Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts across the United States and Canada are organizing Mother’s Day weekend celebrations at their more than 75 franchised locations, featuring themed activities and special experiences tailored for mothers and families.
The events, ranging from crafts and spa nights to character meet-and-greets and chocolate-themed games, are part of the brand’s broader strategy to offer themed weekend experiences that drive repeat visitation and boost off-peak occupancy.
The Mother’s Day programming reflects a targeted approach to seasonal engagement, designed to appeal to families seeking experiential travel options.
“We welcome moms with a gift as soon as they check in,” said Trent Hershenson, vice president of marketing for Camp Jellystone, the franchisor of the Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts brand.
This emphasis on hospitality and personalization is consistent with broader trends in outdoor hospitality, where guest experience is increasingly central to brand loyalty.
The events span a wide array of offerings. For example, locations in Georgia and Mississippi include spa nights and memory-making crafts, while properties in New York and Michigan are organizing more elaborate themed weekends with candy- and chocolate-focused activities.
Many parks are incorporating experiences such as “Sip & Paint” events and “Mom and Me” craft sessions, helping to enhance the overall perceived value of the stay.
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality and glamping sectors, this approach offers insights into how theming and targeted event programming can increase guest satisfaction and potentially extend the average length of stay.
Particularly during spring months when demand may lag behind peak summer periods, these events can help stabilize bookings and provide additional revenue streams from merchandise, food and beverage, and ancillary services.
As demand for experience-based travel continues to rise, offering curated, demographic-specific programming, such as Mother’s Day celebrations, may serve as a strategic lever to attract key customer segments.
Hershenson emphasized this experiential focus, noting, “Jellystone Park locations are famous for providing fun, family attractions, activities, and themed weekends.
“Franchisees and independent campground operators alike may find value in replicating elements of these programs in ways that align with their own brand positioning and operational capacity, especially given the flexibility of crafting experiences that reflect local culture, resources, and guest expectations.
Featured image by Jellystone Parks