President Obama Now Has His Own KOA Marshmallow Roaster

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BILLINGS, MT (July 12, 2011) – What does the Leader of the Free World and Kampgrounds of America have in common? For a brief moment on July 6th, the connection was a custom engraved KOA Rolla Roaster marshmallow roaster.

The KOA Rolla Roaster was presented to President Obama on behalf of Kampgrounds of America Inc. by Bruce Ward, founder of the “Choose Outdoors” organization and a special advisor to KOA, during a “Champions of Change” symposium July 6 at the White House in Washington, D.C.

Ward was recently named a “Champion of Change” by the Obama Administration for his work to encourage and support outdoor recreation opportunities in the U.S.

The KOA Rolla Roaster presented to Obama was custom engraved with the words “Let’s Move Outdoors S’more,” in reference to First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” national campaign against childhood obesity.

Obama entertained those at the meeting with a story about the debate in the Obama household regarding the “perfect s’more.” To see a video of Obama with the KOA Rolla Roaster, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fodCoEs3jic.

“We know that the President enjoys camping, so it was no surprise that he knew immediately the intended use of a Rolla Roaster,” said Kampgrounds of America CEO Jim Rogers.

“It’s always fun to see someone like the President holding what you consider to be one of the icons of your company and the outdoor recreation sector,” said Rogers. “Everyone involved in the Outdoors sector fully supports First Lady Michelle Obama’s efforts to combat childhood obesity, and getting kids outdoors, experiencing nature through activities such as camping, is a great way to achieve the goals of the ‘Let’s Move’ campaign.”

The President isn’t alone in his love of camping. Kampgrounds of America recently had the largest single check-in day in its 49-year history on the Friday prior to the July 4th holiday.

“Camping is still one of the most affordable, convenient and enjoyable family vacation options out there,” said Rogers. “We hope that President Obama gets a chance to actually visit us at one of our great KOAs very soon.”

The KOA Rolla Roaster is manufactured by Bob Holzer, owner of CMS Manufacturing Inc. in Orofino, Idaho. Find out more about the Rolla Roaster at www.rollaroaster.com.

Kampgrounds of America, founded on the banks of the Yellowstone River in 1962, is now the world’s largest system of open-to-the-public family campgrounds. KOA has 475 locations in the United States and Canada.