The first campground to join the Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA) franchise system is celebrating 50 years.
The Cody/Yellowstone (Wyo.) KOA has a weekend of special activities planned June 13-15, according to a written announcement from the campground.
“Fifty years of camping memories have been made here at Cody KOA,” said Jean Mickelson, general manager of the campground located on the eastern edge of Cody. “We want to be able to celebrate this accomplishment and all of our wonderful campers who have stayed with us over those last 50 years.”
“Bringing families together is what camping is all about, and we are excited to celebrate both our anniversary and Father’s Day,” said Mickelson, who is in her 14th summer at the Cody KOA. She said in addition to special weekend activities at the campground, kids will stay free to mark the occasion.
KOA founder Dave Drum created his first campground on his property along the Yellowstone River south of Billings, Montana, in 1962 to meet needs of people traveling to the Seattle World’s Fair. On June 18, 1964, Cody landed the first franchise of the company, which now has more than 485 campgrounds across North America. Ernest Goppert and M.C. Calkins were partners in the Cody franchise, one of a handful of campgrounds that struck deals with KOA in 1964.
“We’re delighted to congratulate Cody KOA on its special anniversary,” said Jim Rogers, CEO of KOA since 2000. “It has long been one of our most popular campgrounds, one that provides our campers with a wonderful gateway to the Yellowstone region.”
The campground was awarded the 2014 KOA President’s Award for receiving top scores in customer service surveys and KOA’s Quality Review. It is one of 10 franchises owned by Recreational Adventures Co., a family-operated business headquartered in Hill City, S.D.
The birthday celebration starts early Friday, June 13, with a special pancake breakfast and winds down with a wine-tasting event featuring samples from Buffalo Jump Winery.
The festivities continue Saturday, June 14, with birthday pancakes served up by local Boy Scouts. Campers will be eligible for $50 giveaways and other prizes Saturday morning. A climbing wall will provide fun for kids, campers can sign up to tie dye special anniversary T-shirts and lessons in Dutch-oven cooking will be conducted, including in a special dessert. Birthday cake will be served at the evening ice cream social. Campers can also visit a photo booth that will provide fun pictures to memorialize their stay.
Sunday, June 15, is Father’s Day, and the Cody KOA will again serve up birthday pancakes.
The campground is one hour from the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park and minutes away from the five museums of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, the Cody Nite Rodeo and Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center. Fly fishing and whitewater rafting draw many travelers to the area.
KOA Cody offers more than 200 campsites, 20 cabins and five deluxe cabins. There is a heated swimming pool, hot tub and a wading pool with spray fountain. Campers can enjoy Wi-Fi, bike rentals, a horseshoe pit and basketball court, a giant checkers and chess set, jumping pillow, game room and many other activities.
Source: RVBusiness.com
