Kampgrounds of America, Inc. Pilots Campground Management Internship Program
Piloting in 2023, Kampgrounds of America, Inc.’s Campground Management Internship Program will offer undergraduate students hands-on experience in outdoor hospitality management at KOA campgrounds across the United States
BILLINGS, Mont. (Dec. 6, 2022) – Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) announces a new internship it will pilot at select KOA campgrounds in 2023. The 12-week Campground Management Internship Program will allow undergraduate students to work alongside experienced campground managers to offer a hands-on outdoor hospitality experience focusing on operations, management, marketing and administration.
“Outdoor hospitality is one of the fastest growing segments of the travel industry with an incredible amount of opportunity,” said Ann Emerson, chief operating officer of Kampgrounds of America Inc.’s franchise system. “Our Campground Management Internship Program will develop future camping industry leaders through real work experience that will supplement their collegiate education.”
Piloting at seven Kampgrounds of America, Inc. owned and franchised campgrounds across the United States, all internships are paid opportunities that may include travel incentives. In most cases, housing will be provided by the campground.
“In developing this program, it was important to make it competitive and accessible,” Emerson said. “We kept these tenants in mind when selecting the universities, colleges and organizations we partnered with for the first year of our Campground Management Internship Program. Through this program, we hope to expand the voices, visions and experiences of the great outdoors.”
The 2023 Campground Management Internship is partnering with two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, La and Bethune-Cookman University of Daytona Beach, Fla. Additional partners include the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition, the Montana State University Billings Native American Center and Louisiana State University. Three additional universities are expected to join the program soon.
With plans to expand the program to more locations in the future, in 2023 Campground Management Internships will be available at Bellefonte/State College KOA Holiday, Wisconsin Dells KOA Holiday, Logan/Hocking Hills KOA Holiday, Niagara Falls/Grand Island KOA Holiday, Virginia Beach KOA Holiday, Orlando Southwest KOA Holiday and Tucson/Lazydays KOA Resort.
Internships are currently open to students pursuing a degree in business, communications, hospitality management, human resources, entrepreneurship or associated fields of study. Learn more and apply for the pilot Campground Management Internship Program at bit.ly/KOAInternship.
ABOUT KAMPGROUNDS OF AMERICA
Kampgrounds of America, currently celebrating its 60th year of operations, is the definitive leader in outdoor hospitality. United under the mission of “connecting people to the outdoors and each other” the company consists of two unique brands: KOA and Terramor Outdoor Resorts. KOA, the world’s largest system of privately-owned, open to the public campgrounds, consists of more than 500 franchised and owned campgrounds. With unrivaled brand visibility, KOA also offers campground owners and operators unparalleled support in campground education, design, recruitment, marketing and technology. Terramor Outdoor Resorts, a glamping venture, opened its first flagship property in Bar Harbor, Maine in 2020. Literally meaning ‘Love of Land,” the brand focuses on delivering a refined and upscale outdoor experience. For more information, visit KOA.com and TerramorOutdoorResort.com.