Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA) announced the successful conclusion of its 2024 Campground Management Internship Program.
Marking the second year of the initiative, select KOA campgrounds welcomed nine interns from universities across the U.S. this summer as part of its commitment to building future leaders in outdoor hospitality.
The 12-week paid internship program, which ran from mid-May through mid-August, provided students with hands-on experience in campground operations at KOA locations nationwide. Interns were immersed in various aspects of the hospitality industry, ranging from guest services to campground operations and risk management, while also working on specialized projects that offered immediate and long-term benefits to KOA and the outdoor industry.
“I have learned what it is like to work in and manage a campground, by working in all of the KOA campground departments,” said Emilie Villalobos, who worked on sustainable landscaping while an intern at Virginia Beach KOA Holiday. “Additionally, I learned how each department cannot function properly without the others. I have also developed greater communication, teamwork and organizational skills as I worked with my team members and the guests who visited. Getting to explore a new city and environment has been great as I experienced the opposite side of the country and its differences with the west coast.”
As part of the program, interns were required to complete projects that addressed key operational goals, including enhancing efficiencies, creating new revenue streams and updating procedures. This year’s standout projects included:
- National Autism Certification through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCEES)
- Incorporation of native flora and fauna for sustainable landscaping
- KOA Cafe and Campstore refresh to enhance sales
- Piezoelectricity for campground energy solutions
- Development of risk management procedures
- Incorporating alcohol sales into the campground Campstore
Interns also had the opportunity to meet virtually with KOA corporate teams for weekly training sessions, allowing them to learn more about the broader outdoor hospitality industry while staying connected to peers at other campgrounds.
“At KOA, we understand the importance of building our future hospitality leaders,” said Yolawnda Henry, senior vice president of human resources. “Our internship program focuses on developing the next generation of campground operators to ensure our industry has stability and sustainability for years to come.”
Interns were placed at KOA locations all throughout the four corners of the country including Billings KOA Holiday in Montana, Cape Hatteras/Outer Banks KOA Resort in North Carolina, Virginia Beach KOA Holiday in Virginia, Nashville KOA Resort in Tennessee, Niagara Falls/Grand Island Holiday KOA in New York, Yellowstone Park/West Gate KOA Holiday in Montana, Hocking Hills KOA Holiday in Ohio, Blue Ridge/Toccoa River KOA Holiday in Georgia, San Diego Metro KOA Resort in California.
Ali Kieffer, manager at Blue Ridge/Toccoa River KOA Holiday, said, “The KOA Internship program was great! It benefited both the intern and our campground because of the support offered by the KOA Home Office staff. Our intern worked in all aspects of the campground, which allowed him to apply his newfound knowledge from his weekly KOA sessions. In addition, having all of the interns work together to combine their skill sets and campground experiences was another benefit. Our intern loved sharing what he learned from other campgrounds. In turn, this has helped us learn how other campgrounds operate.”
This year’s group of interns hailed from a variety of schools, including Rocky Mountain College, Montana State University, Northern Arizona University, San Diego State University, University of Nevada – Las Vegas and Kent State University, each bringing a unique set of skills and perspectives to develop for the future of outdoor hospitality.
Looking ahead, KOA has secured plans to expand the internship program at up to four additional universities during 2024-25. The company aims to recruit the next cohort of interns for summer 2025, with applications opening in early November at WorkAtKOA.com.
For more information about the KOA Internship Program, including how to apply, visit koa.com/careers
