Camping World

No two careers at Camping World start the same way. Hear from the people on our dealership teams about how theirs began.

After 27 years in the fire service and four in the Navy Reserve, Captain Chris Koester still isn’t used to taking a bow. "The accolades, I don't really need them, don't care for them," he says quietly. "But it does feel good when they come along." In a profession where the weight of the job can easily harden a person, Chris has spent nearly three decades doing the exact opposite: staying gentle. As a Fire Captain with the Sand Springs Fire Department in Oklahoma, he is the guy who pulls over for stranded strangers on the side of the highway, moves his home onto his aging parents' farm to manage their daily care, and holds the hands of people on the worst days of their lives. For over 20 years, Chris has also spent his summers volunteering at the Oklahoma Firefighters Burn Camp. There, he works one-on-one with young burn survivors, giving them a safe, judgment-free space to shed their insecurities, try new things, and just be kids again. "We give them one-on-one time so they don't really have to worry about covering up their scars," he explains. "They go have fun, and it becomes a family." When his sister-in-law nominated him as a hero, his wife Stephanie, a 10-year Navy veteran herself, wasn't surprised. With three years left until retirement, the couple had already been dreaming of buying a camper so they could travel the country and give back as volunteer camp hosts. To honor his lifetime of quiet service, Camping World is proud to name Captain Chris Koester our September Hero of the Month, gifting him and Stephanie a brand-new RV to begin their next chapter on the open road. 🇺🇸🚒 Swipe through the carousel to read their story in their own words. Know a hero in your community? Nominate them → https://lnkd.in/gAyVm3N2

What was your first day on the job like? We asked our team to look back on where it all started and share what they remember most.

That’s a wrap on Hershey! Five days, nearly 45,000 attendees. Another year at America's Largest RV Show is officially in the books, and what a week it was. Walking the floor this week confirmed what we already believed: consumer interest in the outdoor lifestyle remains strong. Families aren't just browsing, they're buying, planning, and committing to the next chapter of their adventure. A few things stood out: The new model year lineup from our manufacturing partners at THOR Industries, Inc., Keystone RV, and Forest River, Inc.® drew serious attention. We saw strong buyer demand for proven names like Cougar, Rockwood, and Montana, with redesigned premium products setting new show records. At the same time, our exclusive brands continued to build momentum, introducing a whole new wave of first-time owners to the lifestyle. Most importantly, a show of this scale comes down to exceptional execution on the ground. A huge congratulations and thank you to our regional leadership, Gregory Bonter, Tammi Hopkins, KEVIN BOSTROM, and their incredible teams for working long hours, making connections, and representing Camping World at its absolute best. We were also privileged to kick off our mornings with industry leaders like Ken Walters, President of North America for Thor Industries, and our own CEO and President, Matthew Wagner, setting a clear vision for where our company and industry are headed. To everyone who stopped by our display, asked questions, or left a comment this week, thank you. The 2027 model year is here. If you missed Hershey, your local Camping World has the lineup ready for you. #HersheyRVShow #AmericasLargestRVShow #RVLife #NewModelYear #RVIndustry

The Hershey RV Show is in full swing, and our team is bringing their A-game!

Starting somewhere new can feel intimidating, but the advice is simple: dive in, work hard, and stay eager to learn. The more you show up for others, the more doors will open for you. 🏕️ #LifeAtCampingWorld

This is what happens when an entire team shows up, every day, across every part of the business. Proud of where we are and locked in on where we're going.

What’s the best part of the job? We went straight to the people who know it best: our team.

Ask Catherine Czanowski about her 24 years of service as a U.S. Navy Chief, and she will immediately point the spotlight elsewhere. She’ll talk about her husband, David, a U.S. Army Veteran who kept the home front steady through her deployments to Iraq and Diego Garcia. She’ll talk about her colleagues at the Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program (SARP). And, most of all, she’ll talk about the young service members struggling through addiction and PTSD. "Those are the heroes to me," Catherine says. "The men and women who find their way out of the darkness, reclaim their lives, and return to their families." After treating wounded Marines on the tarmac during the Battle of Ramadi, Catherine retired from active duty only to step back into the fight as a civilian counselor for the Department of Defense. Her mission today is simple: walking alongside service members during their darkest moments. While David proudly counted "25 medals" on her uniform rack when nominating her, a sweet detail Catherine humbly clarifies includes both ribbons and medals; she never served for recognition. But for a family that built its bond over windy nights tent-camping in the Outer Banks, camping has always been their sanctuary. Today, Camping World is honored to name Catherine Czanowski our Hero of the Month, gifting her and David a brand-new RV to explore the country they have both given so much to protect. Swipe through to read their story in their own words. Know a hero in your community? Nominate them → https://lnkd.in/gAyVm3N2