Earned Media
Are you looking for creative ways to increase the visibility of your camp business but know the possibility of upping your advertising budget is zip, zero, zilch? The solution just might be to
The Right Stuff
Quick! What are the most important tasks your facility crew, program staff, administration and food service must accomplish before this summer?
From Alarming to Charming!
In the not-too-distant past, the daily family dinner served the dual purpose of feeding and connecting with the family. It was also an important teaching moment -- the time and place
The Affirmation Postcard
The affirmation postcard is the single greatest idea I’ve ever had to build camper retention, communicate effectively with parents, and build a camper’s sense of self-worth. Like all good
Memory Makers
What is the magic of camp? What makes a camp different from another camp? So many camp directors approach this question by saying … traditions. True, traditions are created and
Staff Continuum
In 2006, 87 percent of YMCA Camp Ernst’s staff had once been campers themselves or were returning staff. According to the American Camping Association (ACA), the national average
Online Fundraising
Large annual fundraising events are standard practice for a reason--they raise money and get supporters involved with a camp's community. But they also require a lot of planning,
A Shrinking Window
Last May, a camp director called me in a panic. “We’re way behind in registrations, and I’ve tried everything! I don’t know what to do!” While we talked, I pulled up his Web site. I asked,
Ready, Aim, Fire!
In the past, I have discussed marketing tools, the ideas behind them, and the reasons to enlist them in marketing campaigns. From branding to technology, I have covered a lot of ground in
Online Registration
The number of camps offering online registration continues to grow dramatically, due to its popularity with parents and the benefits to camps. However, online registration may not make
Say Cheese!
Pictures help tell a story, validate memories, and provide witness to our lives. Having pictures of kids as they grow and explore the world is a priceless practice for parents. For kids, sharing
Brain Breaks
Last spring, when schools closed due to COVID-19, teachers and school boards, with resilience and speed, adjusted to provide online programs. Although these enabled the continuation of school and learning (and possibly an end to snow days in the future), the health effects of staring at a screen for hours on end is not beneficial.
Mac Vs. PC
Despite this article’s title, I’m not here to extol the virtues of any particular computer. In fact, I’m here to discuss two vastly different leadership styles.
Teaching Mental Imagery
Mental imagery is a tool that is best known when athletes close their eyes to rehearse a complex movement, often just before they perform a high dive, a soccer penalty kick, or a foul shot. But mental imagery can also be used to help campers and staff members build resilience, manage their stress, and have much more fun at camp—especially when they master a challenging skill.
High-Tech Training
In this brave new world of technology, you now have the opportunity to streamline the training process in a way that not only can give a camp more qualified counselors and staff, but also
The Power Of Positive Thinking
Many of us frequently use the phrase, “Can’t see the forest for the trees.” The simplest interpretation is that we become so fixated on the small things we lose sight of the large.
Contract Clarification
As the soggy ground turns to green grass once again, it’s natural to get excited about the start of a new camp season. Campers will soon be climbing ropes courses, perfecting their archery skills,
For The Record
How wonderful would it be for a summer camp program if there were few stormy days, no serious injuries and no severe equipment or facility breakdowns? How about counselors who
Active, Involved And Interested
Familiarity breeds contempt--or, at the least, apathy--when it comes to training returning camp staff members who are so intimately familiar with the rules, regulations, policies and
Making Connections
No one likes to ask for money--even if it’s for a good cause. Many people and businesses are becoming more budget-conscious, scaling back expenditures in myriad ways in order to