KOA Owners Association Member News

Estes Park KOA

KOA Owners Association — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:45:24 GMT

Check out this link and see what Estes Park KOA is up to!!!!

http://estesparkkoa.com/home.htf?Ux=w3JGJ8S3H4e4512026L7VD1WPb&Ax=5001&PicOp=Man&Px=37932&PictureCategory=Train&PChoice=Pictures&SChoice=spx

Press Release from Tengo Internet

KOA Owners Association — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:17:55 GMT

TengoInternet to provide WiFi service at 10 Kentucky State Parks

Top WiFi service provider awarded one of the largest state park WiFi deployments of 2011

AUSTIN, TX - June 2, 2011- TengoInternet, the oldest and largest wireless internet provider for the outdoor hospitality industry, announced today, a new agreement to provide WiFi network services at ten (10) Kentucky State Park campgrounds. The Kentucky Department of Parks awarded the work, one of the largest state park deployments this year, through a state-managed bid process.

Under the terms of the agreement, TengoInternet will provide turnkey network design, equipment procurement, network installation and network commissioning services in June and July. Once the deployments are completed, TengoInternet will provide comprehensive managed network and guest services to ensure a superior ongoing experience for guests and the Department of Parks.

"We are excited and thankful to help the Kentucky Department of Parks increase park visitors and enhance the visitor experience by offering a superior outdoor WiFi amenity", said Eric Stumberg, CEO and Co-Founder, TengoInternet. "Delivering superior WiFi infrastructure and service levels is a high priority for hospitality operators and broadband providers. We are committed to serving our customers and the industry well.

About TengoInternet

TengoInternet is the largest high-speed wireless internet managed service provider to the outdoor hospitality industry. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, TengoInternet delivers turnkey WiFi solutions for hospitality operators and the guests they serve through its award winning network design, installation, management and guest support services. TengoInternet currently manages high speed wired and wireless networks for more than 900 RV resorts, campgrounds, hotels and marinas in 49 states, Canada and Mexico. For additional information, visit www.tengointernet.com or call 512-469-7660.

PressContact:
Eric Stumberg
TengoInternet
512.469.7660

KOA CARE CAMPS THANK YOU LETTERS

KOA Owners Association — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:28:32 GMT

The KOA Owners Association/Care Camps Office has begun receiving thank you letters for KOA Care Camps donations from various cancer camps. Following are excerpts from such letters:

H.I.S. K.I.D.S., Inc.

"How can we begin to thank the members of KOA Care Camps for the recent grant to support our Summer Camp Program? Your wonderful organization (is) amazing and we are all so thankful for what you have done to help K.I.D.S. I hope you all realize the difference you have made in the lives of so many through your efforts, dedication and generosity."

Camp Goodtimes West, Camp Goodtimes East, Camp Ukandu, Arizona Camp Sunrise and Camp Enchantment

"On behalf of the American Cancer Society's Great West Division, I would like to thank you for the continued support of KOA Care Camps for our childhood and family camp programs in Western and Eastern Washington, Oregon, Arizona and New Mexico....It is thanks to committed partners like the KOA Owners Association that we can continue to offer summer camps free of charge for children with cancer and their families in multiple states each and every year. From our campers, staff and volunteers, thank you so very much."

Camp Hobe'

"Thank you for your generous donation...You've helped make it possible for our campers to enjoy a few days away from the stresses and uncertainties of living with cancer. They'll have the chance to play, sing and just be kids. We appreciate your generosity and we thank you on behalf of our campers and their families. Without your support, Camp Hobe' would not exist."

Sky High Hope Camp

"We are just a few days away from opening our 30th Sky High Hope Camp. We would not have been able to make this special camp possible without the help of KOA Care Camps...Thanks for enabling us to offer canoeing, archery, waterfront, skits, laughter, fishing, starry nights, s'mores, ghost stories, rafting, time with campers, time with staff, campfires, frienships and memories that will last a lifetime."

Camp Rainbow, Missouri

"On behalf of the Camp Rainbow Foundation, we would like to thank you for your most generous donation...The goal of Camp Rainbow is to provide children with cancer the opportunity of enjoy a week of camp in an environment that allows each child to participate in exciting activities, to make new friends, to build self-esteem, and to be relieved of the everyday stress caused by their illness. Also of utmost importance, Camp Rainbow provides each camper with necessary medical care...We are very appreciative that you care to help fulfill these children's dreams with your donation to Camp Rainbow. Through your gift, you have become a "Dream maker" by turning sadness into smiles on the face of a child. Words could never tell you all the good that your donation does at camp."

Cancer Family Network of Montana

"The season's blossoms remind me of renewal, beauty, spirit and growth...as we transistion into summer and prepare for Camp, we are reminded of the season's gifts and also how your gift helps make our upcoming cam possible. Throughout 2010 relaxing and healing Camp week, CFN provides an opportunity for families to feel "normal," establish a life-long support network with others across Montana...Your support provides healthy opportunities for survivors, caregivers and children alike! Many thanks!"

Phoenix Children's Hospital

"Thank you for the donation! Your continued support helps Camp Rainbow to succeed as a safe and magical place for children with cancer."

Camp Mak-A-Dream

"I'd like to personally thank you for your gift...our mission is to provide a medically supervised, cost free experience, in an intimate community setting to children, young adults and families affected by cancer. Since the first bus rolled up our sloped driveway 15 years ago, we have served over 4,800 participants. We create a sense of community and belonging which gives strength and inspiration to live with, through, and beyond the cancer experience. This community of support lasts well beyond the week of camp. The national network that is formed continues through emails, telephone calls, visits and social networking and provides a consistent source of support and encouragement. So many touching events happen...one in particular involves a young brain tumor survivor who hasn't walked more than a few steps on his own in several years. With encouragement by staff and fellow participants, patience and perserverance, he was able to climbe the mountain behind camp. Many have parelleled hiking this mountain to conquering cancer...stories such as these can only occur because of the generosity of people like you. Please know that you have made a tremendous difference in the lives of those affected by cancer."

Cook Children's Health Foundation

"As we enter summer, our thoughts turn to vacations, family gatherings and well-deserved breaks from school and work. But for many at Cook Children's, summer goals will not include travel plans to resort destinations or swimming lessons. They may not include vacation bible school, day-camp or family reunions. For some of out patients, their goal this summer is simple: recovery to good health. With your generous support, you help us ensure that our promise of improving the health status of every child in our region is one we can keep. Cook Children's would be unable to accomplish all of its wonderful successes without the ongoing support received from committed friends like you....thank you for your recent gift supporting Camp Sanguinity. With our sincerest gratitude for your support, I send you warm wishes for a safe and restful summer...thanks for making a difference in the lives of others."

Camp Sunshine Maine

"On behalf of the Board of Directors, the staff, the volunteers and the Camp Sunshine families, I sincerely thank you for your recent donation...2010 marks the start of another quarter century of service for Camp Sunshine, and we have big plans for this year, and these next 25 years. Your support today will enable us to spread the magic of Camp Sunshine to many more families from around the country...we are very proud to share our ongoing achievements with you and to show you what a wonder investment you have made in enhancing the lives of families with sick children. On behalf of the families, thank you again for giving us the opportunity to expand our services."

Camp Rainbow AZ

"Thank you for you recent gift to Camp Rainbow...is such an important part of the healing process for our cancer patients, where they can fish, hike, kayak and go horseback riding. Cancer can take such an emotional toll on children, and Camp Rainbow allows them the opportunity to just be kids while establishing friendships that often last a lifetime. And like so many other programs, we rely on the support of our community to provide this chance of a lifetime to these children."

The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp

"Thank you for your generosity. Your thoughtfulness, concern and care will allow us to create unforgettable memories for more than 15,000 seriously ill campers and their families free of charge all year long...I'd like to share with you the story of Kingdar. As a camper, he says he never felt so much love and support outside his family as he did at Camp. As a counselor, he was proud to become part of the team making the magic happen for the children. He recently told me about one of his campers - a shy boy with multiple diagnosises. The boy and his parents were concerned about this child spending time away from home. Kingdar and his fellow counselors welcomed this camper with such warmth that the boy was soon singing, dancing and making friends. Camp is more than a good time. It brings hope and healing and helps the children see past the challenges of serious illness. On his last day at Camp, this special camper shared with Kingdar that every day of the session was better than the day before. Every new day became the best day of his life."

Camp Smile-A-Mile

"On behalf of the children of Camp Smile-A-Mile, we greatly appreciate your generous donation. Thank you for your continued support...Camp Smile-A-Mile understands that medical treatments for young cancer patients are very expensive. Therefore our activities are at no cost to the children's families. We do not receive any funds from the United Way or the ACS...depend solely on private donations...Again we truly thank you for your help and hope that you will continue to find Camp Smile-A-Mile a worthy organization to support."

Special Love

"Thank you so much for your wonderful gift...what a wonderful way to kick off our 28th summer of camps and support for children with cancer and their families...it's gratifying that we won't turn away a single child this year for lack of funding, thanks to generous folks like you. Your steadfast support has been a godsend."

The Rainbow Connection

"On behalf of The Rainbow Connection, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you funding our grant...As you well know The Rainbow Connection is an organization which supports of children living with cancer. While we offer many types of support the most favorite among our families is summer camp. Every summer, campers at The Rainbow Connection leave hospitals and treatments behind to enjoy a week of camp activities including: fishing, swimming, canoeing, archery, horseback riding, overnight camp outs, and arts and crafts to name a few. At camp no one is treated as 'different' or 'sick.' Everyone gets a chance to learn new skills and meet new friends. The memories and friendships formed at The Rainbow Connection last a lifetime."

Happiness Is Camping

"For over 25 years now Happiness Is Camping has been delivering the joys of a spectacular summer to children too sick to be anywhere else. You have helped us to continue to put smiles on the faces of children tragically compromised by devastating illness. Your contribution...gives these kids a chance to be 'normal' to swim, dance, zip-line across the lake, climb a tower or take a ride on a giant swing. These are beautiful experiences to watch, to share and to make possible...because of your help we are able to meet the rising costs of running a top-notch camp for first class kids. For that we are profoundly grateful."

MCG Health Children's Medical Center

"On behalf of the patients, families and staff at MCGHealth, I am pleased to acknowledge your donation to benefit Camp Rainbow. Camp Rainbow is a day camp for MCGHealth Children's Medical Center hematology/oncology patients. The program was established in 1985. Any patient, ages 4 to 16, with cancer are eligible to attend and bring a sibling along...activities such as horseback riding, swimming, arts and crafts, ceramics, boating and more. Children spend time with other children who are dealing with similar issues. Camp Rainbow also offers parents a welcome break...MCGHealth Children's Medical Center is pleased to be the recipient of your generosity...know that your contributions really do make a difference."

Indian Summer Camp

"On behalf of the Friends of Indian Summer, Inc. I would like to thank your organization for the grant funding...each and every donation we receive goes towards improving the quality of life for children with cancer in Kentucky, through our camping programs. Because of your donation, Indian Summer Camp is able to provide children currently battling childhood cancers and those who are survivors, aged 6-18, a week full of once-in-a-life-time experiences and the opportunity to grow, learn and build self reliance. We teach campers to enjoy what the wide world of the outdoors has to offer and build life-long, meaningful friendships."

Area 5 Resolution

KOA Owners Association — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:26:48 GMT

That the Quality Review Standards be changed to insure that only quality campgrounds are eligible for awards as well as carrying the KOA Brand.
We feel that the standards for awards should be a minimum of 80% of the available points (480) for existing Koa’s, not to affect new conversions to be eligible for awards. If a campground cannot attain a minimum of 70% of points available (420), they should be approached and made to either adhere to these standards or not be allowed to carry the KOA Brand.

RESPONSE FROM KOA Inc. On Area 5 RESOLUTION

Beginning with 2010 quality reviews campgrounds must now obtain a score of 450 (up from 350) in order to be eligible for awards. If a campground does not pass its inspection the following plan, posted on E-Kamp is in place.

At the end of the Review season, kampgrounds not passing their Quality Review will receive correspondence from the KOA home office informing them of non-compliant issues.

Letter from Vice President of Franchise Operations

Informative letter describing areas of non-compliance

Stated expectation that KOA has of the kampground

Development Plan/Service Plan/Contractual Obligation Plan

Plan tailored to the needs of the kampground to assist in the curing of non-complaint items

Deadlines and dates for required completion

Evaluation & Escalation

After the deadlines are reached, an evaluation of the work completed takes place If all items are deemed compliant, the Review file is closed for the season. If the work is not completed, the kampground is brought before the KOA Franchise Review Committee for possible legal action.

Resolution From Area 7

KOA Owners Association — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:26:08 GMT

Resolution from area 7

That on CK&CWUW the Kamper would be charged a certain dollar amount on the second night rather than free. This amount would go directly to Care Camps.

This resolution was brought forth at the Care Camps meeting on February 10th in Birmingham. It was an unanimous decision to not approve this resolution.

Reply from KOA Inc. on Resolution Area 4

KOA Owners Association — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:25:25 GMT

February 16, 2010
Tina Haith
President, KOA Owners Association
VIA: Email

Tina,

Per your request, I’m putting KOA’s commitment on quality in writing. I’ll make it much more to the point than my prior letter since I took some harassment for saying too little with many words

Our commitment is to have any conversion brought into the KOA system pass a quality review that is performed by the KOA sales team. This review will be different than the regular quality review due to branding, signage and other KOA items that aren’t in place at the time the contract is signed. The review will be a checklist of core items for safety and cleanliness that can be assessed at the time of the on-site visit. We will not have conversions fly the KOA flag when there is an outstanding safety or cleanliness issue.

This is the plan we will institute now, try it and see how the process works.

Similar to our use of “Being new” to KOA verbiage used in the directory on on-line, all new KOAs will be provided a banner or other approved signage that states “I’m new to KOA” for their first season to help set guest expectations.

Sincerely

Jef Sutherland
Vice President, Franchise Operations
Kampgrounds of America

Area 4 Resolution

KOA Owners Association — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:24:07 GMT

RESOLUTION AREA 4: “The Admittance of Conversion Campgrounds into the KOA System” submitted by the Heartland KOA Owners Association.

WHEREAS, KOA campgrounds are held to a strict Quality Standards which and are inspected annually; and

WHEREAS, a number of these new conversion KOAs are being accepted into the system at a sub-standard level; and

WHEREAS, the addition of these parks with less than stellar quality standards detract
RESOLVED, that the Heartland KOA OA encourages the Kampground Owners Association (KOA) to direct KOA, Inc. to take a serious look at existing criteria for inclusion into the KOA System; and be it further RESOLVED, that the HEARTLAND KOA recommends that these criteria include:

the campground must meet MINIMUM Standards of the current KOA Quality Review
any Item 12 issues that the campground might incur be resolved in a timely manner but also prior to acceptance of a franchise agreement
If these items cannot be resolved, within a timely manner, the franchise territory be held in trust for ‘x” number of days, i.e. 180 days, until resolution is accomplished; and be it further RESOLVED, that the HEARTLAND KOA members are willing to serve as mentors, act as scouts to visit the potential campgrounds, and be available to either the campground or KOA, Inc. to help continue the standard of excellence in the KOA system.

Authored: October 23, 2009-HEARTLAND OA Fall Meeting
Presented by: Diane King, Springfield/Route 66 KOA, HEARTLAND OA-Outgoing President, Lynn Barret, Hotsprings NP KOA, HEARTLAND OA Incoming President
Presented at the Area IV Meeting at the 2009 KOA Convention

2010 Come Kamp and Care With Us Weekend

KOA Owners Association — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:23:06 GMT

As you know, for the last three years all the money collected by the franchisees on Come Kamp and Care With Us Weekend (CKCWUW) weekend has been matched by KOA Holding. Because of their commitment to KOA Care Camps their matching funds have enabled the Care Camp Program to send over 6,500 children who have or had cancer to one of the following cancer camps that requested assistance from us.

This year Come Kamp and Care With Us Weekend is May 14-15, 2010. If everyone participates we can raise over $150,000 for kids stricken with cancer.

Camp Rap-A-Hope Alabama

Camp Smile-A-Mile Alabama

Camp Quality Arkansas

Camp Sunrise Arizona

Camp Rainbow Arizona

Camp Goodtime British Columbia

Camp Okizu California

Camp Reach for the Sky California

Camp Sky High Hope Colorado

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp Connecticut

Camp ROCK Florida

Camp Rainbow Georgia

Camp H.I.S. K.I.D.S. Illinois

Camp One Step at a Time Illinois

Camp Hope Kansas

Indian Summer Camp Kentucky

Camp Sunrise Maryland

Camp Sunshine Maine

Special Days Camp Michigan

Camp Sunrise Missouri

Camp Rainbow Missouri

Camp Big Sky Kids Montana

Camp Make-A-Dream Montana

Cancer Family Network of MT Montana

Kamp K.A.C.E. North Dakota

Camp Enchantment New Mexico

Camp Good Days & Special Times New York

Happiness is Camping New York

Camp Quality Ontario

Camp Trillium Ontario

Camp Ukandu Oregon

Camp Dost Pennsylvania

Happy Days & Special Times South Carolina

Camp Horizon Tennessee

Camp Sanguinity Texas

Rainbow Connection Texas

Camp Hobe' Texas

Camp Fantastic Virginia

Camp Goodtimes West Washington

Camp Goodtimes Washington