Kampgrounds of America, Inc. recently honored Silver City KOA owners Jim and Jackie Blurton, with the President’s Award for their outstanding facility and operation.
The President’s award is given to KOA Kampgrounds that received exceptional scores on their quality assurance facilities review, for being a positive part of the KOA system, and for receiving high scores on their annual camper satisfaction surveys received from their own camping guests. As part of this award, winners will receive special signs, flags, and nametags for their campground staff to denote their status as a KOA President Award winner.
Being recognized by the KOA corporate headquarters as an exceptional facility is not a new experience for the Blurtons, who have received the top quality and service award from KOA annually since 1994. Jim says that the last two years awards have been the most meaningful, however, since they’re based in large part on surveys received from their customers. “We received responses from over 250 of our customers this year”, he said, “and it ‘s particularly gratifying to know that our efforts to provide the best service possible are appreciated by those who stay with us.” Among the services cited by the campers that distinguish the Silver City KOA were summertime ice cream socials, breakfasts and evening barbeques prepared in the outdoor cafe, annual Christmas and Thanksgiving pot luck suppers and the variety of products carried in the campground supply and gift store.
The Blurtons, who purchased the Silver City KOA campground in 1993, were previously employed as an aeronautical engineer/engineering manager (Jim) and graphic artist (Jackie) in Phoenix, AZ. The move was motivated by their desire to live in a small mountain town and earn their living in a way that would allow them the time and the environment to enjoy their passions of hiking, back packing and bicycling. “We wanted to live the outdoor life style, and set out to find a way to do that and also earn a living”, Jackie explained in a recent press release.
The Blurtons settled on purchasing a KOA as one option after doing a two-week tour of mountain west states which, interestingly enough, did not include New Mexico. But, they later learned that the Silver City KOA was for sale and knew it was a place they’d like to live, having done a two week back packing trip in the Gila Wilderness shortly after they were married.
Because of their interest in outdoor activities, and willingness to share their knowledge of the national forest and wilderness, the Silver City KOA has become “information central” for backpackers, hikers, birders, bicyclists, motorcyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts staying at the Silver City KOA.
Since 1999, Jackie has illustrated “From Our Place to Yours”, a weekly nature column written by Roland Shook of WNMU. Jackie also serves on the Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee. Jim serves on the board of the Arenas Valley Water Association.
Their motivation to contribute to the community, according to Jim, stems from the fact that “Silver City is such a great place to live and work. We’ve gotten way more out of the move we made than we ever could have bargained for. Living and working in a small mountain town that has such a sense of itself is a real privilege and, for us, a dream come true.”
The Blurtons also say they’ve always been blessed with such an outstanding group of work campers, full time RVers who work part time in private and public campgrounds, that it allows them to take the time off for back packing trips without worrying about their business. “They’re a group of mature, talented, very experienced people who enjoy campground work and enjoy meeting and assisting our guests. We know they’ll look after the campground and our guests just as we would”, said Jackie.
