The Calhoun KOA Campground, owned and operated by Aaron and Mary Ann Walkover, has been recognized as being among the “best of the best” in the Kampgrounds of America system that includes more than 470 campgrounds in North America.

The campground received the 2009 Kampgrounds of America President’s Award at a special ceremony recently at KOA’s Annual International Convention in Houston, Texas.

The KOA President’s Award is given annually to campgrounds that receive the highest customer service scores from their campers on KOA’s Kamper Satisfaction Survey. The Kamper Satisfaction Survey is sent to nearly 250,000 KOA campers each year, asking them specific questions about their stay at a particular KOA campground. Each campground must also pass an annual quality inspection, which also factors into the award.

The KOA President’s Award is unique in the camping industry because winning campgrounds are being recognized by their own campers based on their Kamper Satisfaction Survey results, much in the tradition of KOA founder Dave Drum, who created the first KOA campground on the shores of the Yellowstone River in Billings, Montana in 1962. Drum was famous for continuously surveying those first campers in order to learn where improvements could be made.

“KOA campground owners who receive these awards are truly operating the very best parks in the world,” said KOA Chief Operating Officer Pat Hittmeier. “They take great pride in providing an excellent camping experience for their guests, and we take great pride that they are part of our KOA family.”

For more information on this KOA or any of the more than 470 campgrounds in the KOA system, go to www.KOA.com.