Sometimes it takes a little mid-life reset to clear your head, challenge your priorities and find a new adventure. That’s exactly what Mark and Karla Lemoine did last summer and they are about to gear up for the time of their lives as the new owners of the KOA Campgrounds of Coloma/St. Joseph.
Mark & Karla grew up camping, and they’ve raised their four children that same way. As Mark says, “We enjoyed going all across the country with them,” adding, “We used KOA quite a bit as a family on the long hauls.”
As such, it was no surprise that when it was time for a “mid-life reset,” they considered buying a campground. They’d always wanted to own their own business, and the timing felt right. After a search across the U.S. that began last spring, they found what they were looking for in the colorful and popular Coloma/St. Joseph KOA.
Mark says, “We were prepared to go anywhere, but we’re so grateful that we only had to move 90 minutes from where we used to live.” He loves the fact that, “Friends and family can come to visit, help out, or volunteer with us.”
The Coloma/St. Joseph KOA was built in 1974 by Ginter and Ursula Bansen on the site of a former blueberry farm. It had remained in the Bansen family—and been a part of the KOA system–ever since, making Mark and Karla only the second owners, when they became the new owners last August, near the end of the summer season.
With two kids in college and two kids along for the adventure, the Lemoines have been working double time to get up to speed. Mark likens it to being “A lot like drinking out of a fire hose.”
Located just two miles from Lake Michigan, the Coloma/St. Joseph KOA is the perfect place for an escape, whether for a week or a weekend. It features spacious pull-through and back-in RV Sites with up to 50-amp service and either full or partial hookups. In addition to Rustic and Deluxe Cabins, shaded Tent Sites are also available. Amenities include a heated swimming pool, Gaga Ball Pit, Carpet ball, sand volleyball court, a hot tub, playground, miniature golf and more.
The Lemoines are also looking forward to making improvements on the campground, including renovating the General store, updating their food service offerings which will feature Hunt Brother’s Pizza this camping season, and adding additional amenities.
Located at 3527 Coloma Road in Benton Harbor, the Coloma/St. Joseph KOA is open from mid-April through mid-October. It was recently awarded the 2017 President’s Award for meeting exceptional quality service standards. For more information, you can visit www.koa.com or phone 269-849-3333. Reservations are available online or by calling 800-562-5341.
Here’s a link to the local campground:
http://koa.com/campgrounds/coloma/
Kampgrounds of America is celebrating its 55th Anniversary in 2017. KOA, the world’s largest network of 500 family-friendly campgrounds all over North America, was born on the banks of the Yellowstone River in Billings, Montana in 1962.
