The Albert Lea/Austin KOA Campground is now open and welcoming campers for the 2013 summer camping season.

“We’ve now been helping campers have fun for more than 51 years,” said KOA President Pat Hittmeier. “We pride ourselves on having KOAs for every type of camping, and being where we know people want to go. Campers in this area are fortunate to have such a great KOA right at their doorstep. They are part of the KOA family, so I know they’ll take great care of their guests.”

To celebrate 51 years of serving campers, KOA has partnered with Keystone R.V. Company for the 2013 Great KOA Giveaway. Campers will have a chance to win a $40,000 Keystone Cougar recreational vehicle, as well as a decade of free KOA camping. There will also be weekly prizes from KOA, Cabela’s and Weber Grills. To enter, go to www.KOA.com or find Kampgrounds of America Inc. or Keystone R.V. on Facebook.

“There is just no better way to share quality time with your family and friends,” Hittmeier said.

All campers can pick up a new 2013 Edition of the KOA directory free at any campground, which is a complete travel atlas of every state and Canadian province, and includes descriptive listings of each KOA campground as well as detailed maps and directions to each location.

For more information on the campground, located at 84259 County Road 46, or to make reservations, call the campground at 507-373-5170 or go to www.KOA.com.

Event raising funds Care Camps

The campground is offering a free night of camping Saturday, May 11 to all campers who stay as paying guests Friday, May 10.

The offer is part of the 10th anniversary of KOA Care Camps “Big Weekend.” Last year, more than 25,000 camping families stayed at more than 400 participating KOA campgrounds in the U.S. and Canada.

KOA campgrounds have several events planned to entertain campers and raise funds to support KOA Care Camps, which provide a summer camp experience for children with cancer and their siblings. Last year, more than $500,000 was raised.

Campers can to go www.KOA.com to see a list of participating campgrounds and make their reservations.