When running a campground through Kampgrounds of America, Inc., your primary goal is always to help your guests have a great time. However, keeping your guests safe and happy includes more than maintaining clean and accessible sites. It also means ensuring they have access to essentials like food and camping supplies. Here are some of the best items to have at your campground store.
Food
Having food items in stock keeps your campers well-fed and ready for their next adventure. It is wise to stick with the essentials of eggs and milk, as well as nonrefrigerated creamer and juice so they can stay on the shelves longer.
If you have additional room in your store, it is always a good idea to have a few treats on hand for your guests to indulge their sweet tooth. Items like candy, single-serve ice cream treats and popsicles are fantastic to have in stock in the summer months. In the winter, keep hot coffee and hot chocolate ready for guests to warm up between activities.
Lastly, s’mores are essential to camping, but many campers forget about this sweet treat when packing for their trips. S’more kits are a cost-effective way to help campers participate in this tradition while earning extra revenue for your campground.
Grilling Items
Grilling and camping are two activities that go together perfectly. Keep your store well stocked with charcoal, lighter fluid, small propane tanks, hotdogs and hamburgers so that your guests can partake in this essential camping experience. If your campground mainly has charcoal grills, you do not need to carry racks at your store. However, if most campers are cooking over an open fire, supplying racks will prevent campers from having to run to the nearest town to purchase one.
Camping Essentials
While campers may make their lists and check them twice, there’s always a chance they forget something important. Some of the campground necessities you can carry at your store include:
- Batteries
- Foil
- Flashlights
- Bug spray
- Paper plates
- Toilet paper
- Hair ties
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Soap
- Phone chargers
- Sunscreen
First Aid Needs
Accidents can happen, especially when guests spend their days in an unfamiliar environment. Ensure your guests can quickly take care of minor scrapes and bruises by keeping your store stocked with first aid supplies like Band-Aids, Neosporin and ibuprofen.
Rain Gear
As any camper knows, the weather is unpredictable, even in the best of times. Keep your store stocked with rain gear such as ponchos and umbrellas so that your guests still have fun even in the rain.
Supplies for Outdoor Activities
The campground supplies you offer will vary depending on your specific KOA location. If your campground has a fishing hole, stock your store with small tackle boxes, fishing wire, bobbers and other supplies.
For campgrounds close to the ocean or with pools, have sunscreen, sunglasses and beach chairs available to help your guests have a relaxing day by the water. If your campground is near hiking trails, you can fill your shelves with extra socks, reusable water bottles and extra bug spray that campers can use on the trails.
RV Supplies
Most KOA Campgrounds have RV Sites, meaning that you should have a few RV park supplies on hand. Keep items such as hoses, power cords and levelers in stock for campers who forget or need quick replacements of these items.
Keepsakes
Camping is about creating lifelong memories, and what better way for your campers to remember their time at KOA than with a few keepsakes? Some keepsakes include T-shirts with the KOA logo, mugs, keychains, blankets and sweatshirts. Additionally, you can add a personal touch to each keepsake such as the name of your campground or something specific to your campground for a meaningful purchase and memory your campers will enjoy for years to come.
Just for Fun Items
Lastly, make your camp store unique by adding some just-for-fun items. Stock your store with items kids and adults would enjoy like cards, games, pool floaties, stuffed animals and other toys. These extra items are a great way to make any camping trip more fun and put a smile on your guests’ faces as they browse your store.
Make Your Dreams of Campground Ownership a Reality With KOA
Are you ready to make your dreams of campground ownership a reality? When you buy, build or become a franchisee with KOA, you have access to world-class support to help make your dreams of campground ownership a reality. With hundreds of locations across the United States and Canada, KOA is one of the most-recognized camping experiences and has decades of knowledge to help you take your campground from good to great.
Please complete an online contact form today if you have any questions or are ready to join the KOA family.