Kampgrounds of America (KOA) is piloting a new Campground Management Internship Program that will offer undergraduate students hands-on experience in outdoor hospitality management at KOA campgrounds across the United States.
The 12-week Campground Management Internship Program will allow undergrads 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’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 owned and franchised Kampgrounds of Americas 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, Louisiana, and Bethune-Cookman University of Daytona Beach, Florida. 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, Wisconsin; KOA Holiday, Logan/Hocking Hills KOA Holiday in Ohio; Niagara Falls/Grand Island KOA Holiday in New York; Virginia Beach KOA Holiday in Virginia; Orlando Southwest KOA Holiday in Florida; and Tucson/Lazydays KOA Resort in Arizona.
Internships are currently open to students pursuing a degree in business, communications, hospitality management, human resources, entrepreneurship or associated fields of study.
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