On Tuesday, April 14, more than 20 owners and managers from 11 Kampgrounds of America campgrounds scattered around North America pulled a chair up to their own computer and became the first KOA University class in history to attend KOA University remotely online.
“In early March, we knew that the COVID-19 epidemic was going to force us to do something entirely different for these new owners,” said Darin Uselman, KOA VP of franchise services. “We had to quickly think outside the box. There are procedures and practices that are vital for these new KOA owners to know and be comfortable with as they open for the season. We went to work figuring out the best way to go forward.”
Kama Humphrey, KOA’s director of training and events, contacted Mike Reid, who’s Colorado production company, Mike Reid Productions, has overseen the technical aspects of the annual KOA International Convention for decades.
Reid and his team had quickly created a platform for online group meetings that allowed for professionally produced content to stream flawlessly to participants, while allowing them to interact online with KOA University instructors and each other.
“We pre-recorded 19 separate sessions with our instructors for KOA University,” Uselman said. “Our staff members at the Kampgrounds of America Home Office have always taught those at KOA University on subjects ranging from staffing to lodging, all of the marketing programs, social media, facilities development, information systems, running a camp store and risk management – just to name a few.”
Each session was followed by a live question and answer session with the instructor. The classes run for five hours each day for three full days.
“Of course, you can’t see the other students, but the information we’ve received has been really good and so important,” said class member Patti Ommen, owner of the Weidman, Mich., KOA Holiday and an April KOA University participant. “The way they worked out the entire program was just great. There was just so much we didn’t know, and now we know the core of it. This way, we really all got involved and are learning so much. I really wouldn’t want to open my campground without knowing what we know now.”
Humphrey said while there is no way to replace the interactions and camaraderie that comes with attending KOA University in person, she and her team did their best. They even created a private Facebook site so participants could get to know each other, share their experiences and show off features of their campgrounds.
“It is so important to ensure that all of our owners feel connected to the rest of the KOA system,” Humphrey said. “We did all we could to ensure that they are still interacting, getting to know us and each other, and that they get the true feeling that they are part of something special by being a KOA owner or manager.”