Photo Credit: © Can Stock Photo Inc. / Antonio_Diaz
So you want to start a day camp (or you already offer several), and you’re not sure what to offer? If your program is located anywhere but in the most remote location, a quick Google search will probably bring up tens if not hundreds of competing options. While choices are good for families, choosing what types of programs to offer can be overwhelming.
The reality is that almost anyone who offers school-year programs also offers a “camp” (the quotation marks are intentional; just because a program is offered in the summer does not mean it is truly a camp). Besides the year-round providers, there are a number of operations that only offer summer programs, and their staff members spend the entire off-season developing these programs and recruiting campers. Faced with this reality, attracting and retaining campers is often a significant challenge.
So, where to begin? What type(s) of program(s) will help you compete? What are the best ways to attract and keep campers? While I do not pretend to have every answer, I’ve been facing these same questions and challenges for a number of years, and this month I’ll offer a few tidbits to help you have your most successful summer yet!