North Kingston Ohio Couple Wins $800 of Free Camping & Prizes in Western Pennsylvania!

(Shown in photo above from front left are: Winners Pam & Jeff Harting, and Grandson Charlie, of North Kingston Ohio, Denny Quigley from Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest, Scott Boyer from Boyer RV Center, Tim Chilson from Meadville KOA Campground, Kathy Quigley, Debbie Cepris from Rocky Springs Campground, Elizabeth & Matt May from Presque Isle Passage RV Park & Cabins, Carrie & Todd Weir from Bear Run Campground, Lisa Shadron from Goddards Park Vacationland Campground, Becky & Mark Wineman from Kalyumet Camping and Cabins, Boo-Boo & Tracy Czambel from Yogi Bear Mill Run, Jim Cepris, and Ed Tanski from Buttercup Campground.) 

ERIE, PA (February 8, 2015) – Jeff & Pam Harting of North Kingston, Ohio enjoy camping with friends they call their “camping family” and already had plans to do lots of camping this year.  They just never dreamed that after receiving $800 of free camping in 2014 with the purchase of a fifth wheel RV from Boyer’s RV Center in Erie that they’d wind up winning another $500 of free camping for 2015!  In addition, Boyer RV Center presented them with a gift certificate worth $200.00 of RV supplies from their store and B & R Camper Sales gave them a $100 gift certificate from their store, bringing their total winnings to $800.00!

    

The Harting family was recently named the winners of the fifth annual Very Special Camper Contest (VSC), sponsored by participating campgrounds and RV Dealers in Western Pennsylvania. 

The Harting family, according to Meadville KOA Campground Owner Tim Chilson, were able to enjoy 14 different weekends of camping at the price of 7 weekends, because of the VSC program.  He went on to add, “This program introduces new campers to some of the finest campgrounds in Western Pennsylvania at a special introductory offer of half price camping because they bought a new RV at these local participating dealers!  It’s a one-of-a-kind deal!”   

When asked about what they liked most about the program, Charlie, the Harting’s four-year-old grandson, said he loved swimming the best!  Pam responded that “Western Pennsylvania is beautiful with all the lakes, but we really enjoy the great people we meet while camping!”

Like the Harting family, any camper purchasing a new RV from any of the participating RV dealers receives one night of free camping for a family of four from each of the 24 participating Western Pennsylvania campgrounds.  This program is valued at over $800 of free camping provided by the participating campgrounds.

In addition, any camper who stays at eight or more of the 24 participating campgrounds and RV parks and submits their completed contest entry form within a year of their RV purchase, is entered into a special drawing to receive an additional $500 in gift certificates, which can be used at any campground in the PACamping.com organization.

Denny Quigley, owner of Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest Kampground, said the successful contest will be available again in 2015.  Quigley added that, “Anyone planning to purchase an RV in 2015 can get more information from any participating RV dealer displaying the Very Special Camper 2015 information, or at any of the participating Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association campgrounds which can be which can be found at www.PACamping.com.

Participating Western Pennsylvania RV dealers for 2015 program include Hufnagel & Majors in Harmony; Fame RV Center in Saegertown; Clem’s Trailer Sales in Ellwood City; Starr’s Trailer Sales Brockway; Boyer RV Center in Erie; Brooks Camper Sales Connellsville; and B & R Campers Sales in Butler. 

The participating Western Pennsylvania campgrounds include Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest in Harrisville; Kalyumet Camping & Cabins in Cook Forest; Rose Point Park Cabins & Camping in New Castle; Meadville KOA Campground in Meadville; Goddard Park Vacationland Campground in Sandy Lake; Farma Family Campground in Greenville; Shenango Valley RV Park in Transfer; Pineview Campground in Linesville; Nautical Mile Campground & Marina in Templeton; Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Mill Run; Buttercup Woodlands Campground in Renfrew; Campers Paradise Campground and Cabins in Sigel; Sparrow Pond Family Campground in Waterford; Bear Run Campground in Portersville; Uniontown KOA at River’s Edge; Harts Content Campground in Beaver Falls; Harecreek Campground in Corry; Friendship Village Campground in Bedford; Oil Creek Campground in Titusville; Rocky Springs Campground in Mercer; Presque Isle Passage RV Park & Cabins in Fairview; and Benner’s Meadow Run Camping and Cabins in Farmington, Bear Ridge Campground & RV Resort in Templeton, and Pioneer Park Campground in Somerset.

By Robyn S. Chilson

Robyn owns and operates Meadville KOA Campground with her husband Tim.  She can be reached at 814-789-3251.

Save Money on Your Summer Camping Vacations!

Who doesn’t love to save money? Everyone does, right? So we thought some ideas to help you get the biggest bang for your buck on your summer vacation travel plans were in order. We think these proven methods will help you maximize your summer fun and minimize your summer expenses!

Stay Closer to Home! Camping within 100 to 120 miles (that’s 1 – 2 hours to travel time) of where you live reduces your travel time and expenses, and gets your family enjoying your weekend much sooner for less. Staying closer to home gets you the experience without the expense of a longer distance trip, travel time, and more!

Stay Longer!  Instead of making four, 2-day camping trips with the RV this summer, make three, 3-day stays. You get an extra day of camping in, and the travel expense for only 3 trips! It saves you money on the gas, wear and tear, and is more relaxing!  Many campgrounds offer a stay 7 nights for the price of 6! Make it a staycation, and save even more!

Cook on the Campfire or Grill! Cooking over the campfire is a favorite of campers!   Try new recipes and don’t forget to make s’more or mountain pies! The meal doesn’t have to be elaborate to be loads of family fun! The kids or grand-kids will love making their own dinner and eating it!  Eating at the RV instead of eating out saves big dollars! Maybe even enough to slip in another day, or another whole trip depending upon how many times your family eats out, normally.

Become a KOA member! You don’t have to be a KOA Kampground member to camp with KOA, but there can be some big savings for your family if you are a member! KOA Kampgrounds charge you $27 per year to be a member. You save 10% every time you camp at a KOA Kampground and you get points like a hotel card. The points you earn can be redeemed for discounts and free camping. VKR Members can also take advantage of special offers and KOA Hot Deals, which save you even more! 

KOA has Special Offers: In 2015, when you purchase a campsite on May 8, you get Saturday Night, May 9^th for just $10 at any participating KOA Kampground. On Father’s Day Weekend, Kids Camp Free for all VKR members! And of Course, on VKR Appreciation Weekend in September, you get one night free when you buy one night at all participating KOA Kampgrounds for all VKR members. If you don’t have reservations to camp on these weekends, book them today! With these kinds of savings, even paying the $27.00 for the card makes sense, because you’re still money ahead.       

Check for other Discounts, Free Camping, and Special Offers! Always check out the campground’s private website for discounts and special offers. At Meadville KOA, for example, we offer a hero’s discount on select weekends for fire fighters and police officers to honor their service to our communities. Other examples are our buy one night and get night free weekends on May 15 & 16, and Oct. 9 & 10, when you introduce another family to Meadville KOA for the first-time!  We provide your friend a free night for trying us for the first time and you a free night as a thank you for sharing Meadville KOA with others. We’ve met many new campers because our existing campers recommended us. We thought it’s only fitting to say thank you for sharing Meadville KOA with your friends by providing you both a great discount offer. We also offer returning camper discounts for our campers who camp with us 2 or more times a season!  It’s just another way to say thank you and show you our appreciation. Make sure you visit that discount page, and see how we’re working to help stretch your dollar.

Camp During the Shoulder Season! If you camp before Memorial Day Weekend or After Labor Day Weekend, you should find lower rates. Also, because demand is lower, you might be able to find great special offers that are available. One example is our cabin discount for April – June where you rent a cabin 4 nights for the price of 3! Yes, that’s a 25% discount. It’s a great deal for an early summer, affordable cabin vacation for your family. The rates for RV camping or tent camping sites are lower in the shoulder seasons too. If you used some of our money saving tips, you might even be able to fit in an extra autumn campout with your savings!

Seasonal camping is a great value! Seasonal camping reduces your gasoline costs because you can drive the better mileage vehicle back and forth to camp. It reduces wear and tear on your tow vehicle and RV, your time, and your work. It maximizes the use of your RV and time with your family, and minimizes your work. Why vacation just once a summer, when you could vacation on any days off, all summer long? It’s fun and affordable! It makes a lot of sense, and provides your family that time to get away together that all families need! Call us today and get started planning a very special camping vacation for your family - a whole summer of camping fun for the price of just one vacation! You can check out more info at http://www.meadvillekoa.com/seasonal-camping/.

We hope these simple ideas will help you save money, get provide you more time with your family this summer.  

As always, we hope your plans include Meadville KOA Campground!  Until we see you this spring (hang in there, it’s only 7 weeks away!) we want to wish you and your family a very happy camping season and a great family vacation, where ever your travels take you!  

By Robyn Chilson                                                                                                                  

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

It’s RV Show Season!

RV Shows are a great place to begin your search for local reputable RV dealers.  They are generally scheduled for January & February in the Northeastern US when dealerships are slower. 

RV Shows provide you the opportunity to see newest models and talk to dealerships that you may not have heard of, and reduce your expenses and time by not having to drive to many different dealerships.  As a customer you can see and compare prices, brands, layouts, and more with one stop shopping.  There is always a huge range of quality & prices.  So when comparing units, make sure you’re comparing the prices of like models of differing brands.  One RV may look like another one, but you need to compare the options, construction, equipment, and features they both have to offer. See who offers the best deal but remember if the dealer isn’t reputable or isn’t equipped to work on the RV, or is located too far away to conveniently return the RV for service, your purchase may not turn out to be the best deal.  Don’t be afraid to talk with other RVers at the show. Many of these people have years of RV experience and knowledge of different products and dealerships.  Most will be honest and tell you when and where they’ve gotten the best deals & service.   

We talk to dozens of RV owners each year.  The biggest complaint we hear is that campers bought their RV from one of those big “discount dealers” that is 4-5  hours drive away, have trouble with it, and it’s a pain to take it back to the big discount dealership, and the local dealerships don’t want to work on it.  If you think about it, you can kind of understand their position.  You didn’t buy it from them, and them doing the work and getting the refund from the factory is very time consuming to their business.  Time is money.  That time also means time that they are taking away from serving the customers who did buy from them.  Who can blame them?  If you were their buying customer, you wouldn’t want to stand in line behind a repair for a non-customer, would you?  There you have it.  So, keep that in mind, these small business owners can’t compete with these “Wal-Marts” of the RV industry on price because they buy by volume.  But, those big discount RV Dealerships can’t and don’t offer you that home town  connection, service, and responsiveness that your local RV Dealer can.    

Buying an RV from a local reputable dealer insures you the best possible service, convenience, and shortest distance to travel for maintenance, repairs, & warranty work.  It is always a good idea to visit the dealership’s physical location before you buy, check out their service department, service hours, etc.  In addition, many RV dealers offer show discounts and sometimes manufacturer rebates are available.  So not only do you save money with the one stop shopping, but there are huge savings in the purchase prices!  Show specials also sometimes include discounts or coupons from campgrounds.  So, your new RV sometimes comes with savings to use it, too!

For more information about local RV Dealers who have partnered with campgrounds in Western PA who offer $800.00 in free Camping and a chance to win another $500 of free camping with the purchase of a new RV in a Very Special Camper (VSC) Contest, visit our website at:  http://meadvillekoa.com/discounts/

RV shows aren’t just for RV dealers to showcase new and used RVs.  RV shows offer a wealth of information on the whole RVing industry.  Most campgrounds & RV resorts are slow or closed for the winter.  RV shows allow campgrounds to showcase new activities, special events, new amenities & extended stay (aka seasonal camping) availability to potential campers.  Make sure you stop by their booths and find new places to explore and exciting things to do with your family this summer!   

You can also find information for aftermarket RV products, RV accessories, RVing insurance, Camping or RVing Clubs, Discount Clubs, pick up brochures, camping directories for your state and other states, or the free KOA directory for the whole USA and Canada, and more! 

Even if you don’t intend to by an RV, you can learn about cabin camping!  Many people think of camping as ‘roughing it” with a tent, the ground, the rain, and a less than pleasurable “vacation”.  This is no longer the case.  For the price of a hotel room, most campgrounds are now supplying cabins.  Prices vary by campground and the amenities offered.  Camping cabins are generally the least expensive.  They are generally one room with beds and a table.  Cottage Cabins may offer kitchenettes, or a few more amenities, and deluxe cabins are lodges with deluxe facilities like suits with multiple bedrooms, full kitchens, and bathrooms.  So, there is no requirement to own an RV to have a family fun camping vacation!  You can enjoy the luxury of RVing with a camping vacation in a cabin and not miss any of the campground recreation programs and planned activities! 

Why not pack up the family for a fun winter-day activity and attend one of the local RV shows in your area.  Invite a friend to come along, and enjoy a day of looking forward to a summer camping season filled with friends & fun at these RV Shows: 

Ohio RV Super Show, January 7 – 11, at the I-X Center, Cleveland, OH.  Show Hours: Wed. – Fri. Noon to 9 pm, Sat. 10 am to 10 pm, and Sunday 10 am to 6 pm.  Ticket Pricing: Admission is $12.50/person.  Two Day pass $20.00.  Children 12 & under are free.  Parking is $10.00.  Discount coupons for admission available on their website at:  http://www.ohiorvshow.com/!

Pittsburgh RV Show January 10 - 18  At David Lawrence Convention

Center, Pittsburgh, PA!  Show Hours: Saturdays: 10 am - 9 pm, Sundays: 10 am - 5 pm, Monday through Friday: 4 pm - 9 pm.  Ticket Pricing: $10.00 for Adults, $9.00 Senior (55+), $5.00 Children 6-16.  Monday and Tuesday are BOGO nights!  Buy one adult ticket and get one free!  One dollar off Discount Coupons available online at: http://www.pittrvshow.com/! 

Erie RV Show Feb 5-8 At the Bayfront Convention Center, Erie, PA!  Show Hours: Thursday 2 pm to 8 pm, Friday Noon to 8 pm, Saturday 10 am to 7pm, and Sunday 11 am to 5 pm.  General Admission: Adults $6.00, Children 10 & Under Free, and FREE PARKING!  More info online at: http://www.eriepromotions.com/RV/eri/default.aspx

 

We invite you to attend any and all of these RV Shows!  Stop by the KOA Kampgrounds booth and pick up some brochures, a KOA directory and a KOA bag!  Tell folks in the booth that you received your invitation to the RV Show from Meadville KOA Campground!  We hope to see you there!    

By Robyn Chilson

Tim & Robyn Chilson own and operate Meadville KOA Campground.  Robyn can be reached at 814-789-3251.  Kampgrounds of America, is now the world’s largest system of open-to-the-public family campgrounds.

   

What’s Under Your Christmas Tree?

What’s under the tree is much less important than who is around the Christmas tree with you. The holidays are a great time to be together with family members and reminisce about fun times, and family outings. It’s also a great time to begin planning your summer camping vacations with your family! 

Here are some tips that might help make your travel plans or summer camping vacation better!   

If you’re putting a new smart phone under the tree, don’t forget to download The KOA Camping App!  It is available for download at the Apple App Store and Google Play sites. It’s a great way to have 485 of the best campgrounds in the USA and Canada at your fingertips. For more information or to view a special video on the KOA Camping App, go to http://koa.com/get-the-koa-app/.

If the kids never know what to get you, or you never know what to give them, why not ask for or give the gift that keeps on giving? Ask for or get them a KOA Gift Card! You can buy them in any amount over $20.00! You can give them to the grandkids as spending money when they go camping, or to their parents to pay for the whole campout!  You can purchase those at https://koagiftcards.com/.

We have put together another schedule full of fun, family friendly themed event weekends with planned activities for the 2015 camping season! We hope you’ll check them out, and join the fun! You can see our themed weekends schedule on our website at: http://www.meadvillekoa.com/themed-weekend-events/.

Don’t forget that we offer special discounts and offers on our website all summer long!  You can book your campouts on any of our BOGO (buy one night, get one night free) or other special KOA offers for even more big savings! Check out all of our discounts at: http://www.meadvillekoa.com/discounts/.

Don’t forget to provide us your email address when you camp with us, so we can email you our monthly email blasts with upcoming events and special offers and hot deals!  If you camp with us often and provide us camping reviews when you camp, you can become a VIP and receive even more special offers and discounts to visit us even more often!   

Seasonal camping is a great value! If you haven’t considered seasonal camping, maybe it’s time that you did! Wouldn't it be a great present to put under your tree this holiday season?  What better gift to give your family than family time to do what they love - camp! Seasonal camping reduces your gasoline costs, wear and tear on your tow vehicle and RV, time, and work. It maximizes the use of your RV and time with your family, and minimizes your work. Why vacation just once a summer, when you could vacation on any days off, all summer long?  It’s fun and affordable!  It makes a lot of sense, and provides your family that time to get away together that we all need!  Call us today and get started in a very special Christmas gift for your family - a whole summer of camping fun! You can check out more info at http://www.meadvillekoa.com/seasonal-camping/.

So, don’t forget to make those camping vacation plans this holiday season, and as always, we hope your plans include Meadville KOA Campground!  Don’t forget to book early so you get your desired campsite on the dates you want to camp! We start accepting reservations for next season on January 8^th, 2015!

And, until we see you next spring, or this winter at the RV Shows, we want to wish you and your family from us and our family, the very happiest of holidays and a Very, Merry Christmas!

By Robyn Chilson                                                                                                                  

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

KOA Awards & Planning Your 2015 Camping Summer

You may have already heard the news that Meadville KOA Campground has been awarded the 2015 KOA Founder's & President’s Awards by Kampgrounds of America Inc., which is given only to those KOA Campgrounds that attained the very top scores in both customer service and the quality review.

We want to take this opportunity to thank you for your patronage and continued top ratings for our staff and camping facilities.  We were very blessed to have such an excellent staff this summer and to serve so many wonderful camping families.  We sincerely thank you.

We’d also like to remind our campers that while you’re with your families this holiday season, that it’s a great time to not only share memories of camp outs from the past but to also begin planning your summer camping adventures for the 2015 summer!

You can see our all new 2015 themed event weekend schedule at http://www.meadvillekoa.com/themed-weekend-events/!  We sincerely hope that your camping plans will include Meadville KOA and one of these fun-filled family event weekends!  We will begin accepting reservations for the 2015 camping season January 8, 2015. 

Until we see you at the RV Shows in January and February, we wish you and your families a very happy and healthy holiday season!   

Go Camping In October!

"The events and activities are winding down at Meadville KOA (Kampgrounds of America) by the time the month of October arrives," according to campground owner, Tim Chilson, “but there is still great camping weekends remaining this camping season and some of them include big savings!"

"We're nearing the end of the season and October 10-12^th is our last event weekend of the camping season," Chilson said, "but we've discounted the camping prices, which makes it even more affordable for people to get out and enjoy the wonderful fall festivals like the Franklin Applefest on Oct. 4 Weekend, and the the Pioneer Steam Show in Saegertown and Conneaut Lake Area Pumpkinfest on Oct. 11.  If you’re into haunted attractions, they run now through the end of October.  Not only can you enjoy those wonderful autumn festivals, haunted attractions, and the fall foliage, but the cool evenings provide wonderful opportunities to enjoy an autumn evening campfire and some warmed apple cider and s'mores!  And, we offer some great savings!  If you invite another family to come with you, we have buy one night get one night free as a thank you for introducing Meadville KOA to a new family.  Or, you can get a great discount just by calling and reserving a site!  Our prices with the discount are below State park’s rates and you get free Wi-Fi, Cable TV, and catch and release fishing, not to mention our events and activities!" Chilson went on to add, “There are also autumn driving tours in the area that maximize your fall foliage viewing as well.  They are provided on the Crawford County Visitor’s Bureau website.”

Many RVers, according to Chilson, use October as a perfect time to travel and enjoy the foliage. "With gas prices lowered, fall festivals, and fall foliage at its’ prime, it's a perfect time to get outside, enjoy the beautiful autumn weather remaining, and do some camping," Chilson added.

“October is also a great month to visit campgrounds if you’re looking for a seasonal camping site,” according to Chilson.  “Campers can look at the availability and pick a site for the following season.  And because our sites include free onsite winter storage, they can leave the RV in onsite storage here for the winter, come open up in the spring, and start camping!  They save money by not having to pay for storage, and the convenience is great, and it allows our seasonal campers to maximize the use of their RV for the whole 2015 summer season!”

Meadville KOA is located on Route 27 and hosts 160 camp sites, 4 camping cabins (which includes two, lake-front deluxe lodges), seven fishing ponds for catch and release fishing (no license required), a swimming pool, a creek for wading, a hiking trail, volleyball, basketball, soccer & ball field, horseshoe pits, themed weekend events with planned activities, and much more!

By Robyn Chilson

Tim & Robyn Chilson are both CPOs, and they have owned and operated Meadville KOA for 15 years. Robyn can be reached at 814-789-3251.