Pride of America Camping Resort, located 30 miles north of Madison, Wisconsin, is celebrating a big milestone this year–its 50th anniversary. This family-run campground has grown over the previous five decades into a popular destination for guests looking for adventure, leisure, and a sense of community. In a recent interview, the owners talked about what makes their park unique, what keeps their park more and more successful each year, and the poignant tales that have shaped their path.
The owners of Pride of America Camping Resort liken their park to “a Yogi Bear with a bar instead of a waterslide” for people who have never been there. The park stands out for its special combination of adult amenities and family-friendly activities.
The park’s founder, Paul Hagen, worked most of his life in the dairy industry, either selling dairy equipment or as a sales manager for a regional ice cream manufacturer but always had happy recollections of traveling the country on camping vacations with his family throughout the years. Eventually, Paul and six other partners bought the 100 campsite Lake George Campground in 1974. Paul later purchased the park from his previous business partners to take full ownership of the Pride of America Camping Resort. The campground is currently managed by Mike, Karen, and Pete, Paul’s children, carrying on the family legacy of outstanding customer service and strong community ties. And Paul is clearly dedicated to his work and takes great pride in it as he is frequently seen giving train rides and “hey” rides, trimming grass, or planting trees around the park.
In its early days, Pride of America had 100 campsites and a few standard amenities including a rec hall, horseshoe pits, and a camp store. It now boasts 444 sites, 45 of which are rental units and 275 of which are seasonal. Notable recent additions include 26 new extra-large seasonal sites, cabanas along the pool, better Wi-Fi coverage, and 14 new XL VIP sites with upgraded amenities. These 100-foot-long by 55-foot-wide XL VIP sites have stamped concrete patios, concrete pads, Adirondack chairs, ornamental fire pits, and stand-up camp barbecues. Every site features two connections for water, electricity, and sewage, so any kind of RV arrangement is possible. The Hagen family’s goal is to always give their guests access to first-rate amenities.
The Hagens consider their longevity at the campground to be due to a number of factors. Paul was able to carry out his vision and reinvest in the park after he became the sole owner, allowing continuous improvements to be made. The long-term commitment and hard work of their staff have been instrumental in shaping the park into what it is today with reviews frequently emphasizing how well the staff interacts with visitors and how committed they are to making sure they have a great time. Excellent customer service, fairness, and an emphasis on having fun are the basic values that guide their operations. And! They’re longstanding OHI 20 group members, attend OHI events, and attend local state association (WACO) events.
One of their own 20 group members even said, ““We can’t all be like the Hagens and ride across the country together in a van singing Kumbaya”.
And now for the feature presentation, the 50th anniversary celebration. Starting on June 28th and going throughout the weekend they had 50 years’ worth of celebration. The festivities kicked off on Friday with the POA Express train ride at 9:00 AM, followed by water aerobics, kids’ crafts, and tie-dye sessions featuring special 50th-anniversary tees. Later, guests enjoyed a Wisconsin-style fish fry at the bar and capped off the night with adult bingo, karaoke, and a family dance.
Saturday was a full day of excitement with breakfast at Scales and Tales Bar, followed by a wide range of activities including candy bar bingo, free “hey” rides, and gelly ball (think paint ball but with Orbeez), target shooting. The carnival atmosphere continued with food trucks, a portable climbing wall, axe throwing, and face painting. 50th anniversary cake was served at 4:00 PM and the evening ended with live music by Coondog and a family dance in the pavilion.
On Sunday, they wrapped up the celebration with a hearty breakfast, more kids’ crafts, gem mining, and another round of candy bar bingo.
For the Hagen family, commemorating the 50th anniversary is a very significant occasion. They have watched the park expand from a modest business to a well-managed enterprise that has withstood a pandemic and several significant recessions. The siblings’ varied skill sets—Mike’s project management background, Karen’s in accounting, and Pete’s in IT—have been essential to their success. And with 12 children in the next generation, they’re eager for the next 50 years and are grateful to all the guests and staff who have made the last 50 possible.
