OWNERS NEWS - KOA Owners Association

Owners
News
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE KAMPGROUND OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
Volume 30
Issue 1
January/February/March
2010
• Contents •
President’s Corner...............................................................2
2010 Owners Association Board.........................................4
2010 Care Camps Board.....................................................5
2010 Disaster Relief Board.................................................6
Disaster Relief Fund Announcement for 2010.....................7
2010 State/Provincial Association Presidents.....................8
Meeting Calendar for State/Provincial meetings.................9
State/Provincial/Area News...............................................10
Roofing— What’s Best......................................................12
Work Kamper Corner.........................................................14
Spotlight on new Owners..................................................16
Shhhh! The Underwriters Are Listening.............................17
What Does the Future Hold for our KOA Lodging ............18
Today’s Thoughts..............................................................20
Tax Changes for 2009.......................................................22
Owner Association Associate Members............................24
News Releases.................................................................26
2010 CK & CWUW – Jump Start Your Fundraising . ........28
Pledge Form for 2010 CK &CWUW ................................29
New York State OA’s gift to Camp Good Days
and Special Times.............................................................30
www.koaowners.org
www.koaowners.org
1
Volume 30, Issue 1
President’s Message for OA
Newsletter Issue 1, 2010
By the time this first
newsletter of 2010
reaches you it will be
springtime and most of
our system will be up
and running. There is
no doubt that last year
was a challenging one.
It started out rather
slowly, but fortunately,
business really picked up
in the summer and fall, helping many of us to meet or
exceed our previous year camping nights! Your Owners
Association board has just completed its winter meeting
and we are looking forward to a strong year in 2010.
For those of you who were not able to attend last year’s
annual meeting in Houston, I would like to let you
know that a major topic of discussion for the OA board
was the concern that new and conversion parks were
not being held to the same quality assurance standards
as all of the other parks currently in the KOA system.
Several areas submitted resolutions at our annual
meeting on this topic. You can review these resolutions
and the responses to them on our website: koaowners.
org under the “Latest News” heading.
We are very pleased at the open discussion and
cooperation we received from home office on these issues
and it remained one of the major areas of discussion at
our winter meeting. We are also working with corporate
on the clarification of lodging descriptions in order to
be sure that camper’s expectations for reservations they
make are consistent for every campground in our system.
Our discussions with home office on these topics, and
others; are ongoing. We are very pleased with the open
and straightforward exchanges we have been having
with the department heads in Billings. I will keep you
updated on progress throughout the year.
2
We heard you! Many of you provided great feedback and
suggestions on the website. Because of this the “password”
requirement has been removed. If you had given up on the
site we encourage you to pay another visit to koaowners.org.
We continue to ramp up activities for our mentoring
program. If you are a new owner, or an experienced owner,
and would like to participate in the mentoring program
just contact our headquarters office and we will set you up
as a mentor or mentoree. There are a great many advantages
to all of us that can come from this program. We can assist
each other, and more effectively communicate problems
and solutions that can be shared by all. We are working on
our first forum for the mentoring program that will allow
everyone to participate through our new website. We hope
to have the first forum up and running by late spring.
Finally, I would like to remind you that our Insurance loss
prevention seminars are still available to everyone. These
have proven to be very helpful and many of them have been
conducted as part of the state/provincial meetings. We
would need at least ten campgrounds to participate, and
attendance by anyone covered by Philadelphia Insurance
Company could be eligible for up to a 10% reduction
in your premiums. If you are interested in setting up a
seminar just call our office in Birmingham and they will
handle all the details.
In closing we would like to thank all of you for your strong
support and encouragement last year. Remember that
your area directors look forward to hearing your concerns
and ideas, supporting your state associations and offering
assistance where you need it! We are looking for this year to
be even better and urge you to let us know of any ideas or
concerns you may have that we, your Owners Association
board can work on for the good of the entire system. Best
wishes for the 2010 season!
Tina Haith,
Owners Association, President
Owners News
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Volume 30, Issue 1
4
KOA Owners Association Board of Directors 2010
AREA 1
AREA 2
Tennessee, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Alabama,
Georgia, Florida, Kentucky,
Virginia, West Virginia
Ohio, Delaware,
New Jersey, New York,
Pennsylvania, Maine,
Vermont, Massachusetts,
New Hampshire, Maryland,
Connecticut, Rhode Island
Danny Goad 17139
Bowling Green KOA
1960 Three Springs Rd
Bowling Green, KY 42104
Phone: (270) 843-1919
Fax: (270) 843-1909
dan@bgkoa.com
Vicki Cole 35-164
Shelby/Mansfield KOA
6787 Baker 47
Shelby, OH 44875-9103
Phone: (419) 347-1392
Fax: (419) 342-5353
camp@shelbymansfieldkoa.com
Jerry Dale 42102
Manchester, TN KOA
586 Kampground Rd
Manchester, TN 37355
Phone: (931) 728-9750
Fax: (931) 728-9777
manchesterkoa@earthlink.net
AREA 3
AREA 4
Michigan, Illinois, Indiana,
Louisiana, Mississippi,
North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma,
Nebraska, Minnesota,
Texas, Arkansas
Wisconsin, Iowa
Carrol Murray 27-104
Carol Preble 43233
Treasurer
West Omaha KOA
14601 Hwy 6
Gretna, NE 68028
Phone: (402) 332-3010
Fax: (402) 332-0246
carrol@sisna.com
Rusk KOA
PO BOX 691
Rusk, TX 75785
Phone:(903) 683-6641
ruskkoa@mykoa.com
Karl Schmidt 38181
Elizabethtown/Hershey KOA
1980 Turnpike Rd
Elizabethtown, PA 17022
Phone: (717) 367-7718
Fax: (717) 367-3412
karl.hersheykoa@live.com
Hope Perkins 14-133
Elkhart/Middlebury KOA
52867 State Rd 13
Middlebury, IN 46540
Phone: (574) 825-5932
Fax: (574) 825-1080
kamp@middleburykoa.com
Tina Haith 36-133, President
AREA 5
AREA 6
AREA 7
Alaska, Washington, Oregon,
Idaho, Montana, Wyoming
Hawaii, California, Nevada,
Utah, Colorado, Arizona,
New Mexico
CANADA
David Witt 47103
Leavenworth KOA
11401 River Bend DR. US 2
Leavenworth, WA 98826
Phone: (509) 548-7709
Fax: (509) 548-7709
pkoa@hotmail.com
Pamela Mendala 5275
Michael Kuper 55120
Cloverdale KOA
1166 ASTI Ridge RD,
PO BOX 600
Cloverdale, CA 95425
Phone: (707) 894-3337
Fax: (707) 894-9206
clovkoa@sonic.net
V. President
Thunder Bay KOA
162 Spruce River RD.
Thunder Bay, ON P7B5E4
Phone: (807) 683-6221
Fax(: (807) 683-6222
tbaykoa@tbaytel.net
Steve Linde 26-122, Secretary
Sarah Martin 61-03
Yellowstone Park KOA
PO BOX 348
Westyellowstone, MT 59758
Phone: (406) 646-7606
Fax: (406) 896-8449
yellowstonekoa@aol.com
Buena Vista KOA
27700 County RD 303
Buena Vista, CO 81211
Phone: (719) 395-8313
Fax: w(719) 395-3103
bvkoa@msn.com
Dave Barton 55-203
1000 Island/Ivy Lea KOA
514 1000 Islands Pkwy
Lansdowne, ON K0E 1L0
Phone (613) 659-2408
Fax: (613) 659-2992
campinfo@1000islandskoa.com
Oklahoma City East KOA
6200 South Choctaw Rd
Choctaw, OK 73020
Phone: (405) 391-5000
Fax: (405) 391-5004
tinaskoadesk@yahoo.com
KOA INC. LIAISON
Jeff Sutherland
VP of Franchisee Service
PO BOX 3055
Billings, MT 59114
Phone: (800) 548-7104
jsutherlandt@koa.net
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
William Ranieri
3416 Primm Lane
Birmingham, AL 35216
Phone: (800) 678- 9976
Fax: (205) 823-2760
info@koaowners.org
Owners News
2010 KOA Care Camps Board
Mike Kuper, Chairman
162 Spruce River Rd
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E4
Phone: 807-683-6221
Fax: 807-683-6222
tbaykoa@tbaytel.net
2009 | EST
Kim Carranza
5431 US Hwy 93
Jerome, ID 83338
Phone: (208) 324-4169
Fax: (208) 324-4376
Twinkoa@safelink.net
2010 | MST
Hope Perkins, OA Rep
52867 State Rd 13
Middlebury, IN 46540
Phone: (574) 825-5932
Fax: (574) 825-1080
hope@middleburykoa.com
kamp@middleburykoa.com
2011 | CST
Bill Ranieri, Owners Association
Office Administrator
3416 Primm Ln
Birmingham, AL 35216
Phone: (800) 678-9976
Fax: (205) 823-2760
info@koaowners.org | CST
Jerry Dale, OA Rep
586 Kampground Rd
Manchester,TN 37355
Phone: (931) 728-9750
Fax: (931)728-9777
manchesterkoa@earthlink.net
2010| CST
Mike Gast, KOA Inc. Representative
P.O. Box 30558
Billings, MT 59114
Phone: (800) 548-7104
Fax: (406) 248-7414
mgast@koa.net
MST
"1,Ê*9Ê-9-/-ÊÊÊÊUÊÊÊÊ,‡-/ Ê*9,"1 Ê+1* /Ê
Daniel Parent
609 Pittson Rd. RR 1
Cardinal, ON K0E 1E0
Phone: (613) 657-4536
Fax: (613) 657-8926
daniel@cardinalkoa.com
2011 | EST
Ed Brennan
S. 235A Stand Rock Rd.
Wis. Dells WI 53965
Phone: 608-254-4177
Ed.brennan@verizon.net
2010 | CST
John Downing
2311 78th Ave West
Rock Island, IL 61201
Phone: 309-787-0665
john@riqckoa.com
2010 | CST
Mike Groseclose
4460 Walnut Rd.
BuckeyeLake, OH 43008
Phone: 740-928-0706
Fax: 740-928-0462
mikandshirleyg@mac.com
2010 | EST
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January/February/March 2010
Audrey Eberhart
3101 Cart Rd.
Richmond, IN 47374
Phone: (765) 962-1219
Fax: (765) 935-0817-call cell first
richmondinkoa@parallax.ws
2009 | EST
-*" ,/ - Ê Ê " 1 / " " , Ê * 9 Ê + 1 * / Ê Ê Ê U Ê Ê Ê Ê - / Ê / -
www.koaowners.org
5
Volume 30, Issue 1
6
KOA Disaster Relief Board 2009-2010
Area 1
Tennessee, N. Carolina, S. Carolina,
Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky,
Virgnian, W. Virginia
Danny Goad 17-139
Area 3
Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, N. Dakota,
S. Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota,
Wisconsin, Iowa
Howard Stein 22-220
Bowling Green KOA
1960 Three Springs Rd
Bowling Green, KY 42104
Phone: (270) 843-1919
Fax: (270) 843-1909
dan@bgkoa.com
Port Huron KOA
5151 Lapeer Rd
Kimball, MI 48074
Phone: (810) 987-7075
Fax: (810) 987-7073
porthuronkoa@aol.co
Area 2
Ohio, Delaware, New Jersey, New
York, Pennsylvania, Main, Vermont,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire,
Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island
Rick Dillon 38-117
Area 4
Louisiana, Mississippi, Kansas,
Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas
Bellefonte State College KOA
2481 Jacksonville Rd.
Bellefonte, PA 16823
Phone: (814) 355-7912
Fax: (814) 353-8207
bellkoa@verizon.net
Area 5
Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho,
Montana, Wyoming
Steve Linde 26-122
(VACANCY)
Area 6
Hawaii, California, Nevada, Utah,
Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico
Tommy Martin 61-03
Buena Vista KOA
27700 County Rd 303
Buena Vista, CO 81211
Phone: (719) 395-8313
Fax: (719) 395-3103
bvkoa@msn.com
Area 7
Canada
Jeff Stovold 55-252
Toronto North/Cookstown KOA
139 Reive Blvd
Cookstown, ON L0L 1L0
Phone: (705) 456-2120
Fax: (705) 458-1389
jeffslhri@rogers.com
Yellowstone Park KOA
PO Box 348
W. Yellowstone, MT 59758
Phone: (406) 646-7606
Fax: (406) 896-8449
Yellowstonekoa@aol.com
Owners News
DISASTER RELIEF FUND ANNOUNCEMENT
WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE MAXIMUM SUPPORT FOR DISASTER RELIEF FOR 2010
WILL BE $13,000. AN OVERVIEW OF THE DISASTER RELIEF POLICY AND GUIDELINES IS SHOWN
BELOW
DISASTER RELIEF POLICY
Major Loss
Loss of Income caused by the destruction of buildings, roads or other facilities that close the campground
for a period of thirty days or longer. The maximum benefit available for members is 13,000 dollars or 10%
of the January 1st balance of the Disaster Relief Fund, and not to exceed the amount of the actual damage
incurred.
Intermediate Loss
Loss of Income caused by minor damage to a building, pumps, waste treatment facility causing the closing
of the facility for 30 days or less. The maximum benefit available for members is 7,800 dollars or 6% of
the January 1st balance of the Disaster Relief Fund, and not to exceed the actual amount of the damage
incurred.
Minor Loss
No damage to the campground, but closing is required due to uncontrollable circumstances. The maximum
benefit available for members is 5200 dollars or 4% of the January 1st balance of the Disaster Relief Fund,
and not to exceed the actual amount of the damage incurred.
Other Conditions and Requirements:
1) Any disaster, which occurs on an ongoing basis, such as flooding, will be eligible only once every
five years.
2) The Disaster Relief Committee Chairman, together with two committee members, will review and
determine the amount of cash request.
3) If no government assistance is available to campgrounds suffering a major loss, they shall be eligible
for low interest loans, based on need and availability of funding.
4) Loan requests must be approved by the Board of Directors as well as by the Disaster Relief
Committee.
1) Call the Association office and request a claim form (1-800-678-9976).
2) Return request via mail, fax or email, within four months of the occurrence.
3) Committee will by phone call or email determine amount of funding and write check for such
amount.
4) Check will be mailed from office to committee chair for his/her signature, and then be forwarded to
the applying campground. A copy of sent check should then be sent to Association office for the
files.
5) It is the intent of this committee to have the check in the hands of the applicant in not less than ten
working days.
Eligibility:
1) Only members are eligible for the above losses.
2) There shall be a grace period of one-year for all new owners that are not members of the
Association.
3) At the discretion of the Disaster Relief Committee and with the approval of the Board of Directors,
non-members may be considered for funds not to exceed 1,500 dollars.
www.koaowners.org
January/February/March 2010
Procedure for Receiving Aid:
7
Volume 30, Issue 1
8
2010 State & Provincial Presidents
CALIFORNIA/NEVADA
Darol Blunt 5180
Visalia/Fresno South KOA
7480 Avenue 308
Visalia, CA 93291
(559) 351-0544
koadarol@yahoo.com
ILLINOIS
John Downing 13-156
Rock Island KOA
2311 78th Ave. W.
Rock Island, IL 61201
(309) 787-0665
john@RIQKOA.com
LOUISIANA
Louise Bacot 18-105
Baton Rouge East KOA
7628 Vincent Rd
Denham Springs, LA 70726
(360) 457-5916
gbacot@ix.netcom.com
MICHIGAN
Cathleen Kuebler 22-225
Traverse City KOA
9700 M37
Buckley, MI 49620
(231) 269-3203
info@traversecitykoa.com
MONTANA
Homer Staves 26-161
Whitefish/Kalispell kOA
5121 Highway 935
Whitefish, MT 59937
(406) 862-8967
info@glacierparkkoa.com
OREGON
Michael Greig 37-176
Corvallis/Albany KOA
33775 Oakville Rd. SW
Albany, OR 37321
(541) 967-8521
michaeljgreig@hotmail.com
NEW YORK
Wayne Hempel
Saugerties/Woodstock KOA
882 Rte 212
Saugerties, NY 12477
(845) 246-4089
saugertieskoa@hotmail.com
ONTARIO CANADA
Richard Marcoux 55-208
1000 Island/Mallorytown KOA
1477 CR 2 PO Box 29
Mallorytown, ON K0E 1R0 CANADA
(613) 923-5339
FUN@1000islandscamping.com
OHIO
Rhonda Landis
Dayton KOA
7796 Wellbaum Rd
Brookville,OH 45309
(937) 833-3888
daytonkoa@siscom.net
PA-WEST
Gary Levesque 38-104
Philadelphia/West Chester KOA
PO Box 920
Unionville, PA 19375
(610) 486-0447
philadelphaikoa@verizon.net
OKLAHOMA/KANSAS/MISSOURI
Lynn Barrett 4-106
Hot Springs AR KOA
838 McClendon Rd
Hot Springs, AR 71901
(501) 624-5912
agbarrett@aol.com
PA CENTRAL
John Dillon 38-117
Bellefonte/State College KOA
2481 Jacksonville Rd
Bellefonte, PA 16823
(814) 355-7912
bellkoa@aol.com
SOUTH CAROLINA
Bill Olendorf 40-113
Point South KOA
14 Kampground Rd
Yemassee, SC 29945
(843) 726-5733
pskoa@hargray.com
UTAH
Kevin Wright 44103
Brigham City KOA
1040 W. 3600 South
Brigham City, UT 84302
(435) 723-5503
brighamcitykoa@brigham.net
VIRGINIA
Denna Fout 46111 (2009)
Williamsburg KOA
4000 Newman Rd
Williamsburg, VA 23188
(757) 565-2907
info@williamsburgkoa.com
WASHINGTON
Carey Keith 47-161
Seattle/Tacoma KOA
5801 S. 212th St.
Kent, WA 98032
(253) 872-8652
careykeith@racpac.com
CANADA
James Brown 51124
Hinton Jasper KOA
4720 Vegas Rd NW
Calgary, AB T3A 1W3 CANADA
(780) 865-5062
brownkoa4@shaw.ca
MINNESOTA
Kim Hornbrook
Minneapolis SW KOA
3315 W. 166th St.
Jordan, MN 55352
(952) 492-6440
minneapolisswkoa@hotmail.com
FLORIDA
Elliott Smith 9205
St. Augustine Beach KOA
525 W. Pope Rd
St. Augustine, FL 32080
(904) 806-1431
staugkoa@aol.com
WISCONSIN
Jeff Irwin 49106
Madison KOA 4859 Cty Rd V
DeForest, WI 53532
(608) 846-4528
madisonwikoa@centurytel.net
COLORADO
Tracy Hastings 6-124
Denver East/Strasburg KOA
1312 Monroe St.
Strasburg, CO 80136
(303) 622-9274
info@campdenver.com
TEXAS
Marshal Gray 43111
Concho Valley KOA
6699 Knickerbocker Rd
San Angelo, TX 76904
(325) 656-6446
shgray1@gte.net
KENTUCKY
Danny Goad (2009)
Bowling Green KOA 17139
1960 Three Springs Rd
Bowling Green, KY 42104
(270) 843-1919
dan@bgkoa.com
INDIANA
Hope Perkins 14133
Elkhart/Middlebury KOA
52867 State Rd. 13
Middlebury, IN 46540
(574) 825-5932
kamp@middleburykoa.com
SOUTH DAKOTA
Patty Gray-Miller 41-108
Deadwood KOA
PO Box 451
Deadwood, SD 57732
(605) 578-3830
deadwoodkoa@rushmore.com
NEW ENGLAND
Steve Jesseman,
Lisbon/Littleton KOA
2154 Route 302
Lisbon, NH 03585.
(603) 838-5525
littletonkoa@roadrunner.com
Owners News
2010 State/Provincial Presidents News
At this time we are listing the places and dates for your State/Provincial meetings:.
Location
Western Canada Owners Association
Date
No Spring Meeting
Eastern Canada Owners Association
1000 Island/Ivy Lea KOA
April 10, 2010 at 10AM
Heartland State Association
Springfield/Route 66 KOA
in Springfield, MO
March 23, 2010 at 9AM
California/Nevada Owners Association
San Diego Metro KOA
in San Diego, CA
March 9-10, 2010 from
9AM – 5PM
Illinois State Association
Benton KOA in Benton, IL
March 16, 2010 at 9AM
Texas State Owners Association
Waco North KOA in Waco, TX
April 13, 2010 from 8AM-5PM
New England Owners Association
Brattleboro KOA
in Brattleboro, VT
April 26, 2010 at 10AM
Kentucky/Tennessee State Association
Nashville KOA
March 5-6, 2010
Florida State Association
St. Petersburg KOA
April 27-19, 2010
Wisconsin State Association
Stevens Point, WI
March 17
Utah/Idaho
Salt Lake City KOA
March 21 at 11AM
Indiana State Association
Terre Haute KOA
1PM
South Dakota State Association
Black Hills Badland and Lakes
Visitor Center in Rapid City SD
April 19, 2010 at 9AM
Minnesota State Association
Rochester/Marion KOA
April 27th, 2010
www.koaowners.org
January/February/March 2010
Association
9
Volume 30, Issue 1
State/Provincial News
California/Nevada Fall Meeting Updates
I wanted to send out a brief update in regards to some of the marketing programs that we have attempted after our
fall meeting.
1. The e-blast campaign was released on the 18th of December and we have some very positive feedback numbers.
This e-mail targeted VKR holders within 150 miles of each KOA in California and Nevada. Each person to receive
the mailing was a VKR holder with 6500 or more points. We encouraged them to redeem their points on their next
stay and directed them straight to the California and Nevada Hot Deal pages. Though data is still coming in, we
are able to track and report how many recipients received the e-mail, how many opened the e-mail and how many
“clicked through” to the Targeted Landing Page. We are hoping to capture more data all the way down to who
made a reservation based on that e-mail so that we can truly gauge how effective this marketing platform is. As
of January- Mails delivered 9,153 open rate 46% click through rate 10.39%
2. A bit ago I also sent out a PDF of the Cal-Nev Referral brochure for us to use at our front desks as a way to
incentivize folks to make reservations at another KOA in the Cal-Nev Region. The goal was to use a simple, self
printed document that we could distribute to our guests via a hand-out map offering a $10 off their next Cal-Nev
KOA stay coupon. While I did receive responses from some, I did not hear back from enough parks as to whether
or not they wished to participate in the program. We can certainly table this to our March meeting, but if you are
interested in being listed as a participating park, please let me know so that I can complete that piece and prepare
it for distribution.
Also, as a reminder, Our Spring meeting will be here in San Diego in March. Please spread the word to other owners
and managers near you about the meeting and invite them to join us. I will be sending hotel information soon. We
have 2 lodges left available for that time frame as well as Kabins and RV sites. All sites are complimentary and if you
would like to e-mail me I will be happy to make your reservations for you.
I would also like to generate an up to date contact list for all owners/managers and operators. Please send me your
current and best e-mail/telephone/and mailing address as well as names.
Thank you!
Yours in Camping
Clint Bell
President
Area 7 Report from Dave Barton
We have a new KOA in Caraquet New Brunswick. It is located along the Pokemouche River. The owners are Art and
Lorraine Savoie. They have owned the park for a couple of years and will now be flying the KOA flag. As of March
1st Larry and Judy Harrison will be the new managers at the Toronto West KOA.
The provincial government in Ontario is proposing to harmonize the 5% GST (good & services tax) which is on the
federal side, with the 8% provincial tax. This in turn will have our Kampgrounds in Ontario charging 13% tax on sites
and just about everything else.
The Eastern Canada Owners Association will be having their spring meeting on April 9th and 10th at the 1000 Islands
Ivy Lea Kampground. Hosts are Dave & Sue Barton.
All area 7 kampgrounds open between April 1st and May 15th with the exception of Revelstoke BC which is open
year round. We are anxiously waiting for spring to arrive!
10
Owners News
www.koaowners.org
11
January/February/March 2010
Volume 30, Issue 1
Roofing - What’s Best?
Loren Smith, Prairie Kraft Specialties
We take a number of calls concerning roofing. We are happy
to assist and we consider ourselves knowledgeable. Lately, we
have had a number of calls on leaking lodge, cabin, and other
roofs. Hence, this article.
What’s the best roof? Seriously, (we really are serious here) it’s
a cosmetics or architectural question. Stating this in a clearer
way, what color car do you like or what dress or suit would you
wear to a formal dinner? Clearly, it’s personal preference and,
that is also true with roofing. The popularity of metal roofing
(currently) is due to wanting that look; usually a brightly colored
roof. Done properly, a metal roof is not a “cheap roof” but it’s a
good roof and it enjoys current widespread architectural appeal.
If you want a “lifetime roof” (think 100 years+), it’s easily obtainable and they are good looking; however, usually
the architectural look is more important. So, it’s a matter of balancing roof life against architectural look. What
about cost? Cost is a non-issue. Yes, you read it right: In fact, all “generally used roofing” cost almost the same.
“Generally used roofing” materials are: asphalt shingles, metal roof (excepting exotic metals), wood shakes,
rubber membrane, hot tar, BUR Roofs, etc. There are “price ranges” for these type of roofs.
By way of example, there are cheap (think short life) metal roofs and more expensive (usually longer life) metal
roofs. The same is true with asphalt shingles, membrane, BUR Roofs, etc. It’s a matter of balancing the looks you
want against the life you want and, to a small degree, the cost.
The other consideration is the ease of repair following damage from a hail storm, hurricane, etc. Again, it’s a
matter of balancing your local conditions against the look you want and the life you want. Now, let’s answer the
“key question”: “What should I use on my building, lodge, etc.?” This is where a phone call and discussion may be
helpful. However, the following will answer many questions.
A roof’s purpose is simple; it’s to keep the water and outside elements/weather out of the building. That’s right…
it’s that simple! It’s easy to keep the water out. The problem comes when we start dealing with weather. The sun,
wind, rain, etc. deteriorates anything you put up for “a roof”. So, the life of the roof is directly dependent on how
long it takes the sun and the outside elements to break it down to where it starts to leak. Therefore, when we
look for a “lifetime roof”, what we are looking at is: “What will withstand the sun, etc. for 100+ years? The roof
on the State Capital in Helena, Montana is made out of copper. They actually took copper sheets and soldered
them together and it’s been on for about 150+ years and it still works…that’s a “lifetime” roof. When you think of
Southern California, Mexico, etc., you see roofs made out of clay tile. A clay tile roof is a “lifetime” roof…it will last,
literally, for 100+ years…the weather just can’t break them down. Here’s the part most find disbelieving:
A wood roof, properly done, is a “lifetime” roof. That’s right; it’ll last over 100 years! A wood roof is usually thought
of as a cedar shake roof. However, the wood may not be cedar.
Here’s the “rest of the story”.
If a wood roof is located in a reasonably dry climate and, more
importantly, has direct sunlight on it, they will easily last for 100
years. There are numerous 100 year shake roofs throughout the
entire Western United States that are on old churches, buildings,
etc. and they still are dry and working today. As many of you know,
cedar shakes roofs on Kabins in Florida haven’t held up. So, does
that mean a wood roof can’t be a “lifetime” roof in the South? No,
they can and are. The Kabin photo you see is located on Ernst and
Paulita’s KOA Kampground in Wildwood, Florida. You are looking at
12
Owners News
pressure treated cedar shakes. This is a “lifetime” roof. As you see in this photo, his roof looks like it is brand new!
It has been in place in Wildwood, Florida, under trees, with leaves falling on it, since 1999. There are pressure
treated wood roofs in Hawaii 80+ years old and they are still like the day they were put up. There are painted
metal roofs in Florida and Hawaii that are “worn out” after 10 years. There are also metal roofs in Hawaii and
Florida that are 100 years old and in good shape. The difference is: the metal is copper, zinc, Cor-Ten steel, etc.
For further illustration, let’s look at asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles are impregnated with materials other than
pure asphalt. For fire resistance and strength, they use fiberglass. All “asphalt shingles” have granules on them.
The granules are ground up rock coal cinders, etc. that have been colored and are laid into the wet asphalt as the
shingles are made. What are these rocklike granules for? So the shingle will weather and reflect back the sunlight.
Yes, it also allows you to choose different colors but it’s real purpose is to allow the shingle to weather. So, the
type and amount of granules, the thickness of the asphalt, the use of fiberglass or other reinforcement in the
asphalt (to withstand hurricane winds) are what determine the life of an asphalt shingle. A cheap asphalt shingle
might last 10 to 15 years. A very good one, with lots of granules, might give you 30+ years.
The next subject is usually roof insulation. Insulation is important as it controls energy costs and, of course,
can make you “green”. You can put any amount of insulation to get any R-value you want under any kind of
roof. That’s right…it doesn’t matter; it’s only how much insulation you want. When it comes to roofing, it is the
“cosmetic” versus “life” question and, to a small degree, price, that will determine what you use. How the roof is
applied and the quality of the workmanship is huge in roofing. Remember, the purpose of the roof is to keep the
water and the weather elements out and a sloppy installation will greatly compromise that ability. Darol Blunt at
the Visalia/Fresno South KOA was a former roofing contractor. He can speak volumes to the “quality of installation
subject” if you are interested.
Metal roofs are a subject in themselves. We wrote on this in the
April/May/June 2009 Issue of the KOA Owners News. We will revisit it briefly, stating: “The purpose of a metal roof (in a commercial
– residential building) is to keep the sun off the real roof that is
underneath the metal.” That’s right; metal roofs leak! A good metal
roof is, in reality, two roofs. The metal shields the membrane
underneath from the sun. There will always be some water leakage
around a metal roof. It’s really hard to make a watertight seam
at the eaves, gable ends, hips, valleys, gambrel angles, etc. It’s basically impossible to make the metal totally
watertight. Take a thunderstorm, hurricane, wind, etc. and it’s going to blow water up underneath the metal. Not
much water; but a little. So, we put a membrane underneath and airspace (to allow it to cool) and we have a good
watertight roof and, hopefully, a color we love. A metal roof can be a good roof but (that famous coordinating
conjunction “but”) the installation and type of membrane and style of metal panels you use, play a huge role in its
life and if it will keep you dry.
For those of you who wish to pursue this subject further, give us a call at Prairie Kraft Specialties and we’ll be
happy to visit about your particular problem, question, etc.
Your friends at Prairie Kraft Specialties,
Loren, Jane and Linda
www.koaowners.org
January/February/March 2010
What about hurricanes and wind? Again, most any roof can
withstand hurricane winds. This photo is a Kamping Kabin
that has sustained winds of 160+ MPH near Homestead,
Florida! (it’s the old Miami South KOA). As you can see, the
roof is okay. Not what you would expect from a cedar shake
roof in a hurricane, but, properly applied any roofing can
withstand any wind load!
13
Volume 30, Issue 1
“WORKAMPER’S KORNER”
Introduction: This year I will be asking various KOA owners to share with us their ideas
involving aspects of dealing with our employees, Workcampers. Feel free to contact them to discuss issues
further; they are all very willing to share. Networking is the unique benefit of being part of the KOA system!
Have a good summer. Sarah Martin, Buena Vista, CO KOA; Region 6 OA Representative.
TIPS on hiring work kampers
by Scott and Diane King of the Springfield, Missouri KOA:
1. Check ALL references
2. Don’t be afraid to ask if there is anything they cannot/will not do. And if there is something on their
list that you need done, move on to another applicant.
3. Always remember, at the interview, they are the best that they will be. Don’t try to hope they “get
better” because you really need to fill a spot. After all, you’ll end up being the one picking up the slack
when things go south and you’ll be constantly frustrated.
4. Once hired, keep in contact with them through emails, calls, etc. and make them feel that you are
excited to have them as part of your “team.”
5. Be up front with what your expectations are. Put it in writing and have them agree via signature or
email confirmation.
6. Have prepared questions during the interview. Ask all applicants the same questions so you have a
place to compare all of your prospective employees. A few favorite questions:
a.) On a scale of 1-10, how honest are you?
b.) If I called five of your past co-workers, what is one word they would use to describe you?
c.) In a past job, describe a difficult situation you encountered and how you handled it.
7. Pay attention to the quality and careful preparation of their resume. If they are sloppy with that, they
will probably be sloppy with their work product at your campground. We know that the current format
on Work @ KOA is difficult to fix or change if a mistake is made, but be sure and verify all information
and check dates, etc.
In summary, this is a business and although we do use work kampers, they are the face of our business and
this is a job they are applying for.
14
Owners News
To: OA Members
Following your request to establish and maintain a historical database of information on Workampers in the
KOA system we are filing this update and overview.
Early on we began working with KOA, Inc. to determine the feasibility of developing the program with them.
After careful review it was determined they could not participate largely due to HR issues and the vagaries
of laws in states and provinces governing the collection of personal information.
Your OA Board, led by Sarah Martin, continued the development of this project and consulted with other
directors, state presidents, human resource professionals and attorneys practiced in this field to identify the
issues of concern in this project. Hurdles would include, in part, researching laws in each state and province
where campgrounds are located to check for any possible violations in compiling this information, preparing
acknowledgments, authorizations and consents for workampers and candidates to execute authorizing the
OA to include them in the database. Clarity would be required on the taxability of benefits provided to
them, are they covered by workmen’s compensation insurance and/or unemployment compensation - are
they classified as independent contractors or employees. The latter points are familiar to all of us but the
question would involve uniformity in some matters.
The ever-changing legal environment, differing hiring practices and requirements i.e. drug testing, criminal
checks, credit ratings, variance from state to state and provinces and the ability to disseminate personnel
information in the required and legal manner - has led your current OA Board to the conclusion that, at this
juncture, we cannot compile this data in any meaningful way for use in every campground.
We very much regret not being able to deliver what you requested but be assured we are not closing the
book on the subject and will be reviewing it from time to time and monitoring any changes to report back
to you.
Respectfully submitted, Pamela L. Mendala, Cloverdale/Healdsburg Koa
www.koaowners.org
January/February/March 2010
As this overview is being written, newspapers are carrying the story that certain states are reviewing
the legality of collecting credit information as part of the hiring decisions following challenges to this
procedure.
15
Volume 30, Issue 1
SPOTLIGHT ON NEW OWNERS
There are new owners for the Wellington KOA at 100 S. KOA Dr., Wellington, KS 67152.
Please welcome Chad and Jodi Bateson and their son Cameron who opened Wellington
KOA in September of 2009.
Wellington was originally operated in the 1970’s and the Batesons’ have spent a lot of time renovating the older
buildings and adding on sites. The whole family is really getting into the business. Jodie is the manager, clerk
and chief toilet cleaner. Chad is the planner and maintenance and Chad likes to escort the guests to their site and
supervise the recreation activates.
Chad and Jodie found this campground when they drove by one day, it was run down, but the potential of it just
shouted out to them. And the opportunity to meet a variety of people just called out to Jodie. In her past life,
Jodie was a teacher and an accountant, and Chad was the manager of a Lumberyard and a Plumbing business
owner. But that was before Wellington.
The Wellington KOA is a great overnight stop for those traveling I-35 or a nice base camp for anyone wanting
to explore South Central Kansas. They have got both pull-thru and back in sites. With the new individual and
dual shower rooms in the men and women’s bath rooms, we also have a fishing pond, volleyball, playground,
and picnic pavilion for groups or just community get together. With an air-conditioned/heated game room and
laundry room, our campers get it all.
We are pleased with the potential offered by the campground and already have two Kamping lodges being delivered
for set up this year. Then our goal is to put in an above ground swimming pool. Wellington has been here for a
long time, but you need to come in to see what we’ve done to bring the old girl into the 21st Century. Feel free
to stop in for a visit and meet our family.
16
Owners News
Shhhh!
The underwriters are
listening:
It was great to see so many of you at the KOA Expo. What a success. What a great franchise with a great
owners association. I want to thank Philadelphia Insurance Company for sending it’s team of underwriters
to attend and provide a contribution of over $30,000 to the Owners Association. But, I have to say,
sometimes you as owners may says things that alarm those underwriters. It takes a little coaching but there
are things you should say, and things should keep to yourself.
First, let’s be clear we are always ethical, we never lie, bend or stretch the truth, but we can spin things a
little or omit certain historical instances like the time when the leach field backed up or when you had the big
flood or the time when the bears kept coming into camp. More importantly, we can talk how we fixed the
problem.
Don’t just talk about the near misses or maybes?
All responsible managers, after a near miss or incident that cause injury or property damage seek to fix the
cause of the incident, unless totally weather dependent, most incidents can be mitigated with some risk
management. But those risk management efforts you take never make into your stories. So next time you
tell the story about the time an employee backed a customer’s RV into the office building, don’t forget to say
how now you require two employees when trailer spotting.
Remember safety first, the only way for repeat customers:
You may be thinking of buying a climbing tower, go carts, jumping pillow, bumper boats or whatever and that
is fine, but preface your comments with how safe it will be because of the controls you will have in place and
not by how many dollars you will make from it. I overheard a owner say to underwriter about the thirty foot
climbing tower displayed at the show “ That thing is cheap, I can make some money on this thing, cheaper
than a jumping pillow, and made in Mexico” You should have heard the reaction from the insurance
company at dinner that night, no chance.
Underwriters don’t like to think about the reality of life, everything they think about is right there on your
brochure or website: smiling families, beautiful weather and everyone is being safe. They don’t like to think
about the rambling to restrooms in the middle of the night, unsupervised swimmers, fire ambers blowing into
the forest on windy nights, or unruly patrons, or hurricanes, snow loads, thefts, vandalism. Understandably
underwriters are skeptics; they make their living being skeptical, selecting and pricing risk. Everything to
them is a potential problem or a potential cause for loss. If you tell them you have never had a claim, in the
back of their mind they are thinking you are due for one, and therefore you are a bad risk. So we as agents
need to help them through their miserable skeptical lives.
Talk about the things you do that make you better than your competition: Safety, risk management, the new
signs you put in, the new life vests you put on your boats, the liability waivers you use, the staff you hire,
how you mitigate claims, the percentage of repeat clientele and returning employees you have. Why you
are a KOA, why you are in the owners’ association, and why your campground should be insured with them.
They will sleep better and you will be telling the truth.
Glenn Sudol is the owner of Outdoor Insurance Group, Endorsed Insurance Agency of the KOA
Owners association. Glenn can be reached at 303-951-5051 or by email gsudol@oigcorp.com.
www.koaowners.org
January/February/March 2010
Don’t say anything about kids, sharp objects, amusement devices, animals and alcohol.
17
Volume 30, Issue 1
What does the future hold for our KOA lodging?
By Jim Turner
Ruth and I were at the KOA convention this past November in Houston.
Thanks Julie and everyone else for another great convention. Hope to see /you’all/ next year in
Savannah, GA. Meanwhile, one session at the convention caught my attention and I thought I would
muse on it a bit here.
Terry Shade, Vice President - Company Operated Properties, conducted a session on increasing value
of our lodges. KOA Inc, is looking at their Lodges and Kottages (not Kabins) as an area where they can
try out a new direction in customer service and rate optimization. They are going to make-up the main
bed (sheets, blanket, pillows, and pillow cases) and possibly leave a setup on each bunk bed. Terry
sees the move as a necessary strategic next step in the experience that Ms Camper is looking for from
KOAs. Our Big 4 friends down under in Australia make all their main beds in their Ensuite Cabins.
The caveat in this endeavor is that of how to do it efficiently? It is pretty easy to do if a campground has
one Lodge or Kottage. But with the growth in the number of Kottages and Lodges across the system,
something else needs to be done after a point. KOA Inc offers that their solution will be to build a
dedicated commercial in-house laundry & supplies build on their campgrounds. Terry has a proposed
floor plan of just what their building might look like. He went on to share that they are going to
1) Have unskilled labor strip the lodging unit (removing all dirty dishes and laundry) after the camper
guest checks out and then wash/clean/refold/stack all such items in their laundry/supply building.
2) Later in the day, have skilled labor go in and clean the Lodge/Kottage and make the bed, then.
3) Have unskilled labor go back through and restock all dishes, toilet paper, dish towels, setups, etc.
If this does happen and if it does grow, it will take years to have it adopted system wide with inherent
standards problems. When Ruth and I toured Australia a few years back, we stayed in 15 or so Big 4
Ensuite Cabins and 7 or so Top Tourist Ensuite Cabins. The quality of the bedding ranged from very
poor, worn out, torn and frayed on the one end to brand new, starched & pressed clean bright white and
such on the other end.
Here at Estes Park KOA, we have 7 Deluxe Kamper Kottages and we feel reluctant to become a motel
and have no space to build a dedicated cleaning building. We specifically call our Kottages, “Kamper
Kottages”, emphasizing that our lodging guests brings their own camping gear, including bedding.
Granted, many would really like not to have to bring bedding and make beds. Be that as it may, as this
concept is tested over the next 5-10 years, I vote that lodging units without made-up beds be referred
to by the entire system with the adjective “Kamper” and lodging with made-up beds be referred to with
“Guest”. The Kamper or Guest adjectives would make standards easier across the system. Guests can
look at our campground information and better know what to expect.
Jim Turner, Estes Park KOA
-Jim Turner
1833 Ranch Circle
Home/Cell: 970-577-0789
jim@estesparkkoa.com
18
Owners News
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January/February/March 2010
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19
Volume 30, Issue 1
Tax Changes for 2009
The tax changes for 2009 are many and have all kinds of variations relating to when the provision date starts, some changes
are only for 2009, while others will affect 2009 AND 2010. Although most people know of certain well publicized changes;
such as First Time Homebuyer Credit; reinstatement of the Energy Credit and a partial exclusion of Unemployment Pay
there are many more changes which affect all tax aspects.
There have been so many changes as a result of the various Bail Out programs and Stimulus packages. During 2009 there were
3 major tax packages: February 17, 2009 “The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act”; mid June was the “Supplemental
Appropriations Act” and then on November 6 the “Workers, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act”. In total these
3 packages had approximately 35 major tax changes affecting both individual and business taxes. Here are a few of the tax
matters that may affect your returns.
-NEW HOME Purchase: The original credit of 2008 had to be refunded over 15 years. The new law of 2009 increased
the credit to $8,000 from the original $7,500 (or 10%) and no longer had to be repaid to the IRS. Then later in 2009
this provision was amended once again, to apply not only to first time homeowners, but also allowed a $6,500 credit
for anyone purchasing a new home from November, 2009 to April, 2010.
-NEW CAR Purchase: In addition to the various credits allowed for hybrid autos; taxpayers can get a deduction on the
sales tax regardless of whether or not they itemize their taxes.
20
UNEMPLOYMENT compensation benefits received in 2009 are excluded from gross income for the first $2,400
received.
-
BUSINESS USED AUTO; vehicles bought and placed in service after 2008 and before 2010, the Recovery Act
increases by $8,000 the first year depreciation dollar limit for a passenger auto that is “qualified” property meeting the
original requirements. Remember a passenger car must be used more than 50% for trade or business purposes in order
to be eligible for the additional first year depreciation.
-
MAKING WORK PAY CREDIT: The Recovery Act allows taxpayers a refundable tax credit for 2009 and 2010 of
$400 ($800 for a joint return) or 6.2% of a persons earned wages, whichever is smaller. The credit is subject to certain
phase AGI limits.
-
ENERGY CREDIT: Non business energy credit was amended from a 10% credit to 30% credit beginning after
December 31, 2008 for property placed in service before January 1, 2011. In addition, the lifetime cap of $500 is
eliminated and replaced with an aggregate cap of $1,500. Energy saving expenditures for such items as: new doors,
windows; furnace; AC or other energy saving equipment which may have been purchased during 2009 (credit applies
as long as you PAID for the item in 2009);
-
529 PLANS: if you have such a savings plan; under the Recovery Act expenses paid or incurred in 2009 or 2010 for
the purchase of any computer technology, equipment or internet access will qualify as educational expense if used by
the qualified student or their family.
-
DISASTER AREA SCHOOL: if you have a child who attended a university in a qualified disaster area in 2008 you
are entitled to a double credit in 2008 or 2009. Credit is based on where the school is not where taxpayer lives.
-
PARENTS AS DEPENDENTS: in certain situations your parents can now be considered your dependent even if
they don’t live with you in your home. EVEN IF THEY LIVE IN THEIR OWN HOME. The individual circumstances
surrounding this situation should be discussed with your tax accountant to see if you qualify for this benefit.
Owners News
Conversion of a TRADITIONAL IRA to a ROTH IRA
Looking ahead to 2010; this is the year to consider changing your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. In years past, taxpayers
were denied the ability to convert if their modified adjusted gross income was $100,000 or more. This limitation factor is
gone starting in 2010. In addition, if you convert to a Roth IRA in 2010 you can elect to defer the tax over the following
two years (2011 and 2012, evenly). This deferral may or may not be a good idea if you think tax rates will increase. You can
always follow the standard procedure and report all the taxable income from a 2010 conversion on your 2010 tax return. In
addition, should you change your mind about a Roth IRA after the conversion; you have until October 15 of the following
year to recharacterize the converted account back to the traditional IRA status.
Benefits of a conversion include: qualifying withdrawals from Roth accounts are completely free of federal tax; there is no
minimum mandatory distribution withdrawal at age 70 1/2, so Roth accounts can remain untouched for as long as you live.
If you believe that federal income tax rates will rise in the future, and if you’re traditional IRA is still lower than before the
last year’s market decline, then you are a prime candidate for converting.
Certain considerations must be considered before deciding a plan of action:
Your prediction about future rates of return on your ROTH IRA;
Expectations about future tax rates;
When and if you expect to withdraw money from your IRA account;
Are there state tax implications
FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS TO A ROTH IRA!!!
Although the income restriction for converting to a Roth IRA is being lifted for 2010, the income limits for annual Roth
contributions will still be the same. You can contribute up to $5,000 for 2010 ($6,000 if you are age 50 by December 31, 2010).
However, if you’re modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds $167,000 for married filing jointly ($105,000 for singles);
the amount that you can contribute is reduced. So if your MAGI exceeds $120,000 for singles or $177,000 for married, your can
not contribute to the Roth IRA. So you might be able to convert but unable to contribute any more to the new ROTH.
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21
Volume 30, Issue 1
TODAY’s
Thoughts
And it’s winter before we know it....
You know, time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years.
It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my
mate. And yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I
know that I lived them all...
And I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams... But, here it
is..the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise... How did I get here so fast? Where
did the years go and where did my babies go? And where did my youth go?
I remember well.. seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people
were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine
fully what it would be like... But, here it is...my friends are retired and really getting gray...
they move slower and I see an older person now. Lots are in better shape than me... but, I
see the great change... Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant... but,
like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see
and never thought we’d be.
Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a
nap is not a treat anymore...it’s mandatory! Cause if I don’t on my own free will...I just fall
asleep where I sit!
And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and
the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!! But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I’m not sure how long it will last...
this I know, that when it’s over...its over....Yes , I have regrets. There are things I wish
I hadn’t done ,,,,,things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I’m happy to
have done. It’s all in a lifetime....
So, if you’re not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you
think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don’t put
things off too long!!
Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your
winter or not!
You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life...so, live for good today and
say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...and hope that they appreciate
and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!!
“Life is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after.
Make it a fantastic one.”
LIVE IT WELL!!----ENJOY TODAY!!!!-----DO SOMETHING FUN!!!---BE HAPPY!!!----BE THANKFUL!!!!!
22
Owners News
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Your fences need to be horse-high, pigtight, and bull-strong.
Keep skunks and bankers and lawyers at a
distance.
Life is simpler when you plow around the
stump.
A bumble bee is considerably faster than a
John Deere tractor.
Words that soak into your ears are
whispered...not yelled.
Meanness don’t jes’ happen overnight.
Forgive your enemies. It messes up their
heads.
Do not corner something that you know is
meaner than you.
It don’t take a very big person to carry a
grudge.
Every path has a few puddles.
When you wallow with pigs, expect to get
dirty.
The best sermons are lived, not preached.
Most of the stuff people worry about ain’t
never gonna happen, anyway.
Don’t judge folks by their relatives.
Remember that silence is sometimes the
best answer.
Live a good, honorable life. Then when you
get older and think back, you’ll enjoy it a
second time.
Don’t interfere with somethin’ that ain’t
botherin’ you none.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of
a rain dance.
If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing
to do is stop diggin’.
Sometimes you get, and sometimes you
get got.
The biggest troublemaker you’ll ever have
to deal with, watches you from the mirror
every mornin’.
Always drink upstream from the herd.
Good judgment comes from experience,
and a lotta that comes from bad
www.koaowners.org
KOA Go With The
Flow Financing
From Independence Bank
• Easy one-page loan application. • No down payment required.
• Qualify at a competitively priced interest rate.
• You and IB agree on a revenue split, typically less than 75 percent of the revenue
generated by the lodge, that estimates paying
off the loan in 5 to 6 years.
• Make lodge payments only when your lodge
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is rented, which minimizes your risk.
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• If lodge rents better than
expected, your loan is
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paid off early.
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• The loan may be paid
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off early, with
0DULH
no pre-payment
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penalties.
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Havre, Montana
(406) 265-1241 • (800) 823-2274
www.ibyourbank.com
January/February/March 2010
An Old Farmer’s Advice:
23
Volume 30, Issue 1
2010 Associate Members List
These companies pay $200 a year to support our association. Please remember to purchase their products and
patronize their businesses.
Allied Specialty Insurance
Rick D’Aprile
10451 Gulf Blvd
Treasure Island, FL 33706
Phone: (727) 367-6900
daprile@alliedspecialty.com
campground insurance
Anderson’s Brochures Distributors
Skip & Judy Deegans
PO Drawer 467
Lweisburg, WV 24901
Phone: (866) 645-1897
brochureservice@mac.com
Campbell Insurance Agency
Craig & Kirk Campbell
PO Box 1695
Harrison, AR 72602
Phone: (870) 741-5423
Fax: (870) 741-4714
ciagency@alltel.net
www.insuretheoutdoors.com
Insurance
Chadwick Mft. Co
Allen Smith
224 N Main St
Chadwick, IL 61014
Phone: (800) 732-4602
Fax: (815) 684-5160
sales@chadwickmfg.com
www.chadwickmfg.com
Picnic Tables & Grills
Easton Corporation-RV Park Hook Ups
Kathleen Kullberg; Greg Storck
149 Warwick Court
Williamsburg, VA 23185
Phone: (800) 723-8009; (757) 258-8800
Fax: (757) 258-8805
rvsales@eaton.com
www.marinapower.com
Electrical power hookups, digital electronic
meters, and light bollards. We also
custom build power substations and
we sell transformers, wire and panels.
Complementary electrical layout design is also
available.
24
Ez-Dock
Alissa Jones
878 E US Hwy 60
Monett, MO 65708
Phone: (417) 354-2650
Fax: (417) 235-2232
alissa.jones@miraclerec.com
www.ez-dock.com
Provides modular floating dock systems for
business and personal waterfront properties.
Darrell Hess & Associates
Darrel Hess
367 Dellwood Rd.
Bldge E, Ste 2
Waynesville, SC 28786
Phone: (828) 452-1535
Fax: (828) 452-3180
hess@campgroundsforsale.com
www.CampgroundsForSale.com
Real Estate-RV parks & campgrounds
Gattuso Distributing, Inc.
Denise & Pat Gattuso
1576 Wald Rd
New Braunfels, TX 78132
Phone: (830) 620-1618
Fax: (830) 620-1642
gattusopat@aol.com
www.gattusodistributing.com
Summer/Water Items
Gerber Manufacturing
Chuck Gerber
2917 Latham Dr.
Madison, WI
Phone: (800) 393-9923
Fax: (608) 271-1920
sales@gerbertableds.com
www.gerbertables.com
Picnic Tables, benches, grills
H.U.B. International
Aaron Linden
PO Box 6006
Sheridan, WY 82801
(800) 300-4370
Aaron.linden@hubinternational.com
Offering a myriad of insurance products on
a national scale.
Independence Bank
Miles Hamilton/Mym Cichoz
PO Box 2090
Havre, MT 59501
Phone: (800) 823-2274
Fax: (406) 262-2173
mymc@ibyourbank.com
www.ibyourbank.com
Loan development programs
Jax LTD., Inc.
Cindy Levine
141 Cheshire Land
Minneapolis, MN 55441
Phone: (763) 449-9699
Fax: (763) 449-9695
fun@jaxgames.com
www.jaxgames.com
The fun and games people. Exceptional
family games including the long –time
favorite, SEQUENCE game.
Designed for providing entertainment for
family and friends.
Leavitt Recreation &
Hospitality Insurance
Stacy Torneton
1001 Lazelle St
Sturgis, SD 57785
Phone: (800) 525-2060
Fax: (605) 347-0296
Stacy-torneten@leavitt.com
www.lrhinsurance.com
Property and casualty insurance for RV parks
& campgrounds
McNeil & Company-Advensure
Steve Gulini
PO Box 5670
Cortland, NY
Phone: (800) 822-3747 x 124
Fax: (607) 756-6225
sgulini@mcneilandcompany.com
www.mcneilandcompany.com
Provides insurance and risk management for
RV parks and campgrounds
Owners News
Miracle Recreation
Don Hemingway
878 E US Hwy 60
Monett, MO 65708
Phone: (417)354-2640
Fax:  417)235-2232
alissa.jones@miraclerec.com
Water sports/docks
Pacific Yurts
Pete Dolan
77456 Hwy 99 S.
Cottage Grove, OR 97427
Phone: (800) 944-0240
Fax: (541) 942-0508
info@yurts.com
www.yurts.com
The original designer & manufacturer of the
modern yurt, offers a unique alternative to
cabins 7 meeting halls for generating revenue.
The highest quality design, materials &
customer service backed by the industry leader
Texas Meter & Device Co
Steve Swenke
PO Box 154099
Waco, TX 76715
Phone: (800) 247-5116
Fax: (254) 799-0266
info@texasmeter.com
www.texasmeter.com
Remanufactured and new electric meters and
metering equipment
Utility Supply
Wade Elliott
PO Box 267
Preston, WA 98050
Phone: (800) 800-2811
Fax: (425) 222-7845
info@go-usg.com
www.go-usg.com
Distribution Panels
THE FIRST DOCK OF ITS KIND... THE LAST DOCK YOU WILL EVER NEED.
Phelps Honey Wagon
Jaylene Shannon
158 Whiskey Spring Rd
Dillsburg, PA 17019
Phone: (800) 463-3707
Fax: (717) 502-1090
info@phelpshoneywagon.com
www.phelpshoneywagon.com
Make full service sites available without the
expense of an in-ground sewage system. Pump
your own portapotties or holding tanks.
Southeast Publishing USA., Inc.
Peter Warrick
4360 Peters Road
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33317
Phone: 800) 832-3292
Fax: (954) 583-4109
kurtis@sepub.com
www.sepub.com
site maps, publishing, printing
www.koaowners.org
EZ DOCK
WORKS FOR YOU
Patented
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modular design
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(meets ADA guidelines)
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Plus, with our full line of slides, swim ladders, fishing piers, benches, and easy-to-use
boat and PWC lifts, EZ Dock can help you create your ideal waterfront environment.
Visit www.ez-dock.com or call 1-800-654-8168 to find the representative near you.
1-800-654-8168
www.ez-dock.com
January/February/March 2010
R.J. Thomas Mfg
Pilot Rock
Robert Simonsen
PO Box 946
Cherokee, IA 51012
Phone: (800) 762-5002
Fax: (712) 225-5796
pilotrock@rjthomas.com
www.pilotrock.com
Picnic tables, benches, charcoal grills, campfire
rings, trash and recycling receptacles and lids,
latern poles, flag poles, bike racks, pet waste
stations, picnic table covers, fire starters, more.
Since 1959
25
Volume 30, Issue 1
PRESS RELEASE
Custom-Fit Tablecovers
585-787-9620 – Fax 585-787-9666
811 Ridge Rd., Suite 100, Webster, NY 14580
Kwik Cover Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Person: Bernie Puglisi
Company Name: Kwik Covers
Phone: 866-586-9620
FAX: 585-787-9666
Email Address: info2@kwikcovers.com
Website URL: www.kwikcovers.com
“COVER YOUR CAN”
Now Available for 33 Gallon Garbage Cans!
Rochester, NY – FEBRUARY 2010 - The Kwik-Can Cover is an innovative new way to cover
33 and 55 gallon barrels. Most metal barrels quickly become dented and rusty requiring
continuous maintenance to re-paint them year-after-year... if it even gets done at all. Even the
newer plastic drums become an eye-sore after a short period of time. The Kwik-Can Cover is
simply a plastic sleeve which utilizes elastic at the top and bottom to hold the cover on the can.
You simply slide the cover down over the can and you’re left with a clean, pleated look. KwikCan Covers are packaged 50 per carton and are stocked in white, black, royal blue, black& white
check and their new patriotic design for 55 gallon cans. Their new 33 gallon covers are available
in white or black only.
Kwik-Covers warehouse and ship from their fulfillment centers in Syracuse, NY and Carson, CA.
For more information about Kwik-Can Covers or a free sample, call toll-free 866-586-9620 or
visit us at www.kwikcovers.com
###
55 Gallon
55 Gallon- BLK/W Check
33 Gallon
Version C
26
Owners News
PRESS RELEASE
Custom-Fit Tablecovers
585-787-9620 – Fax 585-787-9666
811 Ridge Rd., Suite 100, Webster, NY 14580
Kwik Cover Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Person: Bernie Puglisi
Company Name: Kwik Covers
Phone: 866-586-9620
FAX: 585-787-9666
Email Address: info2@kwikcovers.com
Website URL: www.kwikcovers.com
Introducing Kwik-Covers in Convenient Variety Packages!!
Rochester, NY – FEBRUARY 2010: Kwik-Covers introduces their new Variety Pack in a
convenient shipper display case. Simply cut the bottom of the outer case… slide it off and you’ve
got a handy Point of Purchase display perfect for countertops or shelves. The Kwik-Cover is a
lightweight “fitted” vinyl table cover that features elastic edging to hold it in place. This easy-touse “plastic-with-elastic” specialty cover stays tight on tables even in the wind. Their new 48
count Variety Pack contains 12 covers each in 4 popular colors…red, white, blue and red gingham.
Variety packs are available for 6’ and 8’ banquet as well as 60” round table sizes. Kwik-Covers
may be re-ordered in dozen quantities with their new refill packs.
Kwik-Covers are great for covering tables from backyard parties…to church festivals…to tables
for children’s arts and craft projects. They even fit standard size picnic tables. With KwikCovers, there’s no longer a need for time consuming rolls of plastic which require the use of
scissors, staples, tape or tacks. It’s literally “a snap” to cover tables with the Kwik-Cover. All
Kwik-Cover products are made strong enough to clean and re-use or can be disposed of making
clean-up a breeze….it’s up to you. Kwik-Covers warehouse and ship from their fulfillment centers
in Syracuse, NY and Carson, CA. For more information about Kwik-Covers or a free sample, call
toll-free 866-586-9620 or visit us at www.kwikcovers.com.
January/February/March 2010
###
www.koaowners.org
Version D
27
Volume 30, Issue 1
2010 CK&CWUW
“Jumpstart your fundraising”
May 14th is the 2010 CK&CWUW challenge!!!
Our goal is to raise $137,500.00. This will not only be matched by Oscar Tang in 2010, it will also be
matched in 2011!!!
Please take part in this fantastic fundraiser. It can only be accomplished with a team effort. It’s not just
a free night…It’s a kickoff to our 2010 fundraising season!!! Try a new event. Get your kampers and
volunteers involved. Give that extra effort and together lets generate more kamper nights and bonus $$$
for KOA Care Camps.
For those of you that already use great fundraising ideas and successful events, I hope you have sent them
to our Care Camps office, and if you haven’t done so yet please forward them by email at info@koaowner.
org or by fax at 205-823-2760. We will put together “Recipes for Fundraising” and share them with the
whole system.
We announced the introduction of pledge forms for the CK&CWUW at the auction in Houston. By the end
of that night we had $30,000.00 pledged! We are off to a great start! These pledge forms are available in
this issue as well as on ekamp.
By mid February we have 392 Kampgrounds registered for the 2010 CK&CWUW! If you do the math this works out to about $350.00 per kampground.
I BELIEVE-DO YOU BELIEVE!!!
Keep your eye on Kampsight, as you log on you will see our current total in pledges.
Once the CK&CWUW is over we will show the actual dollars raised.
“Together let’s watch it grow”
Thank you for participating,
Mike Kuper
Chairman KOA Care Camps
28
Owners News
Pledge for 2010
Come Kamp & Care with Us Weekend
As you know, for the last three years all the money collected by the franchisees on
that 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 43 cancer
camps that requested help from us. We would like to ask Oscar Tang continue
his support of KOA Care Camps and he has asked something from us in return.
In the spirit of a friendly challenge he is asking the KOA franchisees to do their
best. For the 2010 CK&CCW, if the franchisee’s raise $100,000 he will match
it by 50%, if they raise $125,000 or over he will match that amount 100% and if the franchisees reach
$137,500 there will be an automatic fund match for 2011! I believe that by working together we can reach
over that goal and show Mr. Tang how much WE Care. To that end I am asking if you would please sign the
pledge below and name an amount that you will do your best to reach next spring.
“ I ____________________ of Campground _______________________do hereby pledge that my
And please be sure to mail what you’ve raised for the National Care Camp Office no later than June 15th,
2010 in order to be included in the matching funds total. Remember “High achievement always takes place
in the framework of high expectation.”
Charles F. Kettering
Name:_______________________________________________________________________________
Campground:_________________________________________________________________________
Phone:___________________________________Email:______________________________________
www.koaowners.org
January/February/March 2010
campground will raise at least $_____________during the Come Kamp & Care with Us Weekend in 2010.
29
Volume 30, Issue 1
New York State Owners Association
Gift to Camp Good Days and Special Times
This past August, owners of the KOA Canandaigua/
Rochester Kampground invited staff from Camp
Good Days and Special Times to tour and visit the
operation. At the same time, a $10,000 check was
presented by the New York State Owners Assoc. to
Gary Mervin, Chairman of Camp Good Days. From
left to right: Victor and Kathy Arsenault, owners; Gary
Mervin; Gail Allen, CCCWU Committee, Curtis and
Kim Chance, Workercampers; and Ruth and Shelby
Aucoin, Workercampers.
Camp Good Days and Special Times, Inc., a 501(c)3
not-for-profit organization is dedicated to improving
Photo from Victor and Kathy Arsenault
the quality of life for children, adults and families
whose lives have been touched by cancer and other life challenges through summer camping experiences
and year-round events and activities.
Camp Good Days and Special Times, Inc. was founded over 30 years ago by Gary Mervis to provide a
residential camping program for his daughter, Teddi Mervis, and 62 other children with cancer from Upstate
New York, and has grown to become one of the largest organizations of its kind in the world. Camp Good
Days was the fourth program of its kind in the country and the first to be started by a layperson.
What was started to provide a residential camping experience for Teddi and 62 other children with cancer from
Upstate New York (21 from Rochester; 21 from Buffalo; 21 from Syracuse) in 1979 has grown to become one
of the largest organizations of its kind in the country. Many of the programs and services started right here
at Camp Good Days have been used as models for cancer treatment centers and organizations throughout
the United States and Canada. This past summer, over 1500 children, including children with cancer from
several foreign countries, participated and experienced the magic of Camp Good Days firsthand at our own
beautiful Recreational Facility, located on the shores of Keuka Lake.
All of the programs and services at Camp Good Days and Special Times, provided to many children and their
families, are offered free of charge for the participants. The only reason we are able to continue doing this is
because of our many successful fundraising events and the generous donations from very special individuals
and organizations in our community.
Camp Good Days maintains our own Recreational Facility, located on the shores of Keuka Lake, where the
residential camping programs take place. The Camp Good Days’ Headquarters & Volunteer Training Center is
located in Mendon, NY and Camp Good Days also maintains offices in Buffalo, Syracuse, and Ithaca, NY.
30
Owners News
www.koaowners.org
31
January/February/March 2010
Volume 30, Issue 1
KOA Owners Association
3416 Primm Lane
Birmingham, AL 35216
KOA Owners Association Owners News
3416 Primm Lane
Birmingham, AL 35216
To submit articles or request advertising
information, write to the above address or
use the following contact information:
c/o Jim Ranieri
Telephone: 800-678-9976 or
205-824-0022
Fax: 205-823-2760
Email: jim@koaowners.org
Email other than newsletter information:
info@koaowners.org
Publication: Owners News is published
six times per year by the KOA Owners
Association.
Printing services are donated by
Southeast Publications USA, Inc.
Telephone: 800-832-3292
32
Owners News