A. People are attracted to camping to get away from the stress of daily life, and we want people to feel comfortable when they’re here. We offer wine tastings and pancake breakfasts. We have to give guests Wi-Fi and child-friendly amenities. People who share their experiences will encourage others to go outdoors as well. We are also seeing a greater diversity of people, as the number of nonwhite campers increased sharply from 12 percent to 23 percent between 2012 and 2014.

Image Jim Rogers. Credit... Kampgrounds of America Inc.

What was one of your most memorable outdoor experiences?

It had to have been Scouting. I was working toward the hiking merit badge and didn’t measure the distance correctly. The last hike was supposed to be 20 miles in distance, and I accidentally measured 19.6 miles. Once this was discovered, I had to start the hike from the beginning. And my mom and dad were waiting at the wrong 19.6-mile endpoint. I like accountability and making sure things are done right the first time around, so this was an important memory.

What distinguishes KOA from other travel outposts?

At KOA, we’re in the outdoor hospitality business. Our staff members wear yellow shirts to be easily identifiable. We get people from their backyards to the backcountry, while adding an element of service to the outdoors. Over 50 percent of people camping use tents, but people are considering other types of accommodations like our deluxe sleeper cabins. Camping on-site at KOA starts at about $40 a night for an RV site; about $110 a night for a deluxe sleeper cabin.

In 2013, you appeared on the CBS reality series “Undercover Boss” as a very convincing unemployed accountant named Tim Bickford. What attracted you to the show?

Everyone else involved believed it was a pilot for a new show. I signed on because the bosses end up in the environment with the workers. I go into campgrounds constantly and have the business philosophy that I should get to know the staff. And after the episode aired? Boom. People were able to see what was behind the KOA sign, from marinas to zip lines to Friday barbecues.