dog duties.

The Congers have already begun the work of preparing the park for the summer season. “Since we bought the Natural Bridge/Lexington KOA, we have upgraded the bathroom facilities by replacing the countertops, sinks and faucets. We also reroofed a cabin so all our cabins now have new roofs; the previous owners had been replacing one roof a year on the older cabins,” says Ken.

Ken is no stranger to taking on big projects and strategically planning and executing their successful completion. “I was an electrical engineer at General Dynamics in Sterling Heights, Mich. I started there as a laboratory engineer, designing test equipment for the Stryker 8-wheeled combat vehicle. Later in my career there, I transitioned to software and emulator development.”

During Ken’s career, Carrie took the lead with the home and children. Bob, Ken’s dad, is a retired systems engineer; Betty, Ken’s mom, is a social worker and enjoys working with children and running summer camps.

The entire Conger family loves camping and usually plans at least two camping trips a year. “We owned a cabin in northern Michigan and enjoyed spending time up there making fires and relaxing by the lake,” says Ken.

Ken and Carrie are looking forward to meeting the variety of campers who’ll stay at the campground, “I love being around people and sharing stories of our adventures through life,” says Ken. “I think we have a good mix of campers. Being located right off the Interstate, we get a lot of snowbirds making their annual migration. They typically stay for one night before continuing south for the winter or back north for summer. We also get quite a few campers who will stay for long weekends or all week during the summer months.”

“We have loads of activities planned for the little ones – and the young at heart – including karaoke, bingo, movie nights, outdoor pools, playgrounds, basketball and volleyball courts, a giant checkerboard and nature trails. We have a different theme every month in spring, summer and fall and plan our activities to match the theme. People also enjoy visiting local attractions,” says Ken.

“I like the feeling of being part of a family – that’s why KOA is appealing. We attended KOA-University in Billings and everyone was so nice and willing to help with anything we needed. It is nice to know they are just a phone call away. I like the idea of having a corporation being there to assist me with operating and promoting my campground. The employees at the home office have a wealth of knowledge regarding KampSight software, and website design and layout, as well as ideas to improve existing camping sites and add new cabins and other unique site types. I am planning on working with Mike Atkinson, cabins program director, to look at adding Deluxe Cabins, and with Doug Mulvaney, facilities development director, to help upgrade electrical and improve site layout across the campground,” says Ken.

***

Andy and Carin Zipser, along with their daughters and their husbands, have taken a running leap and jumped in the deep end of the pool. They took ownership of the Staunton/Walnut Hills, Virginia KOA this winter. They’d never owned a campground before the purchase.

But, they have a sense of humor, a willingness to learn and an appreciation for the variety that campground ownership offers.

Andy Zipser honed his ability to face daily challenges during his career in news, as a reporter and editor at The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s and The Newspaper Guild’s publication, The Guild Reporter. Carin Zipser has the design and sales background; she has been a prolific seamstress and still creates doll clothes that continue to sell briskly in the campground store.

Andy has a long history of bicycling, backpacking and back-country tent camping, while Carin’s concept of “roughing it” is a black-and-white TV in a motel room. But this mismatched couple found a happy medium when their younger daughter, Erika, was in her early teens and the family traveled the West and Mid-West in borrowed campers. Subsequently, they owned a couple of small RVs, including a pop-up and a Jayco Kiwi.

The Zipsers spent about a year searching for the right campground. When their daughters expressed interest in joining the campground management endeavor, Andy and Carin expanded their search to include larger properties. They combined their love of mountains, aversion to extreme weather and a desire to remain close to family and friends by purchasing the beautiful Staunton/Walnut Hills KOA.

“A big bonus that came with the campground was the staff: we inherited a couple of great employees, who are helping ease the family into our new roles, while making an enormous, observable difference with our campers,” says Carin.

Andy and Erika were pleased to find another big source of support in the KOA Home Office in Billings, Montana, during their KOA-University session in February.

“The biggest impression we’ve had so far is the willingness with which KOA folks will share experiences, insights and advice, which makes a huge difference for neophytes like us,” says Erika.

Since early 2013, they’ve been busy cutting down dead trees, scrubbing all the cabins, ordering and erecting signage, leveling three back-in sites and are about to start repairing potholes. Future plans include de-silting the fishing pond and installing a pet park.

The Zipsers are ready to do what it takes to attract new guests and keep the old ones coming back.

“We get a great mix of through-traffic from nearby I-81, from campers who need a place to overnight en route to Florida or Canada,” says Andy. “We have repeat business from folks who have been coming here for many years, who view this as an inexpensive vacation ‘in the country’. And, we’ll see a good amount of business from tourists visiting the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the many cultural, historic and environmental attractions.”

 

KOA’s Summer Camping Bookings Surge 8%

Summer camping at the 485 Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA) locations around North America is off to a fast start, according to numbers released this week by KOA, the world’s largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds.

KOA’s advanced registrations for the Memorial Day Weekend are up more than 4% over the same period in 2012. Advanced reservations for the entire summer peak season (Memorial Day to Labor Day) are even stronger, showing an increase of 8% for that period compared to 2012.

“The 12-day period surrounding the Fourth of July holiday is actually up more than 14% over that same period in 2012,” said KOA President Pat Hittmeier. “All indicators show a strong summer camping season on the way.”

According to a recent survey by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), an estimated 14 million Americans will enjoy the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend in an RV. The survey also said 71% of RV owners intend to use their recreational vehicles more this summer than they did last year, and an additional 21% intend to use their RVs at least as much as they did in 2012. Only 5% reported that they intend to decrease their camping.

Kampgrounds of America officially launched its summer camping season with its 10th Annual KOA Care Camps Big Weekend May 10-11. More than 12,000 KOA camping families stayed more than 25,000 camping nights during the event. Campers who stayed as paying guests on Friday, May 10 received a free night of camping on Saturday, May 11. The event also serves as a major fundraiser for KOA Care Camps for children with cancer, a network of 55 specialized summer camps for children with cancer located throughout North America.

 

 

Jim Rogers Resuming Northern Indiana Tour

Jim Rogers, CEO of Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA), continues his visit to Northern Indiana today (May 10) and through the weekend with appearances at the KOA campground in Middlebury.

Rogers, who was the keynote speaker Thursday at the inaugural “RV Power Breakfast” held at the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart, will be speaking tonight at the Middlebury KOA, owned by Hope Perkins.

Perkins was in the audience of 400 people who attended the event, sponsored by RVBusiness magazine, sister publication to Woodall’s Campground Management.

At the breakfast, Rogers touted KOA’s Care Camps Big Weekend which starts today and runs through Sunday, Mother’s Day. The program raises funds to pay for camping experiences for children with cancer.

The Middlebury KOA has a full agenda this weekend:

Friday, May 10

• All mothers will receive a free carnation when they arrive, to honor them for Mother’s Day Weekend.
• Friday evening, there will be an ice cream social hosted by Rogers. Campers will hear about the work at KOA Care Camps, and then have a chance to view the KOA episode of “Undercover Boss” and get “the scoop” about the show from Rogers.
  

  Jim Rogers makes a point during his presentation at the RV/MH Hall of Fame.

Saturday, May 11

• From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., there will be a vendor and craft fair, with everything from baked goods to temporary tattoos, local craft and “buzz cuts.” All vendor booth fees and auction items will be donated to KOA Care Camps.
• At 10 a.m., there will be crafts for the kids, including tie-dying T-shirts.
• From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be a live radio broadcast.
• At 11 a.m., there will be a fishing tournament.
• At 4 p.m., campers can sign up for their bid paddles for the silent auction.
• At 4:30 p.m., there will be a Haystack Supper.
• At 6 p.m., there will be a Silent Auction and Live Auction, complete with ice cream and popcorn.

Sunday, May 12

• Church services at 8:30 a.m.
• Pancake breakfast from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

 

 

 

 

Rogers Urges Cooperation at Power Breakfast

Jim Rogers, CEO of Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA), took his effervescent, pro-camping message to an audience of 400 people from the RV industry today (May 9) in Elkhart, Ind.

Rogers was the keynote speaker at the inaugural “Power Breakfast” sponsored by RVBusiness magazine, sister publication to Woodall’s Campground Management magazine.

Speaking on the theme “Let’s Uncover the RV Camping Future Together,” Rogers identified several camping trends within the KOA system. Among them:

• After a slight downturn in 2011, annual camper nights rose 2.7% systemwide in 2012, led by 6.8% growth in the South Central region and 5.6% growth in New England.
• Camper nights for deluxe cabins soared 23.1% in May to October 2012 over the same period in 2011. This may be creating a big upturn in prospective RV buyers who become interested in camping.
• 58% of campers spent the previous night at home, meaning people are taking shorter trips.
• Social media has become an integral part of a campground’s operation, putting the operator in contact with the public every day.
• Campgrounds have become a “valued oasis” for Americans who live in a “high tech, low touch world.”

The disconnect between the RV industry and campgrounds – which Rogers is trying to close – was apparent throughout his presentation as audience participation on camping questions he posed to his listeners often drew a tepid response.

For example, just a few dozen people indicated that they had watched the television network broadcast in January of “Undercover Boss” in which Rogers worked undercover at several KOA campgrounds. The show garnered huge national ratings and inspired all-time record contacts on KOA’s website for weeks afterward.

To close this disconnect, Rogers has proposed that campgrounds – KOAs in particular – should become showrooms for RV dealers. Current campers are the best RV sales prospects, Rogers maintains, and would be interested in weekend shows over the summer. Or, he suggested, RV dealers could work in tandem with campgrounds to offer a night’s camping at a nearby campground for a prospective RV buyer to test their new unit. Cabin guests also comprise the next wave of new RV buyers, he added.

He said the campground industry also has to do a better job of reaching out to the nation’s minorities – African-American, Hispanic and Asian. These three ethnic groups represent 33% of the U.S. population but just 12% of the camping public.

Rogers also noted that camping is the “perfect answer” to Americans’ quest for “soft rugged” – the demand for an experience with hospitality and comfort.

In conclusion, Rogers said there are sunny days ahead for both the RV and campground industries. Some 70% of current RVers will make a replacement purchase and 25% want a new unit. He anticipates fewer gas price spikes, and camping remains THE affordable getaway/vacation option. Only 15% of Americans camp and most of those are in tents. The potential upside for RV – and camping – growth is immense, he said.

 

KOAs Partnering with Hungry Jack on Holidays

Hungry Jack and Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA), the largest system of family-friendly campgrounds in North America, today (May 2) announced a partnership that will reach 320,000 campers at more than 485 U.S. KOA campgrounds this summer.

Through the partnership, Hungry Jack will give away free sample cartons of hashbrowns during the three holiday weekends that define summer — Memorial Day weekend, Independence Day weekend and Labor Day weekend.

Additionally, Hungry Jack will offer KOA campers original online content featuring creative recipe ideas that address the challenges of cooking while camping, such as limited supplies or no refrigeration, according to a news release

The unique partnership, a first for KOA and Hungry Jack, will give KOA’s campers one free, pint-sized carton of Hungry Jack Premium Hashbrown Potatoes when they stay at any participating KOA campground during the three holiday weekends. Hungry Jack fully-cooked, pre-seasoned hashbrowns, are made from 100% Idaho potatoes and do not require refrigeration. Each carton makes one pound of hashbrowns — enough for six servings — offering convenience and portability for those who enjoy outdoor activities such as camping, backpacking and boating.

“Whether you’re cooking at home or enjoying the great outdoors, Hungry Jack Premium Hashbrown Potatoes offer unparalleled convenience because there’s no need to refrigerate or thaw before preparing these diner-style hashbrowns,” said Henry Hsia, director of marketing for Basic American Foods. “By simply adding water and pan frying with a bit of oil, campers and families at home can enjoy crispy, golden hashbrowns in minutes.”

“Cooking over the fire or on a camp stove is always a favorite camping pastime, but meals that can be prepared with limited space and supplies can be a challenge,” said Lorne Armer, vice president of Kampgrounds of America Inc. “We’re always looking for new ideas and resources to share with our campers, so we’re delighted to offer our campers Hungry Jack Premium Hashbrown Potatoes while they enjoy their stay with us this summer.”

 

Honesdale/Pocono KOA Helps Cancer Camps

Runners and walkers will have a new event Saturday, May 4 that will ultimately benefit children battling cancer across North America.

The Honesdale/Pocono KOA Campground at 50 Countryside Lane in Honesdale, Pa., is hosting its first 5K Race/1Mile Walk to benefit KOA Care Camps for children with cancer, according to a news release.

KOA Care Camps is a network of 52 specialized camps throughout North America that provide a free week of summer camp to children with cancer, and their siblings. The camps allow these children to continue their treatments and recoveries while experiencing a true summer camping experience. The camps are staffed with volunteer medical personal, and are offered free of charge to families of childhood cancer victims.

Other race sponsors include Wayne Bank, Gregory’s Auto, C Neer RV, Nature’s Grace – Health Foods & Deli, The Red School House Restaurant and Howell, Howell and Krause Attorneys at Law.

The race registration fee is $15 if preregistered before May 4. The registration fee the day of the race will be $20.

The May 4th 5K Race/1 Mile Walk for KOA Care Camps will begin at 9 a.m. Registration for the race will start at 7:45 a.m. at the campground. All proceeds from the race will be donated to the KOA Care Camps charity. Runners and walkers can pre-register for the event at the NEPRunner.com website, email the campground at honesdale.poconokoa@verizon.com or call the KOA at (570) 253-0424.

KOA Contest Winner Will Receive New RV

It’s been a long, long winter of waiting for Marcia Maslyn.

The Clifton Springs, N.Y., camper was the big winner of Kampgrounds of America Inc.’s (KOA) 50th Anniversary Giveaway Contest. Her name was drawn from more than 120,000 entries in October 2012, and she was informed that she was the winner of a new $40,000 Keystone RV Co. recreational vehicle.

But, since winter was on its way and the camping season was over in Upstate New York, Maslyn opted to delay the delivery of her new RV until spring.

Spring is here, and Masyln will take possession of her new Keystone RV at 11 a.m. Thursday (April 25) at the Colton RV Center in North Tonawanda, N.Y.

Also on hand when Maslyn gets her new RV will be Robert and Rachel Kaiser, owners of the Medina/Wildwood Lake KOA Campground in Medina, N.Y. The Kaisers were the ones who informed Maslyn of her big win last fall.

“It will be fun to see Marcia tour her new RV for the first time,” said Robert Kaiser. “And we can’t wait to host their first camping trip in their new RV. They are going to have a lot of good times for years to come.”

And while it’s too late to enter KOA’s 2012 contest, it isn’t too late to enter this year’s 2013 Great KOA Giveaway. In October 2013, KOA will draw a lucky winner to receive a new $40,000 Keystone Cougar RV and a decade of free KOA camping. Weekly winners are also being drawn all summer. Enter to win at KOA’s Facebook site, Keystone RV’s Facebook site, or go to www.KOA.com.

 

Midwest Magazine Hails Wisconsin KOA

Kampgrounds of America Inc.’s (KOA) campground in Hayward, Wis., owned and operated by Steve and Christina Hennings and Linda and Arnold Jensen, has been named one of the top five family campgrounds in a 12-state Midwest Region by Midwest Living Magazine.

“It’s truly an honor to be the only privately owned campground to make Midwest Living’s Top 5 List,” Steve Hennings stated in a news release. “We take great pride in the experience we are able to provide to our campers, and it’s gratifying to see that effort recognized by a top magazine.”

The story featuring the Top 5 campgrounds, titled “Camp Like A Star,” is featured in the June 2013 edition of Midwest Living Magazine.

Other campgrounds listed in the Top 5 were Brown County State Park, Nashville, Ind.; Sibley State Park Campground, New London, Minn.; Indiana Dunes State Park, Chesterton, Ind.; and Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, Ashland, Neb.

“Keeping in mind the popularity of RVs, we researched hundreds of RV campgrounds in the region, visited dozens and interviewed avid campers in all 12 states,” states the Midwest Living article. “We picked our favorites in categories for scenery and for amenities – then crowned 5 ‘supercampgrounds” that have an amazing combination of both.”

The Hayward KOA features 28 wooded acres, 157 RV sites and 31 cabins. Midwest Living writers cited the campground’s themed weekends (including a Chocolate Weekend complete with a chocolate slide), a water park, free s’mores, outdoor movies and DJ’d dances as among their favorite Hayward KOA features.

The campground also has a Jumping Pillow, bike rentals, mini golf and two playgrounds. You can even rent a kayak or tube for a trip down the Namekagon River and take advantage of the KOA’s shuttle service to get you back again.

For more information on the Hayward KOA, go to www.KOA.com, or call (800) 562-7631 for reservations.

 

Rogers at Ind. KOA on Big May Weekend

The weekend of May 10-11 is going to be a big one at the Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA) campground in Middlebury, Ind.

KOA CEO Jim Rogers, who starred in an episode of the hit CBS reality series “Undercover Boss” in January, will be at the campground all weekend to visit with campers and screen the KOA “Undercover Boss” episode.

May 10-11 is also KOA’s 10th Annual KOA Care Camps Big Weekend event, with all campers staying as paying guests Friday, May 10, receiving a free night of camping Saturday, May 11.

“I can’t wait to come to the Elkhart County/Middlebury KOA to help our campers get a great start on their summer camping season,” Rogers stated in a news release. “We’re going to have a ton of fun, and I know owner Hope Perkins has a full weekend of great activities planned that will certainly make it a weekend to remember.”

The Care Camps’ Big Weekend event is also the major fundraising event for KOA Care Camps, a network of 52 specialized summer camps around North America for children with cancer. Donations raised during the weekend will go to fund the camps, which are completely free for participating children. The kids are given a free week of summer camp, while still being able to continue their treatment and their recoveries.

“KOA Care Camps are very dear to my heart, and I’m so proud that my campers are able to help out these special children at a time when they really need the relief that at Care Camp brings,” said Perkins. “For thousands of children each summer, KOA Care Camps are an important part of their cure.”

Events at the campground during the May 10-11 Care Camps Big Weekend Event include:

Friday, May 10

• All mothers will receive a free carnation when they arrive, to honor them for Mother’s Day Weekend.
• Friday evening, there will be an ice cream social hosted by KOA Rogers. Campers will hear about the work at KOA Care Camps, and then have a chance to view the KOA episode of “Undercover Boss” and get “the scoop” about the show from Rogers.

Saturday, May 11

• From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., there will be a vendor and craft fair, with everything from baked goods to temporary tattoos, local craft and “buzz cuts.” All vendor booth fees and auction items will be donated to KOA Care Camps.
• At 10 a.m., there will be crafts for the kids, including tie-dying T-shirts.
• From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be a live radio broadcast.
• At 11 a.m., there will be a fishing tournament.
• At 4 p.m., campers can sign up for their bid paddles for the silent auction.
• At 4:30 p.m., there will be a Haystack Supper.
• At 6 p.m., there will be a Silent Auction and Live Auction, complete with ice cream and popcorn.

Sunday, May 12

• Church services at 8:30 a.m.
• Pancake breakfast from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

 

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