Happy Holidays!

It is again the time of year, when all of us look forward to celebrating the reason for the season, and special time set aside for family and close friends.

 

As we celebrate this Holiday Season, we want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank each and every one of our camping customers for camping with us in 2012, and we look forward to seeing you again in the new year!  

 

We appreciate all of our wonderful camping families, and from our family to yours, we wish you a Very Happy Holidays!

 

Sincerely,

 

Tim & Robyn Chilson, Owners 

Breaking News - Awards & Honors!

We attended KOA’s 50^th Anniversary Convention in Orlando Florida in November.  Not only did we get to attend the 50^th Anniversary Convention of the world’s leading camping franchise (and one of the top 10 franchises in the world!), and the largest camping trade show that we’ve ever attended, and the KOA Care Camps Auction that raised over $376,000 to help support camps for children with cancer, but we were honored to be presented the 2013 KOA President’s Quality Award.  It was a thrilling convention that we will not soon forget!

The 2013 KOA President’s Award is an award that is based on us receiving high marks from KOA Quality Inspectors along with receiving high marks and ratings from you, our camping customers for our facilities cleanliness, fun family activities, and of course, of for our customer service in 2012. 

We thank all of you for making this award possible.  We received over 200 survey responses from you rating us in the company of some of the very best campgrounds in the country!  We truly couldn’t achieve this award without you!  Our Trailer Life rating (9/9*/9) places us well within the top 5% of campgrounds in the country.  Our KOA President’s Award places us above that!    

First and foremost, we love our camping families.  We’re very blessed to have so many wonderful families who camp with us year after year.  Many of our campers have been camping with us for over 13 years!  It doesn’t seem possible that it’s been that long, but we just celebrated our 13^th year of ownership.  We have so enjoyed watching your children grow up (hard to believe some are now in college!), and our good fortune to share many, many, summer camping adventures with your families!  We sincerely thank you.  Serving you is truly, our pleasure!

We just returned from the Pennsylvania Campground Owners Convention (PCOA), where we received awards for the best brochure in PA and the best promotional piece in PA for 2012!  The coolest part about winning these awards is because we owe these awards to you, our customers too! 

Our brochure for 2012 was a result of photos that were selected as winners in our 2011 Facebook Photo Contest!  We want you to know that we appreciate you participating in our Facebook Contests, and those photos of yours were winners not only for you, but for us as well!  Thank you again for submitting your photos and participating and sharing your photos of your children having fun!

We also owe our printer, Rick Morgan of Print King (http://www.printking.net/) from Cranberry, PA a huge thank you for the great and absolutely beautiful job he did on our brochure!  The photos were sharp, the print easy to read, and the color’s attracted the eye (as per the contest judges comments)!  If you want a quality printer for brochures to advertise your business, we highly recommend Rick and his team at Print King!  They do a great quality product at a good price!  We love Print King, and think you will too! 

And if that isn’t enough, our best promotional piece was our email blasts program that we email out to campers each month to advertise our upcoming events and activities, campsite and cabin availability, specials and discounts, and much more!  And, it’s you, our customers, who also make this program a success!  If you didn’t call to book that reservation, interact with that link, or disengaged with that program (removed yourself from the distributions list), it would be a miserable failure.  So we thank you for camping with us, and participating in our special weekends, promotions, and discount offers!  We thank you!

Each award we received this fall, involved you, our customers.  Some might say, “Isn’t that ironic?”  To us it makes perfect sense because without you, our camping customers, we don’t exist at all.  So to us, it’s only fitting that because of you, we’re a top rated campground that has won quality awards based on your customer feedback, your photos submitted for our camping contests, and email promotions that you receive and engage with to receive special offers, discounts, and more!  That makes perfect sense to us, because we truly have some of the best camping families who camp with us!  We have great campers who in many cases aren’t just camping customers, they are friends too!  Thank you for being great customers, the people that you are, great friends, and for making our campground the great and fun place to camp that it is!  We get lots of great comments on how nice and friendly our campers are, and we of course again owe that thanks to you!

And, we’re proud and honored to also announce that Tim Chilson was honored at the PCOA Convention for completing two consecutive terms (4 years) of service on the PCOA Board of Directors as Regional Director for Northwest PA, a 15 County Region.  Tim’s service as Regional Director has ended, but he was asked to fill a vacancy left by a resignation of another officer, and so Tim has accepted the position of PCOA Regional Vice President for all of Western PA (Regions 1 & 2).  We continue to serve not only our customers but our industry as well, as we continue to strive to make camping experiences better across PA.      

As our service to you, our state association, and our industry continues, we want to thank you, our camping customers again for providing us the opportunity to serve such a great industry, with so many great camping families as our customer base!  We’re so honored and fortunate to be able to do this.  And it’s all because of you, our great customers! 

We thank you, as always, for camping with us and your great feedback, and we look forward to seeing you again this summer at Meadville KOA!

By Robyn Chilson

Tim & Robyn Chilson own and operate Meadville KOA Campground in Meadville, PA.  Robyn can be reached at 814-789-3251 or at www.MeadvilleKOA.com

Have you Thought About Seasonal Camping?

As autumn gives way to winter, most campers’ thoughts turn to the chore of winterizing their RV’s to place them in storage for the long, cold non-camping season ahead.  Instead, turn your thoughts to next summer, and begin planning your family’s vacation and recreation time!  Here are some reasons why seasonal camping may make good sense for your family and some tips on how to shop for and compare seasonal camping sites!

There is convenience!  Camping is a lot of fun for the whole family, but let’s face it, there’s work involved too.  You have to pack, hook-up, tow, unhook, set up camp, tear down camp, hook-up, tow, unhook, and unpack.  Seasonal camper campers don’t have to do all that.   You get to spend a lot more time camping and enjoying your family and a whole lot less time working! 

Save money!  Recent studies have documented that camping is the least expensive way to vacation with your family.  Take that thinking one step further and you will see why seasonal camping is the least expensive way to vacation with your family all summer long!  A seasonal campsite costs less then one week long vacation at a resort.  So why not enjoy your RV every weekend, all summer long, for less than the price of one vacation?  Now that’s being a thrifty shopper!

Shorter Commute!  Towing creates wear and tear on your RV, your tow vehicle, and on you, the driver!  There are also fuel and maintenance costs associated with weekend travel.  So unless your family is determined to try a new place each weekend, why not camp at your favorite campground for the whole summer?  The money you save in wear and tear, and by not towing will more than offset your extra expenditures on gas to get you back and forth each weekend! 

The Price is right!  When you compare unlimited camping rates to overnight camping, the discount you get by being a seasonal camper is huge!  Most campgrounds provide similar services and activities, but ask about extras!  Some campgrounds provide all inclusive seasonal rates and some do not.  Make sure you know exactly what your expenses will be before you sign that Seasonal Camping Agreement!   When you do the math, you’ll find that the price is right!    

Think Location, Location, Location, versus price.  The more centrally located a campground is to a large metropolitan area, the more likely their rates will be higher.  A little longer commute may provide you even bigger savings in a lower seasonal camping rates! 

What park type fits your family’s needs?  That means that if you’re looking for a family campground, make sure the place you’re becoming a seasonal isn’t a party haven!  Can you count on them to provide fun, family oriented activities for the entire family?  Are there fun things to do that will keep the kids or grandkids busy and having fun?  Does your prospective campground provide them at no additional cost or are there extra fees?  Again, make sure you know those details.

Right now is the perfect time to select a site!  Most campgrounds have a few openings for next season in the fall, so it’s the perfect time to shop for a campsite!  Many have winter payment plans, and some may even include onsite winter storage!  If you normally pay for a storage facility, that’ll save you even more money!   

Save more by getting an early bird discount!  You can save even more money by  paying for your campsite early.  Many campgrounds provide discounts or rebates for those who their campsite off in full early!  Again, ask those questions, because the money you save can be big! 

Meet new people!  Seasonal campers are like a small community.  They become friends, hang out, play cards or yard games, have group campfires, their children become friends, and much more!  Many volunteer to help with activities and events and bring lots of fun to their camping environment in a family-friendly way!  What a great way to meet new people and make new friends!    

Make the right choice!  The closer you camp to where you live the better it is!  That is how you’ll get the most use out of your RV!  But remember, the experience isn’t just something, it’s everything!  It’s much better to drive a little further for that higher rating, those award-winning activities, or those special friends you love to camp with!  Don’t sacrifice quality for closer. 

Seasonal camping maximizes your summer vacation time and use of your RV while minimizing your expenses!  It can provide your family a summer full of fun, family oriented camping experiences for about the same price as one vacation!  Make sure you take a little time to consider that idea, and how it can help your family get the biggest bang for your buck next summer!  Then, we hope you’ll start looking at local campgrounds and thinking about becoming a seasonal camper!  It’s not too late to move onto a site this fall!  Campground owners are looking forward to talking with you and showing you all the fun events and activities we’re already planning for next summer!  If you're thinking about seasonal camping in NWPA area, we hope you'll come give Meadville KOA a good look! 

By Robyn Chilson

Tim & Robyn Chilson own and operate Meadville KOA Campground in Meadville, PA.  Robyn can be reached at 814-789-3251.

Come Enjoy Halloween In September!

At Meadville KOA, we do Halloween in September.  Generally, the weather is little better than in October, and we’re not competing with other campgrounds who do their Halloween Events on or near Halloween. 

Halloween is a big deal.  Kids love trick or treating, parents love the creativity, and it’s just good, family fun!  If you’re looking for some family fun this fall, then come to Meadville KOA!  We have some great Halloween (and other autumn) event weekends in store for your family!  But you better reserve now, because the weekends are upon us!   

This Weekend, Sept. 22, we have Haunted Campsites & Pumpkinfest Weekend! – This is a great weekend for tweens & teens!  We’ll have free crafts with the younger kids, and free pumpkin carving for teens, and then enjoy free pumpkin treats like pumpkin cake and ice cream!  Turn your campsite into a Haunted Campsite!  Big prizes (Free Camping) for 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd Scariest with Best Pumpkin Theme!  Tweens & Teens, join us on our pumpkin scavenger hunt!  Find a magic pumpkin and bring it to the store before you leave for your prize!  (* 2 night min. at holiday rate.  Leave your RV for free if you’re coming back next weekend!)        

Next weekend, September 29 is Our Halloween Weekend!  We have costume contest (prizes for all ages), trick or treating, apple cider, donuts, after dark glowing wagon ride, and a Sunday morning free all you can eat pancake breakfast with the purchase of your campsite (for 2 adults and 2 children)! We have a campsite decorating contest!  Prizes for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Day & Night time!  Breakfast is just $3.00/person for visitor’s & extra camper’s!  (* 2 night min. at holiday rate.  Leave your RV for free if you’re coming back next weekend!)        

October 6 is our Our Applefest Weekend!  (Save $5.00 per night this weekend!  Discount Code CD)  Or, Bring a friend who never camped at Meadville KOA before and you each get a night free, when you each buy one! Ask for Discount Code C1! Come join us and enjoy the flavors of the season!  We’ll have free crafts for kids, an apple dessert dish to pass social, and an afternoon wagon ride to enjoy the foliage!  This is Franklin Applefest(tm) Weekend!  (+ Leave your RV for free if you’re coming back next weekend!) 

October 13 is our Customer Appreciation Weekend!  (Save $10.00 per night on your campsite if you camped with us earlier this summer!  Discount Code CA)  Or, Bring a friend who never camped at Meadville KOA before and you each get a night free, when you each buy one!  Ask for Discount Code C1.  Adults & Children play Farkle (a dice game!)  Winners go home with a pocket Farkle game as the prize!  Then, we’re having a free pizza party after the Tournament!  The Fall Saegertown Steam and Gas Engine Show is this weekend!  (+ Leave your RV for free if you’re coming back next weekend! 

October 20 is our Special Discount Weekend!  (Save $10.00 per night on your camp-site!)  Or, Bring a friend who never camped at Meadville KOA  before and you each get a night free, when you buy one!  Ask for discount code C1!  This is our last camping weekend for this season!  Please note that all amenities may not be functional this weekend!

If you don’t own an RV, don’t panic!  We have a camping cabin, kitchenette cottage cabin, and deluxe lake-front lodges to rent so your family doesn’t have to miss any of the fun!  And all of our autumn campsites and cabins (unless otherwise noted) are at our lower autumn rates!  Come enjoy some autumn camping with your family!            

By Robyn Chilson
Tim & Robyn Chilson Own and Operate Meadville KOA Campground. You can contact her at 814-789-3251.

Autumn Camping is Awesome Camping!

As summer comes to an end, the autumn season begins, and that means it’s time to go autumn camping! Why not enjoy the fall foliage, fun fall festivals, and more! Here are few examples of awesome autumn camping adventures that await you!














Attend Fall Festivals! There are Autumn Leaf Festivals, Applefests, Pumkin Fests, and more! So if you haven’t been camping and attended one of these great local autumn events, the only question remaining is, why not? The festivals are fun, and it lengthens your camping season!

The Price is Right! Off season camping generally means off season (lower) rates! You save money when you camp in the off season! And because demand for those sites are lower, the campgrounds are less busy (except for special event weekends), which means you get a quiet, more relaxing, camping atmosphere!

The Weather Is Good! Ahhh, the cool evenings make a campfire all that more enjoyable. Enjoy a cup of spiced apple cider, s’mores, and a camper pie by the campfire on a cool autumn evening. There’s nothing like it! And is it just me, or does everything taste better over that autumn campfire?

Attend Special Event Weekends! Many private campgrounds provide special event weekends during the autumn months to draw in more campers and RVers! Why not take the kids to a Halloween Weekend filled with trick or treat, costume and campsite decorating contests complete with a Sunday breakfast? Or, attend a Pumpkin Fest Weekend with roasted pumpkin seeds, pumpkin carving and other pumpkin themed activities? Or to an Applefest! There's so much to do and see!

The Fall Foliage Peak Is In Early October! The fall foliage is usually at its peak the first and second weeks in October. Why not choose a campground that is centrally located to the area where you’d like to foliage sight-see, and do some foliage gazing in the area around your base camp! Don’t forget your camera!

Autumn Star Gazing Is Awesome! If you’re a star gazer, you already know that late summer and early fall give rise to some awesome planetary and star gazing opportunities. If you aren’t a star gazer, now is as good of time to start as any! So look up and learn! And don’t forget that star gazing at a campout equals a trip to the local planetarium! So the kids can learn about the stars right there at your campsite at no extra charge!

There are lots of fun special event weekends, fall festivals, football games, stars, and fall foliage to see! All of these great camping & RVing adventures await you! Go camping or RVing and explore the world around you!

By Robyn Chilson
Tim & Robyn Chilson Own and Operate Meadville KOA Campground. You can contact her at 814-789-3251.

Camper Courtesy – What’s it all about?

Camping is a great way to meet new families!  Whether you camp in a deluxe lodge, a camping cabin, tent, pop up, or RV there are is no better way to get your family outside and enjoying quality time together in the great out of doors!  No doubt about it, campers all look forward to being outdoors and going biking, hiking, fishing, and more!  But, we also need to know how to do it in a way that doesn’t offend or intrude on our camping neighbors experience as well!     

Problems arise between campers when someone invades, interrupts, or disrespects the other camper’s space.  Below, we’ve created a list of items that are just good courtesy to your camping neighbors.  If you practice these rules, you’ll be a good camping neighbor!  And hopefully, your neighbors will practice them too.   

Quiet Hours:  Most campgrounds have posted quiet hours.  Respect those, and you and your neighbor will get along fine.  People with very young children, appreciate that their children aren’t awakened by the campers next door.  The same is true of older campers, who may go to bed earlier.  Making excessive noise should be avoided at all times, not just during quiet hours.  No one wants to listen to parents screaming at their children, domestic disputes, or loud music blasting at any hour of the day or night.  What’s the measure for too loud?  If it can be heard on the next campsite, it is too loud.  

• Pet Rules: Nothing is more irritating then a camper who locks their pet in an RV, leaves for the day, and the neighbors can’t sit out at their campfire because they dog is barking non-stop for hours on end.  It’s not fair to your pet, the camping neighbors, nor the campground owners.  The other problem is retractable leashes and pet owners allowing their pets to do their business in other people’s campsites.  Walk your pet in the pet walk area, clean up after it, keep it leashed, and keep it quiet.  Pets are without question, the #1 area of complaints that campground owners get.
• Trespassing: It sounds silly, but your neighbor’s campsite is your neighbor’s campsite.  Please don’t park your third vehicle on it, assuming they don’t care.  Don’t allow your children to cut through their campsite on the way the to or from the shower house or playground.  Not only is it rude, it’s also dangerous.  There could be a fire ring (or other obstacle) to trip over, a dog lead you don’t see, or a pet that will be startled and bite you.  That is the way that most dog bites happen in parks.  And if the camper were being a courteous camper, they wouldn’t have gotten bitten.
• Follow The Rules: You would be astonished at how many people pay no attention to the campground rules.  Most campgrounds have rules, for the protection of their campers.  Make sure you get a copy and read the rules at each campground you go to.  They may differ slightly from campground to campground, but most are pretty standard.  They are there to ensure safety, security, and courtesy for you and others.
• Check-in/Check-out times:  Be punctual.  If you are checking out, and check-out time is 2:00, please be sure that you are departed at or before 2:00.  The next camper may be sitting in the parking lot ready to come onto that site.  Your late departure becomes an inconvenience to the next person.  We’re confident you wouldn’t want the camper before you, to make you wait for the campsite you reserved.  Be courteous, and don’t do it to the next camper.  Pay it forward.
• Leave the site like you found it.  There is nothing worse, then pulling onto a campsite with the garbage still sitting on it or worse yet scattered around the campsite.  Make sure you take your refuse to the dumpster.  Don’t burn plastics!  Don’t place non-burnables in the fire ring, and leave the campsite as nice, or nicer than it was when you found it.  Not only will the campground owner appreciate it, but the next camper will too.    
• If you have an issue, report it!  Whether you have an issue with a camping neighbor, the wi-fi isn’t working, the bath room needs attention, or there is an electrical problem, report it.  If you report it, it provides the business owner a chance to fix this issue and make your camping experience better.  

Following these simple rules, may seem almost a no brainer.  But these are the top complaints we get as campground owners, about other campers.  So, if you’re camping, and you follow these rules of courtesy, hopefully your camping neighbors will too.  When that happens, everyone has a better camping experience. 

We wish you safe and happy kamping where ever your travels take you! 

By Robyn Chilson

Tim & Robyn Chilson own and operate Meadville KOA Campground in Meadville, PA.  Robyn can be reached at 814-789-3251 or at www.MeadvilleKOA.com